2011 Toyota 4RUNNER

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2011 Toyota 4RUNNER
RENDERED 2026-08-02T13:20:26.577Z

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Toyota 4RUNNER Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2011 highlighted. 1984: 2 complaints 1984 1985: 2 complaints 1986: 8 complaints 1987: 5 complaints 1988: 9 complaints 1989: 6 complaints 1990: 78 complaints 1990 1991: 43 complaints 1992: 53 complaints 1993: 51 complaints 1994: 12 complaints 1995: 47 complaints 1996: 72 complaints 1996 1997: 139 complaints 1998: 130 complaints 1999: 220 complaints 2000: 379 complaints 2001: 154 complaints 2002: 192 complaints 2002 2003: 527 complaints 2004: 612 complaints 2005: 409 complaints 2006: 380 complaints 2007: 154 complaints 2008: 96 complaints 2008 2009: 22 complaints 2010: 145 complaints 2011: 163 complaints 2011 2012: 96 complaints 2013: 36 complaints 2014: 76 complaints 2014 2015: 86 complaints 2016: 77 complaints 2017: 35 complaints 2018: 57 complaints 2019: 64 complaints 2020: 31 complaints 2020 2021: 34 complaints 2022: 39 complaints 2023: 30 complaints 2024: 8 complaints 2025: 48 complaints 2026: 5 complaints 2026
2011: 163 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19842
19852
19868
19875
19889
19896
199078
199143
199253
199351
199412
199547
199672
1997139
1998130
1999220
2000379
2001154
2002192
2003527
2004612
2005409
2006380
2007154
200896
200922
2010145
2011163
201296
201336
201476
201586
201677
201735
201857
201964
202031
202134
202239
202330
20248
202548
20265

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

AIR BAGS 69%

69% of complaints: air bags — 112 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

WE WERE HIT HEAD ON IN A COLLISION ON 5/5/2017 AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE FRONT AND SIDE BAGS OF THE OTHER VEHICLE DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WE WERE IN DID NOT. IT WAS UNPROVABLE BUT THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180722

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180710

STRUCTURE 5%

5% of complaints: structure — 8 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

The Blizzard Pearl paint on my Toyota 4Runner is peeling in large patches, exposing the undercoat and compromising the vehicle’s integrity.

NHTSA ODI report, 20250608

SERVICE BRAKES 4%

4% of complaints: service brakes — 6 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

Brakes ABS system failure affect the rear traction not feeding the brakes rear lines could be related to the proportioning sensing valve or other devices and the dealer says that the part it’s discontinued and service center says that the part...

NHTSA ODI report, 20240622

POWER TRAIN 4%

4% of complaints: power train — 6 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20110907

ENGINE 4%

4% of complaints: engine — 6 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FRONT THE VENTS INSIDE THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20181015

SAFETY TIMELINE

2011 — complaint volume: 163
R 20130321 — air bags, seats

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, an

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 contac

Campaign 13V014000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20130528 — equipment

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 Toy

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 be

Campaign 13V123000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20150129 — seats

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...

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.

Campaign 14V743000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20150922 — engine and engine cooling

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2015 Toyota 4Runner vehicles manufactured March 29, 2010, to July 30, 2015.

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.

Campaign 15V515000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20160714 — seats

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,...

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.

Campaign 16V396000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20160915 — engine and engine cooling

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2015 Toyota 4Runner vehicles manufactured September 3, 2009, to December 1, 2014.

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.

Campaign 16V577000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20161118 — air bags

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...

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.

Campaign 16V340000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20170901 — equipment, structure

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.

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.

Campaign 17V425000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190215 — air bags

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...

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.

Campaign 19V005000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20191120 — air bags

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,...

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.

Campaign 19V741000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20210917 — EA (open)

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2011 Toyota 4RUNNER — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (112 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for structure issues (8 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (6 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 13V014000 (air bags, seats) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 13V123000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V743000 (seats) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V515000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V396000 (seats) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V577000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V340000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 17V425000 (equipment, structure) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V005000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V741000 (air bags) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2023 ▲ 2020 ▲ 2021

WORST YEARS

■ 2004 ■ 2003 ■ 2005

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2011 Toyota 4RUNNER reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2011 Toyota 4RUNNER is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2011 Toyota 4RUNNER?

The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 69% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2011 Toyota 4RUNNER have?

10 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.