Burning rubber smell

[tristero]

Burning rubber smell from around the rear passenger wheel well since I bought it.

Same

 

[GrimReap3r]

I've got 7k miles on my '17 and a couple times I've also noticed burning rubber smell from rear passenger wheel

 

[ADK Explorer]

I noticed this with mine when I drive up long steep mountain roads. A strong burnt rubber smell came from the engine bay. The stealership said it was probably the black rubberized goo I had sprayed (by them) under the truck for rust protection. They said some probably dripped onto the hot engine. Now I'm realizing that was just a blowoff. I wonder if there is some belt slippage under heavy stress?!

I've never smelled exhaust coming in the back window but I removed the chrome exhaust tip shortly after buying the truck. Others have suggested that may have something to do with it. In summer I drive with all the windows down regularly. I do get the smell of grease though.

 

[sinks88]

Ive got a 14 with 80+K on it and I have noticed the same from right rear (burning smell) I have no idea what the hell it is!

Same scenario (in the garage)

 

[sr5owner?]

Same here.
I have a 2016 SR5 w/8k miles and when getting out after parking in my garage I smell burning rubber.
I haven't walked around to smell where it's coming from though.

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[mimcementpro83]

I have the same issue with the burned rubber smell coming from the rear passenger side. At first, I thought it was my 285 KO2s rubbing. After checking and inspecting the bottom of the rig, I was able to determine it is NOT coming from my tire. The smell gets stronger if i drive on the highway at high speed. It is not as strong if I drive on local street. My rig only has less than 3700 miles at the moment. Should I be concerned about this?

 

[sr5owner?]

I have the same issue with the burned rubber smell coming from the rear passenger side. At first, I thought it was my 285 KO2s rubbing. After checking and inspecting the bottom of the rig, I was able to determine it is NOT coming from my tire. The smell gets stronger if i drive on the highway at high speed. It is not as strong if I drive on local street. My rig only has less than 3700 miles at the moment. Should I be concerned about this?

Don't know what to tell you. Looks like a few of us have this problem.
Maybe it'll go away after the newness breaks in but I'm at 8k miles and others have more miles than me.
Guess when it warms up I'll slide underneath the 4Runner and see if I can pinpoint it.

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[BilboSchwaggins]

I have heard it is a rubber part of an exhaust system hanger that gets hot.

 

[sinks88]

Don't know what to tell you. Looks like a few of us have this problem.
Maybe it'll go away after the newness breaks in but I'm at 8k miles and others have more miles than me.
Guess when it warms up I'll slide underneath the 4Runner and see if I can pinpoint it.

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

I almost have 100k....so no, its not the "newness"

 

[the_economist]

Had the same smell going up steep hills in my 2016 SR5 when it was brand new. Stopped doing it after a year. It's nothing, did not affect performance in any way.

 

[DKFTPNYC]

I've never noticed this smell on this vehicle.

With that being said, on my previous car, I had the same smell coming from the front of the car and it bugged me for the longest time. Tried rebalancing my tires, rotating them, getting alignments, etc. Read somewhere that synthetic oil tends to smell like rubber when it's burning on exhaust manifolds, etc. It turned out to be my rear valve cover gasket that was leaking. After I changed the gasket, never had that smell ever again.

Point is, it may not necessarily be wheel/tire related. Hope you all find the problem.

 

[PCMSF]

Happens to me on steep hills and especially at altitude.

 

[zasdds]

New 2020 TRDORP owner here. Picked up truck last night, drove about ~150 highway miles taking it home/driving to work and noticed a burning smell. All windows were closed and A/C was on. Smells like either burning rubber or when a heater first comes on after being off for a while. I did upgrade to the TRD rims and Nitto ridge grapplers at stock size from the dealer. I know there are other threads about this and it is somewhat of a mystery...but I am little freaked out. Is it the new tires? Maybe the dealer left plastic somewhere? Any advice would be appreciated.

Also, long-time lurker, 1st time poster. So happy to finally be in a 4Runner

 

[Captsolo]

Never had this smell from my 2005 SR5 4runner with 150,000 miles.

 

[shrub1]

New 2020 TRDORP owner here. Picked up truck last night, drove about ~150 highway miles taking it home/driving to work and noticed a burning smell. All windows were closed and A/C was on. Smells like either burning rubber or when a heater first comes on after being off for a while. I did upgrade to the TRD rims and Nitto ridge grapplers at stock size from the dealer. I know there are other threads about this and it is somewhat of a mystery...but I am little freaked out. Is it the new tires? Maybe the dealer left plastic somewhere? Any advice would be appreciated.

Also, long-time lurker, 1st time poster. So happy to finally be in a 4Runner

Totally normal. Nothing to worry about.
As far as an absolute cause, I've not seen one.