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Toyota

2011 Toyota 4RUNNER

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2011 Toyota 4RUNNER has 182 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.4x the segment average of 77. The most common issue is air bags problems (62% of all complaints), specifically: 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. There are 10 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report 3 crash reports 2 injuries

182

Total Complaints

10

Recalls Issued

/5

Safety Stars

2.4x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

AIR BAGS

112 complaints
62%
  • 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
  • TAKATA AIR BAG-- SINCE I HAVE RECEIVED A NOTICE FOR THE RECALL, TOYOTA HAS INSTRUCTED US NOT ALLOW ANYONE TO SIT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THEY HAVE NOT FURNISHED A TIME LINE FOR THIS REPAIR. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM FOR ME. ALSO, I AM UNABLE TO TRADE THE VEHICLE IN DUE TO THE RECALL. TOYOTA
  • TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V340000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL RE
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 2 crashes

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

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2011 Toyota 4RUNNER

Based on 60 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 41K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
25
30-60K
15
60-100K
9
100-150K
10
150-200K
0
200K+
1

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 9K mi · 6 reports
0-30K
5
30-60K
0
60-100K
1
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

BODY/STRUCTURE

In line with typicalmedian 30K mi · 5 reports
0-30K
3
30-60K
1
60-100K
1
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 15K mi · 5 reports
0-30K
4
30-60K
0
60-100K
0
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
0

SEATS/RESTRAINTS

In line with typicalmedian 49K mi · 5 reports
0-30K
2
30-60K
1
60-100K
2
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

AIR BAGS

Later than typicalmedian 63K mi · 12 reports
0-30K
1
30-60K
4
60-100K
4
100-150K
3
150-200K
0
200K+
0

ELECTRICAL

Later than typicalmedian 49K mi · 5 reports
0-30K
1
30-60K
3
60-100K
0
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
0

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (10)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE09/01/2019

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.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: 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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2011 Toyota 4RUNNER

Live EIA prices
Per year
$2,527
Per month
$211
Per mile
21.1¢
MPG
19
City driving (worst-case MPG)
$2,824/yr
Highway driving (best-case MPG)
$2,087/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today
Current
$4.00
5-year low
$2.78
5-year high
$5.01
Since 2021
+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2011 Toyota 4RUNNER

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.
Full coverage / year
$1,494
Full coverage / month
$125
Liability only / year
$639
vs US avg
-11%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x
× theft risk1.00x
× safety rating1.00x
× vehicle age0.85x
= Full coverage estimate$1494

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Toyota 4RUNNER Service Intervals

Oil change
10K mi / 12 mo
Tire rotation
5K mi
Brake fluid
30 months
Transmission fluid
60K mi
Engine coolant
100K mi
Spark plugs
120K mi
Cabin air filter
30K mi
Engine air filter
30K mi
Differential (AWD/4WD)
60K mi

0W-20 synthetic oil recommended. ToyotaCare covers first 2 years / 25K miles of scheduled maintenance for new vehicles. Hybrid battery: 10 yr / 150K miles warranty.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Toyota New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)
3 yr / 36K mi
Powertrain
5 yr / 60K mi
Hybrid/EV battery
10 yr / 150K mi
Corrosion (rust perforation)
5 yr / unlimited mi
Roadside assistance
2 yr / 25K mi

Hybrid battery is 10yr/150K miles for 2020+ hybrids. ToyotaCare (2yr/25K miles complimentary maintenance) is included.

These are the terms for a new Toyota. If you're buying a used 2011 4RUNNER, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Toyota dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)
$500
BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)
$500
OTHER(~50K mi)
$500
BRAKES(~50K mi)
$500
TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 182 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • AIR BAGS: 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

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • BODY/STRUCTURE: UPON ATTEMPTING TO LIFT THE REAR LIFTGATE, THE DOOR WOULD NOT STAY IN OPEN POSITION. THE DAY BEFORE 03/08/2013, IT WORKED FINE. IT APPEARS THE REAR LIFTGATE STRUTS FAILED. THIS IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE IF THESE STRUTS FAILED IN THE OPEN POSITION IT WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN SERIOUS INJURY. *TR

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • OTHER: TOYOTA 4 RUNNER HAS A VIBRATION KIND OF AN ENGINE VIBRATION. IT HAPPENS WHEN WE ACCELERATE THE SUV. IT'S NOT THE TIRES.

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • BRAKES: 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

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • RECALLS: Verify all 10 recalls have been completed — free at any Toyota dealer
  • General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
182
Recalls
10
Fire reports
1
Crash reports
3
Injury reports
2
Segment avg
77

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2011 Toyota 4RUNNER