FaultScore

Toyota 4RUNNER tire problems

91 of the 6,482 complaints filed about the Toyota 4RUNNER are about the tires — 1% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2006.

91

Complaints

1%

Share of all complaints

9

Crashes

0

Fires

Tires complaints by model year

1984 4RUNNER 1 1.1%
1986 4RUNNER 2 2.2%
1987 4RUNNER 1 1.1%
1988 4RUNNER 3 3.3%
1989 4RUNNER 2 2.2%
1990 4RUNNER 3 3.3%
1991 4RUNNER 4 4.4%
1992 4RUNNER 3 3.3%

Median failure at 129,780 miles

1993 4RUNNER 3 3.3%
1995 4RUNNER 1 1.1%
1996 4RUNNER 2 2.2%

Median failure at 167,545 miles

1997 4RUNNER 3 3.3%

Median failure at 182,500 miles

1998 4RUNNER 1 1.1%

Median failure at 97,595 miles

1999 4RUNNER 1 1.1%

Median failure at 140,000 miles

2000 4RUNNER 2 2.2%

Median failure at 159,000 miles

2001 4RUNNER 2 2.2%

Median failure at 190 miles

2002 4RUNNER 4 4.4%

Median failure at 55,500 miles

2003 4RUNNER 2 2.2%

Median failure at 182,700 miles

2004 4RUNNER 6 6.6%

Median failure at 20,750 miles

2005 4RUNNER 13 14.3%

Median failure at 52,000 miles

2006 4RUNNER 13 14.3%

Median failure at 23,500 miles

2007 4RUNNER 3 3.3%

Median failure at 215 miles

2008 4RUNNER 3 3.3%

Median failure at 95,000 miles

2010 4RUNNER 1 1.1%

Median failure at 640 miles

2013 4RUNNER 2 2.2%
2014 4RUNNER 1 1.1%

Median failure at 80,000 miles

2018 4RUNNER 2 2.2%
2019 4RUNNER 2 2.2%
2021 4RUNNER 1 1.1%
2023 4RUNNER 3 3.3%

Median failure at 11,501 miles

2025 4RUNNER 1 1.1%

What owners said

2014 Toyota 4RUNNER at 80,000 miles Denver, CO

TIRES:SIDEWALL

The contact owns a 2014 Toyota 4Runner. The contact purchased four Bridgestone tires in 2022, Tire Line: Alenza AS Ultra, Tire Size: 245/60/R20, DOT Number: 1RBTEAAU1. The contact stated that all four tires had developed cracks on the sidewalls and by the tire beads. The tires were replacement tires. The tire dealer was contacted and advised the contact that it was normal wear on the tires. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The tire failure mileage was approximately 20,000. The vehicle failure mileage was 80,000.

NHTSA complaint #11723397 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2025 Toyota 4RUNNER Tampa, FL

TIRES

Was driving along at approximately 25 mph and had a major sudden failure of the right rear tire

NHTSA complaint #11703062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2023 Toyota 4RUNNER Manteca, CA

TIRES

Component: Tire – Dunlop Grandtrek AT20 P265/70R17 Vehicle: 2023 Toyota 4Runner (approx. 25,000 miles) After a standard tire rotation, I began experiencing severe steering wheel vibration (flutter) at highway speeds (55–65+ mph) and during braking. The issue started immediately after rotation and has not gone away, even after returning the tires to their original positions. The dealer replaced rotors and pads, but the vibration remained. There are no warning lights, and no visible tire damage. This condition has been reproduced by the dealer. Upon researching, I found that Toyota issued Tech Tip T-TT-0602-20 for this exact issue — citing steering vibration caused by Dunlop Grandtrek AT20 tires on 4Runner models. I also found similar complaints from other owners on forums and the NHTSA database. The issue appears to be related to internal tire defects (e.g., belt separation or out-of-round tires) which are not externally visible. This problem affects safety due to potential loss of steering stability at high speeds, and could worsen over time. Tires have not been replaced yet, but I plan to pursue road force balancing and a manufacturer warranty inspection. I'm glad that I was able to find this problem early before it cause tire explosion. Tire Size: P265/70R17 Tire Brand/Model: Dunlop Grandtrek AT20

NHTSA complaint #11668391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 Toyota 4RUNNER Lubbock, TX

TIRES

I was traveling on [XXX] returning home and felt the steering wheel pulling strongly to the right so I immediately pulled off to the side of the road and noted the right front passenger tire was deflated. This tire is a 245/60 R20 107HSL BSW Procontrol Cooper tire. The tire at the top portion was bulging out in several areas. Within a couple minutes a truck with 3 men stopped to help and they removed the flat tire and put on the spare. I drove back to Lubbock and took the tire to Discount tire where we had bought them July of 2024. We were told the tire was defective and that they were able to inflate the tire and there was no damage to the tire such as nails etc. They replaced the tire. No warning lights were on. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11655165 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 Toyota 4RUNNER Lubbock, TX

TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS

I was traveling on [XXX] returning home and felt the steering wheel pulling strongly to the right so I immediately pulled off to the side of the road and noted the right front passenger tire was deflated. This tire is a 245/60 R20 107HSL BSW Procontrol Cooper tire. The tire at the top portion was bulging out in several areas. Within a couple minutes a truck with 3 men stopped to help and they removed the flat tire and put on the spare. I drove back to Lubbock and took the tire to Discount tire where we had bought them July of 2024. We were told the tire was defective and that they were able to inflate the tire and there was no damage to the tire such as nails etc. They replaced the tire. No warning lights were on. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11655165 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2023 Toyota 4RUNNER at 23,000 miles Pompano Beach, FL

TIRES

The contact owns a 2023 Toyota 4Runner equipped with Falken Tires, Tire Line: WildPeak, Tire Size: 275/70/R17, DOT: (N/A). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel and driver's seat began to vibrate violently, prompting the contact to dramatically reduce the speed of the vehicle, but the failure persisted. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the four tires. The independent mechanic found an abnormally heavy spot on all four tires, preventing the tires from being properly balanced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened; however, the manufacturer provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 23,000.

NHTSA complaint #11608776 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Toyota 4RUNNER Miami, FL

TIRES

THIS IS FOR TIRE SIZE P265 75 16. To start, I've seen multiple other complaints describing the same scenario and type of incident. Driving along the highway at appropriate speeds, I hear a whoosh/deep pitch rumble, then my vehicle began to vibrate violently. I was luckily able to pull over but had to swerve to regain control of my vehicle once the rumbling and vibration got too severe since it happened so quickly. Witnessed my driver side rear tire completely shredded, no damage along tread material, only on sidewall with multiple tears/punctures. This was a center lane on the highway with no debris. I'm now noticing other similar "tear/wear" signs on my other 3 tires on the vehicle. All specifically on the sidewall along the aggressive tread that the AT3W tires were known to have for extra grip. It just seems to be separating over time.

NHTSA complaint #11594739 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Toyota 4RUNNER at 200,948 miles Harrisburg, PA

TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS

The contact owns a 2005 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that the subframe was rusted. The TPMS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who repaired the TPMS, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the frame was rusted and recommended that the vehicle no longer be driven. The mechanic referred the contact to the manufacturer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 200,948.

NHTSA complaint #11560604 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2023 Toyota 4RUNNER at 3 miles Athens, GA

TIRES

The contact owns a 2023 Toyota 4Runner equipped with Nitto Tires, Tire Line: Ridge Grappler, Tire Size: 265/70/R17, DOT Number: 737079K4222. The contact stated while driving 58 MPH, the steering wheel was vibrating. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the tires had caused the steering wheel to vibrate. The dealer referred the contact to the tire manufacturer. The vehicle was not repaired. The tire manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The vehicle manufacturer was also made aware of the failure and advised the contact to take the vehicle back to the dealer for assistance from the Service Manager. The failure mileage was approximately 3.

NHTSA complaint #11555592 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 Toyota 4RUNNER Colorado Springs, CO

TIRES

Yokohama 245/60r20 Geolander G96 that came with my brand new 2021 Toyota 4Runner Limited I purchased in December 2020. Over the last several weeks every 7 to 10 days I have needed to put air in all 4 tires. Then I was driving on a smooth paved street arriving at work my low pressure warning light came on. I got out and had a flat tire. I found the inner sidewall failed at only 28,000 miles. I didn’t hit anything on the road, or hit a curb etc. just normal driving on paved roads. Putting on the spare I took my 4Runner to the Toyota dealership a few miles away. The service technician at our local Toyota dealer today stated they, “are seeing this issue as a common problem with this particular tire on Toyota 4Runners in our Colorado Cold climate, is causing the rubber to become excessively brittle. Even with normal use, the smallest stones/sand used in our highway plows/sanding trucks cause catastrophic premature tire failure. They may be fine for use in California warm clients but not here in Colorado.” This explains why recently every 7 to 10 days I have needed to put additional air in all 4 tires. The rubber is prematurely becoming brittle/rot in cold weather thus not properly sealing the air. The technician recommended going with 4 new tires from a different manufacturer, stating the problem will continue with the other 3 Yokohama tires and likely a new Yokohama tire as well. He agreed the tire should be recalled as this is unacceptable especially for a tire with a M+S (mud and snow rating), only 28,000 miles on and properly taken care of. At $400+ per tire this is a huge expense and clearly a HUGE safety issue in cold climates. In cold weather having to refill tires with air every 7 to 10 days is a real hassle as well. Good thing I have my own air compressor at home. I only drive with the correct air pressure per my owners manual as stated on my drivers door. The Toyota dealer drew a white chalk square around the tire failure area.

NHTSA complaint #11494264 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 Toyota 4RUNNER Islandia, NY

TIRES:SIDEWALL

I was driving.a 2019 SUV with about 16,100 miles on it at about 60 MPH in highway traffic on a perfectly smooth road and without any warning and out of nowhere there was a very loud bang in the back driver side of the SUV. The road was smooth, there were no potholes, and I didn’t hit anything. I had to pull over to get off the road and out of traffic. I was only able to pull about eight feet off the road onto the dirt to get out of moving traffic and when I got out to see what had happened. I was shocked to see that my drivers’s rear tire was completely flat and smoking. I was also shocked to see that the outer sidewall of the tire had 14 large bulges / bumps circling the entire 360 degrees of the tire’s outer sidewall surface. Being in a very dangerous situation on the highway in heavy fast moving traffic I had a call to 911 emergency come to assist me and they changed the defective tire. After the tire had been removed it turned out that the only visible condition seen was on the tires outer sidewall. The inner sidewall looks perfectly fine, all the condition seems only concentrated on the outer tire sidewall’s area.

NHTSA complaint #11441479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 Toyota 4RUNNER Islandia, NY

TIRES:TREAD/BELT

I was driving.a 2019 SUV with about 16,100 miles on it at about 60 MPH in highway traffic on a perfectly smooth road and without any warning and out of nowhere there was a very loud bang in the back driver side of the SUV. The road was smooth, there were no potholes, and I didn’t hit anything. I had to pull over to get off the road and out of traffic. I was only able to pull about eight feet off the road onto the dirt to get out of moving traffic and when I got out to see what had happened. I was shocked to see that my drivers’s rear tire was completely flat and smoking. I was also shocked to see that the outer sidewall of the tire had 14 large bulges / bumps circling the entire 360 degrees of the tire’s outer sidewall surface. Being in a very dangerous situation on the highway in heavy fast moving traffic I had a call to 911 emergency come to assist me and they changed the defective tire. After the tire had been removed it turned out that the only visible condition seen was on the tires outer sidewall. The inner sidewall looks perfectly fine, all the condition seems only concentrated on the outer tire sidewall’s area.

NHTSA complaint #11441479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 Toyota 4RUNNER Northport, AL

TIRES:SIDEWALL

Yes tire is available Tire has bad spot on sidewalk goes all the way to belt Looks like this tire might blow out which could cause crash Tuscaloosa Toyato first noticed it at our 30,000 mile maintenance service on June 9 2021 No inspection yet No warning have no ideal how long been like this

NHTSA complaint #11420348 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 Toyota 4RUNNER Northport, AL

TIRES:TREAD/BELT

Yes tire is available Tire has bad spot on sidewalk goes all the way to belt Looks like this tire might blow out which could cause crash Tuscaloosa Toyato first noticed it at our 30,000 mile maintenance service on June 9 2021 No inspection yet No warning have no ideal how long been like this

NHTSA complaint #11420348 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1997 Toyota 4RUNNER Shafter, CA Crash 1 injured 1 killed

TIRES

MY FIANCE AND I WERW DRIVING A BORROWERED 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WE WERE DRIVING AT 65 M AND ALL I REMEMBER JUST GETTIN ON THE FREEWAY.AND BLANKING OUT.. WHEN I WOKE UP I SADLY DISCOVERD THAT MY FIANCE LOST CONTROL AND VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND HIT A GUARDRAIL THEN A POST SIGN AND THEN RESTED ON A TREE..HE PASSED AWAY ON IMPACT. I SUFFERED A T1 TO T3 SPINE FRACTURE.MY LEFT WRIST FRACTURED.A BROKEN NOSE. AS I WOKE UP FROM MY 3 WEEK COMA. I REALISED HE PASSED AWAY. NOW THE TRUCK WAS BORRWED, NOT LENDED OR BOUGHT. THE DEALER GAVE US THE KEYS TO USE WHILE HE FIXED THE CAR WE RENTED .. NO PAPERS SIGNED NOR DOCUMENTS . EARLIER THAT DAY I REMEMBER HIM CALLING ME SAYING THAT THE TRUCK WAS MAKING WIERED NOISES. THE ACCIDENT HAPPEND ON 2/4/14 A 6.15.PM *DT

NHTSA complaint #11316783 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Toyota 4RUNNER at 13,039 miles Fern Park, FL

TIRES

I RECENTLY EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT OF A TIRE STILL IN LIKE NEW CONDITION. I MAINTAIN ACCURATE AIR PRESSURE AT ALL TIMES AND CHECK THEM OFTEN. I ALSO HAD NOT DAMAGED THE TIRE IN ANY WAY. NO HOLES. NO REPAIRS. IT WAS LIKE NEW IN EVERY RESPECT. I WAS TRAVELING AT THE RATED SPEED LIMIT OF 70MPH ON AN INTERSTATE WHEN AT FIRST I HEARD A NOISE AND THEN FELT VIBRATIONS, AND THEN THE BACK OF VEHICLE SWAYED A LITTLE FROM SIDE TO SIDE. I BACKED OFF THE ACCELERATOR AND PULLED OVER OFF THE ROAD SAFELY. I FOUND THAT THE TREAD SECTION OF THE TIRE HAD TORN AWAY FROM THE SIDEWALL. AND UPON FURTHER EXAMINATION I COULD CLEARLY SEE WHY. THE THICKNESS OF THE RUBBER CONNECTING THE TREAD TO THE SIDEWALL WAS LESS THAN A 1/4" THICK ON ONE SIDE OF THE TIRE, WHILE DIRECTLY ACROSS 180 DEGREES ON THE OTHER SIDE IT WAS CLOSER TO A HALF INCH IN THICKNESS. THE THINNER PORTION OF RUBBER ON THE ONE SIDE WAS SIMPLY NOT THICK ENOUGH, NOR STRONG ENOUGH TO HOLD THE TIRE TOGETHER AT HIGHWAY ROTATIONAL SPEEDS AND IT SIMPLY CAME APART. WALMART SAID THEY WOULD REPLACE THE TIRE, BUT I AM STILL VERY CONCERNED NOW ABOUT THE OTHER 3 TIRES ON MY SUV PURCHASED AT THE SAME TIME AS THIS DEFECTIVE TIRE. ***ADDED: I TRIED CALLING NHTSA AND THE PERSON WHO ANSWERED THE PHONE WAS VERY CONTROLLING, UNPLEASANT, RUDE, AND HUNG UP WHEN I TOLD THEM THEY WERE NOT LISTENING TO WHAT I SAID. SHE INSISTED I USE A PRINTER OR GO GET ONE, OR RUN TO THE LIBRARY AND JUMP THROUGH A BUNCH OF HOOPS FOR THEM. I TOLD HER THAT WILL NOT BE HAPPENING. THIS WEBSITE SHOULD BE RUN CORRECTLY SO WE THE PEOPLE CAN PUT THE CORRECT INFORMATION INTO IT RATHER THAN BE TOLD TO PUT INCORRECT INFORMATION INTO IT. I TRIED TYPING IN THE CORRECT BRAND AND TIRE SERIES, AND THIS WEBSITE WILL ONLY ACCEPT THE INCORRECT INFORMATION WHICH MAKES NO SENSE, BUT IT IS GOVERNMENT AFTER ALL AND THAT MEANS INCOMPETENT AND AUTHORITARIAN EVEN WHEN WRONG AND RUDE! A DISSERVICE TO CITIZENS. CORRECT TIRE FOR THIS COMPLAINT: ANTARES SMT A7, AND NOT COMFORT A5.

NHTSA complaint #11209664 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Toyota 4RUNNER at 204,179 miles EL Dorado Hills, CA

TIRES

THESE TIRES ARE NOT SAFE. THEY DO NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE TRACTION ON DRY OR WET SURFACES. THEY ARE EXTREMELY SLIPPERY AND DANGEROUS. THEY SPIN WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT ON BOTH DRY AND WET ROADS. I'VE HAD NUMEROUS INSTANCES WHERE THEY'VE SPUN MY WHEELS OR CAUSED MY CAR TO FISHTAIL. YESTERDAY, THEY CAUSED A SERIOUS AND SCARY INCIDENT WITH MY SON IN THE CAR. WE WERE PUT IN A SITUATION WHERE WE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. WHILE TURNING LEFT AT A SIGNAL AT LOW SPEED THE TIRES SLIPPED AND CAUSED MY CAR TO GO SIDEWAYS IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS. AFTER THE LAST SLIDE MY CAR JUMPED A CURB AND WE ENDED UP IN A GRASS AREA ALONG THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND NOT OVER CORRECT THE WHEEL. WE WERE AT RISK OF HITTING A SPEED SIGN, HAVING OTHER CARS RUN INTO US OR RUNNING INTO OPPOSITE TRAFFIC. THESE TIRES SHOULD BE RECALLED! THEY ARE TBC THUNDERER R007S MADE BY TBC CORP.

NHTSA complaint #11065275 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Toyota 4RUNNER Kailua Kona, HI

TIRES

RECENTLY BECAME THE OWNER OF 04 4RUNNER WITH WHAT WE THOUGHT AT FIRST GLANCE WERE NEW TIRES. AFTER POOR DRIVING CONDITIONS AND CHECKING THE TIRES WE FOUND BOTH FRONT TIRES WITH TREAD CHUNKING OFF IN MEDIUM PIECES AND ARE UNSAFE. BOTH REAR TIRES ARE FINE. WE LIVE ON A PRETTY SMALL ISLAND WHERE DAILY DRIVES ARE AT MOST PROBABLY 50 MILES MAX IF THAT. THESE TIRES ARE COMPLETE CRAP AND NEED TO BE RECALLED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. I WILL NEVER RUN A MICHELIN TIRE AGAIN DUE TO THIS. OBVIOUSLY THE COMPANY CARES MORE ABOUT PROFIT THAN LIVES. P165 70R17 LATITUTE TOUR DOT B7KP 004X 1014

NHTSA complaint #11045385 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Toyota 4RUNNER at 132,000 miles Ocala, FL

TIRES

WE BOUGHT 4 NEW SUMITOMO TOUR PLUS LXT TIRES FOR OUR 2008 TOYOTA 4RUNNER IN JUNE OF 2013. TWO YEARS AND 50,000 MILES LATER, WE FELT A SEVERE WOBBLE IN THE TIRES AND TOOK THE CAR TO THE SHOP. THE TWO REAR TIRES HAD SEPARATING BELTS AND WERE REPLACED. FOUR MONTHS LATER, THE TWO FRONT TIRES EXHIBITED THE SAME PROBLEMS. ANOTHER TIRE SHOP MECHANIC (DIFFERENT SHOP AND MECHANIC THAN WHO DIAGNOSED THE FIRST TWO TIRES) SAID THE BELTS IN THE TIRES WERE SEPARATING AND THESE TWO TIRES WERE ALSO REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10763988 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Toyota 4RUNNER Jersey City, NJ

TIRES:TREAD/BELT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER EQUIPPED WITH BF GOODRICH TIRES, TIRE LINE: 105S RUGGED TRAIL, AND TIRE SIZE: P265/65R/17 (NA). THE CONTACT NOTICED EXCESSIVE CRACKING AROUND THE TREAD AND SIDEWALL OF ALL FOUR TIRES. THE TIRES WERE NOT INSPECTED OR REPLACED. THE TIRES WERE NOT ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000. THE DOT NUMBER AND VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint #10735498 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Toyota 4RUNNER problems