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2013 Toyota 4RUNNERProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 36 owner complaints about the 2013 Toyota 4RUNNER, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 6 safety recalls, and for recall 16V-577 the manufacturer reports only 36% of affected cars repaired.

75
CarFlaw IndexOne of the best years67% below the 4RUNNER median · #34 of 35 years by complaints
Safety recalls6Lowest repair rate 36%Owner complaints363 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage132kAir bags, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 9, 2026. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2013 Toyota 4RUNNER has problems

36 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Air bags92
Service brakes50
Electrical system40
Fuel/propulsion system40
Engine30
Wheels20
Structure20
Vehicle speed control21
Tires10
3 other systems30

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

6 recalls

2013 Toyota 4RUNNER recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

65%repaired · 2021 Q3

Driver side: inflator module

Recall 19V-741 · Oct 17, 2019 · 928,220 vehicles · 600,429 repaired

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

83%repaired · 2021 Q3

Passenger side: inflator module

Recall 19V-005 · Jan 9, 2019 · 1,299,448 vehicles · 1,083,567 repaired

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

77%repaired · 2021 Q3

Passenger side: inflator module

Recall 18V-024 · Jan 9, 2018 · 628,018 vehicles · 481,268 repaired

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

56%repaired · 2019 Q2

Equipment

Recall 17V-425 · Jul 3, 2017 · 3,547 vehicles · 1,972 repaired

Risk. If the hood scoop detaches, it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 2 more recalls
36%repaired · 2017 Q4

Exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe

Recall 16V-577 · Aug 3, 2016 · 425 vehicles · 153 repaired

Risk. Contact with an exhaust tip may result in personal injury.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

47%repaired · 2016 Q4

Exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe

Recall 15V-515 · Aug 13, 2015 · 2,530 vehicles · 1,198 repaired

Risk. Contact with an exhaust tip may result in personal injury.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Toyota.

Best & worst years

2013 vs. every other 4RUNNER year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the 4RUNNER median. How we score

'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2013 Toyota 4RUNNER safety ratings

2013 Toyota 4Runner SUV 2WD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

★★★★★Overall rating
2013 Toyota 4RUNNER frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crash★★★★★
2013 Toyota 4RUNNER side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrier★★★★★
2013 Toyota 4RUNNER side pole test, NHTSA
Side pole★★★★★
  • Rollover: 3 stars (24.6% risk)
  • Stability control: Standard
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2013 Toyota 4RUNNER, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureEA21002 · still open
    Open
In owners' words

What 4RUNNER owners report

Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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…
Complaint 11554026 · Nov 7, 2023
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).…
Complaint 11361272 · Sep 26, 2020 · 70,800 miles
TAKATA RECALL ALL OF THE SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING ON A FLAT SURFACE AROUND 20 MPH. ACCORDING TO COMPUTER REPORT IT STATED THE 4RUNNDER WAS IN A ROLLOVER WHEN IT WAS NOT. PLEASE SEE ATTACHED REPORT. THERE IS NO DAMAGE TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND WAS NOT AT ANY INCLINES. TOYOTA…
Complaint 11205762 · May 6, 2019 · 108,000 miles

Own a 2013 4RUNNER?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.