Toyota 4RUNNER shudder problems

Filed Oct 29, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · WY

Vehicle information center showed "Hybrid System Failure" while driving in heavy rain for 4 hours. All 4 wheels began violently shuddering and speed slowed down (limp mode?). It was very difficult to control vehicle during this time, and I was looking for an exit on the [XXX] in heavy traffic with no place to pull off. I found an exit some miles (~7 miles?) away and parked in an Outlet Mall (XXX Outlet shops). Repeated tries to start the vehicle still showed "Hybrid System Failure" on the vehicle information center. After about 1 hour, I tried starting the vehicle again and it was normal. I took it to a Toyota dealer the following day (Monday) and have attached the report. Vehicle had 5,000 miles on it and it was purchased XXX. The wheels violently shuddering, with no place to pull over in heavy truck traffic made this an exceptionally dangerous situation. I suspect that these hybrid vehicles cannot handle rain. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed May 23, 2025 · Brakes · 5 miles · HI

The contact owns a 2025 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated while reversing at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound while the brake pedal was depressed, and the vehicle shuddered. No warning lights were illuminated. The failure had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The dealer made the contact aware that the failure was a known issue. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to another dealer, Servco Toyota Honolulu (2850 Pukoloa St #200, Honolulu, HI 96819); to be diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 5.

Filed Jul 24, 2023 · Transmission · AL

This vehicle transmission is demonstrating transmission shuddering problems, We have returned this car three time for the same repair. The highly reputable transmission has cited direct purchases of this part from Toyota has constantly have quality issues with the torque converter, This problem was inspected and confirmed by dealer and independent service center. They both concluded the same diagnose, There were no warning messages. We fear travelling on interstate roads is hazardous.

Filed Feb 10, 2023 · Steering · NY

Steering shudder at 58-70 MPH has become almost unbearable. No warning lights whatsoever - ever! Vehicle has had this issue since 30K miles (110K currently) and Toyota always is "unable to replicate the issue" or tells people this is common on the 4 Runners and Tacoma's. I won't go to dealers anymore since Toyota knows it's a problem and they direct the dealers not to report to keep the issue cluster diluted. Any visible wheel shake, no matter what speed should not be considered "common". Just replaced all 4 tires with Pirelli Scorpions, did the recommended Toyota road force balance and had everything aligned. Doesn't drive any differently than with the old tires and out of alignment. Perhaps if the Toyota brass had to drive their OWNfamily in this vehicle, they would take a different position. Guess it will unfortunately take some highway fatalities in these vehicles before manufacturer or governments act. I'm praying for a class-action suit as there are 1000s of 4 Runner customers experiencing the same issue. Many of whom have sold at a loss just to get away from an unsafe vehicle. First Toyota I've owned and it will be the last.

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 Jul 16, 2021 · Steering, Suspension · WV

*Steering shudder occurs when driving 55-70mph. *The shudder makes it feel as you have no control over vehicle, especially in wet/snow driving conditions. *dealer technicians have inspected multiple times with no fix. *issue began with in first 500 miles (brand new purchase).

Filed Sep 30, 2020 · Fuel system · 125,700 miles · AZ

My children and I almost died twice! 4 runner almost caused serious injury or death. 9/24/20, 6:15 pmish, vehicle in motion for approximately over an hour, 70mph cruise control set, beginning to climb up a large mountain westbound interstate 8. Engine hesitates/stalls briefly, steering became difficult, car shuddered, was difficult to maintain control of vehicle, only lasted seconds. At a slower speed engine back up and all was fine, assumed it was not a major issue. Continued driving the vehicle for the next two days at same higher speeds and for long periods of time. 9/26/20, around 6:30 pm, vehicle in motion for over an hour, about 70mph flow of traffic, not in cruise control, flat road, eastbound interstate 8, left lane of 4 lanes of traffic. Engine stalls/hesitates for about 10 long seconds, loss of power steering, almost ran into barricade on left, almost ran into car on right, luckily no one behind us. Saw blackish smoke out rearview mirror. Loud sounds, shaking and grinding. After about 10 seconds and crying/screaming kids, engine no longer stalled and was able to control vehicle to turn on hazards. We are lucky to be alive! Safety exited, contacted toyota service to inform them. Vehicle towed 161 miles to dealership, they see nothing wrong with the vehicle and were ready to release it to us. Back story, most all service performed by toyota dealership and did what was suggested. 8/31/20 toyota poway installed fuel pump safety recall (prior to this I had no issue, this was preventative) a week later engine light on, alexander toyota, finds my safety recalled part was incorrectly secured/installed. They fixed it and returned the car. Since the fuel pump safety recall part was improperly installed we are now experiencing engine hesitation/stalls, our vehicle is unsafe can cause serious injury of death.

Filed May 15, 2020 · Fuel system · 53,459 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the vehicle shuddered while driving at an undisclosed speed. No warning light illuminated. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 20v012000 (fuel system, gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called nalley toyota of roswell (11130 alpharetta hwy, roswell, ga 30076, (770) 763-7398), and was informed the part was not available and that the vehicle should no longer be driven until the recall repair was performed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the part would be available by june and provided a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 53,459. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Jun 30, 2016 · Electrical · 10,000 miles · CA

Toyota uses engine wiring that has a soy based coating. This encourages rodents to chew on them. We were camped (parked) and when we tried to drive the car it shuddered and the check engine light was on along with several other indicators. The car was running on five cylinders. We managed to get it to a toyota dealer who told us of bite marks and droppings. In researching this on line we found reports of this happening in toyotas and hondas. We could have been stranded in the desert in 110 degree heat if the damage was enough to disable the engine completely.

Filed May 31, 2010 · Fuel system · 56,000 miles · CA

While exiting highway a 2007 toyota 4runner exhibited sudden unwanted acceleration malfunction and was stopped by applying brakes with full force. The vehicle shuddered and returned to normal idle, then it was driven to a safe location and transported to toyota dealer. The vehicle was checked out and no defect was found, this vehicle is not on any current recall list. It appears to have an unknown etc problem which may be placing many toyota a serious risk.