38 of the 6,482 complaints filed about the Toyota 4RUNNER are about the seat belts — 1% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2004.
38
Complaints
1%
Share of all complaints
5
Crashes
1
Fires
SEAT BELTS
Drivers side seat belt jammed and will not pull out and work properly. Can not use seat belt.
NHTSA complaint #11738251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
The contact owned a 2023 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while her father was driving under 30 MPH on a side road, the driver swerved to miss a deer. The vehicle drove off a hill, rolled over and landed on its top, and all the seat belts simultaneously unbuckled, causing all the passengers to hit their heads against the roof simultaneously. Additionally, the contact noticed an abnormal fuel odor. The contact stated that she was unable to exit the vehicle. The contact's brother assisted the contact in exiting the vehicle, and all passengers were able to exit the vehicle. The vehicle then caught on fire. The fire department arrived at the scene, but it was unknown whether the fire was extinguished by the fire department. The origin of the fire was unknown. A police report was filed. It was unknown whether the air bags deployed. The vehicle was towed and deemed a total loss. The contact sustained neck and back pain, bruises and headaches. The contact stated that the headaches could be due to an impact on the brain cyst in the back of the contact's head. The contact's son sustained neck pain, back pain and bruises. The contact's brother and father sustained unknown injuries. All the passengers went to the hospital the following day and were still receiving medical assistance. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.
NHTSA complaint #11715551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
Seat belt is not retracting to fit front passenger and after it buckles it stays loose. The seat belt device, intended to protect occupants during a crash is not retracting at all after it buckles. Seat belt in the front passenger seating position is presenting a safety hazard.
NHTSA complaint #11643843 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
My daughter was seated on the passenger side rear of my vehicle. Her seatbelt was on correctly and we were slowing down to pull into the driveway. My daughter said her seatbelt was stuck and wouldn't loosen. She unbuckled the seatbelt and tried to loosen it and remove it from around her waist. She was stuck in the seatbelt, it would not loosen even the slightest bit. I called 911 and they sent the fire department out. They could not get it to loosen in any way and they had to cut my seatbelt to remove my child. My vehicle is a 2022 and I don't understand how this is a normal safety feature. My child was stuck in her seatbelt with no other way out than to cut the seat belt.
NHTSA complaint #11542625 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
The contact owns a 1986 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that the driver’s and passenger’s side seat belts failed to unlock as needed. The contact and his passenger was unable to unlatch or release the seat belt. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 300,000. The VIN was not available.
NHTSA complaint #11515408 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
On 2/21/2023, my parents jumped into the backseat of my parked car and began putting on their seatbelts. They were met with resistance and were unable to retract their seatbelts. This was very arcane because I seldom have any backseat passengers and I don't load any heavy cargo into my car. Moreover, I went into my backseat and retracted the rear seatbelts, except for the middle backseat, slowly enough to expose the part of the belt webbing that was torn. On both sides of my rear seatbelts, the webbing of the belts is torn. This is perplexing because I never utilize my rear seatbelts, I don't load any type of heavy cargo that would put pressure on the seatbelts, and my car is brand new. I bought my brand new 2023 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro on 9/23/22. There were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. I first noticed the problem on 2/21/23. My safety and the safety of others were at risk because my capricious rear seatbelts could have malfunctioned at any given moment. I'm thankful that I discovered the insidious problem while parked in my driveway. I have contacted my local dealership at Longo Toyota in El Monte, CA about this safety issue and they don't know anything about this problem being reproduced or confirmed. I have not had my vehicle inspected by a Toyota Dealership because they quoted me $175 for inspection and consultation, which I thought was an avaricious price. Also, I work 12-hour shifts as a Registered Nurse in the Cardiac ICU and it's difficult to arrange an appointment because of my work schedule. I believe this is a manufacturer's issue. I believe that the seat belts were manufactured with an incorrect component, which caused the seat belts to "bunch" and eventually lead to the tearing of the seat belts' webbing. Very similar to this prior safety recall on Toyota Siennas. https://pressroom.toyota.com/toyota-is-conducting-a-safety-recall-involving-certain-toyota-vehicles-6/ Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION
NHTSA complaint #11514122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
Passenger side back seat seatbelt broke under normal wear and tear.
NHTSA complaint #11506105 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota 4-Runner. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speed, the contact pulled into a parking lot and parked the vehicle. The contact attempted to exit the vehicle but was stuck in the front driver’s seat. The contact stated that the seat belt would not release from the buckle and the retractor would not adjust out of place. The contact called the local police department who arrived at the scene and helped to loosen the seat belt retractor from the upper body and neck where the seat buckle finally loosened up and was released. The failure also recurred with the front driver’s and passenger’s side seats. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer who inspected the vehicle but was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100.
NHTSA complaint #11450819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota 4-Runner. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speed, the contact pulled into a parking lot and parked the vehicle. The contact attempted to exit the vehicle but was stuck in the front driver’s seat. The contact stated that the seat belt would not release from the buckle and the retractor would not adjust out of place. The contact called the local police department who arrived at the scene and helped to loosen the seat belt retractor from the upper body and neck where the seat buckle finally loosened up and was released. The failure also recurred with the front driver’s and passenger’s side seats. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer who inspected the vehicle but was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100.
NHTSA complaint #11450819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A DRIVEWAY, RUNNING BUT NOT YET IN GEAR OR IN MOTION, 5 YEAR OLD CHILD SECURED IN CARSEAT IN 2ND ROW MOVED THE SHOULDER/LAP SEATBELT IN SUCH A WAY THAT IT ENCIRCLED HIS WAIST AND WOULD NOT ALLOW ANY SLACK, CINCHING AROUND THE CHILD'S WAIST. THE SEATBELT RETRACTOR WOULD ONLY ALLOW THE SEAT BELT TO GET TIGHTER AND WOULD NOT RELEASE ANY SLACK. AS BYSTANDERS ATTEMPTED TO FREE THE CHILD, THE SEAT BELT CONTINUED TO GET TIGHTER AND TIGHTER. THIS RESULTED IN THE CHILD BEING LIMITED TO TAKING SHALLOW BREATHS. THE CHILD BECAME VERY FRIGHTENED AND ASKED REPEATEDLY IF HE WAS GOING TO DIE. BYSTANDERS HAD TO FIND TOOLS TO REMOVE THE SEATBELT FROM THE FRAME OF THE CAR IN ORDER TO FREE THE CHILD AND ALLOW HIM TO BREATHE WITHOUT CONSTRICTION.
NHTSA complaint #11388269 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
A DEER RAN OUT IN FRONT OF ME, DRIVING 50 MPH. PASSENGER SIDE HIT, ALL 8 AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG UNDER STEERING WHEEL, CUT UP MY LEGS HORRIBLY, VERY SWOLLEN, REFUSED HOSPITAL DUE TO COVID 19 FEAR. THE AIRBAGS CUT UP MY LEFT ARM AND MY DAUGHTER'S RIGHT ARM(SHE WAS PASSENGER). VERY HAPPY THAT WE WERE SAFE, BUT THE SERIOUS CUTS ON MY BODY SEEMED QUITE SEVERE FOR THE HIT WHICH WAS ON PASSENGER SIDE AND BY A DEER.
NHTSA complaint #11329874 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
REAR PASSENGER SIDE SWAY BAR ATTACHMENT RUSTED THROUGH AND SNAPPED FROM FRAME. AND ON OTHER SIDE SWAY BAR LINK SNAPPED. IN ADDITION THE FRAME NEAR IT IS ROTTING AWAY. NOTICED IT WHILE DRIVING IT WAS SWAYING BADLY. IN ADDITION THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WILL UNLATCH OCCASIONALLY WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #11220136 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
SEAT BELT RETRACTOR. STOPPED RETRACTING AND LOCKED IN PLACE WHEN VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. WOULD NOT RETRACT AT ALL. COST FOR PART $278
NHTSA complaint #11208674 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
NEW VEHICLE DISCOVERED TO HAVE RUSTING SEAT RAILS AND SEAT BELT ATTACHMENTS. LOCAL TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER SAID THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN SUCH A PROBLEM ON A NEW VEHICLE AND RECOMMENDED IMMEDIATELY REPLACING ALL SEATS. HOWEVER, TOYOTA REGIONAL REPS AFTER ONLY DOING A VISUAL INSPECTION DECIDED THE RUST 'DOES NOT COMPROMISE THE SEATS INTEGRITY AT THIS TIME.' THEY IGNORED THE RECOMMENDATION OF THEIR MECHANICS TO REPLACE. THEY ALSO REFUSED TO CLEAN AND SEAL. THE REGIONAL REPS WILL NOT REPLACE UNTIL THE INTEGRITY IS COMPROMISED. THIS IS A WILLFUL SELECTION TO IGNORE THE SAFETY OF THE OCCUPANTS. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #11171839 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
HHHHH
NHTSA complaint #11124154 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
SHOCK ABSORBER COMPLETELY WENT THREW THE FRAME CAUSING THE 4 RUNNER TO GO SIZE TO SIZE WHILE DRIVING. FRAME IS RUSTING FROM INSIDE OUT. VERY VERY DANGEROUS. THE SAME EXACT FRAMES ON THE TACOMATACOMA GOT A RECALL, THEY REPLACED THEM. WHY WASNT THIS RECALLED ON THE 4RUNNER? AND THE SEATBELTS JUST POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHILE YOUR JUST DRIVING. SOMETHING HAS TO HAPPEN SOON OR SOMEBODY IS GONNA GET VERY HURT ,OR KILLED. 1 MORE THING. I HAD A WHEEL POP OFF ALSO FROM THE BALL JOINT BREAKING LUCKILY THAT WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY, LUCKILY I WASN'T ON THE MAIN ROAD I COULD'VE KILLED SOMEBODY.
NHTSA complaint #11067167 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
I WAS AT A FULL STOP, BEHIND A LINE OF CARS, AT A RED LIGHT, ON A CITY STREET. A JEEP LIBERTY SUV REAR-ENDED ME AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, PUSHING ME INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, AND TOTALING MY VEHICLE. MY SHOULDER BELT DID NOT LOCK IN PLACE, CAUSING ME TO HIT, AND CRACK, THE WINDSHIELD, WITH THE LEFT FRONTAL ASPECT OF MY SKULL, RESULTING IN A CONCUSSION. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE THAT RAN INTO ME, WAS TAKEN BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL. WHILE MY CAR WAS AT THE COLLISION REPAIR CENTER, BEFORE IT WAS TAKEN TO SALVAGE, I WENT TO GATHER MY BELONGINGS THAT WERE INSIDE MY 4RUNNER. AT THE RECOMMENDATION OF MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER SERVICE MANAGER, I REPEATEDLY TESTED BOTH THE DRIVER, AND FRONT PASSENGER SHOULDER BELTS, BY ABRUPTLY AND RAPIDLY PULLING ON THEM. THE DRIVER SIDE BELT ONLY LOCKED IN PLACE ONCE, DURING APPROXIMATELY 10 TRIALS. THE PASSENGER SHOULDER BELT LOCKED IN PLACE EVERY TIME.
NHTSA complaint #11043443 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT IS STUCK AND WON'T RETRACT. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE WAS A RECALL FOR IT. IT HAPPENED JANUARY 2017. I WAS FIRST TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THERE WAS A RECALL AND THEN THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. IF THERE WAS A RECALL, WE NEVER RECEIVED ANY CORRESPONDENCE.
NHTSA complaint #11019023 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
1- THE SEATBELT THREADS BECOME LOOSE AND BROKE. 2- AT 50 M/H THE CAR IS BOUNCING LEFT TO RIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #10979926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
TAKADA RECALL. WHY IS MORE BEING DONE TO VOLKSWAGON FOR THEIR DELIBERATE ATTEMPT TO ALTER EMISSIONS TESTS (WHICH IS NOT A SAFETY HAZARD), THAN IS BEING TO TAKATA AND THE CAR COMPANIES WHO CONTINUE TO USE THEIR DEFECTIVE DEADLY AIRBAGS. AND WHY ARENT THE CAR COMPANIES BEING FORCED TO PURCHASE REPLACEMENT AIR BAGS FROM OTHER VENDORS (LIKE SUBARU HAS DONE)? AND WHY ARENT THE OWNERS BEING COMPENSATED, LIKE THEY ARE FOR THE NON SAFETY ISSUE WITH VOLKSWAGONS? WE ARE BEING LEFT TO DRIVE AROUND CARS WITH DEADLY AIRBAGS WITHOUT EVEN ANY PROJECTED DATE OF WHEN THEY WILL BE FIXED. THIS IS JUST UNACCEPTABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10899384 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.