There are 2 owner-reported air bags & restraints complaints for the 2009 Toyota 4Runnerin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THEY CRASHED INTO A COW WHICH CAUSED DAMAGED TO THE FRONT OF VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO REPORTED INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED.THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT LOT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED HOWEVER NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000. *LN
I WAS DRIVING IN THE LEFT/FAST LANE ON A TOLL ROAD WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE WHO WAS SPEEDING IN EXCESS OF 55MPH ENTERING THE TOLL ROAD CROSSING AND CUTTING OFF THE OTHER LANES OF TRAFFIC RUNNING INTO ME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FORCING ME INTO THE CONCRETE WALL/BARRIER HEAD ON. HIS VEHICLE SWUNG INTO AGAIN INTO MY PASSENGER REAR SIDE THEN BOUNCED OFF. I WAS STUNNED, IN SHOCK, UNABLE TO EXIT ON MY SIDE AND DIDN'T SEE IT COMING. I WAS THROWN LEFT INTO THE FRAME AND WINDOW AND JERKED AROUND EVEN THOUGH I HAD MY SEAT BELT FASTENED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I HAD FRONT AND SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS AND HAD ONLY JUST PURCHASED THE 4RUNNER A FEW MONTHS PRIOR. IT WAS DECLARED TO BE TOTALED. I PERMANENTLY INJURED MY NECK, BACK AND BROKE MY NOSE. IN ADDITION, I HAVE ANXIETY AND PANIC ATTACKS ABOUT DRIVING. THE OTHER DRIVER WAS CITED AT FAULT FOR FAILURE TO CONTROL SPEED AND UNSAFE LANE CHANGES AND HIS INSURANCE PAID FOR MY TOTALED VEHICLE AND WHAT LITTLE INSURANCE COVERAGE HE HAD FOR MY PERSONAL INJURIES. I WAS JUST NOW NOTIFIED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE'S AIR BAGS AND SENSORS (A RECALL), NOW THAT IT IS ALMOST EXACTLY 4 YEARS FROM THE ACCIDENT, THERE IS NOTHING I CAN APPARENTLY DO TO HOLD TOYOTA AT FAULT DUE TO STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS. THIS VERY UPSETTING. I AM FULLY DISABLED NOW AND WILL BE ON PAIN MANAGEMENT AND PERIODIC PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE, AND CAN NO LONGER EVEN PERFORM SIMPLE CHORES. *TR
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026