Toyota 4Runner Complaints (2020)

33 consumer complaints on file.

#11760224August 28, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR
The door actuator have been replaced a minimum of eight times. Huge safety risk involved since we never know if the vehicle is going to lock. Toyota continues to replace them but not addressing the underlying issue. Not sure if this is all related but the blower motor has been replaced 3- 4 times and the battery has been replaced 4 times
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11759559August 25, 2026
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Driver side headlight goes out approximately every 6 months. Sometimes the light only has to be “wiggled” in its connection and the light comes back on. Sometimes the light must be replaced. The light has also exploded when my spouse was attempting to replace the lightbulb. A friend has a 2014 Toyota 4 runner and the drivers lightbulb has been replaced approximately 12 times in 6 years. The passenger side headlight is not affected.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11728004March 30, 2026
BACK OVER PREVENTION, BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle and reversing, the rearview camera intermittently displayed a blank image. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11590241May 22, 2024
BACK OVER PREVENTION, BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while reversing, he became aware that the rear-view camera failed to display an image. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 50,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11587722May 8, 2024
STEERING
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, she became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, requiring increased effort to maneuver the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the front timing cover and found that the part was leaking fluid. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 88,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11580983April 3, 2024
SUSPENSION
I am writing to express my deep concern and frustration regarding the X-REAS suspension system in the Limited Edition 4Runner manufactured by Toyota. Specifically, I am addressing the alarming issue of suspension failure experienced in vehicles at just 45,000 miles, posing significant safety risks to drivers and passengers alike. The X-REAS suspension failure in the Limited Edition 4Runner is not merely an inconvenience; it is a serious safety hazard that puts lives at risk. The abrupt failure of the suspension system at relatively low mileage creates an unpredictable driving experience, jeopardizing the stability and control of the vehicle. This instability can lead to loss of control, especially at high speeds or during emergency maneuvers, resulting in potentially catastrophic accidents. Furthermore, it is deeply troubling to discover that Toyota may have been aware of this issue and yet failed to take proactive measures to address it. The apparent negligence on the part of Toyota in acknowledging and rectifying the problem reflects a blatant disregard for consumer safety. By continuing to produce and sell vehicles equipped with a defective suspension system, Toyota is knowingly putting drivers, passengers, and other road users in harm's way. As a concerned consumer and advocate for road safety, I urge the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to launch a thorough investigation into the X-REAS suspension failure in the Limited Edition 4Runner. It is imperative that Toyota be held accountable for its failure to address this issue promptly and effectively. Furthermore, I implore the NHTSA to take decisive action to ensure the safety and well-being of all motorists by compelling Toyota to initiate a comprehensive recall and repair program for affected vehicles. Every individual has the right to feel safe and secure while operating a motor vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11553184November 2, 2023
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Similar to NUMEROUS newer ('12+) vehicles, the instrument cluster gauge needles light up even when the headlights are not on. Therefore when driving the vehicle, the driver isn't aware that the headlights are NOT ON at night (and there are no DRL/daytime running lights to warn oncoming drivers), which means that the vehicle is driving at night WITHOUT any lights on. People are going to be killed this way; both the driver and innocent motorists driving near this vehicle. I nearly got in a head-on collision last night because the vehicle headlights weren't on after sundown (but I listed crash, fire, fatalities to get your attention, as I submitted this same issue about 8years ago for a similar incident with a Nissan Leaf that narrowly missed running me over as it was driving without any headlights on/LED gauge cluster was bright enough to see the drivers face, and NOTHING has changed in the auto industry for safety on this widespread issue). How can the automotive industry and NHTSA have let this happen? Instrument cluster gauges should not have ANY backlighting unless the headlight switch is physically activated by the driver. This issue is even worse with the new LED/virtual gauge cluster screens.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11546416September 25, 2023
WHEELS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Took the vehicle in 3/19/2021 @ 6076 Mileage for a steering wheel shake, the dealer has tried numerous times to fix it by trying to balance the tire and rotate the tires, it only masks the problem and the steering wheel shake comes back. The shake can happen at any MPH. I finally took it to another shop called discount tire and dynamic 4x4 alignment. Discount tire said there was coupling in the stock tires Nitto Grappler, so I replaced the tires with Michelin Defenders this only masked the problem. On 9/25/2023 a local Toyota Technician and I took a ride together to see if he could duplicate the problem. At 67 and 68 we were able to duplicate the problem when the steering wheel shook the passenger side of the car shook. The technician and I swapped and I was able to duplicate the problem as well. I was stopped at a red light and took off after the tires were warmed up. When I reached 67 or 68 mph the steering wheel began to shake and he confirm that the vehicle shook too on the passenger side. I have experienced shaking in the steering wheel previously but now its being felt in the vehicle too. Toyota sent out a technician on the last issue and I was told they found something and then I was told there was nothing. Please see notes below as I have documented every occurrence and can provide maintenance documentation too.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11532966July 18, 2023
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated upon taking the vehicle to the dealer for a routine inspection, he was informed that the front coil spring was fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that 50% of the cost for the repair would be covered. The failure mileage was approximately 53,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11533113July 18, 2023
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
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 occurred infrequently in the past
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11523940May 26, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I have attempted to use the SOS button 4 times in different days and in different locations, only connecting once and the rep. claimed she couldn't hear me that only time I "connected." The system causes premature battery drain (even while the car is off, it draws power) and doesn't work in its intended way as a safety/rescue tool. This is an expensive feature that fails to work while locked in with an inferior cellular service provider through an exclusive contract between Toyota and AT&T.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11507249February 14, 2023
STEERING, SUSPENSION, WHEELS
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. The car has had the wheels rebalanced three times (installation, upon purchase from the dealer and on a take back to the dealership), the alignment has been checked twice and I have spoken to the tire manufacturer about the tires being the cause of this. I took the tires into an authorized retailer to no avail. With everything checked, including a road force balancing of the tires, my 4Runner still shakes disturbingly. I called a service advisor at another Toyota dealership today (they were not the seller). In describing the problem to him, he cut me off and said it is a known problem. He went on to share that the dealership had been in contact with Toyota Corporate. It is disturbing for me as a driver, my passengers and from an engineering standpoint; shaking can never be good. It could easily cause premature and unnecessary wear to drive, suspension and steering parts. It could lead to a serious and fatal accident over time. The shaking, I imagine, could also lead to a problem in less than ideal driving conditions such as rain, snow or ice as well.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11499209December 28, 2022
Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness
Whenever I strap my child into their car seat and tighten down the straps, the straps will not lock into place and I am able to pull them back out with my hands.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11480820August 23, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
While driving down a road a mango fruit fell from a tree and hit the front glass causing it to break. The glass also broke toward the inside there were pieces of glass on the dash inside the vehicle. This could of cause me injuries.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11475549July 24, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The sunroof suddenly shattered while driving. The interior glass cracked and rained down on me. The exterior glass cracked. It sounded like a gunshot. It caused cuts, fear from the loud bang and the inability to drive the vehicle out of fear of the remaining glass falling and for protection from rain or other elements
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11455732March 8, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES
Break problem after letting car sit overnight and coming up to a stop sign or anything slowly pedal goes to the floor If you pump tge pedal the brakes will come back and seem to work fine except when sitting In a drive-through line with your foot on the brake pedal it'll slowly lose brake pressure and you'll start creeping forward until the pedal starts going lower and lower And requires excessive pressure to hold vehicle stopped. It doesn't happen all the time but it is fairly consistent. Especially through the drive thru line is when you notice it Took to dealership dealership said there was nothing wrong with it
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11444957December 25, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I was driving down the road and heard a Loud bang. When I got home I was looking for the source and there was a big hole in the sunroof from the sunroof shattering. There was no contact from anything the sunroof just shattered on its own.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11440934November 18, 2021
AIR BAGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: DYNAMIC BRAKE SUPPORT/BRAKE ASSIST
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 filed. The contact stated that the driver sustained two injuries and the contact sustained two injuries. Medical attention was sought. The contact was unaware of the other passengers from the other vehicle sustained any injuries. The vehicle was damaged and towed to a tow lot. The dealer was contacted and informed of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 13,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#11435369October 4, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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. The picture shows my shattered sunroof, it has tape holding it together so it didn’t cave in on me.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11431192August 31, 2021
SERVICE BRAKES
UNKNOWN but not really a "Safety Issue" in the true sense of the meaning. Front Brakes. Loud squeal from brakes under cold climate conditions. Dealership has inspected but nothing found. Mentioned NHTSA # 10190453 & TSB #T-TT-0636-20 REV to the service manager but they stated that there is/was no official "TSB" for brake squeal issue on my vehicle. I believe they were referring to a Toyota "T-SB-#######", rather than the "T-TT-0636-20 REV". I did not get any info from dealership since no official "TSB" is published?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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