Out of the national-recall years entirely — a clean, bulletproof 4Runner whose only quirks are the highway shimmy and a sunroof worth inspecting.

Reported every year of the generation and multiple times in the 2020 file: the sunroof shattering with no impact — 'sounded like a gunshot,' glass typically blowing outward, sometimes cutting occupants when the interior shade was open. There is no recall. Comprehensive insurance is the practical backstop. Inspect the glass and ask about any prior glass claim on a moonroof-equipped truck.

The 4Runner's brakes feel soft and nose-dive by design, and the 2020 file carries the familiar soft-pedal reports along with real, low-frequency caliper and master-cylinder wear. One owner's power-steering-effort complaint was traced to a leaking front timing-cover seal at 88k — the front-cover oil leak mechanics flag as easy and inexpensive to reseal despite the drama of oil covering the underside. Test the brakes from 30 mph for a pull, and check the front of the engine for oil weeping.

Two lower-frequency items. On Limited trims with the X-REAS hydraulic sport suspension, a few owners report failures — some as early as 45k — that mechanics say usually appear past 100k; it's an expensive system if it goes, so drive a Limited over rough pavement and feel for uneven damping. Separately, the backup camera intermittently shows a black screen on some trucks, with no recall. Neither is a deal-breaker, but both are worth checking on the test drive.

The generation-wide inspection: salt-belt frames rust, and a rotten frame is a walk-away because replacing it costs more than the truck. The rear hatch rusts under its plastic trim. A southern 2020 avoids it; a northern one needs the frame checked from underneath, not judged by the body.