Problems · NHTSA complaints

2001 Toyota 4Runner problems

Owners filed 190 complaints about the 2001 Toyota 4Runner with NHTSA between Dec 2000 and Feb 2026. The most-cited component is structure (81).

Complaints
190
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
11
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
12
People reported injured
Deaths
3
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Structure81
  2. Power train33
  3. Suspension27
  4. Engine and engine cooling14
  5. Steering8
  6. Tires8
  7. Service brakes, hydraulic8
  8. Air bags7
  9. Electrical system6
  10. Engine5
  11. Vehicle speed control5
  12. Electronic stability control (esc)3
  13. Wheels2
  14. Fuel system, gasoline2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20001
20015
20026
20039
20046
20057
20062
20071
20085
200910
201015
20116
201212
20139
201421
201519
201616
20178
201812
20199
20204
20214
20221
20230
20240
20251
20261

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Structure

81 reports1 fire
“The contact owns a 2001 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that he noticed a swaying while driving the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who stated that the sub frame was severely rusted between the sway bar and the differential. The certified mechanic referred the contact to the dealer. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the sub frame needed to be replaced. The dealer was concerned that the job was too extensive. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and referred the contact to the NHTSA for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 119,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 16, 2021StructureODI 11429329

Power train

33 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A MUFFLER REPLACEMENT, HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE MUFFLER COULD NOT BE REPLACED AND A LEAK WAS PRESENT. THE DEALER (MCGEE TOYOTA OF HANOVER, 860 WASHINGTON ST, HANOVER, MA 02339, (866) 942-1756) INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FRAME AND DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FRAME WAS NOT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 18, 2018Power train, StructureODI 11112217

Suspension

27 reports1 crash1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2001 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 MPH, there was a thumping and clicking sound coming from the front of the vehicle before the front passenger’s side of the vehicle unintendedly lowered. The vehicle was stopped and inspected, and the ball joint was touching the ground. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the lower ball joint had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 275,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 19, 2026SuspensionODI 11719079

Engine and engine cooling

14 reports
“AFTER I MY MECHANIC REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FOR $1500.00, THIS PROBLEM BEGAN. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO BUCK (JERK VIOLENTLY) AS I WAS ACCELERATING TO 45 MPH. IT ALWAYS HAPPENS AT ABOUT 20 MPH AS I TRY TO ACCELERATE TO 30, 35 OR 40 MPH. THE ENGINE REVS UP TO 3 OF 4K BEFORE THE TRANSMISSIONS ENGAGES FORCEFULLY. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR NOW 3 MONTHS. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 17, 2012Engine and engine cooling, Power trainODI 10485031

Steering

8 reports2 crashes
“FIRST THERE WERE 3 RECALLS 1. 135468 2. 135469 AND 3. 135469 DATING BACK TO 2005 THAT I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF AND I HAVE A VERY BAD CORRUGATED METAL BUMPERS AND WHEN I DRIVE MY VEHICLE AND I HIT A BUMP OR SOMETHING IN THE ROAD IT FEELS LIKE MY CAR IS GOING TO TURN OVER. I HAD THE SHOCKS REPLACED AND IT HASN'T HELPED”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 30, 2021Steering, Structure, Unknown or otherODI 11405640

Tires

8 reports1 crash
“WRANGLER P265/70R16 TIRE I HAD BEEN PUTTING AIR IN TWO OF THE FOUR TIRES FOR THE LAST SIX MONTHS EVERY WEEK. THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE RUBBER ABOVE THREAD AND IN THE RIGGS ON THE TIRE I WAS TOLD BY TWO TIRE REPAIR STORE (GOODYEAR BEING THE SECOND ) COULD NOT BE REPAIRED WHERE LOCATED. ON THE10TH OF MARCH MY TIRE WAS FLAT DOWN TO THE RIM AND DURING THE ICE BLACK OUT (NO HEAT FOR 3 DAYS) NO CAR TO GO ANYWHERE TO GET OUT OF THE COLD THEN BEING TOLD BY GOODYEAR / DEALER THEY COULD NOT EXCHANGE OR REBATE ANYTHING ON A NEW TIRE. I HAVE THREE MORE TIRES THAT I AM WORRIED ABOUT HAVING TOO REPLACED AND GOOD YEAR REFUSES TO DO RECALL OR COMPENSATE MYSELF OR OTHERS FOR CLEARLY DEFECTIVE TIRES ! I PAID $157.48 FOR ANOTHER TIRE WHICH SHOULD HAVE STILL BEEN UNDER WARRANTY AND REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE!! I DON'T DO A LOT OF DRIVING. 2001 VEHICLE AND190,00 MILES . I AM ON FIXED INCOME AND WORRIED ABOUT COMING OUT FINDING ANOTHER FLAT TIRE THAT IS DEFECTIVE. PLS. ISSUE A RECALL AND MAKE GOODYEAR BE A HONEST BUSINESS AND RECALL WHAT THEY KNOW ARE DEFECTIVE TIRES WRANGLER P265/70R16. MY TIRES ARE ALMOST LIKE NEW VERRY LITTLE WEAR. I HAVE PICTURES ! I AM AFRAID FOR MY LIFE AS WELL AS…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 14, 2014TiresODI 10569369
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.