Most common 2013 Toyota 4Runner problems
Share of the 36 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Toyota 4Runner complaints by model year
Best 4Runner years: 2013, 2017, 2024. Years to avoid: 2025, 2011, 2003, 2004. Compare all years →
2013 Toyota 4Runner recalls (6)
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430,…
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Toyota 4Runner, 2014-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, and 2014-2017 Lexus GX460 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South…
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly. The recall began February 15, 2019.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2013 Scion xB, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, 4Runner, Lexus IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, IS-F, and GX460 vehicles sold, ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP (Saipan), and the U.S.
Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota, Scion and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag…
Equipment
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2011-2016 Toyota Tacoma and 4Runner vehicles equipped with accessory hood scoops installed by SET or SET dealers. The adhesive attaching the hood scoop may weaken, allowing the hood scoop to detach from the vehicle.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will mechanically fasten the scoop to the hood, free of charge. The recall began on September 1, 2017. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-954-429-2000.
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2015 Toyota 4Runner vehicles manufactured September 3, 2009, to December 1, 2014. The affected vehicles may be equipped with accessory exhaust tips installed by SET or SET dealers that may contact people and possibly burn them while they are standing…
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will install a re-designed exhaust tip that is smaller in diameter and is more recessed behind the bumper, free of charge. The recall began September 15, 2016.
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2015 Toyota 4Runner vehicles manufactured March 29, 2010, to July 30, 2015. The affected vehicles may be equipped with accessory exhaust tips installed by SET or SET dealers that may contact people and possibly burn them while they are standing behind…
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will install a re-designed exhaust tip that is smaller in diameter and is more recessed behind the bumper, free of charge. The recall began on September 22, 2015.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2013 Toyota 4Runner:
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.
What 2013 Toyota 4Runner owners say
Air bags
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 to do in that situation and the dealer says that I'd have to pay for it anyway. No warnings just one day the horn didn't want to work anymore and seems to be a problem that's pretty consistent. People have reported that it has gone bad with as little as a 100k miles which the clock spring shouldn't be a maintenance item to begin with.
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 from "a" post. Passenger went via ambulance to er. Later, found broken jagged piece of white hard plastic in the right front passenger seat. Piece is in our possession as well as photos and medical records.
Brakes
I have a 2013 4 runner sr5, that just turned 80K, driven by an older woman. While sitting in a fast food lane the brake, ABS and vsc track lights came on along with an beeping alarm that would not stop. I turned the truck off and waited a few minutes and turned back on and still had the problem. When I moved I had no brakes at all. I had to roll the truck into parking spot and have the truck towed. Truck was taken to Toyota and they told me it was the hydroboost for the brakes and ABS. Part was about $3000 and $620 to do the install. Everyone that I talked to said it should never have happened. Even the Toyota people said it should never have happened on this new of a truck. I called corporate Toyota and they agreed to go half on the part. My concern, if I was going fast or going down hill I would have probably been injured or worse. I had no brakes, zero. …
1) the guy who complained about the brake pedal being too close to the gas pedal is right. My foot gets caught under the brake pedal when I'm trying to take my foot off the gas and go for the brakes. I guess I'm still used to my '99 4runner. He also complained that the brake pedal depresses so far that he sometimes also hits the gas. He's right on that too. The dealer says for some reason after a while the brake pedal just goes really soft, pretty dramatically, in my case from the previous day. I have about 27000 miles. Dealer says only remedy is a $125-$150 brake fluid change. 2) the outside temperature gauge doesn't work, so don't expect to be alerted in a timely manner if the roads are ready to freeze over and become icy. Dealer checked it and said it was fine, its not fine. …
Electrical system
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 advise
TOYOTA 4RUNNER 2013 VIN# [redacted] LP# [redacted] 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 to pull over due to losing all power, and not being able to shift into neutral because it's a push/start button. The car will only turn back on after putting some gas into it, so I make sure to never let the gas needle go below the middle line or have the gas range reading go below anything around 160-200 miles since the vehicle has shut down at a different amount each time, and there's been multiple times. Also, the fuel level needle never matches with how many miles is shown on the range, displaying inaccurate readings. …
2013 Toyota 4Runner engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 17 / 22 / 19 |
| 4.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | AWD | 17 / 21 / 18 |
| 4.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 4WD | 17 / 21 / 18 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2013 Toyota 4Runner a good car?
Based on 36 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 4Runner rates better than average: 69% fewer complaints than a typical year of the 4Runner at the same age. It is one of the best 4Runner years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2013 Toyota 4Runner?
The air bags — 9 complaints, 25% of all complaints for this model year, most often about frontal › driver clockspring/spiral cassette. Next are the brakes (5) and electrical system (4).
How many recalls does the 2013 Toyota 4Runner have?
There are 6 recalls for the 2013 Toyota 4Runner, the most recent from October 17, 2019 (inflator module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Toyota 4Runner?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2013, 2017 and 2024. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2025, 2011, 2003 and 2004. See the full Toyota 4Runner years comparison.
At what mileage do 2013 Toyota 4Runner problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 74,000 miles; 35% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.