The Lemon Index
2008
2010Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 19,675 in the U.S. in 2009 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 11 complaints in its first 3 years.
11 owner complaints, first 3 years 15–18 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2009 Jeep Wrangler 2772009 Toyota FJ Cruiser2009 Nissan Xterra
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
When problems show up
Only 11 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 16V396000 (seats), 14V743000 (seats) and 13V014000 (airbags) done? It has 6 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done? (21 owners named a brakes repair bill; the middle one was $1,500.)
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Toyota's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 11 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Transmission problems in every Toyota 4Runner year →
Check engine light on? Codes owners of the Toyota 4Runner (2007–2011) name most: P2441 Secondary Air Injection System Switching Valve Stuck Closed (Bank 1). Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 0K to 23K miles (1K to 37K km) on the car (11 of all 11 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
What repairs cost
Repair bills owners named in their complaints to the government (NHTSA), 2003–2009 Toyota 4Runner, in U.S. dollars.
- Brakesone repair bill$750–$3,200middle $1,500 · 21 owners named a bille.g. NHTSA complaints 10327206, 10510991, 10354646
- Engineone repair bill$2,200–$3,400middle $3,000 · 17 owners named a bille.g. NHTSA complaints 10543810, 10733746, 11000130
- Electricalone repair bill$1,200–$3,200middle $2,200 · 9 owners named a bille.g. NHTSA complaints 10314755, 10823454, 10670783
- Airbagsone repair bill$2,200–$9,300middle $8,200 · 6 owners named a bille.g. NHTSA complaints 10144883, 10522791, 10522877
- 4x4 & axlesone repair bill$1,100–$2,300middle $1,400 · 5 owners named a bille.g. NHTSA complaints 10400631, 10436417, 11153601
Not enough reports yet for a number: Exhaust & emissions (3), Suspension (3), Doors, locks & windows (2), A/C & heat (1), Steering (1). We show a range once 5 owners name a bill.
Each range is the middle half of the bills owners wrote down (one repair, parts and labor as they said it), not a yearly or total cost. Owners who complain often had expensive repairs, so typical bills can be lower. Prices depend on the shop, the miles and where you live.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 12.4M views · 2003–2009 Toyota 4Runner
Prices people quote
- Owners paid$6,0003 videos▶ Hear it
Most-watched topics
- Oil changes & service623K views
2004 Toyota 4Runner Driveline Service -EricTheCarGuyEricTheCarGuy · 365K views · 5 videos - Steering & suspension554K views
2005 Toyota 4Runner Front Axle, Wheel Bearing, & Hub Replacement -EricTheCarGuyEricTheCarGuy · 503K views · 2 videos - Windows, doors & mirrors459K views
How To Program The Auto Door Lock Function on 2003-2009 4runnersCanadian Gearhead · 277K views · 6 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical360K views
How To Replace The Alternator On A 2002-2009 Toyota 4runnerHow to Automotive · 221K views · 5 videos
Show 4 more
- Driveshaft, axles & 4x4353K views
2005 Toyota 4Runner Rear Differential Rebuild - Bearing ReplacementThePracticalMechanic · 308K views · 5 videos - Transmission & shifter266K views
2004 Toyota 4Runner Transmission Fluid and Filter Change (Part 2) -EricTheCarGuyEricTheCarGuy · 241K views · 3 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door261K views
2004 Toyota 4Runner Cabin Air Filter Replacement -EricTheCarGuyEricTheCarGuy · 130K views · 5 videos - Gauges, lights & wiring81K views
2005 Toyota 4Runner Gas / Fuel Gauge Problem - Fixed!Rick's Tid-Bits · 81K views
Before you buy, watch
Toyota 4Runner - 3rd Gen vs. 4th Gen V8 Comparison (Reliability, Specs, 0-60...)Not-So-Handy Car Guy · 166K views
2003-2009 Toyota 4Runner 4th Gen Buyer's Guide (Common Problems, Engines, Options, Specs)Useful Vids · 90K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2009 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Recalls 6
- Seats · recall issued 2016
The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
- Seats · recall issued 2014
Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.
- Airbags · recall issued 2013
If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk…
Show all 6 recalls
- Speed control · recall issued 2011
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2011 LEXUS LX570, 2003 THROUGH 2009 TOYOTA 4RUNNER, AND 2006 THROUGH 2010 RAV4 VEHICLES.
- Equipment · recall issued 2010
GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETW…
- Equipment · recall issued 2010
SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE S…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,550–$4,300 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 4.0L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl.
Every Toyota 4Runner year. 2009 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Show 4 older years (1996–1999, YouTube reviews only, no complaint data)
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 26 Toyota 4Runner years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/toyota-4runner/?y=2009" title="Toyota 4Runner reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="767" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/toyota-4runner/2009/">Lemon Index</a> (2009 Toyota 4Runner reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2009 Toyota 4Runner reliable?
We can't score it: only 19,675 were sold in the U.S. in 2009 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 11 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2009 Toyota 4Runner problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (73%), electrical (27%) and engine (18%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Toyota 4Runner have?
6 safety recalls (latest: seats). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Toyota 4Runner get?
15 to 18 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2009 Toyota 4Runner have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 73% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2009 Toyota 4Runner cost in fuel a year?
About $3,550 to $4,300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 Toyota 4Runner have?
4.0L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl.
What Toyota 4Runner year is better than the 2009?
Nearby, the 2012 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about a quarter as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2013 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works