2021 4 Runner Limited TOTALED

[Blackgoat]

The story of one of two 4 runners.
The wife hit a deer at 41 MPH and because of the Airbag(s) deployment they totaled the car.
My question is should I go after Toyota for a defective Airbag restraint system?
For a deer impact which was hit in front Bumper, Radiator,grill & hood.
The doors still opened perfectly.
My first thought was thank god they went off and saved her from being hurt BUT..
There are 8 airbags in a 4 runner they all went off ALL OF THEM!
to a tune of $14,029 just for the parts and another $7200 for labor just for the Airbags.
The airbags alone totaled the car.
I wonder since the car had no loan if it would be worth it for me to by it back and fix it myself?

Anyone out there had a similar situation with all the airbags deploying?
https://imgur.com/a/pkjVHiG

 

[trainman605]

Settle with your insurance company, take your settlement and purchase another vehicle of your choice. Going after Toyota would be pretty much a waste of time as the air bags are required by the manufactured under U.S. manufacturing of motor vehicles built and sold here in the U.S. Looks like the air bags worked as they should, if the cost to repair your vehicle caused it to total in value is not Toyota's problem.

 

[ArthurKotb]

I agree with TrainMan, settle with the insurance company. I wouldn't buy it from them and attempt to repair it because it's going to need body work as well as the airbags. If you accidentally trigger an airbag there's a possibility you will be harmed. I don't know why all of them would be triggered. You might contact the 800 number for Toyota and file a complaint

I Googled "Is there a national number for Toyota complaints" and got several avenues to contact them.

 

[AuSeeker]

There another guy that posted about a week or so ago on the other "T4R" forum that hit a deer in his 2023 at 60 MPH and all of his airbags also deployed, his damage looks way less than yours mostly on the left front but they total his as well because of the airbags.

Take the settlement but fight for every penny you can get and buy another vehicle.

Also just an FYI, you've posted this about your 5th Gen in the 6th Gen forum, should be in the 5th Gen forum.

 

[fourwd1]

Moved to 5th Gen section.

 

[Blackgoat]

Thank you Arthur I will do just that

 

[Blackgoat]

Thank you reading the dates it's hard to tell which is what it says something about 2019 and the 6th gen? And the 5th gen shows up to 2012

 

[Humble Leader]

My question is should I go after Toyota for a defective Airbag restraint system?

it is going to be very expensive and very hard for you to prove this point in a court of law, even with an a subject matter expert. defective airbag system? all airbags deployed and all occupants were safe. well done 4runner

there may be been side movement in the vehicle, steering, etc. just the tiniest bit to trigger the side airbags. sometimes in t-bone accidents frontal airbags will deploy if there is a sudden decrease in speed. different scenario yet people are puzzled why this happens

do not buy it back, do not try and fix it yourself, do not try and investigate airbag issues with the vehicle - just take the settlement and buy a new vehicle.

 

[flyrv9]

I don't think airbags selectively go off. I believe they are designed to all deploy when any sensor is triggered by an accident. The computer knows the vehicle is moving and deployment covers any passenger sitting anywhere in the vehicle; along with what happens after a collision - rollover, secondary collision with something else, etc.

There have been reports here in other threads that the steering wheel airbag was triggered when the clockspring cable was being changed because the battery wasn't disconnected. I don't remember mention of the other airbags deploying in this case; maybe because the vehicle wasn't moving.

I'd think replacing all the airbags, along with repairing the interior panels etc. would be a big job and parts hard to get. Big cash cow for Toyota.

 

[jacob7071]

Take the settlement but fight for every penny you can get and buy another vehicle.

Whatever you do, do this! Insurance companies are businesses. The more they pay you, the less profit they have. So they may try to lowball you. But they (most of them) also know how to be fair. I'd find another '21 limited for sale and show the insurance company. Make them give you enough to buy that one (don't forget to include taxes & title fees).

 

[02SE]

I'm not sure why you would want to go after Toyota, unless it's to thank them for building a vehicle that kept your wife safe from harm...

As mentioned look into what similar '21's are selling for, and deal with the Insurance for a fair payout.

I would not buy it back, unless you're in collision repair, and have the experience and contacts to do so. Since you asked whether it would be feasible, I'm sure that's not your area of expertise.

Get another vehicle, maybe another 4Runner since the old one did it's job, and move on with life.

 

[flyrv9]

Questionable behavior by insurance companies is why accident / injury lawyers exist! Suing Toyota would be a mistake IMHO - you'll get tied up in court for a long time with no relief. Your best bet is to see what the insurance co will do and perhaps sue if you have a strong case. It sounds to me like the airbag system worked as it should have.

 

[sntryplt]

In November 2020, our daughter hit a deer in her 2016 4R on the left front corner. All the airbags went off. Truck was still running, but she could not turn off the ignition. USAA totaled it when the estimate exceeded $18K before the first panel was removed. The truck did its job; she and her friend walked away unhurt. Like everyone has said, take the win and find another vehicle. Our daughter is now in a 2021 4Runner.