AI Damage2021 Toyota 4runner: common problems
Owners of the 2021 Toyota 4runner filed 36 complaints with NHTSA, most often about steering and suspension. The maker issued 128 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 36
- involving a crash
- 3
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 128
What fails most often
- 1 Steering 36% of all complaints
- 2 Suspension 28% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 17% of all complaints
- 4 Wheels 11% of all complaints
- 5 Electrical system 8% of all complaints
- 6 Visibility 8% of all complaints
- 7 Exterior lighting 8% of all complaints
- 8 Backover prevention 6% of all complaints
- Steering: 13 complaints (36% of all).
- Suspension: 10 complaints (28% of all).
- Service brakes: 6 complaints (17% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 4.
- Wheels: 4 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 5.
- Electrical system: 3 complaints (8% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 32.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 4 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 5-speed
Drive: RWD, AWD, 4WD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 36 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 13 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 6 | 2 | 4 |
| Wheels | 4 | 0 | 5 |
| Electrical system | 3 | 0 | 32 |
| Visibility | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Exterior lighting | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Backover prevention | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Air bags | 1 | 0 | 8 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 1 | 1 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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.
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.
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…
Disassembly of the steering column revealed that the tilt-lock mechanism's steering lock fracture bolt has broken in half on the right side. This cause the steering wheel to fall out of a locked position and allowed the entire column to rotate skewed to the left side.
The power door lock actuators on both front doors of my 2021 Toyota 4Runner have failed. The problem developed progressively. The front door locks initially began working intermittently and became less reliable over time. Eventually, both front door lock actuators stopped operating.
The interior of both headlights have the interior coating peeling in the first 20k miles
I just had the tires road force balanced on a haweka with lug-centric balance, and the steering wheel persists shaking from 55-65 mph. From what I have seen is this is a design flaw on this generation of 4 runners called the shimmy.
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.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 1,004 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 48% most complained about).
On average one model year of the 4runner has 41 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 36, about average.
What to check before buying
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Wheels. Wheel runout, cracks, signs of a wheel strike.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Some 2019 – 2024 model year 4Runner vehicles may exhibit an abnormal noise that may be described as…
Some 2019 – 2024 model year 4Runner vehicles may exhibit an abnormal noise that may be described as cracking, clicking, or creaking from the driver and/or passenger front seat cushion track. This condition may occur…
- OBSOLETE NOTICE January 30, 2026
This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0001-26.
- Some 2018 – 2024 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with a Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation System…
Some 2018 – 2024 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with a Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation System require a Special Service Tool (SST) USB flash drive to update the map, points of interest, and system software.
- Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a…
Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition…
- The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air…
The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. The procedures outlined in this Service Bulletin aid in locating, inspecting, and…
- To assist with the early detection and early resolution of audio related concerns you may be asked to…
To assist with the early detection and early resolution of audio related concerns you may be asked to recover MMR data from the head unit. The following steps are instructions on how to retrieve the data from the…
- Some 2018 – 2024 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with a Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation System…
Some 2018 – 2024 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with a Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation System require a Special Service Tool (SST) USB flash drive to update the map, points of interest, and system software…
- Some 2019 – 2024 model year 4Runner vehicles may exhibit a cracking noise from the driver and/or passenger…
Some 2019 – 2024 model year 4Runner vehicles may exhibit a cracking noise from the driver and/or passenger front seat cushion track. This condition may occur when the front seat cushion track is at the rearmost position.
- The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix…
The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. If these contaminants settle and…
- To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used…
To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from…
- Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical…
Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal…
- Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal…
Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. Follow…
NHTSA lists 128 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Toyota 4runner?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: steering, suspension, service brakes. Total complaints: 36. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: vibration (33%), warning lights, check engine (22%), windows, sunroof (11%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2021 Toyota 4runner?
NHTSA lists 128 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2021 Toyota 4runner from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2021 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.