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Toyota 4Runner VIN Number Check

Decode a Toyota 4Runner VIN free with NHTSA vPIC. See the NHTSA recalls for that model year, then read what owners have reported.

VIN prefixJTEJT3

Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.

Vinny, the VinNumber key mascot
Toyota 4Runner

About the Toyota 4Runner

Toyota has sold the 4Runner in the US since the 1990 model year. Across those years NHTSA lists 44 vehicle recall campaigns and 5,863 owner complaints. The 2003 has the most complaints of any model year (695). EPA rates it at 13–23 mpg combined. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.

US model years1990–2026
EPA classSport Utility Vehicle
NHTSA recall campaigns44
Owner complaints5,863 at NHTSA
Toyota 4Runner photographed at a US vehicle auction
Auction lot photo, for illustration
Generations

Toyota 4Runner at a glance

One generation in the data, 1990–2026: 44 NHTSA recall campaigns and 5,863 owner complaints.

1 / 1
4Runner
1990–2026Sport Utility Vehicle
Toyota 4Runner (1990–2026)

Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

19901995200020052010201520202025
1990–2026

Toyota 4Runner

EPA classSport Utility Vehicle
EPA combined mpg13–23
NHTSA recalls44

Engines (EPA)

  • 2.4 L 4-cyl · 1990–1995
  • 3.0 L 6-cyl · 1990–1995
  • 2.7 L 4-cyl · 1996–2000, 2010–2011
  • 3.4 L 6-cyl · 1996–2002
  • 4.0 L 6-cyl · 2003–2024
  • 4.7 L 8-cyl · 2003–2009
  • 2.4 L 4-cyl (turbo) · 2025–2026
  • 2.4 L 4-cyl (turbo, hybrid) · 2025–2026

Drive & transmission (EPA)

  • AWD/4WD, RWD
  • manual (1990–2000), automatic (1990–2026)

Known issues to check

Structure and body (1,825)Suspension (915)Engine and cooling (601)8 high-risk recall campaigns

Mentions in 5,863 NHTSA complaints.

Sample VIN pattern · 4RunnerJT3HN86R?Y0······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2000 Toyota 4Runner SR5 V6, built in Tahara, Aichi
Check a 4Runner VIN

Sources: EPA · NHTSA · vPIC

NHTSA campaign data

Which 4Runner model years each recall covers

NHTSA data

NHTSA has 44 campaigns on file for 4Runner model years 1990–2026, and the 2010 shows up in more of them than any other year (12), ahead of the 2011 (11). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.

2010
Air bag inflator, fire risk or do-not-drive/park-outside advisorySafety recallCanada only
Pick a row
What to ask

Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.

Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.

Owner reports · NHTSA complaints

What Toyota 4Runner owners report

Owner summaries + NHTSA data

Complaints peak with the 2003 (695 of 5,863). Tap any bar or generation.

5,863NHTSA complaints, 1990–2026
396mention a crash
59mention a fire
347injuries reported
Owner complaints by model year4Runner: 5,863 complaints · most for the 2003 (695)

Top complaint areas · 4Runner

Mentions in 5,863 complaints, 1990–2026.

Structure and body1,825
Suspension915
Engine and cooling601
Brakes587
Air bags517
Powertrain (transmission, driveline)442
Crashes 396Fires 59Injuries 347

1990–2026

NHTSA data summary

The 2003 is the outlier. On its own it has 695 of the ’s 5,863 complaints (12%), more than any other 4Runner model year, and owners across the generation name structure and body most often (1,825 mentions), then suspension (915).

What 4Runner owners report across recent generations

Owner summary

2010–2024 (5th generation)

Owner trouble is light for this long-running generation. On the 2010 and 2011, most NHTSA complaints concern the passenger air bag inflator recalls rather than new failures, with a handful describing frame or brake line rust. CarComplaints lists power door locks that stop working, uncomfortable seats and sunroof glass that shattered as the top 2014 problems, with few reports in total. Recalls cover passenger front air bag inflators on 2010–2016 models. [1] [2] [3]

What to check before buying

  • Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup, especially the passenger air bag inflator recalls on 2010–2016 models.
  • Because owner complaints are few, focus on condition.
  • Inspect the frame and brake lines for rust, particularly on trucks from salt states, and check the sunroof glass.
  • Test the power door locks, and look for signs of hard off-road use underneath.
Sources (3) and method
Sources:
  1. NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, 2010 Toyota 4Runner
  2. NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, 2011 Toyota 4Runner
  3. CarComplaints.com, 2014 Toyota 4Runner problems

Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.

Owner summary updated September 25, 2026.

Owner complaints · by model year

4Runner complaint breakdown by model year

NHTSA data

Hybrid 4Runner versions count alongside gas ones. Tap a year to see its top systems.

5,863complaints, 1990–2026
396mention a crash
59mention a fire
347injuries reported
17complaints report a death
Most complaints: 2003 (695), 2004 (678), 2000 (483)
’90’95483’00695’03678’04’05’10’15’20’25

2003 · 695 complaints

Crashes 18 · fires 0 · injuries 27

Structure284
Suspension114
Unknown or other101
Engine and engine cooling89
Service brakes73

Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.

EPA fuel economy & emissions

4Runner CO₂, smog rating and yearly fuel cost

EPA data

EPA lists 156 4Runner versions for model years 1990–2026 (gas and hybrid). The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 380 g/mi, for the 2026 hybrid. Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.

4Runner1990–2026

13–23 mpg · CO₂ 380–684 g/mi

2025
22combined MPG
399CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)
$3,050EPA yearly fuel cost
6/10Smog rating
1 = worst · 10 = cleanest
5/10Greenhouse gas rating
Federal Tier 3 Bin 30 · OtherEmission standard
Cleanest gas version of 2025: 2WD · Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Turbo — 22 MPG · 399 g/mi
Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year
300400500600700199019952000200520102015202020251990 · Gas: 4941991 · Gas: 4941992 · Gas: 4941993 · Gas: 4941994 · Gas: 4941995 · Gas: 4941996 · Gas: 4441997 · Gas: 4681998 · Gas: 4681999 · Gas: 4682000 · Gas: 4682001 · Gas: 5232002 · Gas: 5552003 · Gas: 4942004 · Gas: 4942005 · Gas: 4942006 · Gas: 4942007 · Gas: 4942008 · Gas: 4942009 · Gas: 4942010 · Gas: 4442011 · Gas: 4682012 · Gas: 4682013 · Gas: 4672014 · Gas: 4672015 · Gas: 4662016 · Gas: 4672017 · Gas: 4792018 · Gas: 4792019 · Gas: 4792020 · Gas: 5032021 · Gas: 5032022 · Gas: 5032023 · Gas: 5032024 · Gas: 5032025 · Gas: 3992026 · Gas: 3992025 · Hybrid: 3802026 · Hybrid: 380
GasHybrid

Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Greenhouse-gas ratings start with the 2013 model year. Source: fueleconomy.gov.

Compare rivals

4Runner vs Ford Explorer vs Jeep Grand Cherokee

NHTSA + EPA data

Take 1990–2026. NHTSA lists 44 recall campaigns for the 4Runner, against 149 for the Ford Explorer and 134 for the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Pick a range to compare.

Toyota 4Runner

Model years 1990–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns
44
NHTSA owner complaints
5,863
EPA combined mpg
13–23
Engines (EPA)
4-cyl 2.4, 2.7 L · 6-cyl 3.0, 3.4, 4.0 L · 8-cyl 4.7 L
Also listed
turbo, hybrid
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, RWD
NHTSA crash rating
4★ overall (2025)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Structure and body 1,825
  2. Suspension 915
  3. Engine and cooling 601

Ford Explorer

Model years 1990–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns
149
NHTSA owner complaints
36,039
EPA combined mpg
14–28
Engines (EPA)
4-cyl 2.0, 2.3 L · 6-cyl 3.0–4.0 L · 8-cyl 4.6, 5.0 L · Electric
Also listed
turbo, hybrid
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, FWD, RWD
NHTSA crash rating
5★ overall (2025)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 5,868
  2. Structure and body 5,497
  3. Engine and cooling 4,215

Jeep Grand Cherokee

Model years 1990–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns
134
NHTSA owner complaints
29,694
EPA combined mpg
12–25
Engines (EPA)
4-cyl 2.0 L · 6-cyl 3.0–4.0 L · 8-cyl 4.7–6.4 L
Also listed
diesel, turbo, supercharged, plug-in hybrid
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, RWD
NHTSA crash rating
5★ overall (2025)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Electrical system 7,859
  2. Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 4,902
  3. Brakes 4,357

NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.

Toyota 4Runner VIN number location

Where to find the VIN on a 4Runner

Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.

White Toyota 4Runner (fifth generation) SUV, front three-quarter view, with the VIN locations marked

Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped

Illustration: VinNumber.net

Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net

4Runner uses body-on-frame construction, placing a VIN stamp on the frame rail near the front axle in addition to the standard dashboard plate and door jamb sticker.

  1. Windshield plateRead it through the glass at the base of the driver's side windshield.
    Source: 49 CFR 565.13(f) (NHTSA): VIN inside the passenger compartment, readable through the glazing next to the left windshield pillar
  2. Door jamb labelOpen the driver's door: the certification label on the B-pillar lists the VIN.
    Source: 49 CFR 567.4 (NHTSA): certification label with VIN at the driver door hinge pillar, latch post or door edge
The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.
FAQ

Common Toyota 4Runner VIN questions

Which Toyota 4Runner model years have the most owner complaints?

The 2003 leads with 695, ahead of the 2004 (678) and 2000 (483). Those first two alone make up 23% of the 5,863 4Runner complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.

How many recalls has the Toyota 4Runner had?

NHTSA’s recall records show 44 vehicle campaigns for model years 1990–2026, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns.

Which Toyota 4Runner recalls are high risk?

16V-340 and 17V-006 cover air bag inflators that can rupture. 18V-024, 19V-005, 19V-741 and 16V-937 cover air bag inflator modules and how they deploy. NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 03V-146 and 16V-396. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.

What fuel economy does the Toyota 4Runner get?

It varies. EPA rates the 1990–2026 4Runner at 13–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive (fueleconomy.gov).

How does the Toyota 4Runner compare with the Ford Explorer and Jeep Grand Cherokee on recalls?

For 1990–2026 models the 4Runner has 44 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Ford Explorer has 149, the Jeep Grand Cherokee 134. Complaints run 5,863, 36,039 and 29,694 in that order, with no sales adjustment.

What crash rating does the Toyota 4Runner have?

NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2025 4Runner 4 stars overall. All 3 rated versions get that score.

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