2013 Toyota 4Runner Owner Complaints

Recalls I have not done myself and have had the vehicle since March 2020

NHTSA ID

11742866

Incident

Mar 25, 2026

TOYOTA 4RUNNER 2013 VIN# [XXX] LP# XXX The gas needle will be above the half (middle line), and the fuel range on top of the dash would read anywhere from 160-213 miles, going 45 mph up a hill or 70 mph on the freeway, all of a sudden starts to stall and completely shut off while still driving. I would then only have a few seconds to try to pull over due to losing all power, and not being able to shift into neutral because it's a push/start button. The car will only turn back on after putting some gas into it, so I make sure to never let the gas needle go below the middle line or have the gas range reading go below anything around 160-200 miles since the vehicle has shut down at a different amount each time, and there's been multiple times. Also, the fuel level needle never matches with how many miles is shown on the range, displaying inaccurate readings. It has poor acceleration, poor mileage, and now making a loud whining noise that is heard from outside the vehicle near gas tank. I have tried looking up the VIN and it does not show that it falls under the recall, despite it having all the symptoms of a faulty fuel pump/sending unit. I love my 4Runner but I am in fear for my life whenever I drive it and not showing accurate fuel levels. I pray that nobody runs into me if the vehicle stalls out in the roadway, while going 30-80 mph (it has done it on regular roads and on the highway). There are no warning lights or check engine light. It's at about 208,000 miles, with the issue slowly getting worse over time. I am requesting for it to be inspected free of charge, as well as getting the necessary repairs that the recall is for free of charge. [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11700686

Incident

Jul 3, 2024

I was traveling on [XXX] returning home and felt the steering wheel pulling strongly to the right so I immediately pulled off to the side of the road and noted the right front passenger tire was deflated. This tire is a 245/60 R20 107HSL BSW Procontrol Cooper tire. The tire at the top portion was bulging out in several areas. Within a couple minutes a truck with 3 men stopped to help and they removed the flat tire and put on the spare. I drove back to Lubbock and took the tire to Discount tire where we had bought them July of 2024. We were told the tire was defective and that they were able to inflate the tire and there was no damage to the tire such as nails etc. They replaced the tire. No warning lights were on. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11655165

Incident

Apr 10, 2024

Make: Toyota Model: 4Runner Year: 2013 Mileage: 76,200 Description of Incident While driving on [XXX] at night, the vehicle experienced a sudden and catastrophic engine failure, leaving it immobilized in the middle of the highway. This presented an immediate and severe safety risk to both the vehicle occupants and other motorists. The failure was later determined to be caused by a malfunction in the Variable Valve Timing (VVT) oil control system, specifically an Exhaust Cam Gear failure. This led to a broken timing chain and subsequent engine failure. Inspection and Diagnosis The vehicle was inspected by an authorized Toyota Dealer in Florence, SC. They confirmed the failure of the oil control system and recommended a complete engine replacement, estimating costs over $5,000. Broader Implications and Potential Safety Hazard Further investigation, including consultations with multiple Toyota technicians, review of technical discussions on various platforms, and examination of online 4Runner forums, suggests that this issue is not isolated. Failures of the exhaust cam gear and problems with the VVT Oil Control System appear to be common in the Toyota 1GR-FE Engine and other engines equipped with this system. It's noteworthy that Toyota issued a voluntary recall in 2014 (Safety Recall 13V-395, TM-TC-14021) for Lexus vehicles with similar issues. However, this recall does not appear to cover the 2013 1GR-FE 4Runner engine, despite the apparent similarity in potential failure modes. Safety Concerns This issue presents a significant safety hazard: Sudden engine failure at highway speeds can lead to loss of vehicle control. Unexpected vehicle immobilization, especially at night or in high-traffic areas, poses a severe collision risk. The apparent widespread nature of this issue suggests that many vehicles may be at risk of similar failures. Urgency for Action Given the severity of the potential outcomes and the ap INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11605962

Incident

Jun 12, 2020

The component that failed is the air back clock spring. It’s preventing the horn form functioning properly. In turn can result in an accident from lack of warning other drivers and/or air bag might not go off. It seems to be a known problem on the 13 model year of the 4Runners. It has not been inspected as I’m not knowledgeable on what to do in that situation and the dealer says that I’d have to pay for it anyway. No warnings just one day the horn didn’t want to work anymore and seems to be a problem that’s pretty consistent. People have reported that it has gone bad with as little as a 100k miles which the clock spring shouldn’t be a maintenance item to begin with.

NHTSA ID

11554026

Incident

Jul 12, 2023

1) The failed component is the door locks. Or more precisely, the motor for the electrical operation of the door locks. When failed, the door remains locked even when pulling on the interior handle to open the door or when trying to unlock the door using the interior latch. You are essentially locked inside your car. I believe the door should always unlock when the handle is pulled, and the interior lock lever should always unlock the door as well. Both of these function "normally" when the actuator is not failed. The failure first appeared in late 2018/early 2019. I noticed that when I locked the vehicle using the key fob, I was not hearing the audible "beep." And when the car was shifted out of PARK, I was not hearing all the doors lock. I then realized the drivers front door was not locking. I lived with this for a while, long enough for the drivers side rear door to fail, and then the right rear door failed as well. The front right and rear door have never failed. I purchased a Toyota lock assembly for the drivers side front and it functioned perfectly after replacement until this past week. It appears to have failed again. And I was essentially trapped in the drivers seat. I had to give it and electrical command to unlock while pushing on the manual lever in order for the door to unlock. Pulling the open handle did not open the door, and pushing on the manual lock lever did not open the lock. The failed component appears to be a small motor in the lock assy. I replaced this motor in the left and right rear door lock assembly's and that corrected the problem. I am going to replace the motor in the lock assy I removed in 2019 and reinstall it in hopes of correcting the problem. I can send you the Toyota lock assy I will remove, and one of the motors I removed from one of the rear door lock assembly's. 2)The failed door locks trap occupants inside the vehicle. 3)Did not visit a dealer or repair center. 4)No inspections have been performed. 5)No

NHTSA ID

11507971

Incident

Feb 1, 2023

The problem is the reproduction of a vehicle illegally by a dealer. My federal information & later my vehicle & home were obtained after my phone was cloned. Vehicle has airbag recalls from takata. Vin- [XXX]. (It’s and emergency vehicle) INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID

11488130

Incident

Jul 19, 2016

Rust appeared on the hatch of my 4Runner approximately 2 years after I purchased it new. My complaints to 2 different dealerships were ignored and left undocumented. I was told this wasn't covered under warranty. In 2019, the rust was finally documented by Toyota and I was told that this would have been covered under warranty, but now it's too late. At that point the rust was just an eyesore. Sometime in August 2021, while driving on a bumpy dirt road, my "open door" indicator illuminated and a warning chime went off. When I checked my doors, I discovered that the hatch wasn't fully secure. Upon closer inspection, I discovered that rust had eaten away the metal that secures the latch which keeps the hatch closed. The rust I had on the hatch, had eaten away at the metal from the inside, out. There is now only a small piece of rusted metal holding the locking mechanism in place that keeps the rear hatch secure. Since my earlier complaints to the service departments of Toyota went ignored, I contacted Toyota USA directly. I had explained that a cosmetic issue had now become a safety issue. Due to an apparent design flaw or lack of corrosion control, the supporting structure of the hatch lock had almost completely corroded away. This may be an isolated incident, however, other 4Runner owners may also be at risk and this needs to be addressed. No matter how old a vehicle is, the integrity of a vehicle interior should never be compromised by a locking mechanism rusting off, to the point a door, or hatch, can eventually open.Toyota USA dismissed my complaint. I stated that this is a potential vehicle safety issue, where occupants and vehicle contents are left unsecured and could be at risk. I was advised that this is just a matter of corrosion and that my warranty was expired, therefore, Toyota would not fix the problem.

NHTSA ID

11432699

Incident

Aug 17, 2021

OUR FUEL PUMP AND A GASKET WENT OUT AT SAME TIME. NO WARNING IT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN, LUNGED FORWARD 5 FEET AND THEN DIED. GOING TO COST $1,000 TO FIX. IT LOOKS LIKE TOYOTA HAS RECALLS ON FUEL PUMPS BUT IT DOESN'T COVER OUR YEAR YET.

NHTSA ID

11408130

Incident

Apr 9, 2021

Mileage

130,000 mi

CONSTANT BAD MOLDY/MILDEW SMELL COMING FROM THE A/C SYSTEM

NHTSA ID

11373257

Incident

Jan 1, 2020

Mileage

121,000 mi

DURING AN ACCIDENT, BOTH SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED (FRONT AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY). FRONT RIGHT PASSENGER INJURED BY SIDE AIRBAG -- BLEEDING PUNCTURE WOUNDS (APPROX 3) ON UPPER RIGHT WRIST, SEVERE RAISED GOUGES (BELOW THE SKIN) FROM THAT POINT UP THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE ARM (MORE SEVERE ON FOREARM). PASSENGER RECALLS SOMETHING SHOOTING OUT FROM "A" POST. PASSENGER WENT VIA AMBULANCE TO ER. LATER, FOUND BROKEN JAGGED PIECE OF WHITE HARD PLASTIC IN THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. PIECE IS IN OUR POSSESSION AS WELL AS PHOTOS AND MEDICAL RECORDS.

NHTSA ID

11361272

Incident

Aug 7, 2020

Mileage

70,800 mi

I PURCHASED MY TOYOTA 4 RUNNER SR5 AND HAVE AROUND 89K MILES ON IT. I'VE SEVERAL ARTICLES ABOUT THE HORN CLOCK SPRING BEING FAULTY. MY DEALERSHIP IS QUOTING ALMOST $1K TO HAVE IT REPLACED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER A RECALL. PLEASE ADVISE *TR

NHTSA ID

11325929

Incident

Jan 22, 2020

Mileage

85,000 mi

THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES. ONCE AT STOP SIGN, TWICE ON HIGHWAY SLOWING DOWN FOR RED LIGHT AND ONCE IN A DRIVE THRU. ALL WAS IN MOTION. HAVEN'T HAD TO DEALER YET BECAUSE OF CORONAVIRUS SCARE. DATE BELOW IS ESTIMATE OF LAST TIME IT HAPPENED. NOTHING TO BACK THIS PROBLEM UP BUT MY WORD.

NHTSA ID

11319234

Incident

Mar 12, 2020

Mileage

74,100 mi

THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY THREE TIMES IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS MOST RECENTLY ON 2/15/2020. EACH TIME THE GAS GAUGE WAS SHOWING APPROXIMATELY A QUARTER TANK OF GAS. IN NONE OF THE CASES WAS THE LOW FUEL LIGHT ON.

NHTSA ID

11316073

Incident

Feb 15, 2020

Mileage

130,000 mi

MY VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, BUT IT WOULD ONLY CONTINUE RUNNING FOR 5 TO 60 SECONDS. AFTER ABOUT 30 MINUTES THE VEHICLE STARTED AND DROVE TO MY DESTINATION (HOME). THE PROBLEM PERSISTED FOR 3 DAYS, WITH ONLY ONE SUCCESSFUL SHORT DRIVE AMIDST SEVERAL STALLS AND RESTARTS. EACH TIME THE VEHICLE STARTED, BUT DID NOT RUN FOR LONG BEFORE DYING. I TOWED IT TO MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP 9 DAYS AGO AND THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO FIND ANY ISSUE... THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO HAVE FIXED ITSELF, AT LEAST FOR NOW. HOWEVER, TODAY THE NEWS REPORTED A RECALL FOR NEWER MODEL 4 RUNNERS THAT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL PUMP CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL WHILE DRIVING, POSING A SERIOUS RISK. I BELIEVE THIS MAY BE THE SAME ISSUE THAT IS AFFECTING MY 2013 4 RUNNER.

NHTSA ID

11299375

Incident

Jan 5, 2020

Mileage

95,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL ALL OF THE SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING ON A FLAT SURFACE AROUND 20 MPH. ACCORDING TO COMPUTER REPORT IT STATED THE 4RUNNDER WAS IN A ROLLOVER WHEN IT WAS NOT. PLEASE SEE ATTACHED REPORT. THERE IS NO DAMAGE TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND WAS NOT AT ANY INCLINES. TOYOTA STATED THE 2013 4RUNNER IS NOT UNDER THE AIR BAG RECALL. IT SHOULD BE!!! I HAVE HAD THE 4RUNNER FOR UNDER A YEAR AND IT NOW IS JUST SITTING AT THE DEALERSHIP. TOYOTA IS DRAGGING THEIR FEET STATING THAT IT CAN TAKE UP TO 30 DAYS OR MORE FOR THEIR DEPARTMENT TO REVIEW THE COMPUTERS REPORT AND MAKE A DECISION TO RECALL/REPLACE/REPAIR THEIR BAD FAULTY AIR BAGS. THIS IS UNACCEPETABLE. THE 4RUNNER IS NEEDED FOR A DAILY DRIVER. THIS NEEDS TO BE HANDLED QUICKER AND THERE SHOULD BE NO QUESTION THIS 4RUNNERS AIR BAGS SHOULD BE UNDER THE RECALL.

NHTSA ID

11205762

Incident

Apr 23, 2019

Mileage

108,000 mi

MY COMPLAINT IS ON MY 2013 4RUNNER LIMITED THE DOOR HANDLES INSERTS ARE CRACKED THIS IS NOT NORMAL. AND I ALSO SEE A LOW AREA IN MY DASHBOARD.

NHTSA ID

11191759

Incident

Mar 1, 2019

TAKATA RECALL. I CALLED TWO LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS ABOUT GETTING MY VEHICLE IN TO HAVE THE AIRBAG REPLACED. BOTH TOLD ME ESSENTIALLY, "THE PART IS ON BACK-ORDER, WE'RE WAITING ON A SHIPMENT, COULD BE A COUPLE OF DAYS, COULD BE A FEW MONTHS BEFORE WE CAN GET YOU IN. WE REALLY DON'T KNOW." IN THE MEANTIME, TOYOTA HAS INSTRUCTED OWNERS TO NOT ALLOW ANY PASSENGERS IN THE FRONT SEAT DUE TO THE DANGER THE AIRBAGS PRESENT. A FEW MONTHS SEEMS LIKE A LONG TIME TO GO WITHOUT SUCH AN IMPORTANT SAFETY ITEM BEING FIXED.

NHTSA ID

11186199

Incident

Mar 12, 2019

MY HORN IS NOT WORKING AS A RESULT OF A SPIRAL WIRE IN THE STEERING WHEEL IS SHORTED OUT. WITHIN THE SAME WIRE SET IS THE WIRE THAT CONTROLS THE AIRBAG. THUS, I DO NOT KNOW IF THE AIRBAG IS WORKING OR NOT. TWO SAFETY FEATURES OF THE CAR POTENTIALLY DO NOT WORK, THE HORN, FOR SURE, AND MAYBE THE AIRBAG. THE ISSUE I HAVE

NHTSA ID

11183419

Incident

Dec 11, 2018

Mileage

155,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE AND TRACK OFF 4 LOW INDICATORS APPEARED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION ERRONEOUSLY SWITCHED INTO THE NEUTRAL POSITION AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE. ALSO, WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD NOT INDICATE THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN THE NEUTRAL OR DRIVE POSITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GRAHAM AUTO MALL (1515 WEST 4TH ST, MANSFIELD, OH) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,837. *TT CONSUMER STATED NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITHC COULD NOT ALLOW CAR TOC CHANGE GEARS. CONSUMER TOOK IT A MECHANIC AND THE COMPUTER ACTUALLY CHANGED THE GEAR, IT IS FIXED.*JB

NHTSA ID

11176328

Incident

Jan 1, 2019

Mileage

96,837 mi

THE CLOCK SPRING IS FAULTY AND THE HORN DOESN'T WORK. THERE WAS A MASSIVE RECALL ON OTHER TOYOTA CARS FOR FAULTY CLOCK SPRINGS.

NHTSA ID

11172147

Incident

Mar 6, 2018

2013 TOYOTA RAV4. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BRAKE FAILURE *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION CAUSING A CRASH INTO AN UNOCCUPIED PARKED VEHICLE AND A LIGHT POLE. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *JS

NHTSA ID

11161588

Incident

Nov 8, 2018

2013 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALL FOR DEFECTIVE AIRBAG REPLACEMENT, AND IF TOWING SERVICES WILL BE AVAILABLE. *AS *TR

NHTSA ID

11132529

Incident

Aug 27, 2018

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V024000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

11113278

Incident

Jun 9, 2018

AT ABOUT 28000 MILES, WITHOUT WARNING THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALMOST TO THE FLOOR DURING A ROUTINE STOP. THE BRAKE PEDAL HAS BEEN SOFT LIKE THAT EVER SINCE. THE DEALER SAID THAT IT MIGHT BE FIXED BY A BRAKE FLUID FLUSH AND REPLACE. I HAD ITHAT DONE AT THE DEALER AND IF ANYTHING, IT'S SLIGHTLY WORSE. APPARENTLY THE MECHANIC TOLD THE SERVICE WRITER THAT IT'S JUST A FLAW IN THE VEHICLE ANDNOT A FLUID CHANGE OR ANYTHING ELSE WOULD HELP THAT HE WAS AWARE OF, BUT THEY DID IT ANYWAY AND CHARGED ME OF COURSE. THE BRAKES FUNCTION BUT THEY ARE SUBSTANDARD TO WHAT IS EXPECTED IN A 2013 AUTOMOBILE. THE BRAKES ALMOST FEEL AS IF THERE IS NO POWER ASSIST.

NHTSA ID

11089974

Incident

Apr 24, 2018

Mileage

28,000 mi