VehicleVerdict

2020 Toyota 4Runner problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner is among the quieter years of the 4Runner on NHTSA's books: 43 complaints (51% below the model's median year), a single recall, and no open investigations. Complainants reported 10 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across other (9), driver assistance (8), and airbags (5), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

43

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

8

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

10

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2020 compare to other 4Runner years?

4Runner NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 highlighted923 complaints1984: 2 complaints1985: 2 complaints1986: 13 complaints1987: 7 complaints1988: 12 complaints1989: 7 complaints1990: 95 complaints1991: 55 complaints1992: 73 complaints1993: 58 complaints1994: 76 complaints1995: 201 complaints1996: 203 complaints1997: 363 complaints1998: 303 complaints1999: 446 complaints2000: 638 complaints2001: 240 complaints2002: 306 complaints2003: 906 complaints2004: 923 complaints2005: 573 complaints2006: 520 complaints2007: 204 complaints2008: 134 complaints2009: 33 complaints2010: 175 complaints2011: 182 complaints2012: 112 complaints2013: 48 complaints2014: 90 complaints2015: 116 complaints2016: 104 complaints2017: 47 complaints2018: 77 complaints2019: 87 complaints2020: 43 complaints2021: 54 complaints2022: 55 complaints2023: 42 complaints2024: 11 complaints2025: 54 complaints2026: 7 complaints
4Runner NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 4Runner years to avoid →

What are the most common 2020 Toyota 4Runner problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Other921%
Driver Assistance819%
Airbags512%
Brakes512%
Suspension49%
Steering49%
Body & Structure25%
Tires & Wheels25%
Transmission12%
Lighting12%
Electrical System12%
Fuel System12%

Does the 2020 Toyota 4Runner have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

22V480000OtherJuly 6, 2022 · 280 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

An incorrect label may lead to unintentionally overloading the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“THE 4RUNNER STRUCK A VEHICLE THAT RAN A RED LIGHT. THE 4RUNNER WAS AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES PER HOUR AND STRUCK THE OTHER VEHICLE, A NISSAN ALTIMA SIDE ON WITH ENOUGH FORCE TO PROPEL THAT VEHICLE TWO LANES INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY ON THE 4RUNNER BUT DID DEPLOY ON THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · March 17, 2020 · crash

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · November 2, 2021 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, WHEN SHE SLID OFF THE ROAD AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT DRIVER AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO HER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · February 14, 2021 · crash

“WHILE SLOWLY SLOWING THE VEHICLE DOWN, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR AND LOST ALL BRAKING. AS SOON AS PEDAL IS BROUGHT BACK UP AND PUMPED ONCE OR TWICE, BRAKES REGAINED FUNCTION. NO WARNING OR SAFETY LIGHTS WENT OFF. THIS HAS OCCURRED 3 DIFFERENT TIMES WITH 2 DIFFERENT DRIVERS.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 13, 2020

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · June 29, 2023

2020 Toyota 4Runner — common questions

Is the 2020 Toyota 4Runner reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 43 NHTSA complaints, below the typical 4Runner year, with 1 recall and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2020 4Runner problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are other (9 complaints), driver assistance (8 complaints), airbags (5 complaints).

Does the 2020 Toyota 4Runner have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2020 Toyota 4Runner. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Toyota 4Runner years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the 4Runner years to avoid are 2004, 2003, 2000, 2005, 2006, 1999, 1997, 2002, 1998, 2001, 2007, 1996, 1995, 2011, 2010, 2008, 2015, 2012, 2016, 2014, 2013, 2017. The cleanest record among 4Runner years belongs to 1985.

How safe is the 2020 Toyota 4Runner?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2020 Toyota 4Runner earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.