VehicleVerdict

2023 Toyota 4Runner problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner is among the quieter years of the 4Runner on NHTSA's books: 42 complaints (52% below the model's median year), a single recall, and no open investigations.

Other leads the complaint categories with 12 reports (29% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

42

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

10

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

5

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2023 compare to other 4Runner years?

4Runner NHTSA complaints by model year, 2023 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, 2023 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 4Runner years to avoid →

What are the most common 2023 Toyota 4Runner problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Other1229%
Driver Assistance717%
Tires & Wheels37%
Lighting37%
Airbags25%
Brakes25%
Engine25%
Seat Belts25%
Steering25%
Suspension25%
Transmission25%
Speed Control12%
Latches & Locks12%
Visibility & Wipers12%

Does the 2023 Toyota 4Runner have recalls?

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

23V680000OtherOctober 12, 2023 · 13 units

Defect

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2023 Toyota 4Runner vehicles. The load carrying capacity modification label states the incorrect load carrying capacity, which can result in an overloaded vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

Consequence

An overloaded vehicle increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC will mail a new modified label, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 1, 2023. Owners may contact SET's customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET23A.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“The car just accelerated while during into parking lot. I used brake but did work and hit on to the pole. It accelerated pretty fast. The parking lot store has a video of me coming in slow and the the car accelerated.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · May 26, 2025 · crash

“The car just accelerated while during into parking lot. I used brake but did work and hit on to the pole. It accelerated pretty fast. The parking lot store has a video of me coming in slow and the the car accelerated.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · May 26, 2025 · crash

“The contact owns a 2023 Toyota 4Runner equipped with Nitto Tires, Tire Line: Ridge Grappler, Tire Size: 265/70/R17, DOT Number: 737079K4222. The contact stated while driving 58 MPH, the steering wheel was vibrating. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the tires had…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · September 1, 2023

“The headlight pattern of the low beam lights has a large dark area at the 10 to 11 O'clock position that appears in the oncoming traffic lane when driving at night. This dark area is very distracting while driving at night. The area is approximately 1 to 2 meters in diameter when seen on the…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · September 24, 2023

“I was driving the vehicle and suddenly the steering wheel started to getting hard to turn it and the dash board doesn’t show any failure I went right away to dealership close by they inspected the vehicle they states there is a power steering failure but the car never showed any failure on…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · February 23, 2026

2023 Toyota 4Runner — common questions

Is the 2023 Toyota 4Runner reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 42 NHTSA complaints, below the typical 4Runner year, with 1 recall and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2023 4Runner problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are other (12 complaints), driver assistance (7 complaints), tires & wheels (3 complaints).

Does the 2023 Toyota 4Runner have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2023 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 2023 Toyota 4Runner?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2023 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.