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2016 Toyota 4Runner

Gas
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
3 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-10-26
F
Safety Signal
52 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Counts recalls, not crash safety — this vehicle earned 4 of 5 stars from NHTSA. A much-recalled best-seller scores low here; see the methodology.
Recalls2 critical 8
Complaints6 crash · 1 fire · 6 injured reported 80
Crash ratingNHTSA overall 4★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA 19 mpg
20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2016 Toyota 4Runner is sold in the U.S. as a gas large SUV with 3 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the 4Runner 2WD, is EPA-rated at 19 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for this model year, 2 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 80 complaints, most often about the electrical system. NHTSA crash-tested it at 4 stars overall.

2016 Toyota 4Runner

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
4Runner 2WDGasRWD4.0L 6-cyl172219$3,550
4Runner 4WDGas4WD (part-time)4.0L 6-cyl172118$3,700
4Runner 4WDGasAWD4.0L 6-cyl172118$3,700

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 36856, 36858, 36859.

Emissions & certification

Source: EPA emission certificates
ConfigurationSmog ratingEmission standardWhere it can be sold newSmartWay
4Runner 2WD, 4Runner 4WD5–6 / 10Bin 5 / LEV-II ULEVAll 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—

Certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S.

The smog rating scores tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, 1 (worst) to 10 (best), and is comparable only within a model year. The standard is the federal bin or California tier the configuration was certified to. Both come from the EPA certificate behind the window sticker.

Specifications filed with NHTSA

Source: NHTSA vPIC

Dimensions Exterior

Body styleSport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV]
Doors5
GVWR classClass 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg)

Engine Basics

Cylinders6
Displacement4 L
Engine configurationV-Shaped

Engine Output

Horsepower270 hp

Fuel Economy

FuelGasoline

Transmission

Drivetrain4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4
TransmissionAutomatic
Transmission speeds5

Filed by the manufacturer with NHTSA under the federal vehicle-identification rule and decoded from the VIN pattern — not a manufacturer press kit, so it describes one configuration rather than every trim (seen: Base Grade). Figures for the trim you are looking at may differ.

Dimensions & weight

Source: Transport Canada
Length189.8 in
Width (body, without mirrors)76.0 in
Height70.1–74.0 in
Wheelbase109.8 in
Track, front63.0–63.4 in
Track, rear63.0–63.4 in
Curb weight4,654–4,806 lb
Weight distribution, front/rear54/46

Measured by Transport Canada for its Canadian Vehicle Specifications database, which covers the North American versions of each model — here 3 configurations: 4-door SUV 4WD Limited V6, 4-door SUV 4WD SR5 V6, 4-door SUV 4WD Trail Edition V6. Where a range is shown, those versions differ. Width is the body without mirrors, which is why it can read narrower than a brochure figure. Before we used it we checked it against the US manufacturer press kits we hold (27 Sep 2026): wheelbase agreed within 1% on every vehicle we could compare, length on 98%, and the curb weight fell inside the manufacturer's range on 96%. Source dataset. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Licence.

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Factory warranty running out?

The 2016 Toyota 4Runner is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. What an extended plan does and does not cover is worth reading before a dealer quotes you one.

What to check before you buy →

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Recalls (8)

Source: NHTSA recall database
!critical

Air Bags

J0A, J0B, J0C, JLI
928,220 vehicles 73% reported repaired built Nov 18, 2009 – Sep 23, 2016
Problem Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and tempera Risk An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Fix Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.
Filed with NHTSARemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 19V741000 reported Oct 17, 2019 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
!critical

Air Bags

1,299,448 vehicles 91% reported repaired built Sep 1, 2009 – Sep 26, 2016
Problem Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Toyota 4Runner, 2014-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, and 2014-2017 Lexus GX460 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Toyota is also recalling certain 2011-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Lexus IS250, IS350, 2011-2016 4Runner, 2011-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2011-2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, 2011-2017 Lexus GX460, and 2011-2012 Lexus E Risk An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Fix Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly. The recall began February 15, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are "Zone A" Toyota: G0P, Lexus: GLG; "Zone B" Toyota: G0R, Lexus GLH; "Zone C" Toyota: H0A, and Lexus: HLA.
NHTSA campaign 19V005000 reported Jan 9, 2019 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Structure

SET17C
431 vehicles 92% reported repaired built Dec 5, 2014 – Oct 26, 2017
Problem Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Toyota 4Runner vehicles equipped with an accessory Billet Grille Overlay installed by SET or provided by SET and installed by SET dealers. The U-nut that secures the overlay grille may fracture, allowing the Billet Grille Overlay to detach from the vehicle. Risk If the Billet Grille Overlay detaches while driving, it can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash. Fix SET will notify owners, and dealers will replace the securing U-nuts with upgraded hardware, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 26, 2018. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET17C.
NHTSA campaign 17V763000 reported Nov 29, 2017 Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Structure

SET17B
3,547 vehicles 56% reported repaired built Sep 2, 2010 – Jul 10, 2016
Problem Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2011-2016 Toyota Tacoma and 4Runner vehicles equipped with accessory hood scoops installed by SET or SET dealers. The adhesive attaching the hood scoop may weaken, allowing the hood scoop to detach from the vehicle. Risk If the hood scoop detaches, it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash. Fix SET will notify owners, and dealers will mechanically fasten the scoop to the hood, free of charge. The recall began on September 1, 2017. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-954-429-2000. SET's number for this recall is SET17B.
Filed with NHTSARemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 17V425000 reported Jul 3, 2017 Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Equipment

17R1
1,019 vehicles 67% reported repaired built Mar 9, 2016 – Mar 23, 2017
Problem Gulf States Toyota, Inc (Gulf States) is recalling certain 2016-2017 4Runner vehicles equipped with the TFORCE accessory package. The fasteners for the aftermarket roof rack may have been improperly tightened. Risk If the roof rack fasteners loosen, the roof rack may detach from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. Fix Gulf States will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, tighten the roof rack fasteners, free of charge. The recall began June 15, 2017. Owners may contact Gulf States customer service at 1-800-444-1074. Gulf States' number for this recall is 17R1.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 17V291000 reported May 1, 2017 Gulf States Toyota, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Air Bags

G06, GLR
2 vehicles 100% reported repaired built Nov 1, 2016 – Nov 1, 2016
Problem Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling one 2016 Toyota 4Runner vehicle manufactured November 1, 2016 and one 2017 Lexus GX460 vehicle manufactured November 16, 2016. The affected vehicles are equipped with Takata PSPI-LD front passenger air bag inflators that may have been manufactured without ignition booster tablets. As a result, in the event of a crash, the air bag may not fully inflate during deployment of the primary stage. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection." Risk The improper inflation of the passenger air bag may increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash. Fix Toyota dealers have replaced the passenger side air bag modules, free of charge. Toyota notified the affected dealers on December 15, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is G06, GLR.
NHTSA campaign 16V937000 reported Dec 21, 2016 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
○minor

Tires

SET16A
94 vehicles 61% reported repaired built Jan 28, 2016 – Mar 14, 2016
Problem Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota Yaris, Rav4, Land Cruiser and 4Runner vehicles, and Scion FR-S, iM, and TC vehicles manufactured January 28, 2016, to March 14, 2016. The Load Carrying Capacity Modification Label may not reflect the correct added weight of the installed accessories. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars." Risk An incorrect label may result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash. Fix SET will notify owners, and provide them a corrected label to be installed over the inaccurate label, free of charge. The recall began on June 3, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET16A.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 16V236000 reported Apr 22, 2016 Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
○minor

Equipment

16R2
844 vehicles 93% reported repaired built Sep 22, 2014 – Mar 23, 2016
Problem Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (Gulf States) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Toyota 4Runner vehicles manufactured September 22, 2014, to March 23, 2016 and equipped with accessories installed by Gulf States. The Load Carrying Capacity Modification Label may not reflect the correct added weight of the installed accessories. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars." Risk An incorrect label may result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash. Fix Gulf States will notify owners, and dealers will install an accurate label, free of charge. The recall began on June 1, 2016. Owners may contact Gulf States customer service at 1-800-444-1074. Gulf States' number for this recall is 16R2.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 16V228000 reported Apr 20, 2016 Gulf States Toyota, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

These are vehicle campaigns — the ones the automaker filed against this model. NHTSA also records equipment recalls, filed by a parts maker against a component (a tyre, a child seat, an aftermarket part), and those are not listed here or counted above. nhtsa.gov/recalls shows both for a VIN.

NHTSA defect investigations

Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module — Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture open

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf. Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a subst

Opened Sep 17, 2021 · action EA21002 · the investigation’s page →

Whether any of this applies to one specific 4Runner

A campaign covers a build range, not a model year, so two identical-looking cars from 2016 can differ. Both of these check a VIN against the manufacturer’s own list, free, in about ten seconds. Toyota publishes its own lookup because federal rule 49 CFR 573.15 requires it to, and to keep it current to within seven days.

Hear about a recall before the letter does

The manufacturer’s letter is the last step of a recall: it has up to 60 days after filing to mail owners, at the address on the registration. We email you the day NHTSA posts a recall on the 2016 Toyota 4Runner, with what to do next. Nothing else, ever — no newsletter, no marketing, one-click unsubscribe in every message.

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Parts & accessories for the 2016 Toyota 4Runner

Search by fitment on eBay Motors — OEM take-offs, aftermarket, and the trim pieces dealers no longer stock. The listing and the price are the seller's.

Find parts for this 4Runner →

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
80complaints filed

6 involved a crash · 1 a fire · 6 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2016: 6 · 2017: 11 · 2018: 9 · 2019: 10 · 2020: 11 · 2021: 7 · 2022: 3 · 2023: 5 · 2024: 2 · 2025: 7 · 2026: 9

Most-cited components

Electrical System 18
Unspecified 17
Air Bags 10
Suspension 9
Structure 8
Power Train 6

In owners' own words

Filed with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, one per problem area. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed.

Rear windshield shattered after turning on the rear defroster while driving on the highway (route 200 icc) at approximately 60 MPH
Visibility/Wiper Jan 3, 2019 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11165608
My vehicle was parked in front of my home and when I went out in the morning to take my children to school my vehicle started misfiring all the checks engine lights were lighted up every warning light on my panel lit up. I had my vehicle towed back to the dealer.
Engine Dec 13, 2018 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11161258
I hit a car that pulled out in front of me on the highway. I was going north bound and they attempted to take a left from a side street to go south bound. I was going 45 miles per hour and the other car was at a dead stop in front of me. I hit them just behind the drivers seat.
Air Bags at 25,000 miles Dec 8, 2018 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11156961
The wiring inside of the engine was chewed through by rodents. I drive the vehicle every day and it was serviced two days before. After performing some research, I found out that Toyota and other companies use soy based products to make wiring. This apparently attracts rodents as it is basically food for them.
Electrical System at 34,000 miles Nov 7, 2018 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11149822
The contact owns a 2016 Toyota 4Runner. The dealer diagnosed that the inner constant velocity boot leaked oil and needed to be replaced. There was no warning indicator illuminated. The contact was informed that the part was not covered under warranty.
Suspension at 18,445 miles Aug 30, 2018 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11123559
The tforce fender flares have become extremely loose, and rattle when driving. I AM afraid of them flying off on the interstate and causing damage to a following vehicle
Structure at 25,000 miles Oct 10, 2017 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11032720

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Reported by Toyota itself: 90 death-or-injury claims on this model year in its quarterly Early Warning reports to NHTSA (49 CFR 579.21): 8 killed, 113 injured, as claimed, not verified. Every 4Runner model year, by year and system → Dated and by system, they are exhibit F of the defect dossier.

When owners reported it

Reported at 25k

miles, typically

Half the 41 owner reports with an odometer reading on file fall between 12,000 and 46,000 miles. That is when problems get reported, which is not the same as when they start — and not a failure rate, because nobody knows how many of these cars never had a problem at all.

under 10k 8
10k–20k 6
20k–30k 10
30k–40k 3
40k–50k 5
50k–60k 6
60k–70k 0
70k–80k 1
80k–90k 0
90k–100k 1
100k–150k 1
150k + 0

Odometer readings as filed by owners with NHTSA. Readings under 100 or over 400,000 miles are dropped as data entry rather than history, and a component needs at least 12 readings before a median is shown for it.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
SUV 2WD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★☆☆25%
SUV AWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★☆☆25%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Service bulletins & campaigns

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications
Communicationsfiled with NHTSA 249
Most recentmanufacturer date 2026-01-07
Kindsas classified by NHTSA 248 service bulletins, 1 service campaign

Most often about: Equipment, Electrical System, Structure, Engine, Equipment Adaptive/Mobility.

  • T-SB-0055-24 Rev2 Service bulletin
    2026-01-07 · Unknown Or Other
  • Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This Service Bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare and treat the interi
  • T-SB-0058-23 Rev1 Service campaign
    2025-06-13 · Electrical System
  • The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. The procedures outlined in this Service Bulletin aid in locating, inspecting, and repairing refrigerant leaks.
  • T-SB-0039-24 Rev2 Service bulletin
    2024-12-06 · Structure — Body
  • The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. If these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage can occur. This damage is the result of actual etching of the paint
  • T-SB-0038-24 Rev2 Service bulletin
    2024-12-06 · Structure — Body
  • To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer. Consequently, the film should remain on the wheel for as long as possible.
  • T-SB-0035-24 Rev2 Service bulletin
    2024-12-06 · Structure — Body
  • Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfaces can occur. Acid rain damage can typically be identified on vehicles by the presence of stains on
  • T-SB-0061-23 Rev2 Service bulletin
    2024-12-05 · Structure — Body
  • Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. Follow the Removal Procedure in this bulletin to remove the RapgardTM protective film within 90 days from initial application.
  • T-SB-0062-23 Rev2 Service bulletin
    2024-12-03 · Structure — Body
  • Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding, welding, etc. This type of contamination can be identified by the presence of small, red or brown particles on the paint surface. These particles are often difficult to see on dark color paints but can be easily felt when brus
  • T-SB-0055-24 Rev1 Service bulletin
    2024-07-29 · Structure — Body
  • Some 2005 – 2024 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This Service Bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare and treat the interi

A service bulletin is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a known condition. It is not a recall, not a finding that the vehicle is defective, and the work is not automatically free — though a bulletin is often what a dealer works from when you describe a symptom, so quoting the document number can save a diagnosis. The count is every communication filed; the list shows the most recent, one entry per campaign, because a single campaign is usually filed as several documents on the same day. The summaries are NHTSA's; the full documents come from the manufacturer.

Diagnostic trouble codes on file

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications and complaints

Codes documented against this model year in the federal record. A code appearing here does not mean this vehicle will set it — it means the code is part of this nameplate-year's documented history.

CodeWhat it meansMost often filed underWhere it appears
P011BManufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Engine2 bulletins

Generic codes (the second character is 0 or 2) mean the same thing on every vehicle sold in the United States. Manufacturer-specific codes (1 or 3) mean whatever the automaker assigned, and no honest source can define them for you — which is why the ones here carry the evidence instead of a definition. A code is a link when enough separate federal documents name it across the catalogue to be worth a page of its own; the rest are listed here, where the vehicle is the context that makes them mean something.

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.

At the New York inspection station

Source: New York State DMV

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2016 Toyota 4Runner failed the emissions check on 2.2% of first inspections — lower than the 4.2% for every 2016 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 1.9% (every 2016 vehicle: 2.2%).

New York inspections 2.2%

failed emissions

2,651 initial inspections of 2,595 vehicles.

MeasureThe 2016 4RunnerEvery 2016 vehicleBehind it
Failed the emissions check2.2%4.2%2,644
Failed the safety inspection1.9%2.2%2,651
Air-bag warning lamp stayed lit0.34%0.27%2,651
Miles driven a year10,61610,028odometer at inspection
Average odometer109,050103,109odometer at inspection

New York’s emissions test on these model years is an on-board diagnostics check: it fails a car whose check-engine light is on or whose self-tests have not finished. First inspections only, so a car that failed and came back is counted once; private and special plates, not taxis, livery or commercial plates. A rate appears only where at least 200 inspections stand behind it. “Every 2016 vehicle” is every 2016 model-year car, SUV and pickup inspected in the same window, all makes. This is the state’s record of test results, not a reliability score by itself. Source: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Vehicle Inspections (data.ny.gov, Open NY terms).

Common questions about the 2016 4Runner

Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kits

Does the 2016 Toyota 4Runner have any recalls?

NHTSA has posted 8 recall campaigns for the 2016 Toyota 4Runner, 2 of them rated critical. The most serious on file is 19V741000, covering Air Bags. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; a recall applies to specific build ranges, not every car.

How safe is the 2016 Toyota 4Runner?

NHTSA gave the 2016 Toyota 4Runner 4 stars overall in its New Car Assessment Program tests — 4-star frontal crash, 5-star side crash, 3-star rollover. WhichTrim also grades it F (52/100) on its recall record, which is a different question from crash protection.

What is the fuel economy of the 2016 Toyota 4Runner?

Across the 3 EPA-rated configurations of the 2016 Toyota 4Runner, the best EPA combined figure is 19 mpg. Figures are the EPA's own, per configuration, and every one is listed above.

What are the dimensions of the 2016 Toyota 4Runner?

Transport Canada measured it at 189.8 in long, 76.0 in wide (body, without mirrors), 70.1–74.0 in tall, on a 109.8 in wheelbase. Curb weight: 4,654–4,806 lb depending on configuration. Those are its measurements of the North American versions; every figure is in the table above.

What do owners complain about on the 2016 Toyota 4Runner?

Owners have filed 80 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Toyota 4Runner, most often about electrical system, unspecified, air bags. Of those, 6 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 6 reported injuries. Complaints are unverified owner reports, so treat the pattern as a signal and the individual report as an anecdote.

How clean is the 2016 Toyota 4Runner?

The EPA smog rating for the 2016 Toyota 4Runner runs 5 to 6 out of 10 across its configurations. That score covers tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, and it only compares vehicles within the same model year. It is certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S. Its configurations were certified to different standards — Bin 5, LEV-II ULEV — which the table above lists per configuration.

Are there service bulletins for the 2016 Toyota 4Runner?

The manufacturer has filed 249 service bulletins and related communications with NHTSA for the 2016 Toyota 4Runner, most often covering equipment, electrical system, structure. The most recent is dated 2026-01-07. A bulletin is not a recall: it is the repair procedure a manufacturer sends its dealers for a condition it knows about, and the work is not automatically paid for. It is still worth knowing — if the symptom matches, quoting the bulletin number at the service desk can save a diagnosis. The document numbers and summaries are listed above.

How does the 2016 Toyota 4Runner do at state inspection?

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2016 Toyota 4Runner failed the emissions check on 2.2% of first inspections — lower than the 4.2% for every 2016 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 1.9% (every 2016 vehicle: 2.2%). The figures are New York State DMV’s own inspection records, first inspections only, and the table above sets each one against every vehicle of the same model year.

Is the 2016 Toyota 4Runner better than the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class?

The Mercedes-Benz GL-Class wins clearly, 82.9 to 75.7, on safety. The Toyota 4Runner is ahead on fuel & range and performance. We publish a full side-by-side of the 2016 Toyota 4Runner against the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class — specifications by family, equipment feature by feature, safety record and ownership costs. You can re-weight what matters to you and the verdict recalculates.

What we hold, and what an empty row means

Paid vehicle-history reports will not tell you the difference between “nothing happened to this car” and “we never received that record” — both of the big two say as much in their own help pages. Most of what is on this page comes from complete federal registers, so we can tell you which is which, row by row.

DataHeldSourceWhat it covers — or what empty means
Fuel economy & configurations3 configurationsEPA certification recordsEvery configuration the EPA certified for sale, with its own test figures.
Emission certificates3 configurationsEPA emission certificatesSmog rating, standard and the sales area that decides where the car can be sold new.
Recalls8NHTSA recall campaignsA complete federal register: every campaign covering this model year, with severity and advisory flags.
Owner complaints80NHTSA complaint databaseAlso complete, but unverified: these are reports owners filed, not findings. Counts scale with how many were sold.
Crash ratings2 testedNHTSA NCAPOnly the configurations NHTSA chose to crash-test, which is never all of them.
Service bulletins249NHTSA manufacturer communicationsEverything the manufacturer told its dealers about a defect or malfunction, short of a recall.
Investigations1NHTSA Office of Defects InvestigationOpen and closed defect investigations, with the agency's own narrative.
Driver-assist crash reportsnoneNHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01No report has been filed. Only entities named in the order report, and only crashes they hear of — so this is also what an unequipped car, or a manufacturer without telematics, looks like.
Specifications filed with NHTSA11 fieldsNHTSA vPIC, decoded from VIN patternsWhat the manufacturer filed under the federal VIN rule — a configuration, not the full trim ladder.
Measured dimensions7 fieldsTransport Canada, Canadian Vehicle SpecificationsLength, width, height, wheelbase, track and curb weight, measured on the North American versions.
Trims, pricing & equipmentnoneManufacturer press kitWe have not transcribed a press kit for this model year yet. This is our gap, not the manufacturer's — the one row here where an empty cell means we are behind.

Rebuilt nightly; this page was generated 2026-10-26. Every figure above is traceable to the source named beside it, and the JSON for this page carries the same values with their identifiers.

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). The most serious recall counts in full and each further one counts 85% of the one before, because a vehicle sold in millions is recalled more often than a rare one without being more dangerous — and because a flat subtraction bottomed the scale out, scoring a vehicle with 22 recalls within a point of one with six. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Read it as what it counts: recall campaigns on the federal record, weighted by severity. The damping reduces the sales bias by roughly 40% but does not remove it: like our complaint counts, this is not normalized by how many were sold, so a best-seller still scores somewhat worse than an obscure model with the same real risk. NHTSA crash ratings, do-not-drive and park-outside advisories, and the crash, fire, injury and death counts in owner complaints are reported separately on every page and never blended into the letter — a vehicle can hold five stars and a poor letter at once, and where that happens we say so rather than leave you to notice. Because the scale subtracts from a clean sheet, a model year too new to have been recalled, complained about or bulletined scores full marks on an empty record; we label those grades provisional rather than present them as earned.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed nightly.

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