2021 Toyota 4runner Safety Report
2021 TOYOTA 4RUNNER Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2021 Toyota 4runner
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2021 Toyota 4runner. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Moderate (1) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (32) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 0 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Service Brakes | Compare service brakes issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2024 | Compare against the 2024 Toyota 4runner with 8 complaints and 1 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2019 | Check the 2019 Toyota 4runner before buying across this generation. |
Toyota 4runner Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Toyota 4runner years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Toyota 4runner | 38 | 3 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2020 Toyota 4runner | 30 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2023 Toyota 4runner | 29 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2019 Toyota 4runner | 61 | 4 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2024 Toyota 4runner | 8 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2018 Toyota 4runner | 56 | 5 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2021 Toyota 4runner Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2021 Toyota 4runner, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Service Brakes
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Service Brakes issues Toyota onlySteering
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Steering issues Toyota onlySteering,Suspension
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Steering,Suspension issues Toyota onlyBack Over Prevention
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Back Over Prevention issues Toyota onlySuspension
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Suspension issues Toyota onlySteering,Suspension,Wheels
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Steering,Suspension,Wheels issues Toyota onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2021 Toyota 4runner
Reliability Score
The 2021 Toyota 4runner receives a reliability score of 82 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
Known Issues for the 2021 Toyota 4runner
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2021 Toyota 4runner:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Back Over Prevention System Failure Intermittent failures in the back over prevention system have been reported, potentially increasing the risk of accidents. |
Medium | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
| Suspension Issues Suspension components have shown signs of premature failure, affecting ride quality and safety. |
Medium | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
| Brake And Rotor Replacement Some vehicles have required brake and rotor replacements after less than 10,000 miles, indicating potential early wear. |
High | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
| Steering Wheel Shake Reports of steering wheel shake and unstable suspension at highway speeds have been noted, impacting driving safety. |
Medium | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2021 Toyota 4runner:
25% of reported issues involve the back over prevention system.
25% of reported issues involve suspension components.
20% of reported issues involve brake and rotor replacements.
10% of reported issues involve steering wheel shake and instability.
Recall Details for the 2021 Toyota 4runner
The following 1 recall has been issued for the 2021 Toyota 4runner by NHTSA:
Summary: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2020-2022 4Runner vehicles equipped with 20-inch Black Gunner Wheels. The load carrying capacity modification labels are incorrect. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Consequence: An incorrect label may lead to unintentionally overloading the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: SET will mail replacement labels to owners, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 4, 2022. Owners may contact SET's customer service at 954-429-2000. SET's number for this recall is SET22A.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2021 Toyota 4runner
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2021 Toyota 4runner with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 1 reported injuries or fatalities.
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.
My backup camera does not work consistently. It will sometimes come on and show objects behind me; other times it is a black screen. I have read where Toyota models from 2022 to newer, but not including the 4 Runner, are having major issues with the back up camera and are under recall. I believe this recall should include the Toyota 4 Runner, as mine seems to be having issues which affect my s...
Rear backup camera has been failing or intermittently working, it is available for insp[ection upon request. This has created a situation upon reversing in driveway where I expect it to be on and dont see a vehicle or trailer behind me. I have hit a parked car because I was expecting it to work as I check rearview mirrors. This is now a habit and I did not realize it wasn't working at the time unt...
Vehicle was diagnosed from a mechanic with no fuel pressure due to not starting. Vehicle has approximately 135,000 miles and had no warnings or indications of problem. It appears when VIN was ran on gov. recall that Honda had issues with fuel pump. Vehicle will be inspected by Toyota dealer.
Several door lock actuators have prematurely failed. The first to do so was front passenger door in summer 2024; front driver door lock failed a few months after. Most recently, approximately 4 months ago, the lock actuator for liftgate failed. This poses safety hazard in easily exiting vehicle and/or entering it if in dangerous situation. I have been communicating with local Toyota dealership for...
Saturday morning July 12th after starting my vehicle, a warning was presented “SRS AIRBAG SYSTEM MALFUNCTION”. I immediately took it to the dealership where they ran diagnostics. The service advisor admitted he nor his mechanic had ever seen anything like that before. They were unable to detect the issue that day. We planned to return the vehicle Thursday July 17. I dropped it off at 10am and neve...
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 mi...
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 time...
TRD PRO MODEL Clunk at low speeds. FOX shocks on TRD PRO make clunking sound at low speeds. Toyota replaced 3 shocks under warranty. The 3rd one they charged me labor but covered the shock. Car has highway miles and very little time spent off road as I live in NY. As of today clunking is back in full force. Seems to be an ongoing problem if you google clunking fox shocks Toyota TRD 4Runner.
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...
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota 4Runner. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23E051000 (Suspension) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact h...
I have a Toyota 4runner 2021. I'm actually presenting steering wheel shake and a feeling of unstable suspension issues in the front end during highway speeds more than 60 MPH. I when to the dealership and they align and balance the tires. But problem still happens. They said that not problem has been found when they verified the vehicle but they noticed the issue.
I purchased the vehicle from a Dealer. During a test drive I noticed a shake in the steering wheel that represented a wheel balance issue. The dealership acknowledged that, according to their techs that it was a wheel issue. A new set of tires was ordered mounted and balanced. I have been dealing with the issue of sometimes excessive steering wheel shake and a feeling of unstable suspension issues...
was going to work on rt 80 east had cruise control on and was getting off exit 45 in new jersey to get bus into manhattan at approx 430 amwhile getting off highway stepped on brakes pedal went to floor tried pumping nothing happened nor did criuise control disengage or collision warning come on a total collapse of system had this car for approx 1 month purchased used at paramus mercedes benz took...
At speeds above 45 miles and hour, the steering wheel begins to nibble / shake which creates an unsafe driving situation. Vehicle has had alignment performed, and new tires balanced which still has not resolved issue.
Yokohama 245/60r20 Geolander G96 that came with my brand new 2021 Toyota 4Runner Limited I purchased in December 2020. Over the last several weeks every 7 to 10 days I have needed to put air in all 4 tires. Then I was driving on a smooth paved street arriving at work my low pressure warning light came on. I got out and had a flat tire. I found the inner sidewall failed at only 28,000 miles. I did...
Bought the vehicle brand new and have been dealing with a steering wheel/vehicle shake ever since. The vehicle feels out of control around 55-65mph(like death wobble) and the ride is rough at any speed over 50mph. This has been a serious issue on the highway with instances of crossing lanes because of lack of control over steering. No warning lights have ever come on. Been to the dealership many t...
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.
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the sunroof exploded, sending glass inside the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with needing the sunroof to be replaced however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 2,800.
When carrying cargo, the cutoff of the LED low beam headlamps is shifted upward blinding on coming traffic and dazzling other drivers. This requires the driver to manually adjust the angle of headlight projection under the hood of the vehicle, as there is not automatic system to do so, or even a manual system inside the vehicle. As a result, it’s likely few drivers will do this. Also, it is not po...
Showing 20 of 32 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2021 Toyota 4runner
Has the 2021 TOYOTA 4RUNNER been recalled?
Yes, the 2021 TOYOTA 4RUNNER has 1 recall on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2021 TOYOTA 4RUNNER have?
The 2021 TOYOTA 4RUNNER has 32 complaints filed with NHTSA. None of the complaints involved crashes. 1 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2021 TOYOTA 4RUNNER?
The 2021 TOYOTA 4RUNNER does not have an NHTSA safety rating on file. This can happen for newer model years, specialty vehicles, or models that have not been crash-tested.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 TOYOTA 4RUNNER?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2021 TOYOTA 4RUNNER involve service brakes (4 complaints), steering (4 complaints), steering,suspension (4 complaints). Other affected components include back over prevention, suspension, steering,suspension,wheels.
How many crash reports does the 2021 TOYOTA 4RUNNER have?
There are no crash reports associated with the 2021 TOYOTA 4RUNNER in the NHTSA database.
How many fire reports does the 2021 TOYOTA 4RUNNER have?
There are no fire reports for the 2021 TOYOTA 4RUNNER in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2021 TOYOTA 4RUNNER?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 TOYOTA 4RUNNER.
How many injuries are reported for the 2021 TOYOTA 4RUNNER?
1 injury has been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2021 TOYOTA 4RUNNER?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2021 TOYOTA 4RUNNER is research thoroughly before purchasing. It has 32 complaints, 1 recalls. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2021 TOYOTA 4RUNNER?
The components with the most failures on the 2021 TOYOTA 4RUNNER are: 1. SERVICE BRAKES (4 complaints), 2. STEERING (4 complaints), 3. STEERING,SUSPENSION (4 complaints), 4. BACK OVER PREVENTION (2 complaints), 5. SUSPENSION (2 complaints). SERVICE BRAKES is the single most-reported problem area with 4 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2021 TOYOTA 4RUNNER?
Be cautious of potential issues with the back over prevention system, suspension, and early brake wear. Regular maintenance is recommended. The 2021 TOYOTA 4RUNNER has 32 NHTSA complaints and 1 recalls on record.
How reliable is the 2021 TOYOTA 4RUNNER?
The 2021 TOYOTA 4RUNNER receives a reliability score of 82/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 32 owner complaints, 1 recalls, and 0 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Back Over Prevention System Failure and Suspension Issues.
What are the known issues with the 2021 TOYOTA 4RUNNER?
Known issues with the 2021 TOYOTA 4RUNNER include: Back Over Prevention System Failure, Suspension Issues, Brake and Rotor Replacement, Steering Wheel Shake. These are based on patterns found across 32 NHTSA complaints. 1 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any known issues with the back over prevention system?
Yes, some vehicles have experienced intermittent failures in the back over prevention system.
What should I do if I notice steering wheel shake?
Have the vehicle inspected by a mechanic to diagnose and address the issue.
Are there any recalls related to the 2021 Toyota 4Runner?
Yes, there is a recall related to suspension issues (NHTSA Campaign Number: 23E051000).
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of potential issues with the back over prevention system, suspension, and early brake wear. Regular maintenance is recommended.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2021 Toyota 4runner
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2021 Toyota 4runner. The data includes 32 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 1 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 1 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16