Most common 2020 Toyota 4Runner problems
Share of the 33 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 →
2020 Toyota 4Runner recalls (1)
Equipment › Other › Labels
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2020-2022 4Runner vehicles equipped with 20-inch Black Gunner Wheels. The load carrying capacity modification labels are incorrect.
Remedy: SET will mail replacement labels to owners, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 4, 2022. Owners may contact SET's customer service at 954-429-2000.
What 2020 Toyota 4Runner owners say
Air bags
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.
The 4runner struck a vehicle that ran a red light. The 4runner was at approximately 35 miles per hour and struck the other vehicle, a Nissan altima side on with enough force to propel that vehicle two lanes into another vehicle. The airbags failed to deploy on the 4runner but did deploy on the altima. The roads were drive and visibility was clear. Injuries to the 4runner driver included: head from contact with grab bar above drivers door, neck, back, wrists, fingers and arms. Altima driver had to be removed by paramedics and rushed to the hospital. Investigation of the vehicle computer showed the vehicle was unknowingly sold to me with errors in the multi-terrain, ESC and pre-collision system. Vehicle was purchased in November of 2019. See attached photos for verification.
Brakes
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
UNKNOWN but not really a "Safety Issue" in the true sense of the meaning. Front Brakes. Loud squeal from brakes under cold climate conditions. Dealership has inspected but nothing found. Mentioned NHTSA # 10190453 & TSB #T-TT-0636-20 REV to the service manager but they stated that there is/was no official "TSB" for brake squeal issue on my vehicle. I believe they were referring to a Toyota "T-SB-#######", rather than the "T-TT-0636-20 REV". I did not get any info from dealership since no official "TSB" is published?
Driver assistance
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.
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while reversing, he became aware that the rear-view camera failed to display an image. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 50,000.
2020 Toyota 4Runner engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 16 / 19 / 17 |
| 4.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 4WD | 16 / 19 / 17 |
| 4.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | AWD | 16 / 19 / 17 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2020 Toyota 4Runner a good car?
Based on 33 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2020 4Runner rates better than average: 50% fewer complaints than a typical year of the 4Runner at the same age. 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 2020 Toyota 4Runner?
The air bags — 5 complaints, 15% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the brakes (5) and driver assistance (5).
How many recalls does the 2020 Toyota 4Runner have?
There is 1 recall for the 2020 Toyota 4Runner, the most recent from July 6, 2022 (labels). 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 2020 Toyota 4Runner problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 9,000 miles; 73% 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.