2011 Toyota 4RUNNER: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10409258 · 2011-06-28 (June 28, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SR5. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS NOT MOVING, HE NOTICED THAT THE LUMBAR SUPPORT ON THE DRIVERS SEAT WOULD CRACKLE AND MAKE NOISE WHENEVER HE MOVED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR HAD IT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 400 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,500.
Owner-reported narrative. 400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10409258 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10413927 · 2011-07-21 (July 21, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS SET TO 70 MPH, AND WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO TRAVEL DOWNHILL, IT ACCELERATED TO SPEEDS OF 80 TO 85 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS INTENDED AND THE VEHICLES SPEED WOULD EXCEED WHATEVER THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ENGAGED TO WHEN TRAVELING DOWNHILL. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE SPEED WAS SUPPOSED TO VARY BY 3 TO 8 MPH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10413927 at NHTSA ↗
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 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 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 10440420 · 2011-12-19 (December 19, 2011)
EASY TO CHIP WINDSHIELD GLASS. WEAK WINDSHIELD GLASS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10440420 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 10470064 · 2012-08-09 (August 9, 2012)
ON THIS VEHICLE'S VERY FIRST TIRE ROTATION, AT A REPUTABLE TIRE SHOP, THREE LUG STUDS BROKE OFF. IF YOU RUN A NET SEARCH, YOU WILL SEE A NUMBER OF SIMILAR REPORTS WHERE TOYOTA 2010 AND NEWER (5TH GENERATION) 4RUNNERS HAVE LUG STUD PROBLEMS--INCLUDING AT EARLY MILEAGE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 4,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10470064 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
10 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
13V014000 · Seats | Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module-Inactive
Reported: 2013-01-16 (January 16, 2013)
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.
Consequence: If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
NHTSA campaign record ↗13V123000 · Equipment:Other:Labels
Reported: 2013-04-09 (April 9, 2013)
Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2010-2013 Toyota Tundra, 2010-2012 Rav4, 2012 Toyota Sequoia, 2010-2011 Toyota Corolla, 2010-2011 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser, 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser, 2010-2013 Toyota Venza, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, 2010-2013 Toyota Tacoma, 2011-2012 Toyota Sienna, 2012 Toyota Prius, 2013 Scion FR-S, 2011 Scion XD, 2011 Scion XB, and 2012 Scion TC vehicles. These vehicles were sold with labels that were outside the allowable one percent of accuracy of actual weight added. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) Number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Consequence: An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires. An overloaded vehicle can result in a tire failure which may result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or property damage.
Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners and provide a corrected label with instructions concerning its installation. A small group of the affected vehicles will need additonal remedies which are still being developed. The recall began on May 28, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
NHTSA campaign record ↗14V743000 · Seats:Front Assembly:Seat Heater/Cooler
Reported: 2014-11-19 (November 19, 2014)
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.
Consequence: Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.
NHTSA campaign record ↗15V515000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Reported: 2015-08-13 (August 13, 2015)
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2015 Toyota 4Runner vehicles manufactured March 29, 2010, to July 30, 2015. The affected vehicles may be equipped with accessory exhaust tips installed by SET or SET dealers that may contact people and possibly burn them while they are standing behind the vehicle.
Consequence: Contact with an exhaust tip may result in personal injury.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will install a re-designed exhaust tip that is smaller in diameter and is more recessed behind the bumper, free of charge. The recall began on September 22, 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for the recall is SET15D.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V340000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2016-05-23 (May 23, 2016)
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2009-2011 Toyota Corolla and Corolla Matrix, 2006-2011 Toyota Yaris, Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, Lexus IS250C, Lexus IS350C and Lexus GX460, 2011 Sienna, 2007-2011 Lexus ES350, and 2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2007-2008 Toyota Yaris, 2006-2008 Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350 and 2007-2008 Lexus ES350 vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Vehicles of these model years and models that were not originally sold or ever registered in either Zones A or B are not subject to this safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began on December 6, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for interim notification for this campaign are G1P (Toyota Zone A), G1R (Toyota Zone B), G2G (Lexus Zone A), and G2H (Lexus Zone B). Toyota's numbers for final remedy for this campaign are G0P (Toyota Zone A), G0R (Toyota Zone B), GLG (Lexus Zone A), and GLH (Lexus Zone B).
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V396000 · Seats:Front Assembly:Seat Heater/Cooler
Reported: 2016-06-02 (June 2, 2016)
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
Consequence: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V577000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Reported: 2016-08-03 (August 3, 2016)
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2015 Toyota 4Runner vehicles manufactured September 3, 2009, to December 1, 2014. The affected vehicles may be equipped with accessory exhaust tips installed by SET or SET dealers that may contact people and possibly burn them while they are standing behind the vehicle.
Consequence: Contact with an exhaust tip may result in personal injury.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will install a re-designed exhaust tip that is smaller in diameter and is more recessed behind the bumper, free of charge. The recall began September 15, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET16D.
NHTSA campaign record ↗17V425000 · Equipment | Structure:Body:Hood:Hinge And Attachments
Reported: 2017-07-03 (July 3, 2017)
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2011-2016 Toyota Tacoma and 4Runner vehicles equipped with accessory hood scoops installed by SET or SET dealers. The adhesive attaching the hood scoop may weaken, allowing the hood scoop to detach from the vehicle.
Consequence: If the hood scoop detaches, it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will mechanically fasten the scoop to the hood, free of charge. The recall began on September 1, 2017. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-954-429-2000. SET's number for this recall is SET17B.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V005000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2019-01-09 (January 9, 2019)
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Toyota 4Runner, 2014-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, and 2014-2017 Lexus GX460 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Toyota is also recalling certain 2011-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Lexus IS250, IS350, 2011-2016 4Runner, 2011-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2011-2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, 2011-2017 Lexus GX460, and 2011-2012 Lexus ES350 vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Toyota is also recalling certain 2010-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Lexus IS350, 2010-2016 4Runner, 2010-2013 Lexus IS250, 2010-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2010-2014 Lexus IS-F, and 2010-2012 Lexus ES350 vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly. The recall began February 15, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are "Zone A" Toyota: G0P, Lexus: GLG; "Zone B" Toyota: G0R, Lexus GLH; "Zone C" Toyota: H0A, and Lexus: HLA.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V741000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module | Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2019-10-17 (October 17, 2019)
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.
NHTSA campaign record ↗