The 2020 Toyota 4Runner has 1 safety recall and 33 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is unknown or other (8 complaints).
Problem: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2020-2022 4Runner vehicles equipped with 20-inch Black Gunner Wheels. The load carrying capacity modification labels are incorrect. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Risk: An incorrect label may lead to unintentionally overloading the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: SET will mail replacement labels to owners, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 4, 2022. Owners may contact SET's customer service at 954-429-2000. SET's number for this recall is SET22A.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA side barrier crash testNHTSA side pole crash test
2020 Toyota 4RUNNER SUV 2WD
Overall
★★★★★
Frontal crash
★★★★★
Side crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
24.6%
Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: Standard
2020 Toyota 4RUNNER SUV AWD
Overall
★★★★★
Frontal crash
★★★★★
Side crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
24.6%
Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: Standard
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
4Runner 2WD
17mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 19 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
4 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S5) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel
4Runner 4WD
17mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 19 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
4 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S5) · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel
4Runner 4WD
17mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 19 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
4 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S5) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Unknown or other
8
1
0
2
—
Air bags
5
4
0
4
9,000 mi
Service brakes
5
0
0
0
—
Back over prevention Sensing system › Camera; Warnings
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Aug 26, 2026Electrical system 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
Aug 25, 2026Exterior lighting Driver side headlight goes out approximately every 6 months. Sometimes the light only has to be âwiggledâ 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.
Feb 1, 2026 · 108,000 milesBack over prevention 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.
May 22, 2024 · 50,000 milesBack over prevention 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.
Apr 10, 2024 · 88,000 milesSteering 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.
Feb 20, 2024Suspension 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,…
Nov 2, 2023Exterior 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…
Sep 25, 2023Wheels 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…
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.