repaired · 2021 Q3
Driver side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
2010 Toyota 4RUNNERProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 147 owner complaints about the 2010 Toyota 4RUNNER, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 12 safety recalls, and for recall 16V-396 the manufacturer reports only 24% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 19, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2010 Toyota 4RUNNER has problems
147 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
92Air bags3 crash/fire/injury
12Structure1 crash/fire/injury
8Vehicle speed control
6Service brakes
6Electronic stability control (ESC)
5Wheels
5Power train
5Service brakes, hydraulic
5Steering
2913 other systems5 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 92 | 3 |
| Structure | 12 | 1 |
| Vehicle speed control | 8 | 2 |
| Service brakes | 6 | 1 |
| Electronic stability control (ESC) | 6 | 0 |
| Wheels | 5 | 0 |
| Power train | 5 | 0 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 5 | 1 |
| Steering | 5 | 1 |
| 13 other systems | 29 | 5 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
12 recalls
2010 Toyota 4RUNNER recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2021 Q3
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2021 Q3
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2017 Q4
Exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
Risk. Contact with an exhaust tip may result in personal injury.
Show 8 more recalls
repaired · 2017 Q4
Front assembly: seat heater/cooler
Risk. If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
repaired · 2021 Q3
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2016 Q4
Exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
Risk. Contact with an exhaust tip may result in personal injury.
repaired · 2016 Q2
Front assembly: seat heater/cooler
Risk. Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.
no report yet
Other: labels
Risk. An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires.
no report yet
Frontal: sensor/control module-inactive
Risk. If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for…
no report yet
no report yet
Other: labels
Risk. A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Toyota.
Best & worst years
2010 vs. every other 4RUNNER year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the 4RUNNER median. How we score
'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2010 Toyota 4RUNNER safety ratings
2010 Toyota 4Runner 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
Side barrierNot rated
- Rollover: 3 stars (24.6% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2010 Toyota 4RUNNER, and the recalls they led to.
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
In owners' words
What 4RUNNER owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
My 4Runner was involved in a collision where the airbags did not deploy, and I was knocked unconscious from hitting the steering wheel. The vehicle now shows an SRS fault code and is subject to an open Takata airbag recall. Toyota corporate initially stated they would cover towing for the recall…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE…
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V024000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR.…
Own a 2010 4RUNNER?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.