2021 Toyota 4Runner Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Best The 2021 Toyota 4Runner ranks 17th worst of 21 model years, with a complaint index of 20 and 36 complaints, earning a Best verdict relative to other 4Runner years. Steering (36% of complaints) and suspension (33%) are the top concerns, with one recall on file.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 20/100
- #17 of 21 4Runner years
- Verdict
- Best
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 36
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 3
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Steering
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 17
- 16 city / 19 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2021 Toyota 4Runner problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Steering13 (36%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires12 (33%)
- Brakes6 (17%)
- Electrical System6 (17%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras4 (11%)
- Visibility & Wipers3 (8%)
- Other2 (6%)
- Structure & Body2 (6%)
- Airbags1 (3%)
- Engine1 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Steering wheel shimmies or shakes between roughly 50 and 65 mph, sometimes worse on cold mornings, and persists even after dealer rebalancing and alignment attempts.
- Brake pedal reportedly went to the floor with little or no stopping power, in one case leading to a collision.
- A parked 2021 4Runner reportedly caught fire in an enclosed garage at low mileage, resulting in a total loss of the vehicle.
- Rear backup camera reportedly failed intermittently, leading to a reversing collision when the driver expected the camera feed to be active.
- Forward collision-warning sensor reportedly triggered false failure alerts during a snowstorm due to ice and snow buildup on the front grille sensor.
- Tire pressure reportedly measured far above the tire's stated maximum on a nearly new vehicle.
2021 Toyota 4Runner recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 22V480000Jul 6, 2022Other280 vehicles
Equipment:other:labels
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."
Risk: An incorrect label may lead to unintentionally overloading the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: SET will mail replacement labels to owners, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 4, 2022. Owners may contact SET's customer service at 954-429-2000. SET's number for this recall is SET22A.
2021 Toyota 4Runner fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16 MPG
- Highway
- 19 MPG
- Combined
- 17 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,800
- 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.
2021 compared with other 4Runner years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Toyota 4Runner reliable?
- Among 21 model years of the 4Runner, 2021 ranks 17th worst with a complaint index of 20, earning a Best verdict relative to other years. It has 36 complaints and only one recall.
- What is the top problem area for the 2021 Toyota 4Runner?
- Steering is the top problem area, accounting for 13 complaints and 36% of all complaints, with a median mileage at failure of 350 miles. Suspension, wheels and tires follow closely at 33%.
- Does the 2021 Toyota 4Runner have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists one recall for the 2021 4Runner, covering incorrect load carrying capacity labels on vehicles with 20-inch Black Gunner Wheels. It is not a do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2021 4Runner compare to other years?
- The 2021 model has a complaint index of 20 versus much higher indexes for years like 2006 (100) and 2025 (95), which are rated Avoid. Only 2013, 2017, and 2024 rank better among 4Runner years.
- Are there brake or fire issues reported for the 2021 4Runner?
- NHTSA complaints include brake pedals reportedly going to the floor, tied to 2 crashes among 6 brake complaints, and one fire report among 6 electrical system complaints.