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Your rig: · this is your owner hub.
The 4Runner has two very different current-era generations. The fifth generation (2010–2024) used a 4.0L V6 and was sold with either part-time or full-time 4WD depending on grade. The all-new sixth generation (2025 on) moved to Toyota's TNGA-F truck platform with turbocharged four-cylinder and hybrid powertrains, a front stabilizer disconnect on the top off-road grades and a higher tow rating. This hub sets out what each grade actually has, then the recall record from NHTSA.
At a Glance
| If your 4Runner is a… | 4WD type | Rear locker |
|---|---|---|
| SR5 or TRD Sport (either generation) | Part-time (2WD also offered) | No |
| TRD Off-Road, TRD Pro, Trailhunter | Part-time | Yes, standard |
| Limited (5th gen) | Full-time, Torsen center differential with lock | No |
| Limited i-FORCE MAX or Platinum (6th gen) | Full-time with locking center differential | No |
Generations and Model Years
IIHS groups its 4Runner crash ratings as 1996–2002, 2003–2009 and 2010–2024 models, which matches the third, fourth and fifth generations; Toyota introduced the all-new sixth generation for 2025. The 2025 lineup has nine grades: SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Sport Premium, TRD Off-Road, TRD Off-Road Premium, Limited, Platinum, TRD Pro and Trailhunter. Toyota says the sixth generation shares its TNGA-F platform with the Tacoma, Tundra, Land Cruiser and Sequoia.
| Spec | 5th gen (2024) | 6th gen (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4.0L V6, 270 hp, 278 lb-ft | 2.4L turbo i-FORCE, 278 hp, 317 lb-ft; or i-FORCE MAX hybrid, 326 hp, 465 lb-ft |
| Max towing | 5,000 lb (500-lb max tongue weight) | 6,000 lb |
| Front stabilizer disconnect | KDSS, optional on TRD Off-Road | Electronic disconnect (SDM), standard on TRD Pro and Trailhunter; optional on i-FORCE MAX TRD Off-Road Premium for 2026 |
| TRD Pro shocks | FOX internal bypass | FOX QS3 three-way adjustable with remote reservoirs |
4WD Systems Explained
Fifth generation. Toyota's 2024 specifications give the Limited a full-time 4WD system with a Torsen center differential that can be locked from a three-mode console switch; other 4x4 grades use part-time 4WD. The TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro add an electronic locking rear differential, Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select. KDSS (Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System) was optional on the TRD Off-Road. It does not simply disconnect the sway bars: Toyota describes KDSS as hydraulically adjusting the stabilizer bars to improve on-road smoothness and off-road wheel articulation.
Sixth generation. Every 4x4 has an electronically controlled two-speed transfer case with high and low range, A-TRAC and an automatic limited-slip. SR5 and TRD Sport are 2WD or part-time 4WD; all i-FORCE MAX models are 4WD. Full-time 4WD with a locking center differential is available on the Limited with i-FORCE MAX and standard on the Platinum. The electronic rear locker is standard on TRD Off-Road, TRD Pro and Trailhunter. Multi-Terrain Select works in both 4WD High and 4WD Low, and Toyota offers a new-generation Crawl Control. The TRD Pro and Trailhunter both ride on 33-inch Toyo tires; the Trailhunter uses Old Man Emu forged monotube shocks with remote reservoirs.
The 4WD how-to page covers the switch positions.
Fitment Across Generations
The sixth generation is a new platform with different engines, suspension hardware and dimensions, so bumpers, racks, sliders and suspension parts are listed by generation. Within the fifth generation, KDSS trucks carry hydraulic stabilizer-bar hardware that non-KDSS trucks lack, so check that a lift or leveling kit lists KDSS compatibility.
Recall History (NHTSA)
As of September 2026, NHTSA returns 43 vehicle campaigns for 1996–2026 4Runners (including the 4Runner hybrid), 33 of them touching fifth-generation model years and 3 the sixth. Many are multi-model campaigns, and a large share of the smaller ones are distributor load-label recalls from Southeast Toyota or Gulf States Toyota. The largest:
| Campaign | Filed | 4Runner years | Problem | Units (all models) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20V012 / 20V682 | Jan / Nov 2020 | 2014–2015 / 2018–2019 | Low-pressure fuel pump can fail and stall the engine | 1,830,752 / 1,525,742 |
| 16V340, 17V006, 18V024, 19V005, 19V741 | 2016–2019 | 2010–2016 | Passenger frontal air bag inflator campaigns | Multi-model, up to 1,754,517 each |
| 25V595 | Sep 2025 | 2025 | Instrument-panel software may fail to show speed, brake and tire-pressure warnings at startup; phased OTA fix | 591,377 |
| 26V571 | Sep 2026 | 2026 | Load-capacity label error | 135 |
| 11V113 | Feb 2011 | 2003–2009 | Accelerator pedal can be trapped by an unsecured or incompatible floor mat | Multi-model |
4Runner Owner Pages
- How to put 4runner in 4wd
- Problems & Maintenance
- Mod Priorities
- Best Roof Racks
- Best Front Bumpers
- Best Leveling Kits
- How Many Miles Will It Last?
- 5-Year Maintenance Cost
- Toyota accessory fitment hub
Check for Open Recalls
Look up open NHTSA recall campaigns for this model by year. This calls NHTSA's free, public recall API directly from your browser — nothing is sent to us.
Choose a year and select “Check Recalls”.
Data from NHTSA's public recall API — this lookup is not the official record and 4x4 & Overlanding is not affiliated with NHTSA. Always confirm current recall status at nhtsa.gov/recalls using your vehicle's VIN before assuming a vehicle has no open recalls.
Toyota, Chevrolet, GMC, Ford, Jeep and Ram are trademarks of their respective owners. 4x4 & Overlanding is an independent publication and is not affiliated with, sponsored or endorsed by any vehicle manufacturer.
Sources
- Toyota — The 2026 Toyota 4Runner: Engineered for Exploration — TNGA-F platform, i-FORCE and i-FORCE MAX outputs, 4WD by grade, rear locker grades, stabilizer disconnect availability, TRD Pro and Trailhunter shocks and tires, 6,000-lb towing.
- Toyota — The All-New 2025 Toyota 4Runner — All-new sixth generation, nine grades, two-speed transfer case with A-TRAC and Auto LSD, full-time 4WD on Limited i-FORCE MAX and Platinum.
- Toyota — 2024 Toyota 4Runner: Rugged Capability — 4.0L V6 output, 5,000-lb towing, Limited full-time 4WD with Torsen locking center differential, TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro rear locker, Crawl Control, Multi-Terrain Select, optional KDSS, TRD Pro FOX shocks.
- Toyota — 200 Series Land Cruiser Heritage Edition (2021) — How KDSS hydraulically adjusts the stabilizer bars.
- IIHS — 2024 Toyota 4Runner ratings — Fifth-generation ratings apply to 2010–2024 models.
- IIHS — 2008 Toyota 4Runner ratings — Fourth-generation ratings apply to 2003–2009 models.
- IIHS — 2002 Toyota 4Runner ratings — Third-generation ratings apply to 1996–2002 models.
- NHTSA — Recall 20V012 — 2014–2015 4Runner low-pressure fuel pump, 1,830,752 units across models.
- NHTSA — Recall 20V682 — 2018–2019 4Runner low-pressure fuel pump, 1,525,742 units across models.
- NHTSA — Recall 16V340 — Passenger frontal air bag inflator campaign incl. 2010–2011 4Runner, 1,754,517 units.
- NHTSA — Recall 19V005 — Passenger frontal air bag inflator campaign incl. 2014–2016 4Runner.
- NHTSA — Recall 19V741 — Passenger frontal air bag inflator campaign incl. 2010–2016 4Runner.
- NHTSA — Recall 25V595 — 2025 4Runner instrument-panel software, phased OTA fix, 591,377 units across models.
- NHTSA — Recall 26V571 — 2026 4Runner load-capacity label, 135 units.
- NHTSA — Recall 11V113 — 2003–2009 4Runner accelerator pedal floor-mat entrapment.
- NHTSA — Datasets and APIs (Recalls API) — Campaign counts by model and model year and potentially affected unit totals, pulled September 28, 2026.
- NHTSA — Recalls lookup by VIN — Where owners check a specific vehicle's open recalls.