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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2023 Toyota 4RUNNER Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
2about this part
Share
6%of 33 total for the year
Median mileage
—not reported
Trend
Too newThis model year is less than 4 years old, so a trend is not meaningful yet.

NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2023 Toyota 4RUNNER, 6% of the 33 complaints for this model year.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“The Front differential need to be replaced. The dealership where we purchased the vehicle replaced the differential. When we got the vehicle back we still had the same problem. The car was making a groaning sound while turning to the right above 35 mph. And the whole car would shake and my wife said it felt like the car was going to fall apart. The vehicle also needed new sway bar bushings my guess is that is because the shaking caused by the bad differential. A car shaking that bad and the axle loose inside the differential seems like a huge safety issue. …”

NHTSA complaint #11630469, filed 2024-12

“Vehicle begins to shake when speed reaches 60 to 70 MPH (issue has been happening since the vehicle left the lot). Shaking can be felt in the steering wheel, gas/brake pedals and front seats. Vehicle has been taken to a Toyota dealership three different times and after three realignments and tire rebalancing, the issue still persists. Several 4Runner owner forums are experiencing the same issue in this make, model and year; and suspect the issue might be stemming from a malfunctioning or broken needle bearing.”

NHTSA complaint #11666953, filed 2025-06

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026338%
202523%
202326%
202213%
202113%
202013%
201946%
201835%
201713%
201667%
201545%
201411%
201313%
201164%
201053%
20091045%
20082728%
2007117%
2006308%
2005256%
2004365%
2003396%
20023315%
20013217%
2000429%
1999237%
1998125%
19972510%
199653%
1995148%
199435%
199336%
199248%
1991512%
19901418%
1988222%
1987240%

Other parts of the 2023 Toyota 4RUNNER

Other or unknown
12 complaints
Tires
4 complaints
Exterior lighting
3 complaints
Steering
3 complaints
Suspension
3 complaints
Air bags
2 complaints
Back-over prevention (rear camera)
2 complaints
Brakes
2 complaints
Engine
2 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
2 complaints
Latches, locks and linkages
2 complaints
Seat belts
2 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2023 Toyota 4RUNNER

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology