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CarComplaints.com Notes: Although it has a stellar record in terms of vehicle problems, initially the 4th generation (2003 - 2009) 4Runner didn't earn our top "Seal of Awesome" rating because it received poor crash test ratings for rear impacts. However it's proven to have one of the lowest driver death rates out of all vehicles (not just SUVs), so we've bumped it back up to our top award.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
116,473 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2005 Toyota 4Runner electrical problems

electrical problem

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2005 Toyota 4Runner Owner Comments

problem #7

Aug 062022

4Runner

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was driving my 4Runner and the rear glass exploded and shattered. This is a known issue with Toyota and documented in T-SB-0189-17 and warranty enhancement ZG7. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the glass shattering. Toyota refuses to cover the repair costs and the estimate provided by the dealer is $1,200. Photos were taken in my garage when I got home immediately after the explosion occurred.

- Marietta, GA, USA

problem #6

Feb 042021

4Runner

  • 180,000 miles
The rear window exploded on it's own with glass shattering everywhere while the defrost function was on. This is a very serious safety issue and design flaw that should be remedied before it happens. Toyota acknowledges the design flaw yet allows this dangerous occurrence to happen with consumers before doing anything about it. They say to bring it in for inspection but nothing that they can see until it has exploded. Toyota customer service representative named ryan informed me today there is nothing Toyota can do for me. They need to reimburse consumers for replacement no matter the time frame because it is a serious safety issue and it is a design flaw!

- Walnut Creek, CA, USA

problem #5

Apr 252018

4Runner

  • 170,000 miles
After my rear window shattered while sitting in a parking lot for a few minutes, I had it replaced. The technician found that the connections for the rear window defogger were burned. This caused great heat to build up, causing the window to shatter.

- Spring, TX, USA

problem #4

Feb 282017

4Runner

  • 150,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Defrost cables connected to the rear window malfunction and cause the rear window to explode. Initial sign is the smell of burning plastic a short while before the window exploded. This occurred with the defrost being off in 74 degree weather. Vehicle was stationary and parked in driveway for 2 minutes before it shattered. Based online searches, many other 4runner owners have had their rear windows explode due to the same problem, both while driving and parked.

- Ventnor City, NJ, USA

problem #3

Feb 092017

4Runner

  • 216,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Toyota 4runner. While operating the vehicle, an electrical burning odor was present. After stopping to inspect the vehicle, the rear window suddenly shattered. While replacing the window, the contact discovered melted and charred heater wires that were connected to the rear window. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 216,000.

- Mcdonough, GA, USA

problem #2

Aug 072009

4Runner

  • 90,000 miles
The vehicle rpms would go up but the car would barley move, or while driving going to accelerate the vehicle would not go faster to engage in traffic, corrosion of pins in the transmission wiring harness that connects to the engine wiring harness. This harness is also tied to the ABS, traction control. It causes the vehicle to become unsafe when driving as if it acts up you cannot accelerate and sort of chugs along. Dangerous in on ramp and traffic situations. This also caused the solenoid in the transmission to short out as it was hanging up on the shift which caused a clunking sound. The transmission wire harness was replaced which showed 3 corroded pins. The solenoid in the transmission was also replaced.

- Solon, OH, USA

problem #1

Jul 142006

4Runner

  • 9,310 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Toyota 4 runner. The contact stated that when the air bag sensor light came on, the light disabled the air bags. The contact spoke with Toyota and they would not repair the air bag sensor. The contact stated that a local dealer was able to repair the vehicle after one year. The current mileage was 19,000. The failure mileage was 9,310. The consumer took the vehicle to another dealer after the first dealer was unable to correct the problem after several visits. The second dealer installed a new sensor. The consumer stated the problem was resolved. Updated 03/26/10

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

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