2021 Toyota 4runner: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2021 Toyota 4runner? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 32 complaints, with Steering Defects as the top reported area.
2021 Toyota 4runner Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 3 2021 Toyota 4runner trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 3 trims analysed.
2021 Toyota 4runner Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Program2 variants tested — showing 2021 Toyota 4RUNNER SUV AWDOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
24.6% rollover risk
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
24.6% probability
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2021 Toyota 4runner has 32 owner complaints, 3 crash-related complaints, and 1 recall campaign on record. The most frequently reported component is Steering Defects. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.
- Make
- Toyota
- Model
- 4runner
- Model year
- 2021
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 32
- Crash-related complaints
- 3
- Safety recall campaigns
- 1
- Top reported component
- Steering Defects
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 17
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 16 / 19
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- NHTSA overall safety rating
- 4/5 stars
- NHTSA frontal crash rating
- 4/5 stars
- NHTSA side crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 3/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Most Common 2021 Toyota 4runner Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Steering Defects
Suspension Failures
Brake System
Complaint patterns center on Steering Defects, Suspension Failures, Brake System. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2021 Toyota 4runner?
The 2021 Toyota 4runner shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
What to Check Before Buying a Used 2021 Toyota 4runner
Inspection Focus
- Inspect steering components for any signs of looseness or unusual noise.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for reported components, especially steering and suspension.
- Have a mechanic inspect the brake system and wheels before purchase.
Before You Close the Deal
- Inspect steering components for any signs of looseness or unusual noise.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for reported components, especially steering and suspension.
- Have a mechanic inspect the brake system and wheels before purchase.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2021 Toyota 4runner, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Complaints for the 2021 Toyota 4Runner are concentrated in steering and suspension components, with a moderate number of brake and wheel issues. Crash-related complaints are few, and the overall confidence in the data is low due to the small sample size.
- Steering defects account for the highest number of complaints among the listed components.
- Suspension failures are the second most reported issue, with 10 complaints.
- Brake system complaints total 6, indicating a recurring theme in stopping performance.
- Steering Defects
- Suspension Failures
- Brake System
All 2021 Toyota 4runner Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Toyota 4runner. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering Defects | 11 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 10 | — | — | — | |
| Brake System | 6 | 2 | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 3 | — | 1 | — | |
| Back Over Prevention | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Real Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2021 Toyota 4runner. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
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 sho…
My backup camera does not work consistently. It will sometimes come on and show objects behind me; other times it is a black screen. I have read where Toyota models from 2022 to newer, but not including the 4 Runner, are having major issues with the back up camera and are unde…
Rear backup camera has been failing or intermittently working, it is available for insp[ection upon request. This has created a situation upon reversing in driveway where I expect it to be on and dont see a vehicle or trailer behind me. I have hit a parked car because I was expec…
Vehicle was diagnosed from a mechanic with no fuel pressure due to not starting. Vehicle has approximately 135,000 miles and had no warnings or indications of problem. It appears when VIN was ran on gov. recall that Honda had issues with fuel pump. Vehicle will be inspected by To…
Several door lock actuators have prematurely failed. The first to do so was front passenger door in summer 2024; front driver door lock failed a few months after. Most recently, approximately 4 months ago, the lock actuator for liftgate failed. This poses safety hazard in easily …
Saturday morning July 12th after starting my vehicle, a warning was presented “SRS AIRBAG SYSTEM MALFUNCTION”. I immediately took it to the dealership where they ran diagnostics. The service advisor admitted he nor his mechanic had ever seen anything like that before. They were u…
My brakes and rotors are requiring replacement after less than 10,000. I purchased my vehicle used with less than 15,000 miles. My brakes and rotors have been replaced three times in the last 45,000 miles. The dealership denies any malfunction or error with the breaking system. I…
As the vehicle was traveling on a highway at 35 mph the vehicle shut off electronically three times and powered itself back on after 15 seconds or so of continuous cruising on the highway. Unable to accelerate or control the vehicle while the electronic component shut off in the …
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 …
While pulling this vehicle in to my garage about halfway in the brake pedal went to the floor and the vehicle hit a bench on the opposite side of the entrance. After pumping the brakes after waiting about 10 minutes they seemed to work normally. I backed the vehicle out of the g…
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota 4Runner. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23E051000 (Suspension) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the re…
I have a Toyota 4runner 2021. I'm actually presenting steering wheel shake and a feeling of unstable suspension issues in the front end during highway speeds more than 60 MPH. I when to the dealership and they align and balance the tires. But problem still happens. They said that…
I purchased the vehicle from a Dealer. During a test drive I noticed a shake in the steering wheel that represented a wheel balance issue. The dealership acknowledged that, according to their techs that it was a wheel issue. A new set of tires was ordered mounted and balanced. I …
was going to work on rt 80 east had cruise control on and was getting off exit 45 in new jersey to get bus into manhattan at approx 430 amwhile getting off highway stepped on brakes pedal went to floor tried pumping nothing happened nor did criuise control disengage or collision…
At speeds above 45 miles and hour, the steering wheel begins to nibble / shake which creates an unsafe driving situation. Vehicle has had alignment performed, and new tires balanced which still has not resolved issue.
Yokohama 245/60r20 Geolander G96 that came with my brand new 2021 Toyota 4Runner Limited I purchased in December 2020. Over the last several weeks every 7 to 10 days I have needed to put air in all 4 tires. Then I was driving on a smooth paved street arriving at work my low press…
Bought the vehicle brand new and have been dealing with a steering wheel/vehicle shake ever since. The vehicle feels out of control around 55-65mph(like death wobble) and the ride is rough at any speed over 50mph. This has been a serious issue on the highway with instances of cro…
Driving up to 60mph the steering wheel vibrates excessively. I have taken it to the dealer and got repairs to fix it but 2 days later it returned. I had wheels balanced and rotated with an alignment. I fear I will loose control of the suv soon.
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the sunroof exploded, sending glass inside the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with needing the sunroof to be replaced however, the …
When carrying cargo, the cutoff of the LED low beam headlamps is shifted upward blinding on coming traffic and dazzling other drivers. This requires the driver to manually adjust the angle of headlight projection under the hood of the vehicle, as there is not automatic system to …
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2021 Toyota 4runner.
2021 Toyota 4runner Recalls
1 campaignNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2021 Toyota 4runner. 1 recall campaign is on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
2021 Toyota 4runner Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2021 Toyota 4runner reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 32 owner complaints, 3 crash-related complaints, and 1 recall campaign for this model year. The 2021 Toyota 4runner shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Toyota 4runner?▾
#1: Steering Defects (11 complaints). #2: Suspension Failures (10 complaints). #3: Brake System (6 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2021 Toyota 4runner?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2021 Toyota 4runner?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2021 Toyota 4runner, NHTSA complaints include 3 crash-related reports and 1 fire reports out of 32 total complaints. 1 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2021 Toyota 4runner have any recalls?▾
Yes. 1 NHTSA recall campaign affect the 2021 Toyota 4runner. A major recall area is EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS. 1 recall campaign is on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2021 Toyota 4runner?▾
The 2021 Toyota 4runner shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Steering Defects during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Toyota 4runner reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2021 Toyota 4runner based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.