2023 Toyota 4Runner Problems & Complaints

Averageabout as many complaints as a typical year of the 4Runner at the same age

Owners have filed 33 complaints about the 2023 Toyota 4Runner with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is about average for the 4Runner at the same age. The most reported problem area is the driver assistance (5 complaints, typically around 1,000 miles). One recall covers this model year.

33complaints
1recalls
6crashes
1fires
5injuries
0deaths

Most common 2023 Toyota 4Runner problems

  • Other / not specified
    1236%
  • Driver assistance~1,000 miles
    515%
  • Wheels & tires~23,000 miles
    412%
  • Lights
    39%
  • Steering
    39%
  • Suspension
    39%
  • Seat belts~10,000 miles
    26%
  • Brakes~9,000 miles
    26%
  • Air bags
    26%
  • Engine & cooling
    26%
  • Transmission & drivetrain
    26%
  • Locks & latches~77,000 miles
    26%
  • Speed control & acceleration
    13%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroof
    13%

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

’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’2617216126125033048318522569667842538115496221471639636778780365965333639339607
Owner complaints per model year, Toyota 4Runner. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best 4Runner years: 2013, 2017, 2024. Years to avoid: 2025, 2011, 2003, 2004. Compare all years →

2023 Toyota 4Runner recalls (1)

Equipment › Other › Labels

NHTSA recall 23V-680 · Oct 12, 2023 · 13 vehicles

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2023 Toyota 4Runner vehicles. The load carrying capacity modification label states the incorrect load carrying capacity, which can result in an overloaded vehicle.

Remedy: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC will mail a new modified label, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 1, 2023. Owners may contact SET's customer service at 1-866-405-4226.

What 2023 Toyota 4Runner owners say

Driver assistance

November 2023, my 13 year old daughter and I were involved in a car accident. A vehicle made a left hand turn in front of us and we collided (t-boned) the passenger side of the other vehicle. There were no warning lights, notifications of car crossing in in front of us, the assisted brake system did not activate, the air bags did not deploy, the on car assistance showed no accident reported. Other than the seat belts in the vehicle, no other safety features engaged. We have not been able to locate anyone who can confirm why no of the safety features did not work. Why did none of the safety features work and who can I contact. We no longer feel safe in this vehicle .

Warnings · Nov 2023 · crash

The contact owns a 2023 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while the vehicle was shifted into reverse, the back-up camera displayed a distorted screen. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 700.

1,000 miles · Dec 2022

Wheels & tires

The contact owns a 2023 Toyota 4Runner equipped with Falken Tires, Tire Line: WildPeak, Tire Size: 275/70/R17, DOT: (N/A). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel and driver's seat began to vibrate violently, prompting the contact to dramatically reduce the speed of the vehicle, but the failure persisted. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the four tires. The independent mechanic found an abnormally heavy spot on all four tires, preventing the tires from being properly balanced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened; however, the manufacturer provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 23,000.

23,000 miles · May 2024

The contact owns a 2023 Toyota 4Runner equipped with Nitto Tires, Tire Line: Ridge Grappler, Tire Size: 265/70/R17, DOT Number: 737079K4222. The contact stated while driving 58 MPH, the steering wheel was vibrating. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the tires had caused the steering wheel to vibrate. The dealer referred the contact to the tire manufacturer. The vehicle was not repaired. The tire manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The vehicle manufacturer was also made aware of the failure and advised the contact to take the vehicle back to the dealer for assistance from the Service Manager. The failure mileage was approximately 3.

0 miles · Sep 2023

Lights

The headlight pattern of the low beam lights has a large dark area at the 10 to 11 O'clock position that appears in the oncoming traffic lane when driving at night. This dark area is very distracting while driving at night. The area is approximately 1 to 2 meters in diameter when seen on the driving surface. It appears the headlights to not meet the photometric requirements for headlights. This pattern was first noticed when the vehicle was delivered by the dealer. I have contacted multiple dealers with no remedy. The dealer states that "pattern is by design."

Sep 2023

When using the low beams, there is a distinctive shadow or blotch that is evident on the driver's side only in the 2023 4 Runner Limited. I understand from others that it is due to the LED anti glare technology mandated to be used by the government. This shadow or blotch is NOT visible when using the high beams. When using the low beams the shadow is ALWAYS in the periphery or in front of the driver....but it is there at ALL times. As a driver, my eyes are drawn to it, taking my eyes off of the traffic or road ahead. On several occasions I have thought that it was an animal or something. I have had passengers in my vehicle who immediately noticed the same thing and thought that it was a terrible design and would pose a safety hazard. This shadow is NOT visible on the passenger side. I have notified Toyota USA and have visited the dealership several times. …

Apr 2023

2023 Toyota 4Runner engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
4.0L 6-cyl5-speed automaticRWD16 / 19 / 17
4.0L 6-cyl5-speed automatic4WD16 / 19 / 17
4.0L 6-cyl5-speed automaticAWD16 / 19 / 17

EPA ratings. Class: SUV.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2023 Toyota 4Runner a good car?

Based on 33 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2023 4Runner rates average: about as many complaints as 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 2023 Toyota 4Runner?

The driver assistance — 5 complaints, 15% of all complaints for this model year, most often about warnings. Next are the wheels & tires (4) and lights (3).

How many recalls does the 2023 Toyota 4Runner have?

There is 1 recall for the 2023 Toyota 4Runner, the most recent from October 12, 2023 (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 2023 Toyota 4Runner problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 10,000 miles; 83% 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.