Problems · NHTSA complaints

2020 Toyota 4Runner problems

Owners filed 33 complaints about the 2020 Toyota 4Runner with NHTSA between Mar 2020 and Aug 2026. The most-cited component is service brakes (5).

Complaints
33
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
4
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
4
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Service brakes5
  2. Air bags5
  3. Steering4
  4. Suspension4
  5. Back over prevention3
  6. Forward collision avoidance3
  7. Exterior lighting2
  8. Wheels2
  9. Structure2
  10. Electrical system1
  11. Visibility1
  12. Chest clip, buckle, harness1
  13. Fuel/propulsion system1
  14. Power train1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
202010
20217
20224
20236
20243
20250
20263

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Service brakes

5 reports
“Break problem after letting car sit overnight and coming up to a stop sign or anything slowly pedal goes to the floor If you pump tge pedal the brakes will come back and seem to work fine except when sitting In a drive-through line with your foot on the brake pedal it'll slowly lose brake pressure and you'll start creeping forward until the pedal starts going lower and lower And requires excessive pressure to hold vehicle stopped. It doesn't happen all the time but it is fairly consistent. Especially through the drive thru line is when you notice it Took to dealership dealership said there was nothing wrong with it”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 8, 2022Service brakesODI 11455732

Air bags

5 reports4 crashes
“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 filed. The contact stated that the driver sustained two injuries and the contact sustained two injuries. Medical attention was sought. The contact was unaware of the other passengers from the other vehicle sustained any injuries. The vehicle was damaged and towed to a tow lot. The dealer was contacted and informed of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 13,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 18, 2021Air bags, Forward collision avoidanceCrash reportedODI 11440934

Steering

4 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 8, 2024SteeringODI 11587722

Suspension

4 reports
“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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 3, 2024SuspensionODI 11580983

Back over prevention

3 reports
“The contact owns a 2020 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle and reversing, the rearview camera intermittently displayed a blank image. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 30, 2026Back over preventionODI 11728004

Forward collision avoidance

3 reports1 crash
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 18, 2023Forward collision avoidanceODI 11533113
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.