Complaint volume
33 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
Complaint records
2021 Toyota 4Runner Complaints
33 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2021 Toyota 4Runner, grouped by component category.
33 Total complaints
3 Crash reports
1 Fire reports
1 Injury reports
Complaint data reflects consumer-submitted reports. A complaint is not proof
of a defect, recall, or manufacturer fault. Enriched severity fields come
from official bulk records when the complaint can be matched by ODI number.
Buyer interpretation
How to use these complaints before buying
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
Pattern to inspect
The most common categories are steering, service brakes, steering,suspension. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Severity flags
Enriched records include 3 crash reports, 1 fire report, 1 injury report, and 0 fatality reports. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 3 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 1,262 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to steering, service brakes, steering,suspension?
- Can I see recent maintenance and repair records?
- Has the vehicle ever been towed, involved in a crash, or repaired for the same issue twice?
- Can we also check the recall record for this 2021 Toyota 4Runner?
Used-car checklist
Use these complaints before the test drive.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
2021 Toyota 4Runner
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2021 Toyota 4Runner complaints?
3 Crash
1 Fire
1 Injury
0 Fatality
2 Towed
1 Medical attention
What are the most common 2021 Toyota 4Runner complaint categories?
STEERING 5
SERVICE BRAKES 4
STEERING,SUSPENSION 4
BACK OVER PREVENTION 2
STEERING,SUSPENSION,WHEELS 2
SUSPENSION 2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,SEATS 1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER 1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 1
33 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 2021 | STEERING,SUSPENSION | *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). | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2021 | SERVICE 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 appeared at all before, during or after the incident. This occurred between 3-4 pm in Custer, SD on Main Street during clear weather. The vehicle was hauled to Toyota dealer in Rapid City, SD the next morning, May 28th. They could not duplicate the issue, brakes appeared to work fine. They found no fluid leaks and no computer trouble codes. Dealer says they can't diagnose and fix it unless they can replicate the issue. I asked how brakes can completely fail and then work fine again - they don't know. After this brake failure I have found several other 4Runner owners who have experienced this same failure, under similar conditions and speeds. Other owners have also submitted incident reports to NHTSA. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2021 | STEERING | 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. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2021 | SUSPENSION,WHEELS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 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. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2021 | STEERING | 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. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2021 | STEERING,SUSPENSION,WHEELS | 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 READ REPORTS WHERE THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM BEFORE WITH A LOT OF 4 RUNNERS. I'M DISAPPOINTED WITH THE CUSTOMER SERVICE AS WELL THERE. PLEASE HELP ME RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM. I REALLY LOVE THE VEHICLE BUT AT 60-65MPH THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AND THE 4RUNNER WANTS TO PULL TO THE RIGHT. | Crash: No Fire: No | 350 |
| Jan 2021 | VISIBILITY/WIPER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 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 TO ICE AND SNOW BUILDUP ON THE FORWARD SENSOR, LOCATED ON THE FRONT GRILLE (SEE PHOTO 2). PROBLEM COULD ONLY BE RECTIFIED BY STOPPING AND PHYSICALLY REMOVING THE ICE BUILDUP, AS REFERENCED IN THE TOYOTA OWNER'S MANUAL, PAGE 252. I RECOMMEND THE SENSOR BE RELOCATED IN FRONT OF THE REAR VIEW MIRROR HIGH ON THE WINDSHIELD, WHERE WINDSHIELD DEFROST AND THE ANGLE OF THE GLASS WILL REDUCE OR ELIMINATE THE BUILDUP. IN THE SHORT TERM, PERHAPS A PLASTIC AIR DEFLECTOR OR SHIELD CAN BE FABRICATED WHICH WILL KEEP ICE FROM INTERFERING WITH THE SENSOR. FAILURE 2: HEADLIGHT HIGH BEAM FAILURE. THE DESIGN OF THE HEADLIGHT COVER FACILITATES ICE BUILDUP OVER THE ENTIRE STRUCTURE (SEE PHOTO 3). SINCE THE HIGH BEAM BULB IS INBOARD AND AFT OF THE LOW BEAM BULB, IT CANNOT PENETRATE THE ICE BUILDUP AT ALL, AND MAKES THE HIGH BEAMS COMPLETELY INEFFECTIVE. WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE: OUTSIDE AIR TEMP: 30 TO 32 DEGREES; NIGHT; HEAVY SNOW; ALTITUDE: 3,000 TO 6,563 FEET. | Crash: No Fire: No | 637 |
| Dec 2020 | 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. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |