2011 Toyota 4Runner Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2011 Toyota 4Runner has a Complaint Index of 80, ranking 5th worst of 21 model years and earning an Avoid verdict. Airbags dominate the complaints (112 of 163, 69% share) with 10 recall campaigns on record.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 80/100
- #5 of 21 4Runner years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 163
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 10
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 4
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 3
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 19
- 17 city / 22 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
Top 2011 Toyota 4Runner problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags fail to deploy during moderate-speed crashes, including a head-on collision and a rear-end impact.
- Tie rod and wheel components have fractured while driving around 40 mph, causing loss of steering control.
- Brakes have reportedly failed to respond, leading to repeat crashes within a short span of ownership.
- The steering wheel jerks abnormally, especially after the vehicle sits unused, and repeated dealer visits and tire replacements have not resolved it.
- Smoke and flames have appeared from the center console area without any warning lights illuminating first.
- The automatic transmission shifts harshly and RPMs fluctuate unpredictably on downhill highway driving.
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?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2011 4Runner ranks 5th worst among 21 model years with a Complaint Index of 80, resulting in an Avoid verdict relative to other 4Runner years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2011 Toyota 4Runner?
- Airbags are the top problem area, accounting for 112 of 163 complaints (69% share), with a median mileage at failure of 62,500 miles.
- Does the 2011 Toyota 4Runner have an airbag recall?
- Yes. NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for the 2011 4Runner, including two separate airbag inflator recalls (19V741000 and 16V340000).
- How does the 2011 4Runner compare to other years?
- The 2011 model's Complaint Index of 80 is worse than most other 4Runner years; only 2005 (90), 2006 (100), and 2025 (95) score higher, while years like 2013 and 2024 earn Best verdicts with much lower indexes.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2011 Toyota 4Runner?
- The EPA rates the 2011 4Runner at 19 mpg combined (17 city / 22 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,400.