Toyota 4RUNNER check engine light comes on

Filed Sep 23, 2026 · Engine · TX

Head gasket failure. 2005 toyota 4runner generation are notorious for head gasket failure. Due to the poor manufacturing of the gasket it has been deteriorating and has allowed coolant to leak into the cylinder causing misfires and possibly more damage internally. including permanent mechanical breakdown or a completely ruined engine block. High risk of Hydrolock, Damaged Engine Bearings and Sludge, Severe Overheating, Catalytic Converter Failure. Any of these effects cause by this head gasket failure will be extremely dangerous to happen while driving. The vehicles is being taken to a independent mechanic 09/28/2026 for conformation diagnosis. And possible repairs. The check engine light showed the following code-P0300, P0302, P0304. The only symptom where misfiring and coolant levels depleting. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police nor insurance representative. Noticeable misfiring around the beginning of 2025 has just became more aggressive since 2026

Filed Jul 29, 2026 · Engine · TX

I am reporting what I believe is a design defect involving the Secondary Air Injection (SAI) System on my 2014 Toyota 4Runner. My vehicle illuminated the Check Engine Light and stored Diagnostic Trouble Code P2440 (Secondary Air Injection System Switching Valve Stuck Open). During my inspection, I found that the factory-installed foam air pump filter had completely deteriorated and was missing. The filter appears to have disintegrated over time rather than being removed during maintenance. The filter is intended to prevent contaminants from entering the Secondary Air Injection pump and switching valves. Once it deteriorates, debris can enter the system, potentially contaminating the switching valve and causing the P2440 fault. This failure caused my vehicle to enter reduced-power ("limp") mode, resulting in a significant loss of engine power and acceleration. This created a safety hazard because the vehicle could not accelerate normally while driving, increasing the risk when merging into traffic, crossing intersections, or traveling at highway speeds. Toyota has discontinued the original replacement foam filter, preventing owners from restoring the system with the factory-designed component. Numerous other owners have reported similar failures involving deteriorated or missing foam filters, P2440/P2442 diagnostic codes, and costly Secondary Air Injection System repairs. I respectfully request that the federal safety agency investigate whether deterioration of this factory foam filter is a design or material defect that allows contamination of the Secondary Air Injection System and can lead to limp mode and reduced engine performance. If confirmed, Toyota should provide an appropriate remedy, such as redesigned components or an extended warranty for affected vehicles. This failure appears to result from deterioration of an original factory component rather than improper maintenance or normal wear and presents a potential safety concern for other Toyota 4Runner owners.

Filed Nov 20, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · CA

TOYOTA 4RUNNER 2013 VIN# [XXX] LP# XXX The gas needle will be above the half (middle line), and the fuel range on top of the dash would read anywhere from 160-213 miles, going 45 mph up a hill or 70 mph on the freeway, all of a sudden starts to stall and completely shut off while still driving. I would then only have a few seconds to try to pull over due to losing all power, and not being able to shift into neutral because it's a push/start button. The car will only turn back on after putting some gas into it, so I make sure to never let the gas needle go below the middle line or have the gas range reading go below anything around 160-200 miles since the vehicle has shut down at a different amount each time, and there's been multiple times. Also, the fuel level needle never matches with how many miles is shown on the range, displaying inaccurate readings. It has poor acceleration, poor mileage, and now making a loud whining noise that is heard from outside the vehicle near gas tank. I have tried looking up the VIN and it does not show that it falls under the recall, despite it having all the symptoms of a faulty fuel pump/sending unit. I love my 4Runner but I am in fear for my life whenever I drive it and not showing accurate fuel levels. I pray that nobody runs into me if the vehicle stalls out in the roadway, while going 30-80 mph (it has done it on regular roads and on the highway). There are no warning lights or check engine light. It's at about 208,000 miles, with the issue slowly getting worse over time. I am requesting for it to be inspected free of charge, as well as getting the necessary repairs that the recall is for free of charge. [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 4, 2025 · Acceleration, Body · 205,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2005 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle briefly hesitated and was unable to accelerate, prompting the contact to discontinue driving the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the catalytic converter. The contact was also made aware that the mechanic discovered excessive corrosion covering the entire subframe of the vehicle. The contact was advised not to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 205,000.

Filed Mar 6, 2024 · Lights, Transmission · MD

As the vehicle was traveling on a highway at 35 mph the vehicle shut off electronically three times and powered itself back on after 15 seconds or so of continuous cruising on the highway. Unable to accelerate or control the vehicle while the electronic component shut off in the vehicle. Three days later, a series of warning lights and check engine lights turned on, which has occurred 6 other times, and has been brought to local Toyota dealer multiple times (over six times) and no fix has been conducted to repair the vehicle other than resetting the vehicles ECU. When all of the warning lights turn on, the vehicle loses 2nd gear and juts itself forward and becomes extremely difficult to control to the point where I have almost gotten into life threatening accidents over 4 times. Toyota has acknowledged that they do not know what is wrong with the vehicle and is unsure how to fix it. This is a safety concern that is not getting enough attention and needs to be rectified before someone or myself ends up killing ourselves

Filed Apr 15, 2022 · Fuel system · 30,500 miles · TN

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The traction control and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 30,500.

Filed Feb 10, 2022 · Electrical · 33,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2019 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that while driving at 45 MPH, he noticed that the vehicle was shuddering. The contact veered to the side of the road, turned off and restarted the vehicle however, the check engine warning light remained illuminated and the vehicle continued to shudder while driving. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that rodents were consuming the food-based wires that were coming out of the wiring harness. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not provide any assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 33,000.

Filed Sep 10, 2021 · Suspension · VA

I took my car in for repair. Check engine light and VSC track lights on with horrible sound beneath the car. The auto repair shop called me and said the frame and underbody of the car is so rusted it will break apart if I drive over a pothole. So rusted that there is nothing to be able to attach to under the car. I am original owner and had rust proofing applied to the car there when I bought it. They charged me nothing because there is nothing they can do, they can’t even weld it it’s nothing but rust.

Filed Mar 14, 2021 · Engine, Transmission · 24,700 miles · CA

2018 4runner trd off road premium. 24733miles (at the time this review is written) started to feel like it accelerate but with out doing it. (very few not that pronouce) took it to dealer on april 2020 around (14900miles). They did a recall check and said they found nothing and thay my truck was fine. March 2021 it happen again but now it was doing it very strongly. Truck started to stall dashboard lights started to appear 4wd indicator flashes rapidly charging system warning low engine oil pressure check engine multi-terrain flashes continuesly trac off light eco light took it to the dealer they told me they will check the problem. Call them to see if they happen to know what was going on and they told me that the were working on it doing the recall service (again). Next day they call me and said they did the recall (which there is not remedy available at this time 3-8-21) and the transmission was the problem and that I need to pay to get it fix it because they found metal debris on it. Went there right away they explained to me what they said it looks to be the problem. Fast forward they call me again and said problem was different (getting other party involved). The 3rd party went in to check the problem they said it was to be told a very different history saying they found gear oil inside transmission and they were sure (not because any testing) but because it looks and smells like it (when the oil they showed me at firs was burned oil) very different from what they told me before and now the truck transfer case was on the problem as well. All I know is transmission seems to be the problem and now a practicly new truck has to get a new transmission

Filed Dec 20, 2020 · Fuel system · 71,196 miles · ME

Driving last week and check engine light along with traction control light came on. Hooked my ob2 scanner to port but came up with no codes. Drove it a few more days and eventually lights went out. Fast forward a week and lights came back on. Same routine with the ob2 but this time the code p2443 came up. Googled it and " secondary air injection system switching valve stuck closed bank 2". Found out there is a huge history with this problem not only with my 4runner but with tacomas, tundras and sequoias. With certain years of tundras and sequioas, toyota has paid for this fix. Why not the 4runners and tacomas??same problem!! This whole thing is a big sham . It will cost about $2000 plus for this issue to be fixed. Where I come from, this is robbery. Knowingly selling vehicles with a expensive problem and not recalling them to be fixed.