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2018 Toyota 4runner Transmission Problems

3 owner-reported transmission complaints from NHTSA data

3
Complaints
1
Crashes
Feb 2022Mar 2025
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (3)

criticalPOWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CrashFiled: Mar 2025

Your 2018 Toyota 4Runner unexpectedly shifted into reverse and moved backward at high speed while your father was exiting the vehicle, even though no one had their foot on the brake. The vehicle dragged him and continued rolling backward down a hill before hitting a fence. This suggests a possible problem with the brake-shift interlock system (which normally prevents shifting out of Park without the brake engaged) or the automatic reverse feature.

NHTSA #: 11650452
criticalPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Feb 2022

Your front differential failed, which damaged one of your front axles and makes it harder to turn your vehicle. This type of failure can potentially cause your wheels to lock up while driving. Toyota has acknowledged this is a recurring problem in 2016-2019 4Runners and issued a technical service bulletin, but they're not offering free repairs. The fix will likely involve replacing the failed differential and possibly the damaged axle.

NHTSA #: 11452413
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ENGINE
Filed: Mar 2021

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

NHTSA #: 11402837

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