2011 Toyota 4Runner Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
87/100
#3 most-complained of 16 4Runner years
The 2011 Toyota 4Runner ranks 3rd worst out of 16 model years, with a complaint index of 87 and 163 NHTSA complaints. Airbags account for 69% of complaints, backed by 10 recalls, giving it an Avoid verdict relative to other 4Runner years.
- Complaints
- 163
- Recalls
- 10
- Crashes / fires
- 4 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 19
- 17 city / 22 hwy
Top 2011 Toyota 4Runner problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags112 (69%)
- Structure & Body13 (8%)
- Brakes9 (6%)
- Engine9 (6%)
- Other9 (6%)
- Electrical System7 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires6 (4%)
- Transmission & Powertrain6 (4%)
- Steering5 (3%)
- Visibility & Wipers3 (2%)
What owners report
- Owners report frontal and side airbags failing to deploy during moderate-speed collisions, including a head-on crash at about 60 mph and a rear-end collision at about 20 mph.
- Some drivers say a tie rod and wheels fractured while driving 40 mph, causing loss of control and a crash into a tree.
- Owners describe smoke and flames coming from the center console area while driving at low speed, with no dashboard warning lights.
- Several complaints describe brakes locking up or not responding at various speeds, including two separate accidents tied to brake failure.
- Owners report harsh, intermittent shifting and RPM fluctuations between 1500 and 3000 on the automatic transmission at highway speeds.
- Some owners waiting on the airbag recall repair said replacement parts were unavailable for an extended period.
2011 Toyota 4Runner recalls
10 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 19V741000Oct 17, 2019Airbags928,220 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
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, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.
- NHTSA 19V005000Jan 9, 2019Airbags1,299,448 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
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 Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Toyota is also recalling certain 2011-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Lexus IS250, IS350, 2011-2016 4Runner, 2011-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2011-2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, 2011-2017 Lexus GX460, and 2011-2012 Lexus ES350 vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Toyota is also recalling certain 2010-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Lexus IS350, 2010-2016 4Runner, 2010-2013 Lexus IS250, 2010-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2010-2014 Lexus IS-F, and 2010-2012 Lexus ES350 vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are "Zone A" Toyota: G0P, Lexus: GLG; "Zone B" Toyota: G0R, Lexus GLH; "Zone C" Toyota: H0A, and Lexus: HLA.
- NHTSA 17V425000Jul 3, 2017Other3,547 vehicles
Equipment
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. The adhesive attaching the hood scoop may weaken, allowing the hood scoop to detach from the vehicle.
Risk: If the hood scoop detaches, it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
2011 Toyota 4Runner fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17 MPG
- Highway
- 22 MPG
- Combined
- 19 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,400
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2011 compared with other 4Runner years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Toyota 4Runner reliable?
- Compared to other 4Runner model years, 2011 ranks 3rd worst out of 16 years tracked, with a complaint index of 87 and 163 NHTSA complaints, earning an Avoid verdict relative to other years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2011 Toyota 4Runner?
- Airbags are the top problem area, making up 69% of complaints (112 of 163), with a median failure mileage of 62,500 miles.
- Does the 2011 Toyota 4Runner have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 10 recalls for the 2011 4Runner, covering airbags, engine exhaust tips, structure and body seat heaters, and an accessory hood scoop, with no do-not-drive recalls among them.
- How does the 2011 4Runner compare to other years?
- Its complaint index of 87 is higher than 2010 (73), 2012 (60), and most other years listed, with only 2022, 2023, and 2025 scoring worse among tracked years.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2011 Toyota 4Runner?
- The 2011 4Runner is rated at 19 mpg combined (17 city / 22 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,400.