2013 Toyota 4Runner Problems

What to check before you buy

• The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
• Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.

Tools that help

What owners said

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…Owner complaint, filed 2023

During an accident, both side airbags deployed (front airbags did not deploy). Front right passenger injured by side airbag -- bleeding puncture wounds (approx 3) on upper right wrist, severe raised gouges (below the skin) from that point up the entire length of the arm (more severe on forearm). Passenger recalls something shooting out…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 70,800 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 28,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
• The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
• Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.

Tools that help

What owners said

At about 28000 miles, without warning the brake pedal went almost to the floor during a routine stop. The brake pedal has been soft like that ever since. The dealer said that it might be fixed by a brake fluid flush and replace. I had ithat done at the dealer and if anything, it's slightly worse. Apparently the mechanic told the service…Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 28,000 miles

Partial brake failure in high ambient [VIN]. Driving on interstate i5 through nevada. Ambient [VIN] 100 degrees f. Engine [VIN] gauge read normal. Stopped for gas. On restarting engine the brake booster system did not recharge the hydraulic accumulator. Brakes were functional but pedal position was halfway to floor and excessive pressure…Owner complaint, filed 2017, at 22,000 miles

What to check before you buy

• Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
• On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
• Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

Our fuel pump and a gasket went out at same time. No warning it was going to happen, lunged forward 5 feet and then died. Going to cost $1,000 to fix. It looks like toyota has recalls on fuel pumps but it doesn't cover our year yet.Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 130,000 miles

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.Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 130,000 miles

What to check before you buy

• Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
• Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
• Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.

Tools that help

What owners said

I purchased my toyota 4 runner sr5 and have around 89k miles on it. I've several articles about the horn clock spring being faulty. My dealership is quoting almost $1k to have it replaced. This is a safety issue and should be covered under a recall. Please adviseOwner complaint, filed 2020, at 85,000 miles

The clock spring is faulty and the horn doesn't work. There was a massive recall on other toyota cars for faulty clock springs.Owner complaint, filed 2019

What to check before you buy

• Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
• Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
• Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
• Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.

Tools that help

What owners said

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…Owner complaint, filed 2024

TOYOTA 4RUNNER 2013 VIN# [XXX] LP# XXX The gas needle will be above the half (middle line), and the fuel range on top of the dash would read anywhere from 160-213 miles, going 45 mph up a hill or 70 mph on the freeway, all of a sudden starts to stall and completely shut off while still driving. I would then only have a few seconds to try…Owner complaint, filed 2025

What to check before you buy

• Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
• Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
• The tire pressure light should go out after startup.

Tools that help

What owners said

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…Owner complaint, filed 2025

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.Owner complaint, filed 2017, at 68,000 miles

What to check before you buy

• On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
• Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.

Tools that help

What owners said

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.Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 74,100 miles

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.Owner complaint, filed 2018

What to check before you buy

• Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
• Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
• Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.

Tools that help

What owners said

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…Owner complaint, filed 2021

What to check before you buy

• Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
• Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
• Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
• If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.

Tools that help

What owners said

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…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 96,837 miles

What to check before you buy

• Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
• On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
• A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

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.Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 1 miles

What to check before you buy

• Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
• Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
• Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.

Tools that help

What owners said

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…Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 55,821 miles