2021 Toyota 4RUNNER

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2021 Toyota 4RUNNER has 54 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.7x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is steering problems (22% of all complaints), specifically: 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. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report 5 crash reports 3 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.7x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

STEERING

12 complaints

22%

• 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
• 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.
• 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.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“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”

— NHTSA complaint filing

SUSPENSION

10 complaints

19%

• 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
• 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.
• *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).

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

— NHTSA complaint filing

BRAKES

6 complaints

11%

• 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 appea
• Driving up to 60mph the steering wheel vibrates excessively. I have taken it to the dealer and got repairs to fix it but 2 days later it returned. I had wheels balanced and rotated with an alignment. I fear I will loose control of the suv soon.
• was going to work on rt 80 east had cruise control on and was getting off exit 45 in new jersey to get bus into manhattan at approx 430 amwhile getting off highway stepped on brakes pedal went to floor tried pumping nothing happened nor did criuise control disengage or collision warning come on a t

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 2 crashes

“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 appea”

— NHTSA complaint filing

WHEELS

4 complaints

• 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.
• 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
• 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.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“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.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

VISIBILITY

3 complaints

• 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
• I was driving my new car with less than 500 miles on a highway with no other cars around and nothing overhead. It sounded like a gun went off then I could hear the glass falling sliding around on the sunroof shade. The glass was blown outward proving nothing fell and broke it. A Toyota dealers is
• The contact owns a 2021 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the sunroof exploded, sending glass inside the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with needing the sunroof to be replaced however, the vehicle was not repa

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“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 ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

SUSPENSION(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

WHEELS(~50K mi)

$500

VISIBILITY(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 54 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
STEERING: 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
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SUSPENSION: 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
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: 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 appea
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
WHEELS: 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.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)