2001 Toyota 4RUNNER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
154 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
125,094 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2001 model year. Data snapshot: . 134 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Structure:Body is the most frequently named component, appearing in 53 of 154 complaints (34.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 14 | 9.1% |
| Steering behavior | 8 | 5.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 3.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 2.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 2.6% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 0.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Structure:Body | 53 |
| Unknown Or Other | 22 |
| Suspension | 21 |
| Power Train | 17 |
| Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields | 17 |
| Steering | 7 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 7 |
| Engine | 5 |
Structure:Body: 53; Unknown Or Other: 22; Suspension: 21; Power Train: 17; Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields: 17; Steering: 7; Structure:Frame And Members: 7; Engine: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 16 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 62 |
| 150,000 and above | 46 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 16; 100,000 to 149,999: 62; 150,000 and above: 46
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (62). 20 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2009 | 10 |
| 2010 | 15 |
| 2011 | 6 |
| 2012 | 12 |
| 2013 | 9 |
| 2014 | 21 |
| 2015 | 19 |
| 2016 | 16 |
| 2017 | 8 |
| 2018 | 12 |
| 2019 | 9 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2006: 1; 2008: 5; 2009: 10; 2010: 15; 2011: 6; 2012: 12; 2013: 9; 2014: 21; 2015: 19; 2016: 16; 2017: 8; 2018: 12; 2019: 9; 2020: 4; 2021: 4; 2022: 1; 2025: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Structure:Body leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 14 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 5 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10231201 · 2008-06-16 (June 16, 2008)
WHEN ON A LONG HIGHWAY TRIP ON THE WEEKEND OF JUNE 7, 2008, MY HUSBAND NOTICED BLACK SPOTS ON THE REAR WINDOW OF OUR 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER (121,000 MILES). HE CLEANED IT OFF TO SEE IF IT RETURNED AS WE RESUMED OUR JOURNEY. WHEN WE NEXT STOPPED SEVERAL HUNDRED MILES LATER, THE BLACK SPOTS WERE ON THE ENTIRE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. MY HUSBAND CHECKED BENEATH THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND SAW TRANSMISSION FLUID DRIPPING OUT OF THE DIFFERENTIAL. WE THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC WHO REPORTED THAT THE REAR AXLE HOUSING WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED TO T…
Owner-reported narrative. 122,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10231201 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10289932 · 2009-10-27 (October 27, 2009)
2001 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER 4WD WHILE SPEED 30 TO 40 MPH DRIVING IN A SLOW RIGHT BANK ( NOT A CURVE) HEAR LOW BEEP NOISE SKID LITE ICON COMES ON AND AS IF TRUCK TOOK OVER I LOST STEERING , BRAKES AND POWER . BRAKES WERE ACTIVATING ON THEIR OWN AND THE TRUCK PROCEDED ACROSS YELLOW LINE INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC!!! TOYOTA PULL CODES NOTHING SAID I MUST HAD PUT TRUCK IN A SKID . NO I DIDNOT PUT TRUCK INTO SKID. HAPPEN AGAIN THIS TIME WIFE FOLLOWING ME AND SHE WITNESS IT ALSO . SHE SAID IT WAS AS IF I WAS STEERING IT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 105,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10289932 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10264259 · 2009-04-06 (April 6, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE AT THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE STEERING ROD WAS FAILING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ROD AND THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY OPERATING NORMALLY. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V389000 (STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING) FOR AN OLDER 4RUNNER THAT HE PREVIOUSLY OWNED, BUT FOR THE SAME COMPONENT THAT WAS JUST REPLACED. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE FAILURE IS AFFECTING THE NEWER MODEL 4RUNNER'S AS WELL AND A RE…
Owner-reported narrative. 230,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10264259 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10457551 · 2012-05-05 (May 5, 2012)
3RD GENERATION 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER WITH EXCESSIVE FRAME AND BODY RUST. THE GAS TANK STEM IS RUSTED, THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL IS LITERALLY POROUS AND LEAKING OIL DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST. REAR BUMPER IS RUSTED, SPARE TIRE MOUNT IS RUSTED. OTHER AREAS OF RUST ARE TOO NUMEROUS TO LIST. REPAIR SHOP SAID CAR IS NOT WORTH FIXING. DANA CORP THAT MADE FRAMES FOR TOYOTA TACOMAS/TUNDRAS THAT WERE RECALLED ALSO IS BEST KNOW FOR REAR DIFFERENTIALS. WHY WEREN'T THE 4RUNNERS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL/BUYBACK BY TOYOTA? *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 125,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10457551 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10569406 · 2014-03-14 (March 14, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER FOUND THE SUFRAME CORRODED IN THE FUEL TANK AREA WHILE THE FRONT ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS WERE BEING REPLACED. THE FRAME WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,080.
Owner-reported narrative. 112,080 miles reported. Look up ODI 10569406 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10321004 · 2010-03-19 (March 19, 2010)
LESS THAN 20000 MILES AFTER I HAD A REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION INSTALLED, BY TOYOTA, IN MY 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER THE VEHICLE BECAME UNRESPONSIVE TO THROTTLE INPUT. THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE IN ANY GEAR. I PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND LET OFF OF THE BRAKE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN ROLLING BACKWARDS DOWN THE HILL. I APPLIED THE FOOT BRAKE TO KEEP THE CAR FROM ROLLING FURTHER AND SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE. AFTER A FEW MINUTES I STARTED THE VEHICLE BACK UP LOW AND BEHOLD, THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. TODAY, I HAD A SURGE IN THE T…
Owner-reported narrative. 175,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10321004 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10361739 · 2010-10-22 (October 22, 2010)
WITH ENGINE RUNNING AND WHILE STOPPED AT INTERSECTION, BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED, THEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS PRESSED, VEHICLE BEGINS MOVING, ALL CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS TURN ON, CAR STALLS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION (WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC). THIS SITUATION HAS OCCURRED 3 TIMES AND MAY HAVE LEAD TO AT LEAST ONE FENDER BENDER WHERE THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION WAS HIT FROM BEHIND BECAUSE FOLLOWING CAR THOUGHT THAT MY CAR WAS ACCELERATING THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. AFTER STALLING, ALL 3 CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS MAY OR MAY NOT STAY ON. AFTER PUTTING CAR IN NEU…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10361739 at NHTSA ↗