2020 TOYOTA 4Runner

Recalls, Specs & Safety Report

1RecallsNHTSA Verified30ComplaintsNHTSA Data0InvestigationsNHTSA Data
Expert Verdict
✓Good Reliability

This 2020 model shows good reliability, primarily driven by a below-average recall rate for the TOYOTA brand.

Key Factor:below-average recall rate

📋Why This Matters

Understanding recall history helps predict future ownership costs. Each unaddressed issue represents potential repair expenses.

Insurance companies review vehicle reliability data when setting premiums. Models with elevated recall rates often see adjusted pricing.

Focus Area:general reliability
📊

Expert Analysis

The 2020 4Runner analysis highlights key safety metrics.

Critical Component: Warning

Safety & Reliability Score

91/100
Excellent

Score Breakdown

Recall Impact-8
Complaint Impact-1.5
Investigation Impact-0

Technical Specifications

Key specifications for the 2020 TOYOTA 4Runner

Model Year2020
MakeTOYOTA
Model4Runner
Fuel TypeGasoline
Body ClassPassenger Vehicle

Safety History Timeline

Jan20
NEWProduction
Mar20
ISSUEFirst Report
Jun22
RECALLRecall Issued

Consumer Complaint Analysis

⚠️

Most Reported Issue

6 complaints (20% of total)
➡️

Complaint Trend

Stable
No trend data
✅

Safety Incidents

No critical incidents

Complaint Severity Distribution

Breakdown of 30 consumer complaints by severity level.

🟠High
4(13%)
🟡Medium
7(23%)
🟢Low
19(63%)

Mileage Failure Analysis

⚙️Engineering Insight

Based on consumer reports, issues for this vehicle tend to peak around the 0-20k mileage range. The average reported failure mileage is 34,272 miles.

📊 Mileage data extracted from 8 of 30 complaints (27% coverage)
0-20k
4 reports (50%)
20k-40k
0 reports (0%)
40k-60k
3 reports (38%)
60k-80k
0 reports (0%)
80k-100k
1 reports (13%)
100k+
0 reports (0%)
* Analysis based on mileage data extracted from consumer complaint descriptions. Actual failure rates may vary.

🛠️ DIY Diagnosis Center

Experiencing an issue? Select a symptom to find official manufacturer solutions (TSBs).

Primary Risk Areas

EQUIPMENT

Official Safety Recalls (1)

Campaign: 22V480000

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Summary

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.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Manufacturer: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC

NHTSA Investigations

0 investigations
✓

No active investigations for this vehicle.

Consumer Complaints

30 total complaints

Consumer-reported issues submitted to NHTSA for 2020 4Runner.

Common Reported SymptomsAI Analysis

Warning20%
Accident13%
Shake13%
Crash/Accident10%
Shatter10%
Stall7%
Safety Systems🔵 Low
BACK 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.

May 22, 2024Resolved
Steering/Suspension🔵 Low
STEERING

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.

May 8, 2024Resolved
Steering/Suspension🔶 Medium
SUSPENSION

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, especially at high speeds or during emergency maneuvers, resulting in potentially catastrophic accidents. Furthermore, it is deeply troubling to discover that Toyota may have been aware of this issue and yet failed to take proactive measures to address it. The apparent negligence on the part of Toyota in acknowledging and rectifying the problem reflects a blatant disregard for consumer safety. By continuing to produce and sell vehicles equipped with a defective suspension system, Toyota is knowingly putting drivers, passengers, and other road users in harm's way. As a concerned consumer and advocate for road safety, I urge the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to launch a thorough investigation into the X-REAS suspension failure in the Limited Edition 4Runner. It is imperative that Toyota be held accountable for its failure to address this issue promptly and effectively. Furthermore, I implore the NHTSA to take decisive action to ensure the safety and well-being of all motorists by compelling Toyota to initiate a comprehensive recall and repair program for affected vehicles. Every individual has the right to feel safe and secure while operating a motor vehicle.

Apr 3, 2024Resolved
Electrical⚠️ High
EXTERIOR 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 similar incident with a Nissan Leaf that narrowly missed running me over as it was driving without any headlights on/LED gauge cluster was bright enough to see the drivers face, and NOTHING has changed in the auto industry for safety on this widespread issue). How can the automotive industry and NHTSA have let this happen? Instrument cluster gauges should not have ANY backlighting unless the headlight switch is physically activated by the driver. This issue is even worse with the new LED/virtual gauge cluster screens.

Nov 2, 2023Resolved
Steering/Suspension🔵 Low
WHEELS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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 passenger side of the car shook. The technician and I swapped and I was able to duplicate the problem as well. I was stopped at a red light and took off after the tires were warmed up. When I reached 67 or 68 mph the steering wheel began to shake and he confirm that the vehicle shook too on the passenger side. I have experienced shaking in the steering wheel previously but now its being felt in the vehicle too. Toyota sent out a technician on the last issue and I was told they found something and then I was told there was nothing. Please see notes below as I have documented every occurrence and can provide maintenance documentation too.

Sep 25, 2023Resolved
Steering/Suspension🔵 Low
SUSPENSION

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 contact that 50% of the cost for the repair would be covered. The failure mileage was approximately 53,000.

Jul 18, 2023Resolved
Safety Systems🔵 Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

System malfunction—the ‘brake’ alert flashed and chirped when there was NO obstacle on the road. Safety issue—I was about to hit the brakes but I realized in time there was no need. Confirmed? No not at this time. Possibly have it reviewed at next maintenance. No inspection yet. This has occurred infrequently in the past

Jul 18, 2023Resolved
Other🔵 Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I have attempted to use the SOS button 4 times in different days and in different locations, only connecting once and the rep. claimed she couldn't hear me that only time I "connected." The system causes premature battery drain (even while the car is off, it draws power) and doesn't work in its intended way as a safety/rescue tool. This is an expensive feature that fails to work while locked in with an inferior cellular service provider through an exclusive contract between Toyota and AT&T.

✨ AI Insight

This complaint matches keywords from official recalls:

Recall #22V480000

*correlation estimated by AI, not an official NHTSA link.

May 26, 2023Resolved
Steering/Suspension⚠️ High
STEERING,SUSPENSION,WHEELS

The car shakes when going at speeds as low as 48 mph and as high as 68 mph that I know of. Typically, it shakes heaviest from the mid-50 mph range to the mid-60 mph range. I rarely Drive the full speed limit for energy conservation reasons, so I cannot tell you how much higher it goes on the range. The car has had the wheels rebalanced three times (installation, upon purchase from the dealer and on a take back to the dealership), the alignment has been checked twice and I have spoken to the tire manufacturer about the tires being the cause of this. I took the tires into an authorized retailer to no avail. With everything checked, including a road force balancing of the tires, my 4Runner still shakes disturbingly. I called a service advisor at another Toyota dealership today (they were not the seller). In describing the problem to him, he cut me off and said it is a known problem. He went on to share that the dealership had been in contact with Toyota Corporate. It is disturbing for me as a driver, my passengers and from an engineering standpoint; shaking can never be good. It could easily cause premature and unnecessary wear to drive, suspension and steering parts. It could lead to a serious and fatal accident over time. The shaking, I imagine, could also lead to a problem in less than ideal driving conditions such as rain, snow or ice as well.

Feb 14, 2023Resolved
Other🔵 Low
Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness

Whenever I strap my child into their car seat and tighten down the straps, the straps will not lock into place and I am able to pull them back out with my hands.

Dec 28, 2022Resolved

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any recalls for the 2020 TOYOTA 4Runner?

Yes, the 2020 TOYOTA 4Runner has 1 recorded recall from NHTSA. These recalls cover various components including EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS.

Is the 2020 TOYOTA 4Runner safe to drive?

The 2020 TOYOTA 4Runner has 1 recall. If you own this vehicle, check with your dealer to ensure all recall repairs have been completed. Most recalls have free remedies available.

Where can I check if my 2020 TOYOTA 4Runner has open recalls?

You can check for open recalls by visiting NHTSA.gov and entering your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), or by contacting your local TOYOTA dealer.

🎯Risk Areas & Recommended Actions

Based on recall data, these components require verification:

1

Equipment

Issue: increases crash or loss-of-control risk

✅

If you already own this vehicle: Contact your dealer immediately to confirm equipment recall is complete. Recall repairs are always free.

🔍

If you are evaluating a used example: Request VIN and verify all equipment recalls are completed before purchase.

Campaign:22V480000
💡Visit NHTSA.gov or contact your TOYOTA dealer to verify recall completion status.

🧭What This Means for You

Both current owners and prospective buyers benefit from reviewing this safety analysis before making decisions.

If you're unsure, we recommend starting with a VIN check or consulting a certified mechanic.

🔑

If You Own This Vehicle

  • Verify all 1 recalls have been completed using your VIN at NHTSA.gov or through your TOYOTA dealer.
  • If any recalls are open, schedule service immediately—recall repairs are always free.
  • Consider setting up VIN-specific alerts to receive notification of future recalls.
🛒

If You're Buying Used

  • Request the VIN before purchase and verify recall status at NHTSA.gov.
  • This model year shows favorable reliability metrics compared to alternatives.
⚖️

Compare Alternatives

This page is designed to help you decide, not alarm you.

Compare with Similar Vehicles

Compare vs
2020 Honda CR-V
View Analysis→
Compare vs
2020 Ford F-150
View Analysis→

Data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Last updated: January 10, 2026.