2013 Toyota 4Runner Owner Complaints

THE PISTON(S) THAT HOLD THE HATCH UP HAVE FAILED, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. SINCE THE HATCH CAN NOT STAY UP, I CAN NOT TELL WHETHER IT IS ONE OR BOTH. LUCKILY, THIS OCCURRED WHILE THE HATCH WAS BEING LIFTED AND NOT AFTERWARDS WITH AN INDIVIDUAL UNDER THE HATCH. AFTER THE FAILURE, I HAVE RAISED THE HATCH AND THE LET IT SHUT WITH ITS OWN WEIGHT. IF SOMEONE WAS PUTTING SOMETHING INTO THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE, THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT A SERIOUS INJURY WOULD HAVE OCCURRED. MY SON, WHO HAS A 2012 MODEL, INDICATED THEY HAD THE SAME PROBLEM.

8/27/2016

1) THE GUY WHO COMPLAINED ABOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING TOO CLOSE TO THE GAS PEDAL IS RIGHT. MY FOOT GETS CAUGHT UNDER THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN I'M TRYING TO TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE GAS AND GO FOR THE BRAKES. I GUESS I'M STILL USED TO MY '99 4RUNNER. HE ALSO COMPLAINED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSES SO FAR THAT HE SOMETIMES ALSO HITS THE GAS. HE'S RIGHT ON THAT TOO. THE DEALER SAYS FOR SOME REASON AFTER A WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL JUST GOES REALLY SOFT, PRETTY DRAMATICALLY, IN MY CASE FROM THE PREVIOUS DAY. I HAVE ABOUT 27000 MILES. DEALER SAYS ONLY REMEDY IS A $125-$150 BRAKE FLUID CHANGE. 2) THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE GAUGE DOESN'T WORK, SO DON'T EXPECT TO BE ALERTED IN A TIMELY MANNER IF THE ROADS ARE READY TO FREEZE OVER AND BECOME ICY. DEALER CHECKED IT AND SAID IT WAS FINE, ITS NOT FINE. IT SEEMS TO BE USUALLY OFF BY 10 DEGREES AND OTHERWISE REACTS SO SLOWLY TO CHANGES IN TEMPERATURE SO AS TO BE USELESS. SOFT BRAKE PEDAL STARTED IN EARLY 2017. TEMPERATURE GAUGE HAS NEVER WORKED WELL.

8/30/2017

TAKATA RECALL I AM [XXX] AND I OWN A 2013 4RUNNER. I JUST RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FOR A TAKATA FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG INFLATOR (ZONE A) I AM VERY UPSET THAT I AM JUST NOW RECEIVING THIS LETTER WHEN OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME VEHICLE RECEIVED LETTERS IN 2017 AND HAD THEIR VEHICLE HELD BY A TOYOTA DEALER FOR MONTHS WITH A RENTAL VEHICLE BEING MADE AVAILABLE. SAFETY SHOULD BE THE PRIORITY FOR ALL CUSTOMERS, NOT A SELECT GROUP. I SPOKE WITH A REPRESENTATIVE FROM A LOCAL DEALER AS WELL AS A REPRESENTATIVE FROM TOYOTA CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE CENTER AND THE RESPONSES I RECEIVED WERE VERY DIFFERENT. IT IS VERY DISTURBING AND UPSETTING THAT MY LIFE AND THE LIVES OF MY PASSENGERS WERE PUT IN HARMS WAY FOR THE LACK OF URGENCY TO RELEASE LETTERS ON TOYOTA'S BEHALF. THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE AND TOYOTA NEEDS TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS. I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING THE REMEDY FOR TOYOTA'S CONDUCT TOWARDS ME, A CUSTOMER. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *PM

2/20/2018

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.

7/24/2018

INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). I HAVE EXPERIENCED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, UPON BREAKING, HAVING SUDDEN UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION. THIS OCCURS WHEN I AM BRAKING FOR A STOP ON CITY STREETS, STOPPING IN TRAFFIC, STOPPING IN A DRIVEWAY. I SUGGEST THE CAUSE IS THE PROXIMITY OF THE BREAK PEDAL TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. WHEN THE BRAKE IS DEPRESSED, THE LEVEL OF THE PEDAL IS BELOW THAT OF THE ACCELERATOR LEVEL. SO, I FIND MY FOOT AT TIMES HAS A SLIGHT OVERLAP, CAUSING MY FOOT TO APPLY BOTH PEDALS, RESULTING IN BOTH ACCELERATION AND BRAKING. THIS HAS RESULTED IN NUMEROUS FRIGHTENING INSTANCES, SUCH AS BRAKING FOR A PEDESTRIAN CROSSWALK, I OCCASIONALLY FIND MYSELF NEARLY STRIKING A PEDESTRIAN! TO COMPENSATE FOR THIS, I ACTUALLY SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION TO NEUTRAL AS I SLOW DOWN COMING TO A STOP (E.G. STOPPING FOR A TRAFFIC SIGNAL, OR STOP SIGN). THUS PREVENTING ANY UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION. THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED TO ME IN 50 YEARS OF DRIVING EXPERIENCE WITH NUMEROUS MANUFACTURERS OF AUTOMOBILES OR PICKUP TRUCKS, BOTH DOMESTIC OR FOREIGN AUTOS. I AM A LICENSED PROFESSIONAL CIVIL ENGINEER IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA. I SUGGEST THAT THE PEDAL IS 1) TOO CLOSE LATERALLY TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, AND 2) THE LEVEL OF THE DEPRESSED BRAKE PEDAL IS BELOW THAT OF THE NEARBY RESTING ACCELERATOR PEDAL. I FEEL THAT IF THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS POSITIONED AT A HIGHER LEVEL RELATIVE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE DEPRESSED BRAKE WOULD NOT ACCIDENTALLY ACTUATE THE ACCELERATOR. I HAVE MADE TOYOTA AWARE OF THIS, BY 1) A PHONE CALL TO THEIR 800 NUMBER (YEARS AGO), AND 2) AT MANY OF MY SCHEDULED SERVICES WITH TOYOTA OF ORANGE IN SO CA. [XXX], PE, *DL

2/23/2017

I HAVE A 2013 4 RUNNER SR5, THAT JUST TURNED 80K, DRIVEN BY AN OLDER WOMAN. WHILE SITTING IN A FAST FOOD LANE THE BRAKE, ABS AND VSC TRACK LIGHTS CAME ON ALONG WITH AN BEEPING ALARM THAT WOULD NOT STOP. I TURNED THE TRUCK OFF AND WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND TURNED BACK ON AND STILL HAD THE PROBLEM. WHEN I MOVED I HAD NO BRAKES AT ALL. I HAD TO ROLL THE TRUCK INTO PARKING SPOT AND HAVE THE TRUCK TOWED. TRUCK WAS TAKEN TO TOYOTA AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE HYDROBOOST FOR THE BRAKES AND ABS. PART WAS ABOUT $3000 AND $620 TO DO THE INSTALL. EVERYONE THAT I TALKED TO SAID IT SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED. EVEN THE TOYOTA PEOPLE SAID IT SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED ON THIS NEW OF A TRUCK. I CALLED CORPORATE TOYOTA AND THEY AGREED TO GO HALF ON THE PART. MY CONCERN, IF I WAS GOING FAST OR GOING DOWN HILL I WOULD HAVE PROBABLY BEEN INJURED OR WORSE. I HAD NO BRAKES, ZERO. HAS ANYONE REPORTED THIS BEFORE? I HAVE NOT PICTURE OF THE HYDROBOOST AND I AM WAITING DOCUMENTATION FROM CORPORATE TOYOTA. PART WILL NOT BE IN FOR 6 BUSINESS DAYS. THIS MEANS I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT A CAR FOR 10 DAYS.

8/8/2017

THIS INVOLVES THE BACK UP CAMERA. IT SEEMS TO WORK WHEN IT WANTS TOO. MOST OF THE TIME IT DOES NOT WORK. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. SOMETIMES WHEN YOU OPEN AND CLOSE THE LIFT GATE IT WILL WORK FOR A SHORT TIME PERIOD.

10/25/2017

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

1/25/2019

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.

1/14/2020

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.

3/4/2020

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

2/11/2019

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)

8/1/2024

LUG NUT STUDS BROKE WHEN TIGHTENING ON DIVER REAR SIDE AND ON PASSENGER SIDE FRONT 100 FT LBS. THEY JUST STRETCHED, AND BROKE. VEHICLE WAS ON JACK STANDS.

10/9/2016

ONE OF THE WHEELS HAS A CRACK IN IT. IT IS A STRANGE LOOKING CRACK WHICH I FOUND WHEN WASHING THE CAR. THE WHEEL IS NOT DAMAGED, IT DOES NOT HAVE ANY SCUFFING OR DINGS AND DENTS IN IT. THE CRACK IS ABOUT 1 1/8" LONG THEN TURNS 90 DEGREES AND ABOUT 1/2" LONG AT THAT END.

12/28/2017

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

12/17/2018

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.

3/25/2020

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

3/1/2019

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.

11/7/2023

I WENT INTO MY TOYOTA DEALER FOR A STATE INSPECTION. SERVICE WRITER COMES OUT AND TELLS ME THE VEHICLE FAILED DUE TO A BROKEN RIGHT REAR LEAF. AT A COST OF 1026.18 TO REPLACE 1 LEAF . I SAY WELL ISN'T THAT GOING TO CHANGE MY RIDE HEIGHT HAVING ONLY 1 REPLACED . SHE SAYS YES BUT I ONLY QUOTED FOR THE BROKEN 1 . THAT BEING SAID I STILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THE INSPECTION . THE CASHIER SAYS WOULD YOU LIKE TO TALK TO THE SHOP MANAGER AND WAS QUITE ADAMANT ABOUT IT . SO I STARTED THINKING I'M NOT THE ONLY 1 WITH THIS ISSUE. SO THEY GET THE SHOP MANAGER HE SAYS YOU GOT A MINUTE. AND LEAVES COMES BACK AFTER ABOUT 20 MINUTES AND SAYS TOYOTA WILL PAY FOR THE LEAF. BUT YOU HAVE TO PAY THE LABOR . ONCE AGAIN I SAY HOWS THIS GOING TO AFFECT MY RIDE HEIGHT AND WHAT EFFECT IS IT GOING TO HAVE ON MY ALIGNMENT . HE TRY' TO TELL ME IF IT WAS A FRONT COIL IT WOULD SORRY . IF YOUR RIDE HEIGHT IS OFF FRONT OR REAR ITS GOING TO HAVE A EFFECT ON THE VEHICLES CAMBER. THAT BEING SAID THE OTHER LEAF ISN'T GOING TO LAST VERY LONG WITH HALF THE PROBLEM CORRECTED. PLUS ARE THEY GOING TO PUT THE SAME INFERIOR PART IN AGAIN. I FEEL TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND IS SNOWBALLING PEOPLE . JUST LIKE WHEN THEY HAD THEIR FRAME ISSUE. ALSO THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 55821 MILES ON IT

1/19/2018

THE KEY IS GETTING BENT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH - EITHER NOT ALLOWING THE KEY TO BE REMOVED. HAS BEEN RE-KEYED BY THE DEALERSHIP ONCE AND THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED AGAIN IN LESS THEN A MONTH.

2/23/2018

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

2/11/2019

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.

9/13/2021

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)

4/17/2025

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)

4/17/2025