10 of the
105 complaints about the 2016 Toyota 4RUNNER are about the
airbag system — 10% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
37,250 miles.
We were traveling down the mountain of Mt. Nebo in Dardanelle, AR, around 1:08pm on Friday, May 22, 2026. It had been misty rain for a few hours. As we were traveling down the switchbacks of the mountain, we pressed on the brake to slow the vehicle; however, the vehicle did not slow down any. Since we were coming to the next curve in the switchback, the decision was made to drive the car into a tree vs. risking flipping the car over the side of the mountain. When the vehicle collided with the tree, none of the air bags deployed. The point of impact was the front driver corner of the car. The car was traveling around 20 MPH at the time of impact (to the best of our knowledge). Problem #1-brake system failure Problem #2-Air bags failed to deploy -What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The brake system & air bags. Both are available for inspection. -How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Risk of death associated with the crash. -Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Unavailable at this time due to the extensive damage caused from the crash. -Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Not to my knowledge since this happened a few hours before a holiday weekend. -Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? None that we seen.
NHTSA complaint #11740147 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Charlottesville, VACrash
AIR BAGS
On March 6, I was on South bound on Rt 29 in Culpeper County VA at the posted speed limit of 55mph when I hit a debris item on the road. I do not know what it was but it impacted the front skid plate and seems to be no other damage from the impact. There was no contact with the bumper, wheels or otherwise. There was no sudden change in speed or loss of control at all. The most dangerous result of this was the deployment of all the airbags (except passenger front airbag, there were no passengers). A police report was filed with Culpeper County Sheriff (case# 2603-0033) and my insurance agency (USAA claim # 016632631-800). The shop where the vehicle was towed (Ace Collision in Madison, VA) expressed surprise at the total deployment of the air bags given the scenario. There were no warning lamps on, the vehicle was in perfect operating condition and all recalls have been addressed according to CarFax
NHTSA complaint #11726606 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chapel Hill, NC1 injured
AIR BAGS
- The Roll Over Side Curtain Airbags deployed and hit my head. Both sides deployed. - I was in 4Wheel Low Range. Driving with a group of trucks. The obstacle was a set of mud ruts. - All witnesses did not understand, nor have seen this happen. - Toyota sent me a report based on their review of the vehicle. They said the Roll Over sensors detected a roll-over event. They advised that it is a "predictive" system. That at some point in my driving through the mud ruts, the system thought I was rolling over... I was not anywhere near a roll-over. - I requested to know why the RSCAS button was removed. Toyota advised that it was governed by NHTSA to be removed from models produced after a certain year. - I do not want to have my vehicle repaired to "factory specifications" given the experience I had. Toyota could not negotiate that request on my behalf. This is my request to NHTSA.
NHTSA complaint #11470097 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fosters, ALCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
I had a one car head on collision with a tree. Airbags deployed..drivers side knee airbags deployed causing multiple lacerations and large hematoma to both calves
NHTSA complaint #11455028 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
APO, AE
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V005000 (AIR BAG) WAS RECEIVED. THE VEHICLE WAS OVER SEAS AND THE REMEDY WAS NOT AVAILABLE. A LOCAL DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA complaint #11302532 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 49,500 milesMount Laurel, NJ
AIR BAGS
THE PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG PARTIALLY DEPLOYED. WHEN THIS OCCURRED IT BLEW THE DOOR AJAR. THE A PILAR WAS MOVED AND WEATHER STRIPPING MIS LODGED. MY VEHICLE WAS MOVING APPROX 15MPH AT THE TIME.
NHTSA complaint #11280932 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Waipahu, HI
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V005000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT CALLED SERVCO TOYOTA HONOLULU AT 808-564-1100 (LOCATED AT 2850 PUKOLOA ST #200, HONOLULU, HI 96819) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA complaint #11217096 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
APO, AP
AIR BAGS
I AM LIVING IN KOREA WITH THE US MILITARY. I JUST RECEIVED THIS SAFETY RECALL NOTICE 1 WEEK AGO AND MOVE TO THE USA IN 1 MONTH. THE LOCAL DEALER STATES THEY NEED 2-3 MONTHS TO RECEIVE THE PARTS. I WILL BE MOVED BEFORE THAT DATE.
NHTSA complaint #11209165 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 25,000 milesKerrville, TXCrash
AIR BAGS
I HIT A CAR THAT PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME ON THE HIGHWAY. I WAS GOING NORTH BOUND AND THEY ATTEMPTED TO TAKE A LEFT FROM A SIDE STREET TO GO SOUTH BOUND. I WAS GOING 45 MILES PER HOUR AND THE OTHER CAR WAS AT A DEAD STOP IN FRONT OF ME. I HIT THEM JUST BEHIND THE DRIVERS SEAT. MY VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVEABLE, BUT YET THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #11156961 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tacoma, WA
AIR BAGS
"TAKATA RECALL " ALSO STICKING GAS PEDAL
NHTSA complaint #11020425 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.