2021 Toyota 4RUNNER Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 17%of 36 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the brakes of the 2021 Toyota 4RUNNER, 17% of the 36 complaints for this model year. 2 of these say a crash was involved, 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.
“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 shoulder and come to a stop.”
NHTSA complaint #11722616, filed 2026-03“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11568310, filed 2024-01“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11453013, filed 2022-02“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11643552, filed 2025-02“On May 27, 2021 The brakes failed on my brand new 2021 Toyota TRD Off-Road Premium 4Runner. I attempted to brake at a stop light, the brake pedal went to the floor and the car did not stop. Luckily no accident occurred and I was able to drive it home (4 miles). No warning lights or messages appeared at all before, during or after the incident. This occurred between 3-4 pm in Custer, SD on Main Street during clear weather. The vehicle was hauled to Toyota dealer in Rapid City, SD the next morning, May 28th. They could not duplicate the issue, brakes appeared to work fine. …”
NHTSA complaint #11421989, filed 2021-06Related service bulletins
- 10224155Jul 14, 2022TSB: Some 2020 model year vehicles equipped with Audio Plus (version 1021) or Premium Audio (version 1021) or earlier may exhibit one or more of the following conditions: ?Barge…
- 10220169May 25, 2022TSB: Some 2019 ? 2021 model year 4Runner vehicles may exhibit a squeal/squeak noise from the front brakes with light to moderate braking. Follow the Repair Procedure in this…
- 10207961Jan 28, 2022TSB: Some 2020 ? 2021 model year 4Runner vehicles may exhibit a squeal/squeak noise from the front brakes with light to moderate braking. Follow the Repair Procedure in this…
- 10204553Nov 5, 2021TSB: Some 2020 ? 2021 model year 4Runner vehicles may exhibit a squeal/squeak noise from the front brakes with light to moderate braking. Follow the Repair Procedure in this…
- 10202495Sep 27, 2021TSB: Some 2020 ? 2021 model year 4Runner vehicles may exhibit a squeal/squeak noise from the front brakes with light to moderate braking. Follow the Repair Procedure in this…
- 10185760Dec 17, 2020TSB: Some 2020 model year vehicles equipped with Audio Plus (version 1060) or Premium Audio (version 1060) or earlier may exhibit the following concern: ?Distorted screen when…
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 26 | 43% |
| 2024 | 2 | 20% |
| 2023 | 2 | 6% |
| 2022 | 5 | 13% |
| 2021 | 6 | 17% |
| 2020 | 5 | 15% |
| 2019 | 5 | 8% |
| 2018 | 7 | 12% |
| 2017 | 9 | 25% |
| 2016 | 5 | 6% |
| 2015 | 4 | 5% |
| 2014 | 5 | 6% |
| 2013 | 5 | 14% |
| 2012 | 7 | 7% |
| 2011 | 8 | 5% |
| 2010 | 11 | 7% |
| 2008 | 15 | 16% |
| 2007 | 29 | 19% |
| 2006 | 34 | 9% |
| 2005 | 32 | 8% |
| 2004 | 82 | 12% |
| 2003 | 74 | 11% |
| 2002 | 21 | 9% |
| 2001 | 9 | 5% |
| 2000 | 33 | 7% |
| 1999 | 26 | 8% |
| 1998 | 13 | 5% |
| 1997 | 29 | 11% |
| 1996 | 18 | 11% |
| 1995 | 6 | 3% |
| 1994 | 6 | 9% |
| 1993 | 8 | 16% |
| 1992 | 12 | 23% |
| 1991 | 6 | 14% |
| 1990 | 9 | 12% |
| 1987 | 2 | 40% |
| 1986 | 2 | 25% |
Other parts of the 2021 Toyota 4RUNNER
13 complaintsSuspension
10 complaintsWheels
4 complaintsElectrical system
3 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
2 complaintsForward collision avoidance
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2021 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