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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2021 Toyota 4RUNNER Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
1about this part
Share
3%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 1 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2021 Toyota 4RUNNER, 3% of the 36 complaints for this model year.

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.

“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. …”

NHTSA complaint #11575725, filed 2024-03

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026343%
202523%
202326%
202213%
202113%
202013%
201946%
201835%
201713%
201667%
201545%
201411%
201313%
201164%
201053%
20091045%
20082728%
2007117%
2006308%
2005256%
2004365%
2003396%
20023315%
20013217%
2000429%
1999237%
1998125%
19972510%
199653%
1995148%
199435%
199336%
199248%
1991512%
19901418%
1988222%
1987240%

Other parts of the 2021 Toyota 4RUNNER

Steering
13 complaints
Suspension
10 complaints
Brakes
6 complaints
Wheels
4 complaints
Electrical system
3 complaints
Exterior lighting
3 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaints
Back-over prevention (rear camera)
2 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
2 complaints
Other or unknown
2 complaints
Air bags
1 complaints
Fuel system
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2021 Toyota 4RUNNER

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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