Problems · NHTSA complaints
2011 Toyota 4Runner problems
Owners filed 163 complaints about the 2011 Toyota 4Runner with NHTSA between Jun 2011 and Jun 2026. The most-cited component is air bags (112).
Complaints
163
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
4
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Air bags112
- Structure9
- Service brakes6
- Electrical system6
- Engine6
- Power train6
- Steering5
- Seats4
- Suspension3
- Wheels3
- Vehicle speed control3
- Fuel/propulsion system2
- Service brakes, hydraulic2
- Visibility2
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 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
6
4
9
4
4
36
71
9
4
5
2
1
2
2
3
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 6 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2013 | 9 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 36 |
| 2017 | 71 |
| 2018 | 9 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 1 |
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.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Air bags
112 reports2 crashes4 related recalls
“TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND DEALERSHIP MENTIONED THERE IS NO PROBLEM. I KEEP GETTING LETTERS FROM YOU BY THE WEEK AND MY AVIN SHOWS ON YOUR RECALL DATABASE. WHEN I GO TO THE MANUFACTURER'S DATABASE, IT DOESN'T. SO, WHAT DO I NEED TO DO?”
Structure
9 reports1 related recall
“I am writing to report a serious safety hazard regarding the factory paint and primer on my 2011 Toyota 4Runner (Paint Code: [ 070 for Blizzard Pearl]). The vehicle is experiencing severe, widespread paint delamination where areas of factory paint are peeling cleanly away from the metal body panels while driving. This is a known manufacturing defect involving a chemical failure of the factory primer, which Toyota previously acknowledged under Customer Support Program ZKG. This manufacturing failure has created distinct, immediate safety hazards on public roadways. Blinding Glare / Driver Distraction: Because the paint has completely peeled away in sections on the hood, the bare, highly reflective eco-coat/metal underneath is completely exposed and getting worse day by day. During peak daylight hours, the sun reflects off these large exposed areas directly into my line of sight, causing sudden, blinding glare that severely impairs my vision while operating the vehicle. Toyota has refused to remedy this manufacturing defect case number : 260612000716, citing that the vehicle is outside of their arbitrary calendar-based extension program (ZKG), despite the fact…”
Service brakes
6 reports
“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 cost around $2,000 plus labor. It’s very dangerous that someone have this issue on the road.”
Electrical system
6 reports
“I was driving my truck and needed to use the horn to warn another driver of a potential collision. My horn did not work. I later noticed that the horn only stopped working when the steering wheel was in the forward position. I researched this online, and it was stated that this was a known issue with many Toyotas including the 4runner. It is the clock spring in the steering wheel which needs replacement. Another issue is the price Toyota is charging for the clock spring at $800 which may deter customers from fixing it. I am fixing mine and ask for nothing except consideration in forcing a recall. This is dangerous. I can send you the defective clock spring if you would like it. I bought the vehicle but live in Canada.”
Engine
6 reports1 fire
“CARLOS AND GEORGE OF KINGS OF CARS WORK (323) 213-3845 MOBILE +1 323-503-3983 HOME 5911 E. OLYMPIC BLVD LOS ANGELES , CA 90022 THEY SOLD ME THIS CAR WITH ODOMETER READING 84,000 MILES AROUND MARCH 2018...AFTER 2 WEEKS CAR WAS SHAKING AND NOT TURNING PROPERLY, AND STEERING WHEEL WAS BOUNCING WHEN DRIVING...TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC, THEY HAD ME REPLACE ALL 4 TIRES, REALIGNED, BALANCE AND BACK BRAKES. 2 MONTHS LATER, PROBLEM REAPPEARED AND WORST. TOOK IT BACK TO GEORGE, HE GOT HIS MECHANIC DO SAME THING AGAIN, PLUS REPLACES FRONT BAKES, 2 MONTHS LATER TOOK IT TO TOYOTA FOR A AIR BAG SAFETY RECALL, WHILE THERE I ASKED TOYOTA TO LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE, TOYOTA FOUND OUT FROM RUNNING THEIR CARFAX REPORT THAT THIS SAME VEHICLE WAS RECORDED SEVERAL TIMES AT MECHANICS WITH LAST RECORDED MILEAGE IN 2017 OF 194,000 MILES, TOYOTA URGED ME TO RETURN CAR TO GEORGE KING CAR BECAUSE MORE SAFETY ISSUES MIGHT BE PRESENT SINCE CAR HAVING BALANCING ISSUES AND VIRRING OFF THE ROAD. CAR WAS RETURNED ONN8/18/2018, UNFORTUNATELY [XXX] CLAIMED NO KNOWLEDGE OF ISSUE AND CAR WILL BE DEALT WITH. IN JANUARY 2019 TO MAY 2019 I RECEIVED SEVERAL PARKING TICKETS IN PLACES I HAVE NEVER BEEN PLUS DMV…”
Power train
6 reports
“WATER ENTERS TRANSMISSION THROUGH DEFECT IN SAFETY NEUTRAL SWITCH CAUSING TRANSMISSION INPUT SHAFT TO MALFUNCTION CAUSES DELAY IN TRANSMISSION ENGAGING THEN JUMPS INTO GEAR. VEHICLE STATIONARY”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.