2023 Toyota 4RUNNER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
32 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
9,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2023 model year. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 12 of 32 complaints (37.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 7 | 21.9% |
| Steering behavior | 7 | 21.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 6.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 12 |
| Tires | 4 |
| Exterior Lighting | 3 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 2 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Seat Belts | 2 |
Unknown Or Other: 12; Tires: 4; Exterior Lighting: 3; Air Bags: 2; Engine: 2; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 2; Power Train: 2; Seat Belts: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 26 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 11 |
| 2024 | 8 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 7 |
2023: 11; 2024: 8; 2025: 6; 2026: 7
Pattern summary
Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11506099 · 2023-02-07 (February 7, 2023)
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while the vehicle was shifted into reverse, the back-up camera displayed a distorted screen. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 700.
Owner-reported narrative. 700 miles reported. Look up ODI 11506099 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11514122 · 2023-03-28 (March 28, 2023)
On 2/21/2023, my parents jumped into the backseat of my parked car and began putting on their seatbelts. They were met with resistance and were unable to retract their seatbelts. This was very arcane because I seldom have any backseat passengers and I don't load any heavy cargo into my car. Moreover, I went into my backseat and retracted the rear seatbelts, except for the middle backseat, slowly enough to expose the part of the belt webbing that was torn. On both sides of my rear seatbelts, the webbing of the belts is torn. This is perplexing b…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11514122 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11516473 · 2023-04-11 (April 11, 2023)
4runner windshield makes a loud snapping, metal on glass crunching/tapping sound when temperature drop and is very distracting. The dealership heard it some the first visit and placed limited tape on the edge of the cowl lip facing the engine.sound got louder and drowned out the radio. On the second visit it had warmed some. Dealership did not inspect the windshield seal or check for loose components under the cowl as suggested.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11516473 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11518799 · 2023-04-24 (April 24, 2023)
Poor image quality of backup camera. Very grainy and sometimes dark image makes it difficult to see what’s behind you when backing up. A small child or pet could easily be missed when backing up due to this poor image quality. This is an accident waiting to happen. Prior model years and noticeably better image quality
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11518799 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11541730 · 2023-08-30 (August 30, 2023)
When using the low beams, there is a distinctive shadow or blotch that is evident on the driver's side only in the 2023 4 Runner Limited. I understand from others that it is due to the LED anti glare technology mandated to be used by the government. This shadow or blotch is NOT visible when using the high beams. When using the low beams the shadow is ALWAYS in the periphery or in front of the driver....but it is there at ALL times. As a driver, my eyes are drawn to it, taking my eyes off of the traffic or road ahead. On several occasions I…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11541730 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11546888 · 2023-09-27 (September 27, 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 driving surface. It appears the headlights to not meet the photometric requirements for headlights. This pattern was first noticed when the vehicle was delivered by the dealer. I have contacted multiple dealers with no remedy. The dealer states that "patter…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11546888 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11551400 · 2023-10-23 (October 23, 2023)
Regarding jack components included with the vehicle. An unknown person, let the air out of one of my tires as an act of vandalism, harassment, or, possibly as a set up for a crime, as is common in California. I attempted to lower my spare tire so that I could put it on and address the tire that has been deflated at another location. The equipment supplied to access the pulley that drops the tire was unusable. The pieces look to be powder coated in a brown color and have combination screw or socket heads on them. There are two of these screws …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11551400 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11551453 · 2023-10-23 (October 23, 2023)
The contact owned a 2023 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while the husband was driving approximately 35 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but the pedal became stiff and did not slow down as intended. As a result, the contact collided with two vehicles. The air bags deployed. The driver sustained shoulder, back, and forearm injuries. Medical attention was needed. The contact stated that the two other vehicles involved needed medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to a wrecking lot. The manufacturer was not n…
Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11551453 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
23V680000 · Equipment:Other:Labels
Reported: 2023-10-12 (October 12, 2023)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗