Buy Toyota 4Runner Side View Mirrors

Toyota's 4Runner side mirror-also called the door mirror, wing mirror, or side-view mirror-does far more than reflect traffic. Across six generations it has added heat grids, turn-signal lamps, power folding, blind-spot alerts, cameras, and even full-digital displays.

Quick Facts

• Every 4Runner built since 1984 uses a driver- and passenger-side mirror bolted to the door just below the A-pillar. The 3rd gen (1996-2002), 4th gen (2003-2009), 5th gen (2010-2024), and new 6th gen (2025-) all accept bolt-on mirror "assemblies" that include the housing, motor, glass, and wiring. (Car and Driver, MotorTrend)
• Heated glass became available on higher trims in the 4th gen and was wired to the rear-window defroster switch. (Reddit, Toyota Nation)
• Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) LEDs, camera pods for the 360° view system, and puddle lamps appeared on many 5th-gen Limited and TRD trims, and they continue on the 2025 model. (Toyota USA Newsroom, eBay)
• Full-convex "wide-view" glass from aftermarket brands shrinks blind zones by roughly 30 percent. (4Runner6G, Toyota 4Runner Forum [4Runners.com])

Model Years

• 3rd Gen (1996-2002) - Manual-fold mirrors; power adjust on most trims.
• 4th Gen (2003-2009) - Optional heat and power-fold; Limited and Sport most likely to have them. (Reddit)
• 5th Gen (2010-2024) - Turn-signal lamps, BSM, camera, and memory added on upper trims. (eBay)
• 6th Gen (2025-) - Keeps all of the above and adds an optional digital rear-mirror display. (6th Gen 4Runner Forum, Toyota USA Newsroom)

Core Features

• Power adjust: Standard on 2003-up; uses a four-wire motor pack. (eBay)
• Heat grids: Activate with rear defrost; clear frost in roughly two minutes at −10 °C. (Toyota 4Runner Forum [4Runners.com])
• Turn signals: Amber LEDs behind a clear lens increase side visibility. (ExtremeTerrain.com)
• Power folding: Present on most Limited trims; helpful in tight trails or parking garages. (eBay)
• Camera pods: Feed Toyota's Multi-Terrain or Bird's-Eye systems (2014-up). (eBay)

Safety Tech

• A U.S. safety study measured a 2003 4Runner's convex add-on mirror and found it widened the rear field of view by 15° without major distortion. (NHTSA)
• Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 (2025) links BSM radar to the mirror LEDs; the lamps flash plus an audible if the turn signal is on. (Toyota USA Newsroom)

Popular Upgrades

• Full-convex replacement glass snaps onto the factory motor plate and nearly doubles lane-change visibility. (4Runner6G)
• Color-keyed caps match factory paint codes like "Lunar Rock 6X3." (eBay)
• Sequential signal strips plug into the mirror lamp harness for a sweeping effect. (yotamafia.com)
• RAV4 mirror swap gives older 4Runners integrated blind-spot dots with little wiring work. (Toyota 4Runner Forum [4Runners.com])

DIY Replacement

1. Disconnect the battery to avoid air-bag or power-window errors.
2. Pop the interior sail-panel trim; remove the foam pad.
3. Unplug the multi-pin connector.
4. Support the mirror and remove the three 10 mm nuts.
5. Seat the new mirror; snug the nuts evenly (Toyota body manual lists roughly 7-9 N·m).
6. Reverse steps to reassemble.
   A complete swap takes 20-40 minutes for first-timers. (YouTube)

Common Problems

• Cracked glass from road debris-most times you can pop in a new glass insert without changing the housing. (Toyota 4Runner Forum [4Runners.com])
• Loose pivot-worn detent bearings on early models cause the mirror to flop in wind; the fix is a replacement hinge spring. (Toyota 4Runner Forum [4Runners.com])
• Heat not working-often the issue is a blown 10 A "MIR HTR" fuse or oxidation on the mirror's two-pin heater leads. (Toyota 4Runner Forum [4Runners.com])

Cost Guide

• Mirror-glass only: about US $45-$70 for heated glass. (Amazon)
• Full assembly (paint-to-match, powered, heated): $130-$250 aftermarket. (eBay)
• Dealer OEM with BSM & camera: quoted at roughly $550-$600 each. (Toyota 4Runner Forum [4Runners.com])
  Labor at a shop is typically one half-hour per side.

Care Tips

• Wash gently; folding mirrors inward before an automatic wash helps prevent scratches.
• Use only low-lint glass wipes on the mirror glass to avoid streaking.
• Activate heat for a few minutes on wet days to evaporate moisture and extend element life. (Toyota Nation)

Disposal & Recycling

The mirror housing is ABS plastic and the glass is standard soda-lime; most municipal recycling centers accept both if you separate them. Clip the wiring harness flush and recycle copper at a metals facility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I know if my 4Runner has heated mirrors?
A: Turn on the rear window defroster; if the mirror glass warms within a minute, it's heated. This design started on certain 2003-2009 trims. (Reddit, Toyota Nation)

Q: Will a 2020 mirror fit my 2014 4Runner?
A: Yes-2014-2024 mirrors share the same three-bolt pattern and wiring, but features like BSM or camera require matching vehicle wiring. (ExtremeTerrain.com)

Q: Can I add blind-spot lights to an SR5?
A: Aftermarket convex glass with integrated LEDs wires to the turn-signal lead; you won't get radar-based alerts, but you do gain a visible flash. (4Runner6G)

Q: Do wide-angle mirrors make objects look farther away?
A: Slightly; convex glass reduces blind zones but also shrinks image size, so judge distance with caution at first. (NHTSA)

Q: What tools are needed to change a side mirror?
A: Trim tool, 10 mm socket, ratchet, and a Torx-20 if you have signal lamps. (YouTube)

Q: Are power-fold units plug-and-play?
A: Mechanically yes, but the fold motor needs a body-control signal found only on Limited-grade wiring. (eBay)

Q: Is there a recall on 4Runner mirrors?
A: No mirror-specific U.S. recalls exist as of May 2025; always check NHTSA for updates. (NHTSA)

Q: Can I swap in towing mirrors?
A: Aftermarket extendable mirrors exist, but they add wind noise and may interfere with the 4Runner's door-window clearance-measure before buying. (Aspire Auto Accessories)

Q: How do I adjust the automatic tilt-down in reverse?
A: Use the mirror-select switch and adjust while in reverse, then save seat memory if equipped. (YouTube)

Q: What paint code is "Lunar Rock"?
A: Toyota code 6X3, used on some 2021-2024 TRD models; you'll find it on the mirror cap label. (eBay)