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Toyota 4RUNNERModel year report

2011 Toyota 4RUNNER Problems

Compared with other Toyota 4RUNNER years

More complaints than typical for this model

65/100 1.4× a typical year · 50 = typical

Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2013

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
163filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
41,320miles, 50 complaints with mileage
Recalls
10campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
19 mpgcombined, 2.7L 4-cyl RWD · 18 city / 21 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2011 Toyota 4RUNNER (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often report the Takata passenger-side airbag inflator recall, typically as frustration that parts were unavailable and the front passenger seat sat unused for long periods. A second cluster of complaints covers heated seats that stayed hot after the switch was off, often with a burning smell, while other reports cover paint peeling, rust on the liftgate and frame areas, and steering vibration at highway speeds.

  1. Air bags

    Passenger airbag inflator recall waiting on parts

    • 104 complaints (64%)
    • median 58,750 mi at 6.2 yrs old (10 state mileage)
    • filed 2016–2019

    Many owners describe receiving a Takata airbag inflator recall notice and then being unable to get the part. They report calling the dealer and the manufacturer repeatedly and being given no date for a remedy, and in several cases they say they stopped using the front passenger seat in the meantime. Some owners asked about a loaner or trade-in assistance and said they were declined; a few describe airbags that did not deploy in a crash. Reported across a wide mileage range, from about 20,000 to over 130,000 miles, most commonly in the late 2010s while the recall remained open.

    Recall 16V340000Recall 19V005000Recall 19V741000

    What to check: Ask for proof that the passenger-side inflator recall was completed, and check the VIN against open campaigns before purchase. If it is still open, confirm parts availability with a dealer in writing.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Takata recall the problem with the air bags has not been resolved and it has been since may 2016. It is unreasonable that no solution has been found in this time period and I have been unable to use the front passenger seat for 6 months. I believe a rental car should be provided until the air bags have been corrected.”

    NHTSA complaint #10936060, filed 2016-12, 20,000 miles

    “Tamara recall: I have looked it up and found that my vehicle has takata air bags, yet there is no recall notification. From what I have researched the deployment of the bags could cause serious injury or possibly death. In my opinion a recall should be implemented asap”

    NHTSA complaint #11022944, filed 2017-09, 132,600 miles
  2. Body and structure

    Paint peeling on roof, doors and panels

    Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

    Owners report factory paint lifting and peeling in large patches from the roof, doors and side panels, in some cases exposing primer or bare metal. Several mention Blizzard Pearl paint specifically and a Toyota customer support program for it, and say they either never received the notice or missed the deadline and were told nothing further could be done. Some link the exposed areas to rust, particularly near the coast. Reported from roughly 10 years of age onward, often on vehicles kept outside or near salt air.

    What to check: Inspect the roof, hood, door tops and panel edges in good light for lifting or blistering paint, and ask whether any paint campaign or repaint work was done or is still open for this VIN.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I am writing to report a serious safety hazard regarding the factory paint and primer on my 2011 Toyota 4Runner (Paint Code: [ 070 for Blizzard Pearl]). The vehicle is experiencing severe, widespread paint delamination where areas of factory paint are peeling cleanly away from the metal body panels while driving. This is a known manufacturing defect involving a chemical failure of the factory primer, which Toyota previously acknowledged under Customer Support Program ZKG. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11743711, filed 2026-06

    “The Blizzard Pearl paint on my Toyota 4Runner is peeling in large patches, exposing the undercoat and compromising the vehicle’s integrity. Toyota issued a Customer Support Program (CSP) acknowledging this as a known defect affecting Blizzard Pearl paint, but I never received the notification. As a result, I missed the deadline to have the issue corrected, and Toyota has refused to assist. This widespread issue impacts resale value and could potentially lead to rust or corrosion. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11665572, filed 2025-06
  3. Body and structure

    Rust on liftgate, frame and underbody

    • 6 complaints (4%)
    • median 68,000 mi at 6.9 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
    • filed 2017–2023

    Complaints describe corrosion on the rear liftgate and hatch release, on door seams, and on underbody parts such as the rear crossmember and fuel tank strap. One owner reported holes through the liftgate and a detached tank strap; another described a rusted frame accompanied by heavy shaking at speed. Owners often say the vehicle was washed regularly and garage kept. Typically reported from about 60,000 miles upward, on vehicles several years old, sometimes in coastal or road-salt regions.

    What to check: Get underneath the vehicle and check the rear crossmember, tank strap mounts and liftgate bottom edge for scale or holes, and look at door seams. Have an independent shop inspect the frame before buying.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Rear frame cross memeber that also supports a bolt on hitch receiver and attaches to each of the vehicles side rails, that run the length of the vehicle is rusting. I have found several 1/4 inch rust created separations (holes) in the steel with surface rust crating future failues.”

    NHTSA complaint #11016094, filed 2017-08, 51,000 miles

    “Passenger side lower door seam is rusting. Noticed recently. Vehicle is garage kept & frequently washed. Premature rusting. Only has 88,000 miles on it. Rust is also present on rear liftgate hatch. Vehicle stationary.”

    NHTSA complaint #11311600, filed 2020-02, 88,000 miles

Buying note. Check the VIN for open recalls first, since the passenger airbag inflator campaign dominates the complaint record here. Then look closely at paint, liftgate and frame rust, test the seat heaters, and drive at highway speed to check for steering shake.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 163 consumer complaints for the 2011 Toyota 4RUNNER. 50 of the complaints include a mileage, and 54% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 41,320 miles. Of all complaints, 4 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns and 290 technical service bulletins for this model year. Compared with the other 14 Toyota 4RUNNER model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 65 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (more complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Vehicle speed control (3), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (3), Wheels (3), Fuel system (2), Electronic stability control (1), Exterior lighting (1), Seat belts (1).

Example complaints

Air bags: “We were hit head on in a collision on 5/5/2017 and the airbags did not deploy. The front and side bags of the other vehicle deployed. The vehicle we were in did not. It was unprovable but the airbags didn't deploy. We were driving at approximately 60 MPH on a 4 lane highway.”

NHTSA complaint #11112901, filed 2018-07, 130,000 miles

Other or unknown: “I had my great grandson in rear backside on right hand side, place the child safety lock on while he was with me until I returned him to his mother. Tried to remove the child safety lock was unable. Took it to Toyota of mcdonough they stated that something was broke. I purchase this truck from over $38,000.00 in 2011 never used the child lock until my great grandson. Toyota of mcdonough service department is telling me that I will be pay around about figure of $300.00 to 600.00 to have the part replace. …”

NHTSA complaint #10885435, filed 2016-07, 138,000 miles

Body and structure: “Toyota high lander, 2011. The power liftgate arm on the real trunk is detached from the liftgate. It looked to me as if the screw became stripped and came out of the hole. And they said it isn't covered and they will charge to the owner and it costs around $3500.00, please investigate this case and how it detached from the body.”

NHTSA complaint #10794934, filed 2015-11, 29,998 miles

Brakes: “Brakes applied at 45 MPH,vsc activated,rear brakes locked on and would not release. Vehicle was driven to a safe location off the highway and was transported to owners home via flatbed. The rear brakes were very hot and grabbing as I exited the highway. The parking brake light in the console lit. And the audio beeper sounded continuously. Incident was reported to the Toyota dealer. They did not request to inspect the vehicle.”

NHTSA complaint #10490985, filed 2013-01, 14,611 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

54% of the 50 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 10,100 and 70,000 miles.

24%0–1010%10–2520%25–5024%50–756%75–10014%100–1502%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (50 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 41,320 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

’12’14’1671’18’20’22’24’26
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2011 Toyota 4RUNNER. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
4RUNNER · SUV AWDnot rated———3 · 24.6% risk
4RUNNER · SUV RWDnot rated———3 · 24.6% risk

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2011 Toyota 4RUNNER version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
4Runner 2WD2.7L 4-cyl4-speed automatic182119$3,550
4Runner 2WD4.0L 6-cyl5-speed automatic172319$3,550
4Runner 4WD4.0L 6-cyl5-speed automatic172219$3,550
4Runner 4WD4.0L 6-cyl5-speed automatic172219$3,550

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

See all 10 recalls for the 2011 Toyota 4RUNNER → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 290 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 290 bulletins →

Other model years of the Toyota 4RUNNER

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
202673002422—Too new
2025609251422Too new to compareToo new
2024102,0381417—Too new
2023339,500141730 · FewerToo new
20223923,600341750 · TypicalRising
202136637141727 · FewerFalling
2020339,000141728 · FewerFalling
20196513,074441864 · TypicalFalling
20185920,500541862 · TypicalFalling
20173612,890541840 · TypicalFalling
20168025,000841966 · MoreFalling
20158738,977941961 · TypicalFalling
20147740,000741939 · TypicalFalling
20133672,45064190 · FewerFalling
20129645,144841941 · TypicalFalling
201116341,32010—1965 · MoreStable
201014758,00012—2063 · TypicalFalling
20092221,5006—18—Falling
20089653,0005—1857 · TypicalFalling
200715469,8245—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
2006381100,7625—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
2005425104,8505—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
2004678115,9782—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
2003696106,0003—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
2002225120,0001—16Not compared (before 2008)Falling
2001185122,0001—17Not compared (before 2008)Falling
2000483143,4640—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
1999330155,0000—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
1998250157,5001—19Not compared (before 2008)Falling
1997261167,6001—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
1996161175,0002—20Not compared (before 2008)Falling
1995172110,0001—17Not compared (before 2008)Falling
199464115,0001—17Not compared (before 2008)Falling
199351150,0001—17Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199253141,0001—17Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199143170,0001—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199078150,0001—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19896—1—17—Not enough data
19889—1—16—Not enough data
1987572,3910—18—Not enough data
19868284,0000—18—Not enough data

All Toyota 4RUNNER model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2011 Toyota 4RUNNER?

Owners of this model year most often report the Takata passenger-side airbag inflator recall, typically as frustration that parts were unavailable and the front passenger seat sat unused for long periods. The issues reported most often: Passenger airbag inflator recall waiting on parts; Paint peeling on roof, doors and panels; Rust on liftgate, frame and underbody.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2011 Toyota 4RUNNER have?

NHTSA recorded 163 consumer complaints for the 2011 Toyota 4RUNNER as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2011 Toyota 4RUNNER is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 112 complaints (69% of the total), followed by other or unknown with 9.

Has the 2011 Toyota 4RUNNER been recalled?

NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2011 Toyota 4RUNNER get?

The EPA rates the 2011 Toyota 4RUNNER (4Runner 2WD, 2.7L 4-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 18 city and 21 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2011 Toyota 4RUNNER reported?

Among the 50 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 41,320 miles and the middle half falls between 10,100 and 70,000 miles; 54% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.