2001 Toyota 4RUNNER Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 3%of 185 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 110,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the electrical system of the 2001 Toyota 4RUNNER, 3% of the 185 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 110,500 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving my truck on a city street in brooklyn, new york ( flatbush ave) when I suddenly smelled smoke followed by fire coming from the hood. I did not hit any bump and was not involved in any accident. By the time the fire department came, the entire front compartment of the truck was on fire.”
NHTSA complaint #11066126, filed 2018-01, 112,000 miles“Less than 20000 miles after I had a remanufactured transmission installed, by Toyota, in my 2001 Toyota 4runner the vehicle became unresponsive to throttle input. The engine was running but the vehicle would not move in any gear. I put the vehicle in park and let off of the brake and the vehicle began rolling backwards down the hill. I applied the foot brake to keep the car from rolling further and shut off the vehicle. After a few minutes I started the vehicle back up low and behold, the vehicle operated normally. …”
NHTSA complaint #10321004, filed 2010-03, 175,000 miles“Drove to store, parked car, shopped , got in car put key in ignition and key would not turn , tried turning wheel was stranded for 1 hour 45 minutes pulling and turning steering wheel . Next day same thing happened and it has been happening ever since. Called Toyota of runnemede nj was told it was a safety feature and they get about 7 calls a day from stranded customers. And to turn the wheel, jiggle the key and the locked steering wheel should disengage. This has not helped at all. …”
NHTSA complaint #10133095, filed 2005-08, 36,889 miles“Dt: Toyota 4 RUNNER, when driving between 35-40 MPH vehicle shut off and it came a stop. The first time this happened was 1 month ago. Vehicle was on a street and not on the freeway. Consumer will take vehicle to the dealership tomorrow. Consumer talked to Toyota, and was advised to bring the 4 RUNNER in for service. Toyota had not heard of stalling in this vehicle. The 4 RUNNER had to be in parked, and did start right back up. There was no delay in getting the vehicle started again. There was no noise, and the dashboard lights did not coming on before vehicle died.”
NHTSA complaint #10123930, filed 2005-06, 49,000 miles“The contact owns a 2001 Toyota 4RUNNER. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the check engine indicator illuminated and the traction control became disabled. The dealer stated that the programming of the computer needed to be reconfigured. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10644643, filed 2014-10, 120,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10238157May 30, 2023TSB: The Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset is a feature that allows the registration of new keys when all master keys are lost. Once the system is reset, all previously registered…
- 10164330Jul 1, 2019TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 01, 2019 Rev2: ? Applicability has been updated to 2019 ? 2020 model year Toyota vehicles. ? The Techstream Preparation and Process Overview sections…
- 10133654Nov 22, 2017TSB: REVISION NOTICE November 22, 2017 Rev1: ? Applicability has been updated to include 2014 ? 2018 model year vehicles. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin should be…
- 10152205Jan 6, 2017TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes SB No. T-SB-0101-11. Applicability has been updated to include 2016 ? 2017 model year vehicles…
- 10132930Nov 29, 2016TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE: September 14, 2016: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0134-16.
- 10150418Sep 14, 2016TSB: Supersession Notice. Flash reprogramming allows the ECU software to be updated without replacing the ECU. Flash calibration updates for specific vehicle models/ECUs are…
- 10134140Jan 11, 2016Tech Tip: Some customers may experience difficulty programming HomeLink.
- 10134223Sep 15, 2015TT: The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power to the Engine ECM has been interrupted.
- 10096556Sep 15, 2015Tt: the vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power to the engine ecm has been interrupted.
- 10132529Aug 24, 2015TechTip: Condition - The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power to the Engine ECM has been…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 14% |
| 2025 | 8 | 13% |
| 2024 | 2 | 20% |
| 2022 | 2 | 5% |
| 2021 | 3 | 8% |
| 2020 | 1 | 3% |
| 2019 | 8 | 12% |
| 2018 | 4 | 7% |
| 2017 | 5 | 14% |
| 2016 | 18 | 23% |
| 2015 | 13 | 15% |
| 2014 | 24 | 31% |
| 2013 | 4 | 11% |
| 2012 | 6 | 6% |
| 2011 | 6 | 4% |
| 2010 | 4 | 3% |
| 2009 | 4 | 18% |
| 2008 | 5 | 5% |
| 2007 | 13 | 8% |
| 2006 | 18 | 5% |
| 2005 | 9 | 2% |
| 2004 | 22 | 3% |
| 2003 | 12 | 2% |
| 2002 | 3 | 1% |
| 2001 | 6 | 3% |
| 2000 | 4 | 1% |
| 1999 | 17 | 5% |
| 1998 | 11 | 4% |
| 1997 | 6 | 2% |
| 1996 | 3 | 2% |
| 1995 | 6 | 3% |
| 1993 | 5 | 10% |
| 1992 | 6 | 11% |
| 1990 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2001 Toyota 4RUNNER
81 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
32 complaintsSuspension
27 complaintsOther or unknown
25 complaintsEngine cooling
13 complaintsBrakes
9 complaintsSteering
8 complaintsTires
7 complaintsAir bags
6 complaintsEngine
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsElectronic stability control
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Toyota 4RUNNER
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology