2011 Toyota 4RUNNER Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 4%of 163 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 9,150miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2011 Toyota 4RUNNER, 4% of the 163 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 9,150 miles.
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.
“Sudden rapid acceleration, entering a parking spot, both feet on brakes, still acceleration, put in neutral then park, still acceleration, had to back up, was in a bad position, never touched the gas thru this whole incident. Relined vehicle, still acceleration, put in park and turned it off. Toyota has had it since, 9-2-2011, today is 9-7-2011. What are my options. I pick up my grand kids all the time let alone on the road shopping, errands, etc. The floor mats were not the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10424066, filed 2011-09, 6,015 miles“Just as I put my new Toyota 4-runner in reverse in a crowded parking lot, the engine races wildly. Fortunately my foot was firmly on the brake, and I was able to get it back into park - whereupon the engine raced even more wildly, until I turned off the ignition. I checked to make sure that nothing was against the accelerator pedal - and there wasn't... I checked to make sure the accelerator pedal was in its correct position and working freely - and it was. So I restarted the car, it seemed fine, and drove home - and a little bit yesterday (monday) morning - the day after the incident. …”
NHTSA complaint #10491781, filed 2013-01, 9,000 miles“Water enters transmission through defect in safety neutral switch causing transmission input shaft to malfunction causes delay in transmission engaging then jumps into gear. Vehicle stationary”
NHTSA complaint #11164548, filed 2019-01, 27,503 miles“Purchased vehicle new and the 5 speed automatic transmission operated smoothly. Around 9,300 miles the transmission started shifting gears harshly. The harshness is intermittent but happening more frequently. Also, while at highway speeds going downhill, the rpms bounce everywhere from 1500 rpms to 3000 rpms. Its almost as if the transmission is confused and doesn't know what gear to choose anymore. I also feel as if the brakes aren't releasing. …”
NHTSA complaint #10438479, filed 2011-12, 9,300 miles“The contact owns a 2011 Toyota 4RUNNER. While driving various speeds and especially while reversing or moving forward, the vehicle jerked abnormally. The dealer diagnosed that the transmission torque converter failed. The torque converter was replaced. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 70,000. Updated 05/10/17”
NHTSA complaint #10947765, filed 2017-01, 70,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 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…
- 10142876Jun 8, 2018TSB: REVISION NOTICE June 8, 2018 Rev2: ? Applicability has been updated to exclude 2016 ? 2017 model year Tacoma vehicles. ? The Repair Procedure section has been updated. May…
- 10134454Aug 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…
- 10111564May 20, 2015TSB: Some 2004 - 2015 model year Tacoma, FJ Cruiser, and 4Runner vehicles may exhibit a cyclical grinding or groaning noise coming from the front differential in 2WD that goes…
- 10111181May 20, 2015TSB: Some 2004 - 2015 model year Tacoma, FJ Cruiser, and 4Runner vehicles may exhibit a cyclical grinding or groaning noise coming from the front differential in 2WD that goes…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 43% |
| 2025 | 2 | 3% |
| 2023 | 2 | 6% |
| 2022 | 1 | 3% |
| 2021 | 1 | 3% |
| 2020 | 1 | 3% |
| 2019 | 4 | 6% |
| 2018 | 3 | 5% |
| 2017 | 1 | 3% |
| 2016 | 6 | 7% |
| 2015 | 4 | 5% |
| 2014 | 1 | 1% |
| 2013 | 1 | 3% |
| 2011 | 6 | 4% |
| 2010 | 5 | 3% |
| 2009 | 10 | 45% |
| 2008 | 27 | 28% |
| 2007 | 11 | 7% |
| 2006 | 30 | 8% |
| 2005 | 25 | 6% |
| 2004 | 36 | 5% |
| 2003 | 39 | 6% |
| 2002 | 33 | 15% |
| 2001 | 32 | 17% |
| 2000 | 42 | 9% |
| 1999 | 23 | 7% |
| 1998 | 12 | 5% |
| 1997 | 25 | 10% |
| 1996 | 5 | 3% |
| 1995 | 14 | 8% |
| 1994 | 3 | 5% |
| 1993 | 3 | 6% |
| 1992 | 4 | 8% |
| 1991 | 5 | 12% |
| 1990 | 14 | 18% |
| 1988 | 2 | 22% |
| 1987 | 2 | 40% |
Other parts of the 2011 Toyota 4RUNNER
112 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaintsBody and structure
9 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsElectrical system
6 complaintsEngine
6 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsSeats
4 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsWheels
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 Toyota 4RUNNER
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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