2021 Toyota 4RUNNER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
36 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
637 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 13 of 36 complaints (36.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 13 | 36.1% |
| Braking behavior | 5 | 13.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.8% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Steering | 13 |
| Suspension | 10 |
| Service Brakes | 6 |
| Wheels | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Exterior Lighting | 3 |
| Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera | 2 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | 2 |
Steering: 13; Suspension: 10; Service Brakes: 6; Wheels: 4; Electrical System: 3; Exterior Lighting: 3; Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera: 2; Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 33 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 |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 12 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 6 |
2020: 1; 2021: 12; 2022: 5; 2023: 3; 2024: 4; 2025: 5; 2026: 6
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 13 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 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 11384945 · 2020-12-25 (December 25, 2020)
TIRE PRESSURE WAS 56 PSI ON ALL FOUR TIRES; MEASURED ON THREE DIFFERENT GAUGES. BRIDGESTONE DUELER H/T TIRES WITH WRITING 'NEVER EXCEED 40 PSI'. NEW CAR PURCHASED 13 DAYS AGO.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11384945 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11390053 · 2021-01-26 (January 26, 2021)
WHILE DRIVING IN A SNOWSTORM ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT NIGHT ON 1/25/2021, TWO IMPORTANT SAFETY SYSTEMS FAILED DUE TO ICE AND SNOW BUILDUP ON THE VEHICLE. FAILURE 1: THE PRE COLLISION SYSTEM (PCS) WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INDICATING TEMPORARY FAILURE OF THE PCS SYSTEM (SEE PHOTO 1). THIS WAS DUE TO ICE AND SNOW BUILDUP ON THE FORWARD SENSOR, LOCATED ON THE FRONT GRILLE (SEE PHOTO 2). PROBLEM COULD ONLY BE RECTIFIED BY STOPPING AND PHYSICALLY REMOVING THE ICE BUILDUP, AS REFERENCED IN THE TOYOTA OWNER'S MANUAL, PAGE 252. I RECOMMEND THE SENSO…
Owner-reported narrative. 637 miles reported. Look up ODI 11390053 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11415750 · 2021-05-09 (May 9, 2021)
I BOUGHT A 2021 4RUNNER LATE APRIL OF 2021. I REPORTED AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR A BALANCE CHECK. THIS DIDN'T SEEM TO FIX THE PROBLEM. WHILE THEY WHERE IN THE PROCESS OF BALANCING THE TECH BROKE 2 CENTER CAPS. I WILL SETTING UP AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE DEALERSHIP RECHECK AND ALIGNMENT. I'VE READ REPORTS WHERE THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM BEFORE WITH A LOT OF 4 RUNNERS. I'M DISAPPOINTED WITH THE CUSTOMER SERVICE AS WELL THERE. PLEASE HELP ME RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM. I REALLY LOVE THE VEHICLE BUT AT 60-65MPH THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AND THE 4RU…
Owner-reported narrative. 350 miles reported. Look up ODI 11415750 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11418003 · 2021-05-21 (May 21, 2021)
The steering wheel will shimmy between 50-61mph. Just under 60mph is when it's most apparent. Worse on a cold morning when beginning commute. Can vary from slight vibration felt in the hand to visibly shaking. Can also be felt on the vehicle floor and seats when at its worst.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11418003 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11418568 · 2021-05-26 (May 26, 2021)
Steering wheel shimmy and shake from around 55-63mph. Intermittently happens but is very well documented across forums. This affects 4runners that are brand new, and there is no clear answer to a fix.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11418568 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11420755 · 2021-06-13 (June 13, 2021)
Between 58-65mpg steering whee shakes. Vehicle has been back to dealer for rebalancing the tires twice and a front end alignment. The issue persists.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11420755 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11421989 · 2021-06-23 (June 23, 2021)
On May 27, 2021 The brakes failed on my brand new 2021 Toyota TRD Off-Road Premium 4Runner. I attempted to brake at a stop light, the brake pedal went to the floor and the car did not stop. Luckily no accident occurred and I was able to drive it home (4 miles). No warning lights or messages appeared at all before, during or after the incident. This occurred between 3-4 pm in Custer, SD on Main Street during clear weather. The vehicle was hauled to Toyota dealer in Rapid City, SD the next morning, May 28th. They could not duplicate the …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11421989 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11425077 · 2021-07-16 (July 16, 2021)
*Steering shudder occurs when driving 55-70mph. *The shudder makes it feel as you have no control over vehicle, especially in wet/snow driving conditions. *dealer technicians have inspected multiple times with no fix. *issue began with in first 500 miles (brand new purchase).
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11425077 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.
22V480000 · Equipment:Other:Labels
Reported: 2022-07-06 (July 6, 2022)
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2020-2022 4Runner vehicles equipped with 20-inch Black Gunner Wheels. The load carrying capacity modification labels are incorrect. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Consequence: An incorrect label may lead to unintentionally overloading the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: SET will mail replacement labels to owners, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 4, 2022. Owners may contact SET's customer service at 954-429-2000. SET's number for this recall is SET22A.
NHTSA campaign record ↗