The 2007 Toyota 4Runner has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Rear window shattering after defroster use.” Toyota's owner's manual splits service into Schedule 1 (severe) and Schedule 2 (normal). Most US drivers fall under Schedule 1 because it covers short trips, extreme temperatures, dusty roads, or heavy idling. The intervals below reflect Schedule 1 — the schedule Toyota recommends for typical real-world use.
No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2007 Toyota 4Runner.
VISIBILITY/WIPER
10 NHTSA complaints · 2016-10 → 2024-12
“Parked at a stop light and the rear windshield shattered”
“DURING USE OF MY REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER, THE REAR WINDOW POPPED AND SHATTERED INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. AFTER THE REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER WAS ACTIVATED, THE REAR HATCH GLASS EXPLODED”
POWER TRAIN
11 NHTSA complaints · 2007-11 → 2016-01
“MY 2007 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER HAS A SERIOUS DRIVE SHAFT JOLT AND CLUNK THAT OCCURS WHENEVER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LURCH. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS AT APPROXIMATELY 8000 MILES IN MY FIRST YEAR”
“WHEN DRIVING IN STOP AND GO TYPE TRAFFIC THE TRANSMISSION OR DRIVE LINE MAKE A HORRIBLE CLUNK AND WILL LURCH THE VEHICLE. ALSO THE PLASTIC AROUND THE GEAR SHIFT AREA BECOMES VERY HOT ~50C IN AN A/C CABIN”
“I COME TO A STOP AND MY VEHICLE PULLS, LIKE SOMEBODY HIT MY VEHICLE FROM BEHIND. ITS CONSTANT , IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME”
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
4 NHTSA complaints · 2007-10 → 2009-11
“WHEN ACCELERATING ANYTHING OVER BABYING IT THE VEHICLE'S EXHAUST EMITS A STRONG SULFUR (ROTTEN EGGS) ODOR. WHETHER THE WINDOWS ARE UP OR DOWN THE VEHICLE IS FILLED WITH THE AWFUL STENCH”
“EXCESSIVE SULFUR/AMMONIA SMELL IN THE CABIN DURING HEAVY ACCELERATION. REPORTED ISSUE TO TOYOTA DEALER (PUENTE HILLS TOYOTA) DURING SERVICE”
“STRONG SULFUR SMELL WHEN UNDER ACCELERATION”
STRUCTURE
30 NHTSA complaints · 2012-04 → 2024-12
“Excessive frame rust on the frame itself and on suspension components including control arms and support brackets. Toyota dealership stated that rust could be an issue with maintenance”
“SEVERE FRAME CORROSION; TRANSMISSION CROSSMEMBER HAS HOLES IN IT, FRONT FRAME PORTION IS BADLY ROTTEN AND CRACKING. FRONT FRAME CRADLES SUSPENSION HAS RUST HOLES AND STEERING SUPPORTS ARE ROTTEN AND WAS TOLD BY MECHANIC IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE”
“FRAME IS VERY RUSTY. REPLACING SEVERAL STEERING AND SUSPENSION COMPONENTS. THE METAL IS VERY THIN AND RUSTY RIGHT UNDER THE RADIATOR TO THE POINT WHERE THERE IS NOW A HOLE IN IT AND MAY COLLAPSE IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH”
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
23 NHTSA complaints · 2007-01 → 2018-05
“THIS WAS THE FOURTH OCCURRENCE OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. EACH INCIDENT OCCURRED UPON SHIFTING FROM PARK INTO EITHER REVERSE OR DRIVE. THE ENGINE REVVED UP TO THE RED LINE UPON SHIFTING FROM A STOPPED POSITION”
“I WAS WAITING IN LINE OF TRAFFIC TO PICK UP MY DAUGHTER AT SCHOOL. CAR WAS IN DRIVE, MY FOOT WAS FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY RACED AND THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD ABOUT 10 FEET”
“WE WERE STOPPING FOR A RED LIGHT IN THE LEFT TURN LANE. WE STARTED TO SLOW DOWN AND THEN OUR VEHICLE JUST TOOK OFF AND WE REAR ENDED A TRUCK”
SERVICE BRAKES
20 NHTSA complaints · 2008-06 → 2021-04
“THE DASHBOARD ALARM SOUNDED AND THE ABS, VSC, BRAKE, AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. FULLY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. DEALER DIAGNOSED A FAILED MASTER CYLINDER ASSEMBLY”
“COMPLETE AND PERMANENT DAMAGE OF ABS AND BRAKE MODULE IAN'S RESULTS IN NO BRAKES WHILE RUNNING THE CAR”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, SHE NOTICED THAT HER VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP ONCE THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. SHE HAD TO UTILIZE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE”
STRUCTURE, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
16 NHTSA complaints · 2010-02 → 2016-11
“HANDLE/LOCK ON REAR HATCH IS FAULTY. MECHANISM ON THE HANDLE/LOCK OF THE REAR HATCH OF 2007 TOYOTA 4RUNNER WILL NO LONGER ENGAGE TO ALLOW HATCH TO BE OPENED. PROBLEM HAD BEEN INTERMITTENT, NOW IS MORE PROBLEMATIC”
“THE BACK, TRUNK HANDLE SWITCH CONSISTS OF A BLACK, RUBBER TYPE OF MATERIAL THAT MELTS EVERY SUMMER. I LIVE IN TEXAS SO SUMMERS CAN GET EXTREMELY HOT. SO, IT HAS MELTED/GOTTEN HOT TO THE POINT WHERE IT ALMOST BURNED ME AND MY HUSBAND'S FINGERS”
“THE LIFT GATE HANDLE IS STICKY AND LEAVE BLACK RESIDUE ON FINGERS. WHEN YOU LOOK AT IT LOOKS LIKE IT IS MELTED. I THINK IT IS A REAL PROBLEM”
Issues on other model years
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.
We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.
Critical for safety and preventing major damage
Replace 0W-20 full-synthetic oil and filter every 5,000 miles under Schedule 1, or 10,000 miles under Schedule 2. Toyota covers the first 2 oil changes through ToyotaCare.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$120–$160
Shop
~$85–$115
DIY
~$25–$55
Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.
Rotate tires every 5,000 miles. Toyota recommends rotation at every oil change to maximize tire life on FWD and AWD models.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.
Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake every 5,000 miles. Toyota recommends measuring pad thickness at each service.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.
Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 36 months. Critical for the integrity of the ABS, VSC, and brake assist systems.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$180–$200
Shop
~$125–$140
DIY
~$10–$25
DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.
Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently
Replace the engine air filter every 30,000 miles. Earlier under Schedule 1 if driven on unpaved roads.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.
Toyota labels ATF as 'lifetime fill' on most automatics, but recommends inspection and replacement every 60,000 miles under severe service. Use Toyota WS or Type-IV — no substitutes.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$330–$500
Shop
~$235–$355
DIY
~$60–$180
Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.
Toyota iridium-tipped spark plugs are rated for 120,000 miles. Earlier replacement reduces fuel economy and can cause misfires on direct-injection engines.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$390
Shop
~$200–$275
DIY
~$25–$100
Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.
Toyota SLLC (pink): first change at 100,000 miles, then every 50,000 miles. Do not substitute green or orange coolant — it will damage the cooling system seals.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$330
Shop
~$200–$235
DIY
~$25–$60
Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.
Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort
Replace the cabin air filter every 30,000 miles, sooner in dusty climates. Located behind the glove box on most Toyota and Lexus models.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.
Inspect the serpentine belt and tensioner every 60,000 miles. Toyota uses long-life EPDM belts that rarely fail before 100,000 miles.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$195–$235
Shop
~$135–$165
DIY
~$20–$50
DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.
Toyota's 2AR-FE, 2GR-FKS, A25A-FKS, and most Toyota engines built since 2010 use a timing chain rated for the life of the engine. No scheduled replacement.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Pro only
Timing chains are normally lifetime. Listen for rattle on cold start — that's the actionable signal. Replacement is major work, quote separately.
Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)
69 crashes 1990–2024
How the 69 occupant deaths break down
52
driver deaths
17
passenger deaths
69
occupant deaths
Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2007 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.
FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number
FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.
Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.
Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.
IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.
Owner-reported problem signals
Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.
7
complaints mentioning a crash
3
complaints mentioning a fire
Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.
How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.
This maintenance schedule for the 2007 Toyota 4Runner reflects Toyota's published service intervals and the Maintenance Required Light system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.