Toyota 4RUNNER fuel gauge problems

Filed Jul 21, 2026 · Electrical, Fuel system · FL

The contact owns a 2025 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that the message “Headlights On” was erroneously displayed. The fuel gauge indicated 71 percent. Additionally, the 12-volt charging system malfunctioned with the message “See the Dealer” displayed. Several unknown orange warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was restarted, and the warning lights turned off. The window on the passenger’s side was violently shaking. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure, but an undisclosed software was reprogrammed. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel pump was replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer was contacted and informed about a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was contacted, and a claim was filed. The failure mileage was unknown.

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 Dec 6, 2023 · Acceleration, Fuel system · MI

Car keeps running out of gas while driving, due to faulty readings on the gas gauge and electronic readout. I have been driving this car for 11 years and never ran out of gas until running out 3 times in the past 2 months. Today was the 3rd occurrence, gas gauge showed over 1/4 tank and 85 miles to go until empty. Previous incident was similar with 1/4 tank and showing 65 miles to go. (Pictures attached). The miles to go reading seems to be increasing with each incident (1st incident showed 25 miles, second incident 65 miles, then 85 miles today). No low fuel indicator light or warning has appeared on ANY of these 3 occasions. This is a very dangerous situation potentially causing loss of life as drivers have SECONDS to navigate their vehicle off the highway, while quickly losing speed and loss of steering. No indication that fuel is low, while instead providing incorrect (inflated) dashboard data. Vehicle is going into the shop tomorrow. Found multiple reports of this same incident on [XXX] [XXX] ) which indicate problem with sending unit. Please review and consider further action or communication to other 4Runner owners. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Feb 20, 2022 · Fuel system · CO

Fuel level sensor in gas tank not working properly

Filed Dec 9, 2020 · Driver assistance, Fuel system · 28,700 miles · GA

On december 8 , 2020, the above referenced vehicles engine stalled three times while in driving mode. On all three occasions, the vehicle was moving at a speed less than 40 MPH. The vehicle restarted after each stall, when the gear shifter was placed in park. The vehicle seemed to be running out of fuel and/or having fuel pump problems. The fuel level of the vehicle was half full. I purchased the vehicle october 21, 2020. Todate, I have experienced 5 engine stalls.the vehicle had approximately 28.700 miles. The malfunctioning of the vehicle is an ongoing problem that has been reported the dealer as well as butler toyota in macon georgia who informed me that they were not sure if they could diagnose the problem without keeping it for weeks, possibly at my personal expense. I chose not to leave the vehicle under the circumstances. I will return the car to the seller under the 90 day certified warranty agreement. Also, I will continue to pursue whatever remedy toyota may provide under the vehicles remaining warranty. I traded a 2013 toyota highlander on the vehicle in question. I am a very disappointed toyota customer who is very concerned about the safety of the vehicle in question.

Filed Mar 4, 2020 · Fuel system · 130,000 miles · TN

The vehicle has stalled on the highway three times in the last six months most recently on 2/15/2020. Each time the gas gauge was showing approximately a quarter tank of gas. In none of the cases was the low fuel light on.

Filed Dec 5, 2017 · Electrical · 185,000 miles · VA

Fuel gauge reads inaccurately causing a running out of fuel situation, very dangerous. Gauge is very erratic, but usually shows 1/2 tank when it runs out. Sometimes goes all the way to full, sometimes all the way to empty. I have replaced the fuel sender in the tank with no change. I understand there is a toyota service bulletin # el010-00 which addresses this issue and a the federal safety agency action number 950312. Toyota says the parts are not available to make the repairs. Am I now supposed to scrap the vehicle because I never know when I will run out of gas because I have no idea when the tank is actually near empty? I have been experiencing this issue for well over a year. I am not asking for toyota to provide the parts at no charge, just that be made available to me. I am filing this inquiry on behalf of my grandson, as it is his car. I, however am a retired mechanic who will be doing the repair and have been unable to source the required parts.

Filed Mar 8, 2016 · Fuel system · 213,458 miles · OR

Fuel gauge seems to be malfunctioning or inaccurate. My concerns for it being inaccurate are that when refueling the tank after 8-10 miles the yellow light has come on, the tank only "fills up" with 13.2 gallons where the manual states that it has a fuel capacity of 18.5 gallons (page 261 of manual). After filling up the tank, the needle seems to be at the "full" line. However, after only driving 5 miles on a residential road of at a maximum 40 MPH, the needle of the gauge "comes off" full quickly. Only driving 26 miles, the needle is at the 1/4 line of gauge. Estimating the car to getting 104 miles per tank.

Filed Jul 31, 2015 · Fuel system · 180,000 miles · OH

The fuel gauge does not read correctly and will indicate full at times and empty at others leading to risk of running out of fuel. I finally reailzed this and so don't use the gauge anymore. Created risk of running out of gas on the highway if I hadn't seen it.

Filed May 26, 2015 · Electrical · 168,040 miles · TX

Upon starting vehicle, gas gauge and tachometer did not work. Turned ignition off then restarted and gas gauge fluctuated and finally responded, but no response from tachometer. After driving vehicle with air on, stopped at store then started vehicle and all gauges worked. This has happened quite often since it is getting warm. I have read blogs where other owners of the sport model are experiencing the same issue with the cluster failing. Some have tried to get repaired and that's a 50/50 shot. The only way to resolve is to replace cluster at $300.00 used without labor and an extra fee of $100.00 to calibrate mileage. Toyota is aware of issue, but fails to respond.