2013 Toyota 4Runner Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

Incident: March 25, 2026 · Filed: June 9, 2026

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

Incident: July 3, 2024 · Filed: November 20, 2025

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)

Incident: April 10, 2024 · Filed: April 17, 2025

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)

Incident: June 12, 2020 · Filed: August 1, 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)

Incident: July 12, 2023 · Filed: November 7, 2023

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.

Incident: February 1, 2023 · Filed: February 18, 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

Incident: July 19, 2016 · Filed: October 6, 2022

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).

Incident: August 17, 2021 · Filed: September 13, 2021

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.

Incident: April 9, 2021 · Filed: April 14, 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.

Incident: January 1, 2020 · Filed: November 5, 2020

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