2008 Toyota 4RUNNER power train problems
27 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the power train on the 2008 Toyota 4RUNNER — 28% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“Diagnosis found trans fluid wicking up harness to engine ecm contaminating harness and ecu given false/abnormal readings at ecm. Extensive repairs necessary w/ internal trans wire replacement, engine harness replacement & engine ecu replacement. Other cleaning may be necessary or other harness…”
filed Mar 16, 2026
“The actuator in the transfer case went bad in such a way as to not allow the vehicle either move (under its own power) or to be in a parked state; though the shifter and indicator lights indicated PARK and although you could turn off the vehicle and also remove the key, the vehicle was actually in…”
filed Feb 2, 2023
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Power Train problems in other 4RUNNER years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 4RUNNER | 2 | 4% |
| 2023 4RUNNER | 2 | 7% |
| 2022 4RUNNER | 1 | 3% |
| 2021 4RUNNER | 1 | 3% |
| 2020 4RUNNER | 1 | 3% |
| 2019 4RUNNER | 4 | 6% |
| 2018 4RUNNER | 3 | 5% |
| 2017 4RUNNER | 1 | 3% |
| 2016 4RUNNER | 6 | 8% |
| 2015 4RUNNER | 4 | 5% |
| 2014 4RUNNER | 1 | 1% |
| 2013 4RUNNER | 1 | 3% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2008 Toyota 4RUNNER
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.