NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 36 owner complaints for the 2021 Toyota 4Runner. Most complaints involve steering (13) and suspension (10). The EPA rates it 17 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2020-2022 4Runner vehicles equipped with 20-inch Black Gunner Wheels. The load carrying capacity modification labels are incorrect. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each 4Runner model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 165 |
| 1997 | 264 |
| 1998 | 264 |
| 1999 | 332 |
| 2000 | 493 |
| 2001 | 190 |
| 2002 | 251 |
| 2003 | 708 |
| 2004 | 678 |
| 2005 | 425 |
| 2006 | 381 |
| 2007 | 154 |
| 2008 | 96 |
| 2009 | 22 |
| 2010 | 147 |
| 2011 | 163 |
| 2012 | 96 |
| 2013 | 36 |
| 2014 | 77 |
| 2015 | 86 |
| 2016 | 81 |
| 2017 | 36 |
| 2018 | 60 |
| 2019 | 65 |
| 2020 | 33 |
| 2021 | 36 |
| 2022 | 39 |
| 2023 | 33 |
| 2024 | 10 |
| 2025 | 60 |
“While vehicle was parked and not in use, upon entering the vehicle, the steering wheel/column dropped out of its locked position on its own. Disassembly of the steering column revealed that the tilt-lock mechanism's steering lock fracture bolt has broken in half on the right side. This cause the steering wheel to fall out of a locked position and allowed the entire column to rotate skewed to the left side. The steering wheel became dangerous to use as it was in a freed position that allowed the entire column to move while providing inputs into the steering wheel. Had this occurred while the vehicle was in motion, it could have caused a sudden loss of steering control and significantly increased the risk of a crash or injury. The problem was confirmed by an independent mechanic upon teardown of the steering column, who visually verified the broken fracture bolt and the resulting free movement of the column. There were no dashboard warning signs, error messages, or noticeable symptoms prior to this event. The column simply came loose and dropped when entering the vehicle after it had been parked. The vehicle had about 120,000 miles at the time of failure.”
“TRD PRO MODEL Clunk at low speeds. FOX shocks on TRD PRO make clunking sound at low speeds. Toyota replaced 3 shocks under warranty. The 3rd one they charged me labor but covered the shock. Car has highway miles and very little time spent off road as I live in NY. As of today clunking is back in full force. Seems to be an ongoing problem if you google clunking fox shocks Toyota TRD 4Runner.”
“Today while I was driving home from work, in a snow storm, suddenly a low braking power notification and ABS malfunction popped up on my console with loud beeping and my brakes completely stopped working. In order to avoid hitting the car in front of me I had to swerve to the shoulder and come to a stop.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4Runner 2WD Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 19 | 17 | $3,800 | 503 |
| 4Runner 4WD Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 4.0 L, Part-time 4WD · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 16 | 19 | 17 | $3,800 | 515 |
| 4Runner 4WD Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 4.0 L · All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 19 | 17 | $3,800 | 515 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
1 safety recall as of Nov 3, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 36 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are steering (13), suspension (10), service brakes (6). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2021 Toyota 4Runner at 17 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2021 Toyota 4Runner 4 out of 5 stars overall.