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2012 Toyota 4Runner Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 96 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Toyota 4Runner, most often about the air bags (73% of complaints, typically around 60,500 miles). It is 12th of 27 4Runner model years by number of complaints and has 8 recalls.
Most common 2012 Toyota 4Runner problems
Air bags
70 complaints · 73%Half of these problems showed up before 60,500 miles.
We are unable to have our car airbags repaired after contacting the dealer for the recall due to a lack of remedy. We live in zone a and the lack of remedy for such a dangerous defect (exploding airbags) is unfathomable. Please pursue takata for a remedy aggressively, before we pay the price.
Takata recall - I got a notice in the mail about this defect in my vehicle almost a year ago. It claims that whomever rides in the passenger side is at risk of potential death due to faulty airbag components. It goes on to warn that no one should ride in the passenger seat until a remedy has been established to fix…
Brakes
7 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 4,000 miles.
While stopped at a red light on level ground, vehicle began to creep forward with foot still pressed firmly on brake. Unless brake is pressed almost to the floor, the vehicle tends to creep forward while stopped and in gear. Paid more attention to brakes over the next couple days and also noticed that the vehicle will…
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH and attempting to brake, the vehicle seized and caused the vehicle to be thrown forward. The contact was able to keep driving the vehicle after the failure. The contact stated the failure was due to the material being used to…
Fuel system
6 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 37,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery.
Toyota uses new green (environment friendly) wiring that is tasty to rodents and other pest- they are aware that it can attract animals to eat the wiring and electrical systems on their vehicles and refuse to cover the damages incurred on the warranty - they refer the customers to seek monetary aide from their…
I came home last night at about 9:30 pm and parked the car in the garage. This morning at 7:30 am I went into the garage and heard a buzzing sound coming from near the rear wheels of the car. My best guess was the fuel pump was still running (I had a different problem with a fuel pump not running when the ignition was…
Electrical
6 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 37,000 miles.
Toyota uses new green (environment friendly) wiring that is tasty to rodents and other pest- they are aware that it can attract animals to eat the wiring and electrical systems on their vehicles and refuse to cover the damages incurred on the warranty - they refer the customers to seek monetary aide from their…
I came home last night at about 9:30 pm and parked the car in the garage. This morning at 7:30 am I went into the garage and heard a buzzing sound coming from near the rear wheels of the car. My best guess was the fuel pump was still running (I had a different problem with a fuel pump not running when the ignition was…
Other or unspecified
6 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 63,000 miles.
Squirrels keep eating my electrical wiring and the wiring harness. They access the engine bay through the openings in the wheel wells after jumping on top of the tires. The results have disabled my ABS, 4WD, limited slip, etc. I've tried rodent repellent, fox urine, and parking in the garage. Nothing helps. Toyota…
The backup camera does not work consistently. While not moving and then shifiting into reverse, the screen does not change or changes to something other than the camera. It usually stops working after several stops and shifts into reverse. Sometimes it goes 2 or 3 days without displaying and then starts working again…
Steering
5 complaints · 5%This vehicle does not get anything close to the 22mpg highway miles per gallon as posted on the window sticker. The dealership tells me that the computer is faulty and does not calculate the mileage properly and that is the way they all are. But, I have all the receipts for every tank of gas purchased since new. This…
While driving on highway the steering wheel shutters or vibrate at highway speeds. Replaced tires with new tires, alignment, and problem still exists, rotated and balanced tires and problem still exists. Read that Toyota has had a problem with the r& r steering rack preload spring. But Toyota denies any problems with…
Engine
5 complaints · 5%Toyota uses new green (environment friendly) wiring that is tasty to rodents and other pest- they are aware that it can attract animals to eat the wiring and electrical systems on their vehicles and refuse to cover the damages incurred on the warranty - they refer the customers to seek monetary aide from their…
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, an abnormal smell emitted into the vehicle and it became extremely hot around his feet. The contact stated that the vehicle made a loud pop noise and after merging to the side of the road he noticed flames coming from…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2012 Toyota 4Runner recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began november 20, 2019. Owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are j0a, j0b, and j0c. Lexus' numbers for this recall are jli, jlj, and jlk.
Full defect summary
Toyota motor engineering & manufacturing (toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4runner, 2003-2006 tundra, 2003-2013 corolla, 2009-2010 corolla matrix, 2004-2005 rav4, 2002-2007 sequoia, 2011-2013 sienna, 2008-2012 scion xb, 2008-2009 lexus is-f, 2007-2012 yaris and lexus es350, 2010-2017 lexus gx460, 2002-2010 lexus sc430, 2006-2012 lexus is250 and is350 and 2010-2015 lexus is250c and is350c vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly. The recall began february 15, 2019. Owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are "zone a" toyota: g0p, lexus: glg; "zone b" toyota: g0r, lexus glh; "zone c" toyota: h0a, and lexus: hla.
Full defect summary
Toyota motor engineering & manufacturing (toyota) is recalling certain 2014-2016 toyota 4runner, 2014-2015 scion xb, lexus is350c, is250c, 2014 toyota sienna, lexus is-f, and 2014-2017 lexus gx460 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of alabama, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, south carolina, texas, puerto rico, american samoa, guam, the northern mariana islands (saipan), and the u.s. Virgin islands or "zone a." toyota is also recalling certain 2011-2013 toyota corolla, corolla matrix, lexus is250, is350, 2011-2016 4runner, 2011-2015 scion xb, lexus is350c, is250c, 2011-2014 toyota sienna, lexus is-f, 2011-2017 lexus gx460, and 2011-2012 lexus es350 vehicles ever registered in the states of arizona, arkansas, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, kansas, kentucky, maryland, missouri, nebraska, nevada, new jersey, new mexico, north car
Equipment
Risk: If the hood scoop detaches, it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Set will notify owners, and dealers will mechanically fasten the scoop to the hood, free of charge. The recall began on september 1, 2017. Owners may contact set customer service at 1-954-429-2000. Set's number for this recall is set17b.
Full defect summary
Southeast toyota distributors, llc (set) is recalling certain 2011-2016 toyota tacoma and 4runner vehicles equipped with accessory hood scoops installed by set or set dealers. The adhesive attaching the hood scoop may weaken, allowing the hood scoop to detach from the vehicle.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Toyota will notify the toyota, scion and lexus owners. General motors will contact the pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began on february 1, 2017. Owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331, or pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. Toyota's numbers for final remedy for this campaign are g0p (toyota zone a), g0r (toyota zone b), h0a (toyota zone c), glg (lexus zone a), glh (lexus zone b) and hla (lexus zone c).
Full defect summary
Toyota motor engineering & manufacturing (toyota) is recalling certain 2012 toyota 4runner, corolla, corolla matrix, sienna, yaris, scion xb, lexus es350, gx460, is-f, is250, is350, is250c, is350c, and lexus lfa vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in alabama, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, south carolina, texas, puerto rico, american samoa, guam, the northern mariana islands (saipan), and the u.s. Virgin islands, or "zone a." additionally, unless included in "zone a" above, toyota is recalling certain 2009 toyota corolla, corolla matrix, yaris, yaris hb, scion xb, pontiac vibe, lexus, es350, is250, is350, and is-f vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in arizona, arkansas, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, kansas, kentucky, maryland, missouri, nebraska, nevada, new jersey, new mexico, north carolina, ohio, oklahoma, pennsy
Engine: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
Risk: Contact with an exhaust tip may result in personal injury.
Fix: Set will notify owners, and dealers will install a re-designed exhaust tip that is smaller in diameter and is more recessed behind the bumper, free of charge. The recall began september 15, 2016. Owners may contact set customer service at 1-866-405-4226. Set's number for this recall is set16d.
Full defect summary
Southeast toyota distributors, llc (set) is recalling certain model year 2010-2015 toyota 4runner vehicles manufactured september 3, 2009, to december 1, 2014. The affected vehicles may be equipped with accessory exhaust tips installed by set or set dealers that may contact people and possibly burn them while they are standing behind the vehicle.
Engine: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
Risk: Contact with an exhaust tip may result in personal injury.
Fix: Set will notify owners, and dealers will install a re-designed exhaust tip that is smaller in diameter and is more recessed behind the bumper, free of charge. The recall began on september 22, 2015. Owners may contact set customer service at 1-866-405-4226. Set's number for the recall is set15d.
Full defect summary
Southeast toyota distributors, llc (set) is recalling certain model year 2010-2015 toyota 4runner vehicles manufactured march 29, 2010, to july 30, 2015. The affected vehicles may be equipped with accessory exhaust tips installed by set or set dealers that may contact people and possibly burn them while they are standing behind the vehicle.
Seats
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 the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
Fix: Southeast toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on march 21, 2013. Owners may contact southeast toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Full defect summary
Southeast toyota distributors, llc (set) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 tacoma, 4runner, camry, camry hybrid, prius, and rav4; model year 2009-2010 avalon, fj cruiser, and highlander hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year corolla, sienna and tundra; model year 2009-2013 highlander and venza; model year 2012 prius v; and model year 2010-2012 sequoia. During modification by set to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest dvd systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.
Equipment: electrical
Risk: If this condition occurs, antilock braking and stability control may be lost, increasing the risk of a crash. Drivers should receive dashboard warning lights warning them of a malfunction.
Fix: Gulf states toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the remote engine starter with a new one free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about june 4, 2012. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-444-1074.
Full defect summary
Gulf states toyota is recalling certain model year 2012 4runner and sienna vehicles, equipped with non-original equipment remote engine starters. A malfunction in the audiovox electronics brand remote engine starter module can prevent normal communication of the vehicleâs controller area network (can).
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture
Summary
From 2000 through 2017, takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("psan") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004l. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 blomquist report at www.NHTSA.gov/sites/NHTSA.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substa
Questions about the 2012 Toyota 4Runner
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Toyota 4Runner?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (70 complaints, typically around 60,500 miles); brakes (7 complaints, typically around 4,000 miles); fuel system (6 complaints, typically around 37,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2012 Toyota 4Runner have?
- 8 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from October 17, 2019 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2012 a bad year for the Toyota 4Runner?
- It is 12th of 27 4Runner model years by number of complaints, with 96 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.