Poor AM FM Reception on 2026 4Runner with JBL Infotainment System

[HarleyGuy36]

I recently bought a 2026 4Runner TRD Offroad Premium with the JBL 14" Infotainment System. The AM FM radio has poor reception with a good deal of static on local stations. Has anyone found and installed an AM FM antenna booster on a 2026 4Runner TRD Offroad Premium?

Sponsored

 

[BonRunner]

Your AM/FM radio antenna are integrated to the rear tail gate window (the one that goes up & down). If you look closely with a flashlight, you will see thin yellow metallic lines embedded in the glass. These lines are printed antenna elements that act as your radio antenna. The "shark-fin" module on the roof is for Sirius XM satellite antenna.

There are limited aftermarket options to boost the radio antenna and can be complicated to set up.

If you experiencing constant static in city area with the radio, I'd suggest visit your dealer and have them check on the antenna amplifier module or fuse that connects the antenna to the module. That may be the issue.

 

[127.0.0.1]

Your AM/FM radio antenna are integrated to the rear tail gate window (the one that goes up & down). If you look closely with a flashlight, you will see thin yellow metallic lines embedded in the glass. These lines are printed antenna elements that act as your radio antenna. The "shark-fin" module on the roof is for Sirius XM satellite antenna.

There are limited aftermarket options to boost the radio antenna and can be complicated to set up.

If you experiencing constant static in city area with the radio, I'd suggest visit your dealer and have them check on the antenna amplifier module or fuse that connects the antenna to the module. That may be the issue.

ah nope...

on older 4runners the added window antenna was on a fixed rear side window
in the 2025/2026 TIS there is one antenna, the roof antenna, that handles all of it.

no mention of any back door window antenna and no wiring diagrams for audio/visual/telematics reference it. am/fm/sirius is all in the sharkfin with added amplification
circuitry

please show us the antenna connection reference to back door window

the am/fm poor reception diagnosis only references antenna cables in dash and
the roof antenna. no such back window glass antenna anywhere in TIS

Now on the back glass there is a noise filter for the radio, which, when the defogger is ON, helps suppress the defogger EMI so you don't get static when defogger is on. this is NOT an antenna for radio, it is an EMI filter

 

[HarleyGuy36]

Thanks for the response. I’ll check with the dealer.

 

[HarleyGuy36]

ah nope...

on older 4runners the added window antenna was on a fixed rear side window
in the 2025/2026 TIS there is one antenna, the roof antenna, that handles all of it.

no mention of any back door window antenna and no wiring diagrams for audio/visual/telematics reference it. am/fm/sirius is all in the sharkfin with added amplification
circuitry

please show us the antenna connection reference to back door window

the am/fm poor reception diagnosis only references antenna cables in dash and
the roof antenna. no such back window glass antenna anywhere in TIS

Now on the back glass there is a noise filter for the radio, which, when the defogger is ON, helps suppress the defogger EMI so you don't get static when defogger is on. this is NOT an antenna for radio, it is an EMI filter

Thanks, this is helpful.

 

[BonRunner]

ah nope...

on older 4runners the added window antenna was on a fixed rear side window
in the 2025/2026 TIS there is one antenna, the roof antenna, that handles all of it.

no mention of any back door window antenna and no wiring diagrams for audio/visual/telematics reference it. am/fm/sirius is all in the sharkfin with added amplification
circuitry

please show us the antenna connection reference to back door window

the am/fm poor reception diagnosis only references antenna cables in dash and
the roof antenna. no such back window glass antenna anywhere in TIS

Now on the back glass there is a noise filter for the radio, which, when the defogger is ON, helps suppress the defogger EMI so you don't get static when defogger is on. this is NOT an antenna for radio, it is an EMI filter

Good info. Look like I have incorrect data. I wonder what is the antenna in the rear lift gate's window are for...

 

[Wahoo]

The “antenna” in the liftgate window is for defrost/defogging.

 

[jackburton]

Yes! I just got the 2026 Sport Premium and have noticed this as well, it's so annoying for such an expensive vehicle.

Even AM radio, whose signal can travel long distances and penetrate most obstacles, cuts out when going under railroad tracks in a concrete tunnel that's only about 100 feet long.

 

[josiahg52]

Just the episode with my Trailhunter. I tuned to a local (~40 mile) FM station and it tuned to and RDS identified as a NY Latin station about 300 miles away.

Sponsored