2020 model issues/observations

[coloradDOH]

Quick 2020 question for y'all...

After waiting out the break-in period, I finally did a dry run with my 16', 2700' dry trailer up an extremely tough grade, the first hill on I-70 in Colorado from Morrison to Evergreen, at 60-62mph.

The 4R did... pretty well, considering I was cut off and had to slow to 20MPH at the bottom of the hill. Standing on the accelerator, I got to 60 MPH decently quickly but the engine was SCREAMING in 2nd gear @~5,500 RPM. The timbre of the engine started to sound slightly more... how to say it, high pitched or metallic-y? And right before it shifted from 2nd to 3rd, there was a sort of high pitch hum that dissipated after the gearshift. Engine temp remained normal, no warning lights.

Two big questions:

Is it OK to absolutely flog this thing like I did, when necessary? I plan on a severe service maintenance interval, with 5k synthetic oil changes and likely transmission drain/fills every ~2 years. Is that enough, or will my 4R eventually get mad at me and blow up?

Are those engine sounds normal? I know engines can sound funky near their redlines, but I want to make sure I didn't mess anything up (or come close to it).

Thank you from the hills!

 

[LandCruiser]

Quick 2020 question for y'all...

After waiting out the break-in period, I finally did a dry run with my 16', 2700' dry trailer up an extremely tough grade, the first hill on I-70 in Colorado from Morrison to Evergreen, at 60-62mph.

The 4R did... pretty well, considering I was cut off and had to slow to 20MPH at the bottom of the hill. Standing on the accelerator, I got to 60 MPH decently quickly but the engine was SCREAMING in 2nd gear @~5,500 RPM. The timbre of the engine started to sound slightly more... how to say it, high pitched or metallic-y? And right before it shifted from 2nd to 3rd, there was a sort of high pitch hum that dissipated after the gearshift. Engine temp remained normal, no warning lights.

Two big questions:

Is it OK to absolutely flog this thing like I did, when necessary? I plan on a severe service maintenance interval, with 5k synthetic oil changes and likely transmission drain/fills every ~2 years. Is that enough, or will my 4R eventually get mad at me and blow up?

Are those engine sounds normal? I know engines can sound funky near their redlines, but I want to make sure I didn't mess anything up (or come close to it).

Thank you from the hills!

These things suck at towing. Even more so at high elevations. You're going to have to flog the hell out of the engine to get anything out of it. The computer will keep you from redlining anything, but if the AT starts to overheat you should get something else to tow with.

 

[falken19504]

Interesting, do you know the manufacture date of yours? Usually you can find it on the door label. I would take pictures of it so you have a record and a time stamp. Most recorded events get deleted when serviced. Do you have any other electrical quirks (Mine were dashboard buttons).
When I researched the recent Toyota airbag recall, Toyota states that voltage irregularities and spikes might cause the Airbag to fail to deploy. I suspect this may be the case in mine as the impact was hard enough to require a full frame replacement. I'm just waiting for a read on the EDR to see if the numbers justified deployment.

K9 - Took the truck to the dealer this morning and they ran the diagnostic on the 3 Vehicle Alert codes. Didn't find any problems. The computer tech told me he has seen 4Runners throw these codes if the dealer prep guys don't properly exit the initial setup. He also said the errors that matter are ones that pop up on the "!" section on the center console by the speedo and tach.

Anyway hope this helps.

 

[Alext4r]

Steering wheel shake

Ive had my ORP w/ kdss for about 1k miles now and have on occasion noticed steering wheel shake at about 60mph. Everything is stock as far as suspension and tires are concerned. Ive read countless threads about this being an issue with 4runners. Just wanted to see if other 2020s are seeing this and if I should bring it up to my dealer. I have a lift ready to be installed but do not want to touch suspension yet if this issue is something that might be worth warrantying.

 

[jbl911]

Not much to do, my steering wheel vibration is very faint and occurs 60-65mph. I don't notice it most of the time. Some people have their tires road force balanced, and even stock dueler's replaced.

 

[zasdds]

Ive had my ORP w/ kdss for about 1k miles now and have on occasion noticed steering wheel shake at about 60mph. Everything is stock as far as suspension and tires are concerned. Ive read countless threads about this being an issue with 4runners. Just wanted to see if other 2020s are seeing this and if I should bring it up to my dealer. I have a lift ready to be installed but do not want to touch suspension yet if this issue is something that might be worth warrantying.

I don't want to hijack this thread because there are multiple other avenues for this issue BUT:

I have also been experiencing this on my ORP with KDSS. Noticed it at ~6000 miles. Of note, I have black TRD wheels and stock size nitto ridge grapplers as port installed options. For me, it seems to happen during the first few minutes of driving at ~60-65 mph (i.e., while merging onto highway). I then get past 65mph and it is smooth. By the time I am ready to exit the highway after ~20 minutes, I don't experience it when slowing to that commonly reported 55-65mph range. Maybe a tire issue then?

I also have similar concerns about installing a lift with regards to warranty issues. Might ask them to check it out at the 10,000 mile service...but there doesn't seem to be anyone who has a true fix.

Finally, I'm embarrassed to say this but I may not keep the 4Runner forever **gasp** so I am worried about going down a rabbit hole trying to correct the issue and having multiple service appts pop-up on my Carfax history and possibly decreasing the vehicle's value. Am I overthinking this?

 

[00Sebby]

I don't want to hijack this thread because there are multiple other avenues for this issue BUT:

I have also been experiencing this on my ORP with KDSS. Noticed it at ~6000 miles. Of note, I have black TRD wheels and stock size nitto ridge grapplers as port installed options. For me, it seems to happen during the first few minutes of driving at ~60-65 mph (i.e., while merging onto highway). I then get past 65mph and it is smooth. By the time I am ready to exit the highway after ~20 minutes, I don't experience it when slowing to that commonly reported 55-65mph range. Maybe a tire issue then?

I also have similar concerns about installing a lift with regards to warranty issues. Might ask them to check it out at the 10,000 mile service...but there doesn't seem to be anyone who has a true fix.

Finally, I'm embarrassed to say this but I may not keep the 4Runner forever **gasp** so I am worried about going down a rabbit hole trying to correct the issue and having multiple service appts pop-up on my Carfax history and possibly decreasing the vehicle's value. Am I overthinking this?

It's not uncommon for AT tires to flat-spot when setting overnight. Then it takes a few miles to warm up and smooth out. That sounds like what you're experiencing. If they are smooth when warmed up, I wouldn't give it another thought.

 

[Alext4r]

It's not uncommon for AT tires to flat-spot when setting overnight. Then it takes a few miles to warm up and smooth out. That sounds like what you're experiencing. If they are smooth when warmed up, I wouldn't give it another thought.

This could explain it and I’m just overthinking it. With the quarantine my car sits multiple days before being driven and seems to smooth out after some time on the road.

 

[00Sebby]

This could explain it and I’m just overthinking it. With the quarantine my car sits multiple days before being driven and seems to smooth out after some time on the road.

You probably are and it's almost certainly the tires based on that info. It's a 4Runner and not a JL Wrangler. Those you have to overthink to stay ahead of catastrophe. :lol:

 

[K9Rover]

K9 - Took the truck to the dealer this morning and they ran the diagnostic on the 3 Vehicle Alert codes. Didn't find any problems. The computer tech told me he has seen 4Runners throw these codes if the dealer prep guys don't properly exit the initial setup. He also said the errors that matter are ones that pop up on the "!" section on the center console by the speedo and tach.

Anyway hope this helps.

Thanks for that info, I actually had the EDR data pulled on mine and am awaiting the results. I post when I have them. Ironically, when I went to the shop to authorize this, there was another Gen5 with much more front end damage (crumpled to the engine block) than mine without a Airbag deployment. I know there are many force and vector calculations done to trigger them but that other persons impact would have physically contacted that sensor if not destroyed it. Oh well, number don't lie.

 

[Pirateghost]

I don't like the clock above the vents in the center. Seems like a lot of wasted space. I like old style where it had the temp, compass, and time.

 

[violane]

I don't like the clock above the vents in the center. Seems like a lot of wasted space. I like old style where it had the temp, compass, and time.

You seemingly can't change it to 24 hour time either, which is irritating.

 

[Uofoducks15]

K9 - Took the truck to the dealer this morning and they ran the diagnostic on the 3 Vehicle Alert codes. Didn't find any problems. The computer tech told me he has seen 4Runners throw these codes if the dealer prep guys don't properly exit the initial setup. He also said the errors that matter are ones that pop up on the "!" section on the center console by the speedo and tach.

Anyway hope this helps.

[MENTION=63529]falken19504[/MENTION]

My new 2020 has the same 3 malfunctions listed on the main messages section. Nothing on the driver dash and nothing listed on the “!” Section by the speed and tach. Mine was manufactured in 2/2020 and I picked it up 4/30/2020, date of malfunctions is Feb 6 so like yours seems like it was triggered while still in Japan potentially.

Seems to be the same exact situation you had. Your Dealer basically said nothing to worry about?

 

[RunTheJoules]

Ive had my ORP w/ kdss for about 1k miles now and have on occasion noticed steering wheel shake at about 60mph. Everything is stock as far as suspension and tires are concerned. Ive read countless threads about this being an issue with 4runners. Just wanted to see if other 2020s are seeing this and if I should bring it up to my dealer. I have a lift ready to be installed but do not want to touch suspension yet if this issue is something that might be worth warrantying.

I haven’t experienced any steering wheel shakes/vibrations at any speed on mine(all the way up to 90). I have a 2020 Venture without KDSS, and completely stock suspension/tires with a little over 3000 miles.


If I were you, I’d definitely take it to the dealer.

 

[david05111]

Just a heads-up to everyone. Had my 2020 in for service this morning and asked if they could program the key fob to roll down the windows by holding the unlock button. I know the other years can have that programmed.

Well they did some research and the result was that apparently you can't do it on the 2020s. If someone else has evidence to the contrary, please post it in here when you have a minute.

 

[DEF4Runner]

I've had my '20 OR for about a week and I'm feeling the 60-65 MPH vibration as others have noted. I would usually get them on my 4th gen when the brake calipers were seizing and a trip by NAPA for a free swap usually scratched that itch. I'd hate to think calipers are bad from the factory these days.

Also, as others have noted...no mirror compass. Aren't those in nearly every car on the road these days?

 

[08TxRunner]

I'm at the four month mark and the nannies are making me regret this purchase. Specifically all the god damn beeping.

Beeping to lock/unlock the doors, no silent or flashing light only option

Drive 15 feet without the seat belt on, it beeps. Continue to drive a very short distance and it beeps incessantly.

Open the door with it running, it beeps

Get out of car with the keys in your pocket (check the mail), it beeps.

Drive with the hatch open (and tied down) to haul something home, it's having a heart attack with the beeping.

Close the door with the sunroof cracked open, it beeps. All the god damn beeping is driving me crazy for ****'s sake.

And try this one for yourself - you cannot open the rear hatch with the car running! Are you ****ing kidding me? I pulled up to a neighbor's house to quickly unload something out of the back and it would not unlock. I had to shut if off and close the driver's door before it would unlock.

Between all the nannies and the utter garbage infotainment system, there are days I wish I had my '08 back.

 

[Gnfanatic]

I am also a 2 month owner of a 2020 TRD and surprised about some of the stupid shit Toyota did. What concerns me the most is sometimes the pass side airbag sensor does not detect my 95lb Girlfriend in the seat for the entire trip. Also, turning on headlights for the glove box light is some strange shit, lol. Mentioned before, the clock is a waste of space.

 

[Gamma Ray]

I'm at the four month mark and the nannies are making me regret this purchase. Specifically all the god damn beeping.

Beeping to lock/unlock the doors, no silent or flashing light only option

Based on the rest of your post it sounds like you have a premium or higher, so this might not work, but try looking through the settings in the big infotainment screen, not the little screen in the middle of the gauges. On my non-premium SR5 with GPS enabled, there is an option to disable this beep. Funny enough, the manual says the dealer is the only one that can set this, but the option is right there for me.

That setting might disable some of the other beeps that I'm not going to quote. Some of them might not be affected by that setting, and maybe your 4Runner has additional settings in the menu since you've got a higher trim.

Drive 15 feet without the seat belt on, it beeps. Continue to drive a very short distance and it beeps incessantly.

Um... wear your seat belt? :fish: And if you're only doing it to move your vehicle on your own property, deal with it. I deal with it. I mean, really. It's a safety feature.

And try this one for yourself - you cannot open the rear hatch with the car running! Are you ****ing kidding me? I pulled up to a neighbor's house to quickly unload something out of the back and it would not unlock. I had to shut if off and close the driver's door before it would unlock.

I'm pretty sure that's not normal. I'm pretty sure I've opened the rear hatch on mine with it running while testing the outlets in the back.

Between all the nannies and the utter garbage infotainment system, there are days I wish I had my '08 back.

Eh, to each their own, but I think the entertainment system is okay. I like how it mostly keeps to itself as far as functionality goes. Mostly just radio and other functions that go through the speakers. The HVAC system isn't integrated into it, for example. My dad's Grand Cherokee has half of its HVAC controls in the infotainment system, and it's awful.

I do wish I had a CD player in my 2020, but Android Auto/Apple Carplay gets me a really great GPS, so it's a tradeoff. Still, I sometimes wish I hunted for a 2019. I really miss having a CD player.

If you haven't done so already, there's a button right there on the steering wheel to turn off lane keeping alerts. It's one press to turn it off and you'll never have to press it again. There are also options in the screen between the gauges to increase or decrease tolerance, but I still keep it off myself. I haven't touched the button in a couple months, and I'm happy.

I do leave the forward collision assist on the most sensitive setting which has thrown out a couple false positives in the past few months, but by and large my 4Runner hasn't beeped at me at all since doing the one infotainment menu change.

 

[Gamma Ray]

What concerns me the most is sometimes the pass side airbag sensor does not detect my 95lb Girlfriend in the seat for the entire trip.

Dealer. Now.