There are 1 owner-reported engine complaints for the 2013 Toyota 4Runnerin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
Make: Toyota Model: 4Runner Year: 2013 Mileage: 76,200 Description of Incident While driving on [XXX] at night, the vehicle experienced a sudden and catastrophic engine failure, leaving it immobilized in the middle of the highway. This presented an immediate and severe safety risk to both the vehicle occupants and other motorists. The failure was later determined to be caused by a malfunction in the Variable Valve Timing (VVT) oil control system, specifically an Exhaust Cam Gear failure. This led to a broken timing chain and subsequent engine failure. Inspection and Diagnosis The vehicle was inspected by an authorized Toyota Dealer in Florence, SC. They confirmed the failure of the oil control system and recommended a complete engine replacement, estimating costs over $5,000. Broader Implications and Potential Safety Hazard Further investigation, including consultations with multiple Toyota technicians, review of technical discussions on various platforms, and examination of online 4Runner forums, suggests that this issue is not isolated. Failures of the exhaust cam gear and problems with the VVT Oil Control System appear to be common in the Toyota 1GR-FE Engine and other engines equipped with this system. It's noteworthy that Toyota issued a voluntary recall in 2014 (Safety Recall 13V-395, TM-TC-14021) for Lexus vehicles with similar issues. However, this recall does not appear to cover the 2013 1GR-FE 4Runner engine, despite the apparent similarity in potential failure modes. Safety Concerns This issue presents a significant safety hazard: Sudden engine failure at highway speeds can lead to loss of vehicle control. Unexpected vehicle immobilization, especially at night or in high-traffic areas, poses a severe collision risk. The apparent widespread nature of this issue suggests that many vehicles may be at risk of similar failures. Urgency for Action Given the severity of the potential outcomes and the ap INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 25, 2026