2011 Toyota 4RUNNER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
163 owner complaints analyzed
10 distinct recall campaigns
41,320 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2011 model year. Data snapshot: . 50 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 112 of 163 complaints (68.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 12 | 7.4% |
| Steering behavior | 7 | 4.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 1.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 1.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 1.2% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 112 |
| Unknown Or Other | 9 |
| Structure:Body | 8 |
| Electrical System | 6 |
| Engine | 6 |
| Power Train | 6 |
| Service Brakes | 6 |
| Steering | 5 |
Air Bags: 112; Unknown Or Other: 9; Structure:Body: 8; Electrical System: 6; Engine: 6; Power Train: 6; Service Brakes: 6; Steering: 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 | 17 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 10 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 12 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 17; 25,000 to 49,999: 10; 50,000 to 74,999: 12; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (17). 113 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 |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 6 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2013 | 9 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 36 |
| 2017 | 71 |
| 2018 | 9 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2011: 6; 2012: 4; 2013: 9; 2014: 4; 2015: 4; 2016: 36; 2017: 71; 2018: 9; 2019: 4; 2020: 5; 2021: 2; 2022: 1; 2023: 2; 2024: 2; 2025: 3; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 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 10424066 · 2011-09-07 (September 7, 2011)
SUDDEN RAPID ACCELERATION, ENTERING A PARKING SPOT, BOTH FEET ON BRAKES, STILL ACCELERATION, PUT IN NEUTRAL THEN PARK, STILL ACCELERATION, HAD TO BACK UP, WAS IN A BAD POSITION, NEVER TOUCHED THE GAS THRU THIS WHOLE INCIDENT. RELINED VEHICLE, STILL ACCELERATION, PUT IN PARK AND TURNED IT OFF. TOYOTA HAS HAD IT SINCE, 9-2-2011, TODAY IS 9-7-2011. WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS. I PICK UP MY GRAND KIDS ALL THE TIME LET ALONE ON THE ROAD SHOPPING, ERRANDS, ETC. THE FLOOR MATS WERE NOT THE PROBLEM. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 6,015 miles reported. Look up ODI 10424066 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10438479 · 2011-12-03 (December 3, 2011)
PURCHASED VEHICLE NEW AND THE 5 SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OPERATED SMOOTHLY. AROUND 9,300 MILES THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SHIFTING GEARS HARSHLY. THE HARSHNESS IS INTERMITTENT BUT HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY. ALSO, WHILE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS GOING DOWNHILL, THE RPMS BOUNCE EVERYWHERE FROM 1500 RPMS TO 3000 RPMS. ITS ALMOST AS IF THE TRANSMISSION IS CONFUSED AND DOESN'T KNOW WHAT GEAR TO CHOOSE ANYMORE. I ALSO FEEL AS IF THE BRAKES AREN'T RELEASING. WHEN SITTING AT A RED LIGHT GOING DOWN HILL, ONCE I RELEASE MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND BEFOR…
Owner-reported narrative. 9,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10438479 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10436899 · 2011-11-23 (November 23, 2011)
TO FINISH THE COMPLAINT OF ODI 10436894, YOU ARE GOING TO NEED: A CHEMICAL ANALYSIS-HAZ MSDS BEEN FILED AT OHSA? - IMMEDIATE SHUTDOWN WITH CHEMICAL SAFETY A PART ANALYSIS DEFENSE HAS EXTERNAL TO THE BUSINESS IN THE FORM OF FIRST ARTICLE TEST-USUALLY THE BASE THAT JUST ORDERED THE NEWEST VEHICLE FLEET IN THE MOTOR POOL. THIS IS A SUBPENOABLE FILE EXTERNAL TO THE BUSINESS. NEED THE ORDER UP NUMBER FROM ALL RECEIPTS AT AUTOLIV TO GET MSDS THAT THE SUPPLIERS FILE WITH OSHA. THAT'S THE MIX. SAMPLE PRODUCT WILL BE DIFFICULT TO DATE AS THEY M…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10436899 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10448688 · 2012-02-14 (February 14, 2012)
STEERING WHEEL STARTED JERKING ABNORMALLY IN THE AM OR AFTER IT HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR A WHILE. NOW IT CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME BUT NOT ALL THE TIME AND IT OCCURS BETWEEN 60 AND 70 MPH. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER EIGHT TIMES. THEY REPLACED THE TIRES BUT IT DIDN'T CORRECT THE ISSUE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD TOYOTA IS AWARE BUT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ADVISED ME OF THAT. TOYOTA IS TAKING CARE OF THE LEXUS AND THE GX MODELS FIRST.
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10448688 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10947765 · 2017-01-26 (January 26, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND ESPECIALLY WHILE REVERSING OR MOVING FORWARD, THE VEHICLE JERKED ABNORMALLY. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED. THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 05/10/17*LJ *CN
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10947765 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11446190 · 2022-01-04 (January 4, 2022)
The contact owns a 2011 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated as he arrived at his residence after driving 40 MPH, his father noticed that something was hanging underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that he noticed that the gas tank strap had detached, and the main guard was rusted. The contact replaced the gas tank strap himself. The contact stated that the hatch release was corroded. The contact also stated that the bottom of the liftgate of the vehicle was severely corroded and had holes. The contact stated that the inside of the front pa…
Owner-reported narrative. 68,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11446190 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10671520 · 2015-01-10 (January 10, 2015)
THE WIRING IN THIS CAR IS EATEN UP BY RODENTS AND HAVE HEARD THE COATINGS ARE MADE OF EDIBLE FOOD FOR THEM. 4 INJECTORS AND NUMEROUS OTHERS ..UNBELIEVABLE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 27,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10671520 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11408282 · 2021-04-15 (April 15, 2021)
I TURNED IN THE IGNITION AND WASN'T EVEN AROUND THE BLOCK FROM MY HOME, WHEN I NOTICED MY SEAT OVERHEATING ALONG WITH A STRONG BURNING ELECTRICAL/WIRE SMELL. THE HEAT WAS HOTTER THAN THE HIGHEST SETTING BECAUSE IT WAS UNCOMFORTABLE TO REMAIN SEATED. I CHECKED THE POWER SWITCH, WHICH WAS OFF, THEN TOGGLED IT ANYWAY TO SEE IF IT WOULD TURN OFF. I HAD TO PULL OVER AS THE SEAT WAS TOO HOT AND FEARED IT INJURE ME AND/OR WOULD IGNITE. AFTER TURNING OFF THE IGNITION, THE HEATING STOPPED. HOWEVER, I GOT BACK IN AND STARTED TO DRIVE, IT HEATED UP AGAIN.…
Owner-reported narrative. 88,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11408282 at NHTSA ↗