Toyota as a brand holds the image of being one of the most reliable manufacturers out there. The Toyota 4Runner is their midsize SUV that tilts more towards off-road performance while also providing a practical layout that is suitable for families. The 4Runner was sold to 48,735 buyers this year, which isn’t the best from Toyota but the vehicle carries just 29 complaints and 6 recalls, which work in favor of the SUV and proves it to be reliable. With multiple users complaining about the brakes being weak, Toyota seemed to figure out the core reason for it. The Toyota 4Runner is up against SUVs like the Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Ford Edge, and the Nissan Murano, which are all SUVs that do not pack the rugged styling of the 4Runner.
User complaints and problems
Electrical Problems
- Door lock – The users complained that they were not able to unlock the doors, leaving them with the option of manually opening the door by using the keyhole. The user had to enter through the driver’s door and slide to the rear row in order to open the rear doors to let passengers enter. The car was taken to the dealers where a diagnosis was held and it was found that the lock actuators needed to be replaced.
- Horn – The driver was unable to engage the horn and this is a safety hazard as well because the vehicle is exposed to a higher chance of a crash. Dealers inspected the steering assembly and were able to find a faulty clock spring.
Mechanical Problems
- Engine – The engine was said to misfire with a check engine light flashing and the drive started to feel lagged. The vehicle vibrated when trying to accelerate and the users contacted the dealer for assistance. It was found that one of the spark plugs had been fouled and needed to be replaced.
- Transmission – The vehicle was said to make a whining noise when starting the car and the noise only got louder as days passed. The vehicle was taken to the mechanics and they noticed the transmission fluid to have flecks of metal in it with the fluid slightly darker than the ideal color. Dealers suggested getting the torque converter replaced as multiple owners faced a similar issue and doing so fixed the problem.
- Fuel system – The car was said to lunge forward and shut off when trying to accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the dealers where it was identified that the fuel pump had failed and required replacement. The users stated that there were no warning lights that flashed when the issue occurred.
- Brakes – The users found the brake pedal to have sunk halfway to the floor and applying the brakes required additional force. This was a drastic safety measure and dealers found the brake hydro-boost to need a replacement and the part took a while to arrive.
2013 Toyota 4Runner recalls
|
S. No. |
Date |
NHTSA ID |
Issues Noticed |
Additional Remarks |
Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. |
17th October 2019 |
19V741000 |
Frontal airbag inflator may explode. |
If the inflator explodes, there could be sharp metal fragments sent toward the passengers or the driver, resulting in serious injury or even death. |
Dealers will replace the front airbag inflator or the airbag assembly after inspection. |
|
2. |
9th January 2019 |
19V005000 |
Front passenger airbag inflator might explode. |
An airbag inflator that explodes will result in sharp objects being sent at the occupants which can cause fatal injuries. |
Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger airbag inflator, or replace the airbag assembly. |
|
3. |
9th January 2018 |
18V024000 |
Front passenger airbag inflator might explode. |
The affected vehicles have airbag inflators that can explode due to propellant degradation and this can also cause metal fragments to fly toward the occupants, causing them injury. |
Dealers will replace the affected airbag inflators, free of charge. |
|
4. |
3rd July 2017 |
17V425000 |
Accessory hood scoop may detach. |
The adhesive on the accessory hood scoop may weaken and cause it to detach, resulting in a road hazard for the other drivers. |
Dealers will mechanically fasten the hood scoop. |
|
5. |
3rd August 2016 |
16V577000 |
Accessory exhaust tips may contact and burn people. |
A person standing behind the vehicle has a possible chance of getting in contact with the accessory exhaust tip, causing a severe burn. |
Dealers will install a re-designed exhaust tip that is smaller in diameter. |
|
6. |
13th August 2015 |
15V515000 |
Accessory exhaust tips may burn people. |
The accessory exhaust tip sticks out of the body and this can result in contacting a person standing behind. |
Dealers will install a re-designed exhaust tip that is smaller in diameter and is more recessed behind the bumper. |
Should you buy the 2013 Toyota 4Runner?
Like the majority of Toyotas out there, the 4Runner happens to be reliable and this is an SUV that dares to trail paths beyond the asphalt. The 4Runner has a very limited set of complaints and out of the 6 recalls, 3 ended up being an airbag inflator issue. In terms of maintenance and upkeep, the 2013 Toyota 4Runner is the ideal vehicle as the fixes and parts are reasonably priced, however, the segment where the 4Runner struggles are in terms of refinement as the vehicle vibrates at times. Our suggestion would be to get the passenger airbag and the brake assembly checked before making a deal. 4Runner is definitely our pick due to how versatile it is and can handle both off-road and highways equally well.
