I believe this trim piece is called the handle panel, it's the area right over the license plate where the 4 Runner lettering is

Was closing gate and noticed what felt like a bubble in the plastic right above the E, it's about an inch and half, maybe two inches in diameter, but I can't move it with my finger..almost looks like the plastic got deformed or melted.

Took this shot in the parking lot, difficult to see from this picture, but it almost looks like a fingerprint.



circled area



Piece looks like it can be removed and replaced pretty easily but I'm more concerned with what might have caused it..Worried there might be a loose wire or something going to the license plate lights that's shorting because I can't really think of anything else that would cause this. Thoughts?

Just so you have at least one answer to your question... That's a cast plastic part with a fake chrome finish that looks like it has a slight cosmetic anomaly on it from the process or being touched or something. I doubt Toyota will do anything for you but give you a suspicious look for being so particular but it's worth a try if it's bothering you. They might replace it but it's not a problem if you can evert your eyes and learn to ignore it.

I'm at least as fussy and particular as you are and it's a burden I'd rather not carry through life. Good luck!

Appreciate the response..whatever it is, I open and close the tailgate all the time and feel like I would have noticed it at some point in the last 2 months. For that to just appear doesn't make any sense. I'm not sure that I'm any more fussy than the next person, I'd just expect that when you buy a new vehicle that it would be free from this kind of defect..cosmetic or otherwise.. one way or another I'll find out tomorrow.

Just got back from the dealership. Was in and out in 10 minutes. I can honestly say this was one of the best dealership experiences I've ever had. The service manager looked at it and said the paint was delaminating caused by an issue with how the clear coat was put on at the factory. Anyway, they're ordering a new trim piece should arrive in a day or two and it's covered under warranty..

just hoping the clear coat issue doesn't affect any other parts of the vehicle.

Took a little longer to get fixed than I hoped, but it's done..the dealer got the part in last week and went to replace but realized that the toyota emblem and 4runner letters were attached with adhesive, so they couldn't reuse my old ones and had to order new..anyway, everything is back to new, and all under warranty that's the best part.