2021 TOYOTA 4Runner

Recalls, Specs & Safety Report

Expert Verdict
Good Reliability

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner displays an impressive reliability profile despite the single recall, which relates to equipment labeling issues. With a primary failure range occurring at low mileage, prospective buyers should remain vigilant for early detection of any component wear.

Key Factor:Minor labeling issue

📋Why This Matters

In the competitive landscape of midsize SUVs, the absence of significant recalls is a testament to Toyota's engineering commitment, particularly with the 4Runner's reputation built over decades. The identified recall pertains solely to misleading load-carrying capacity labels; this does not affect vehicle performance or safety directly but indicates an adherence gap in regulatory compliance. Buyers can take comfort knowing that overall manufacturing quality remains high amidst these minor discrepancies.

Focus Area:Safety Profile
📊

Expert Analysis

  • 📈
    Recall Trend:No Change in recalls
  • ⚠️
    Primary Risk Area:Warning
  • ⚖️
    Vs Brand: Better than avg (1.5)
    📝
    Summary: Year-over-year, the Toyota 4Runner has demonstrated consistent safety standards and reliability. This model year holds up well against broader industry expectations, given its minor recall status and the absence of severe defects.

Safety & Reliability Score

91/100

Score Breakdown

Recall Impact-8
Complaint Impact-1.45
Investigation Impact-0

Technical Specifications

Key specifications for the 2021 TOYOTA 4Runner

Model Year2021
MakeTOYOTA
Model4Runner
Fuel TypeGasoline
Body ClassPassenger Vehicle

Safety History Timeline

Dec20
ISSUEFirst Report
Jan21
NEWProduction
Jun22
RECALLRecall Issued

Consumer Complaint Analysis

⚠️

Most Reported Issue

9 complaints (31% of total)
➡️

Complaint Trend

Stable
No trend data

Safety Incidents

No critical incidents

Complaint Severity Distribution

Breakdown of 29 consumer complaints by severity level.

🟠High
3(10%)
🟡Medium
5(17%)
🟢Low
21(72%)

Mileage Failure Analysis

⚙️Engineering Insight

The peak failure range of 0-20k indicates that initial ownership stages are critical for potential issues. Owners should be proactive in monitoring any signs of trouble as they settle into their new vehicle, particularly within this early mileage window.

📊 Mileage data extracted from 8 of 29 complaints (28% coverage)
0-20k
4 reports (50%)
20k-40k
3 reports (38%)
40k-60k
0 reports (0%)
60k-80k
0 reports (0%)
80k-100k
0 reports (0%)
100k+
1 reports (13%)
* Analysis based on mileage data extracted from consumer complaint descriptions. Actual failure rates may vary.

🛠️ DIY Diagnosis Center

Experiencing an issue? Select a symptom to find official manufacturer solutions (TSBs).

Primary Risk Areas

EQUIPMENT

🎯Risk Areas & Recommended Actions

Based on recall data, these components require verification:

1

Load Carrying Capacity Labels

Issue: Incorrect labeling potentially leading to load miscalculations.

Verify label accuracy and consult dealer for updates immediately.

🔍

Request confirmation that label modifications have been performed correctly before purchasing.

Campaign:21V-153
💡Visit NHTSA.gov or contact your TOYOTA dealer to verify recall completion status.

Official Safety Recalls (1)

Campaign: 22V480000

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Summary

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."

Consequence

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.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Manufacturer: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC

NHTSA Investigations

0 investigations

No active investigations for this vehicle.

Consumer Complaints

29 total complaints

Consumer-reported issues submitted to NHTSA for 2021 4Runner.

Common Reported SymptomsAI Analysis

Warning31%
Shake31%
Accident7%
Fire7%
Engine/Powertrain🔵 Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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 Toyota dealer.

Electrical🔵 Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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 exiting vehicle and/or entering it if in dangerous situation. I have been communicating with local Toyota dealership for months about repairing these defective items, They have acknowledged awareness of an issue with the actuators, but have offered no help. I have read there is a class action lawsuit pending about this issue. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Electrical🔵 Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,SEATS

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 unable to detect the issue that day. We planned to return the vehicle Thursday July 17. I dropped it off at 10am and never heard from the dealership again that day. Friday, July 18th I contacted the service advisor around 10 am to get an update in which he said they were looking into it. Friday afternoon, I received a call from the service advisor letting me know that the front passenger Occupant ECU had malfunctioned, costing approximately $1000. After researching this, I learned that Toyota has issued many recalls on this issue with other models. I called Toyota headquarters to see how they would rectify this but ended the conversation with no solution other than it is the consumer’s liability. This is a safety issue that should fall back on the manufacturer, especially given the history of recalls issued on this specific defect.

Brakes🔵 Low
SERVICE BRAKES

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 have seen multiple complaints online from other 4Runner owners with the same issues. My vehicle has less than 60,000 miles and I commute 5 miles a day to work on surface streets. I do not take it off Roading. I do not tow. I drive 5 miles to work and 5 miles home. I have been driving for over 30 years and have never had to replace brakes and rotors every nine months. Right after we purchased the vehicle, we brought it in saying the brakes did not feel right. My husband thought they needed to be adjusted. We were told the brakes are hydraulic brakes and do not require adjustment. But the brakes have felt off since we first got them. Toyota service insist that they have inspected the vehicle fully and have found no issues.

Engine/Powertrain🔶 Medium
POWER TRAIN,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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 vehicle. Three days later, a series of warning lights and check engine lights turned on, which has occurred 6 other times, and has been brought to local Toyota dealer multiple times (over six times) and no fix has been conducted to repair the vehicle other than resetting the vehicles ECU. When all of the warning lights turn on, the vehicle loses 2nd gear and juts itself forward and becomes extremely difficult to control to the point where I have almost gotten into life threatening accidents over 4 times. Toyota has acknowledged that they do not know what is wrong with the vehicle and is unsure how to fix it. This is a safety concern that is not getting enough attention and needs to be rectified before someone or myself ends up killing ourselves

Steering/Suspension🔵 Low
SUSPENSION

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 clunking is back in full force. Seems to be an ongoing problem if you google clunking fox shocks Toyota TRD 4Runner.

Brakes🔶 Medium
SERVICE BRAKES

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 garage and saw NO fluid under the vehicle. The next morning the vehicle was towed the the dealer collision shop and then taken to the service department at the dealer. This problem; ,after almost 2 months was never solved....corporate offices checked the data recorder...no conclusions.....and implied this problem did not occur. The body is now being repaired yet no brake problem has been ever repaired. ( under warranty....31,967 miles ). I understand a similar problem occured in New Jersey although on the road and the driver had to be removed through the sunroof and the vehicle was totaled.

Steering/Suspension🔵 Low
SUSPENSION

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 recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN was not available.

Steering/Suspension🔵 Low
STEERING

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 not problem has been found when they verified the vehicle but they noticed the issue.

Steering/Suspension🔵 Low
STEERING,SUSPENSION

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 have been dealing with the issue of sometimes excessive steering wheel shake and a feeling of unstable suspension issues in the front end during highway speeds of 60-70 MPH. In researching this model of Toyota it appears this is a well documented problem that has not been addressed by Toyota.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are common issues reported with the 2021 Toyota 4Runner?

Most issues reported involve minor equipment-related complaints, primarily focused on labeling inaccuracies rather than direct performance failures. It's essential to verify whether these recalls were addressed prior to purchase.

How does the reliability of the 2021 Toyota 4Runner compare to previous models?

The reliability trend for the 2021 model shows improvements in core areas without significant recalls or defects compared to earlier models. This confirms Toyota's ongoing commitment to quality in their SUV lineup.

📊Year-over-Year Context

➡️Stable Pattern

Compared to earlier years, the 2021 model shows stable reliability patterns. No meaningful structural change detected in recall frequency between adjacent model years.

🧭What This Means for You

Both current owners and prospective buyers benefit from reviewing this safety analysis before making decisions.

If you're unsure, we recommend starting with a VIN check or consulting a certified mechanic.

🔑

If You Own This Vehicle

  • Immediate Action: If any recalls are listed as 'incomplete', contact a certified TOYOTA service center—repairs are performed at no cost to you.
  • Unaddressed recalls pose real-world risks. Prioritize scheduling any pending repairs to maintain vehicle integrity.
  • Proactive tip: Enroll in TOYOTA's owner notification program for real-time safety updates.
🛒

If You're Buying Used

  • Request the VIN from the seller and verify the 'Clean' recall status via NHTSA.
  • This specific 4Runner year is noted for its strong reliability foundations.

This page is designed to help you decide, not alarm you.

Compare with Similar Vehicles

Data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Last updated: February 23, 2026.