2020 Toyota 4RUNNER

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2020 Toyota 4RUNNER has 43 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.5x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is other problems (21% of all complaints), specifically: the 4runner struck a vehicle that ran a red light. the 4runner was at approximately 35 miles per hour and struck the other vehicle, a nissan altima side on with enough force to propel that vehicle two lanes into another vehicle. the airbags failed to deploy on the 4runner but did deploy on the alt.

7 crash reports 8 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.5x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

OTHER

9 complaints

21%

• THE 4RUNNER STRUCK A VEHICLE THAT RAN A RED LIGHT. THE 4RUNNER WAS AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES PER HOUR AND STRUCK THE OTHER VEHICLE, A NISSAN ALTIMA SIDE ON WITH ENOUGH FORCE TO PROPEL THAT VEHICLE TWO LANES INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY ON THE 4RUNNER BUT DID DEPLOY ON THE ALT
• WHILE I AM DRIVING, I SMELL SOMETHING LIKE EXHAUST OR SULFUR INSIDE CAR. I COULD ONLY SMELL IT WHEN THE CAR IS GOING OVER 70 MILES, RPM IS OVER 2500 (HARD ACCELERATION) , AND WHEN ALL THE WINDOWS ARE CLOSED AND RECIRCULATE CABIN AIR IS ON.
• Thirteen months ago I purchased a 2020 4 Runner from Parker Toyota. Last week my sunroof exploded for no reason, there were no rocks or debri that caused this. This is clearly a manufacturers defect of the glass used. I am thankful I wasn’t covered in shattered glass or worse, cause an accident. Th

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“THE 4RUNNER STRUCK A VEHICLE THAT RAN A RED LIGHT. THE 4RUNNER WAS AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES PER HOUR AND STRUCK THE OTHER VEHICLE, A NISSAN ALTIMA SIDE ON WITH ENOUGH FORCE TO PROPEL THAT VEHICLE TWO LANES INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY ON THE 4RUNNER BUT DID DEPLOY ON THE ALT”

— NHTSA complaint filing

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS

7 complaints

16%

• ON DECEMBER 8 , 2020, THE ABOVE REFERENCED VEHICLES ENGINE STALLED THREE TIMES WHILE IN DRIVING MODE. ON ALL THREE OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING AT A SPEED LESS THAN 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER EACH STALL, WHEN THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS PLACED IN PARK. THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO BE RUNNING OUT OF
• The contact owned a 2020 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that while the driver who was her father crashed into another vehicle, the air bags failed to deploy. In addition, the contact stated that the braking alert for getting too close to a vehicle failed to illuminate. A police report was file
• System malfunction—the ‘brake’ alert flashed and chirped when there was NO obstacle on the road. Safety issue—I was about to hit the brakes but I realized in time there was no need. Confirmed? No not at this time. Possibly have it reviewed at next maintenance. No inspection yet. This has occurre

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“ON DECEMBER 8 , 2020, THE ABOVE REFERENCED VEHICLES ENGINE STALLED THREE TIMES WHILE IN DRIVING MODE. ON ALL THREE OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING AT A SPEED LESS THAN 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER EACH STALL, WHEN THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS PLACED IN PARK. THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO BE RUNNING OUT OF ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

AIR BAGS

5 complaints

12%

• THE 4RUNNER STRUCK A VEHICLE THAT RAN A RED LIGHT. THE 4RUNNER WAS AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES PER HOUR AND STRUCK THE OTHER VEHICLE, A NISSAN ALTIMA SIDE ON WITH ENOUGH FORCE TO PROPEL THAT VEHICLE TWO LANES INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY ON THE 4RUNNER BUT DID DEPLOY ON THE ALT
• THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG ON THIS CAR IS DEACTIVATED AUTOMATICALLY WHENEVER THE FRONT PASENGER WEIGHS LESS THAN 100 LBS. WE DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS FEATURE WHEN WE BOUGHT THE CAR. MY WIFE, WHO IS 65 YEARS OLD, WEIGHS ABOUT 95 LBS AND WHENEVER SHE SITS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, A WARNING LIGHT
• I WAS IN A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT AND MY AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 4 crashes

— NHTSA complaint filing

BRAKES

5 complaints

12%

• EVERY TIME I PUSH THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT MAKES A HISSING SOUND. THERE IS A ELECTRONIC NOISE AFTER THE HISSING SOUND. THIS IS ANNOYING AND IT MAKES ME FEEL NAUSEOUS.
• BRAKES ARE NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY, THE PEDAL GOES WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR BEFORE ENGAGING ANY BRAKES. AT IDLE THE BRAKES SEEM TO FUNCTION FINE, AFTER DRIVING AT ABOUT 10MPH THE BRAKES GO BACK TO NOT WORKING AGAIN. DEALERSHIP SAYS THE BRAKES ARE "NORMAL" AND I WAS TOLD TO DRIVE IT HOME EVEN THOUGH IT
• WHILE SLOWLY SLOWING THE VEHICLE DOWN, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR AND LOST ALL BRAKING. AS SOON AS PEDAL IS BROUGHT BACK UP AND PUMPED ONCE OR TWICE, BRAKES REGAINED FUNCTION. NO WARNING OR SAFETY LIGHTS WENT OFF. THIS HAS OCCURRED 3 DIFFERENT TIMES WITH 2 DIFFERENT DRIVERS.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“EVERY TIME I PUSH THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT MAKES A HISSING SOUND. THERE IS A ELECTRONIC NOISE AFTER THE HISSING SOUND. THIS IS ANNOYING AND IT MAKES ME FEEL NAUSEOUS.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

STEERING

4 complaints

• STEERING WHEEL SHAKES DRIVING 58-62MPH ON HIGHWAY
• Steering wheel shakes at highway speeds (58-64mph). Steering wheel has shaken as much as 1.5 inches back and forth, causing vehicle to shake while driving at high speeds. The problem has been confirmed by the dealer and has been in 6 times to try to fix it with no change. The problem started the sec
• The car shakes when going at speeds as low as 48 mph and as high as 68 mph that I know of. Typically, it shakes heaviest from the mid-50 mph range to the mid-60 mph range. I rarely Drive the full speed limit for energy conservation reasons, so I cannot tell you how much higher it goes on the range.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“STEERING WHEEL SHAKES DRIVING 58-62MPH ON HIGHWAY”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 43 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
OTHER: THE 4RUNNER STRUCK A VEHICLE THAT RAN A RED LIGHT. THE 4RUNNER WAS AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES PER HOUR AND STRUCK THE OTHER VEHICLE, A NISSAN ALTIMA SIDE ON WITH ENOUGH FORCE TO PROPEL THAT VEHICLE TWO LANES INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY ON THE 4RUNNER BUT DID DEPLOY ON THE ALT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: ON DECEMBER 8 , 2020, THE ABOVE REFERENCED VEHICLES ENGINE STALLED THREE TIMES WHILE IN DRIVING MODE. ON ALL THREE OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING AT A SPEED LESS THAN 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER EACH STALL, WHEN THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS PLACED IN PARK. THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO BE RUNNING OUT OF
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
AIR BAGS: THE 4RUNNER STRUCK A VEHICLE THAT RAN A RED LIGHT. THE 4RUNNER WAS AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES PER HOUR AND STRUCK THE OTHER VEHICLE, A NISSAN ALTIMA SIDE ON WITH ENOUGH FORCE TO PROPEL THAT VEHICLE TWO LANES INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY ON THE 4RUNNER BUT DID DEPLOY ON THE ALT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: EVERY TIME I PUSH THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT MAKES A HISSING SOUND. THERE IS A ELECTRONIC NOISE AFTER THE HISSING SOUND. THIS IS ANNOYING AND IT MAKES ME FEEL NAUSEOUS.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)