Toyota 4RUNNER fire or smoke problems

Filed Aug 30, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · TX · fire

On August 29, 2026, I was stopped at a red light with my foot on the brake when I noticed the vehicle moving forward even though I was pressing the brake pedal. I immediately entered a nearby parking lot at very low speed. I had significant difficulty stopping and used the electronic parking brake to help keep the vehicle stopped. While still inside, I noticed a strong burning smell and smoke. After exiting, I saw smoke coming from the passenger side. I walked to that side and saw flames coming from the area near the passenger-side tire. I attempted to extinguish the fire with a small amount of water. I then opened the hood and observed fire in the same general passenger-side area, including near the tire and around the battery area. The heat/fire was severe enough to crack and damage the windshield. I called 911, and the fire department responded and extinguished the fire. The vehicle was not drivable and was towed to an authorized Toyota dealership, where it is currently available for inspection. The cause has not yet been determined. After the incident, the Toyota app displayed 9 active alerts, including Brake System Malfunction, ABS Malfunction, Low Brake Fluid, Parking Brake System Malfunction, Vehicle Stability Control System Malfunction, Secondary Collision Brake System Malfunction, Smart Stop System Malfunction, and Drive-Start Control System Malfunction. The vehicle had approximately 13,310 miles. There were no injuries or collision.

Filed Jul 30, 2026 · Electrical · KS · fire

I am a fire investigator for the Olathe (KS) Fire Department. On July 3, 2026 at 1255 hrs our crews were called to a vehicle fire for the above listed car. The vehicle was reportedly being driven when smoke entered the passenger compartment causing the driver to pull over. He opened the rear tailgate and saw flames coming from the base of the rear cargo area. He called 911. Olathe PD utilized a fire extinguisher and Olathe FD units extinguished the fire. I responded to conduct an origin and cause investigation. I determined that the fire originated at/near the battery/electronics bay of the rear cargo area. I did not conduct any destructive testing. The driver reported that this is a loaner car from the dealer while his vehicle is being serviced. There was no evidence of vehicle collision or other mechanical problems. The driver did not report noting an vehicle issues prior to the smoke.

Filed Feb 4, 2026 · Seat belts · 10,000 miles · KY · crash · fire · 4 injuries

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.

Filed Apr 18, 2024 · IA · fire

I do not know what component or system failed. I was at an appointment with my son when the receptionist informed me that my car alarm was going off and there was smoke coming out of it. I went out to investigate and it sounded like the engine was attempting to start continuously. My key fob would not unlock the car. The engine continued to attempt to start and i was certain the car was going to start fire. We called 911 and went back inside to avoid anyone being hurt. The car then caught fire and burned until the fire department put it out. It was towed to an impound lot where it caught fire again and was destroyed. See pictures for more information.

Filed Jan 5, 2024 · Visibility · AZ

Rear hatch glass broke during defroster operation. Started to smell a burning smell and then moments later the entire rear hatch glass shattered. Known issue by Toyota. They issued a brief Warranty Enhancement Program (ZG7) in March 2017 thru April 2018 but are refusing to honor current issues.

Filed Mar 2, 2023 · Engine · 47,000 miles · MO · fire

The contact owns a 2022 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed on the freeway, the vehicle lost motive power. The 4WD error and various other unknown warning lights and messages were illuminated. The contact managed to pull over and stated that smoke was seen coming from underneath the hood and that once he opened the hood, there were flames coming from the airbox, and he pulled out the air filter. The contact stated that he managed to extinguish the fire. The fire department arrived after the fire was extinguished, and there was no report completed. The vehicle was then towed to a local dealer; however, the mechanic made the contact aware that the manufacturer would send out an inspector. The inspector made the contact aware of a faulty unknown sensor; however, the vehicle remained at the dealer awaiting further diagnosis and repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 47,000.

Filed Dec 16, 2021 · IL

The component that failed is the frame of the car. The frame is disintegrated in some places, rusted through in others, and in general rusted all over. I went for an oil change and discovered that the pan holding the gas tank had rusted through and the gas tank was about to fall out of the car. I was told that had this occurred while I was driving the car could have started on fire. The vehicle has been inspected and repaired by a Toyota dealer and an independent service center on several occasions. No warning lamps or messages.

Filed Nov 9, 2021 · Acceleration · 240,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated while his wife driving 60 MPH with the cruise control activated, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle rapidly started to accelerate. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The driver depressed the brake pedal to stop the vehicle and parked on the side of the road. The driver was able to restart the vehicle and drive to her destination. The contact stated that in October 2021 his wife experienced a similar failure. The contact also stated that on 11/8/2021 while his wife driving 55 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle accelerated quickly. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The driver depressed on the brake pedal with both feet and shifted gear to neutral to slow the vehicle. The driver stated she saw smoke coming from both front brakes. The drive was able to park on the side of the road. The driver stated that the brake pedal was seized on the floorboard. The driver stated she applied the parking brake to release the brake pedal. The driver was able to drive to her residence. The contact stated that his wife had experienced the failure on 3 different occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The VIN was associated to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 11V113000 (Vehicle Speed Control) and the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 03V146000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 240,000.

Filed Jul 16, 2021 · Electrical · TX · fire

On 3/30/21 it was discovered that my 2021 4runner with 5500 miles caught fire while parked in my enclosed garage. This event happened while my family and I were sleeping. The fire was discovered @5am at which time the fire department was contacted. The fire was contained to the garage. The vehicle was a total loss and was determined to be the source of the fire that destroyed all of the contents in my garage and significantly damaged the garage structure resulting in a rebuild. The fire department performed an initial investigation, a 3rd party fire investigator performed an investigation, and State Farm along with a representative from Toyota conducted an investigation. Per my claims adjuster, the investigation determined that the fire originated in the vehicle but the exact cause could not be determined due to the damage to the wiring harness and the proximity to the condenser. This incident could have easily lead to significant injury or death to my family. The vehicle had not experienced any issues, no warning lights had indicated an issue, and the only maintenance that had been performed to the vehicle was a tire rotation at 5000 miles at the Toyota dealership.

Filed Mar 16, 2020 · Seats · 86,000 miles · AK

I was driving my car and the seat started getting hot. I checked to make sure the switch was off. It was, but I turned it on then off, just to make sure. The seat heater stayed on and got hotter, and I started to smell something burning. I stopped, got out, and checked under the seat but couldn't see anything under there. I was close to home, but had to roll my windows down the smell was so bad...and the seat was unpleasantly hot! My husband drove it the next day and the problem was still there. He pulled the fuse this morning...I'll see if that fixed the issue temporarily.