2001 Toyota 4RUNNER: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10160005 · 2006-06-16 (June 16, 2006)
1-THE REAR LIFTGATE WILL NOT UNLOCK. 2-THE LIFTGATE HAS NO MANUAL LOCK CONTROL AND IN AN EMERGENCY CANNOT BE OPENED. 3-THE PROBLEM IS NOT YET CORRECTED. THE TOYOTA MECHANIC SAID IT CAN BE A REAL PROBLEM TRYING TO REMOVE THE ACCESS PANEL WITH THE LIFTGATE CLOSED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10160005 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10226049 · 2008-04-29 (April 29, 2008)
THE SUN VISOR/VANITY MIRROR OF MY 4RUNNER CONTINUALLY FALLS INTO MY FIELD OF VISION DUE TO BEING LOOSE. CAUSES POSSIBLE VISION IMPAIRMENT FOR A COUPLE SECONDS IN ADDITION TO THE CONCENTRATION IT TAKES TO GET IT TO STAY AGAIN UP NEAR THE ROOF. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10226049 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10229283 · 2008-05-30 (May 30, 2008)
I PURCHASED A USED 2001 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER 4 WHEEL DRIVE LAST YEAR WITH APPROX 88 K MILE. PRIOR TO GIVING IT TO MY DAUGHTER I REPLACED THE TIRES ( GOODYEAR) AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP ON 6-2-2007 REQUESTING A FULL CHECK OF THE VEHICLE TO VERIFY ROAD WORTHINESS PRIOR TO GIVING IT TO MY 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER. THEY SUGGESTED AND PERFORMED 90 K MAINTENANCE PACKAGE INCLUDING SUSPENSION INSPECTION AND FRONT END ALIGNMENT. SHE RETURNED TO VIRGINIA AND HAS BEEN DRIVING IT DAILY ON PAVED ROADS TO HIGH SCHOOL. SHE HAS NOT TAKEN IT O…
Owner-reported narrative. 98,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10229283 at NHTSA ↗
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 10237799 · 2008-08-12 (August 12, 2008)
[XXX] JUST DRIVING ALONG A LOUD NOISE WAS FOLLOWED BY EXCESSIVE VIBRATION AND A CONNECTING ROD BECAME DISCONNECTED FROM THE CRANKSHAFT FOR NO EXPLAINABLE REASON, NO CRASH OCCURRED BUT EASILY COULD HAVE AS THE OIL PAN WAS PUNCTURED AND OIL SPILLED OUT ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE DISCOVERED FIVE OUT OF WARRANTY CASES IDENTICAL TO MINE IN 5VZ-FE ENGINES WHERE JUST DRIVING ALONG A LOUD NOISE WAS FOLLOWED BY EXCESSIVE VIBRATION AND A CONNECTING ROD BECAME DISCONNECTED FROM THE CRANKSHAFT FOR NO EXPLAINABLE REASON AND IN EACH CASE NO OTHER SERVICE ISSUE …
Owner-reported narrative. 47,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10237799 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10252226 · 2008-12-18 (December 18, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, SHE NOTICED A NOISE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE MOTOR WAS THE ROOT OF THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THEY DIDN'T PROVIDE AN EXPLANATION WHY THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE DEALER OFFERED A $5,000 REBUILT MOTOR AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 67,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 67,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10252226 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 10267540 · 2009-05-02 (May 2, 2009)
REAR DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING RUSTED THROUGH. THIS CAUSED LOSS OF LUBRICATION OIL, REQUIRED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING. THIN METAL AND LACK OF RUST PREVENTION ARE THE CAUSE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 149,830 miles reported. Look up ODI 10267540 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
05V225000 · Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint
Reported: 2005-05-17 (May 17, 2005)
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, DUE TO A MANUFACTURING ISSUE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINT, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE SURFACE OF THE BALL OF THE JOINT MAY HAVE BEEN SCRATCHED. THE BALL JOINT MAY EVENTUALLY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE WEAR AND LOOSENESS, RESULTING IN INCREASED STEERING EFFORT.
Consequence: THE LOWER BALL JOINT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE KNUCKLE CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 5, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
NHTSA campaign record ↗