2001 Toyota 4 Runner problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Tires:tread/Belt (4) · Power Train:automatic Transmission (3) · Engine And Engine Cooling (3)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Toyota 4 Runner model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (107)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0039-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof,
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0038-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer.
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0035-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfa
Structure:body 2024-12-05 · T-SB-0061-23 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 the removal procedure in this bulletin to remove the rapgardtm protective film wi
Structure:body 2024-12-03 · T-SB-0062-23 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding, welding, etc. this type of contamination can be identified by the presence of small, red or brown particles on the paint surfa
Structure:body 2024-07-12 · T-SB-0039-24 Rev1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof,
Showing the 6 most recent of 107 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2006-04-27 · Suspension · 48,000 mi · 💥 crash“while making a lane change(from lane 3 to lane 4), i suddenly lost control of my 2001 4runner on the freeway, and ended up hydroplaning across the freeway towards the center divider. i was some how able to stop my car mostly in lane 1 and partially in lane 2 but before i could attempt to straighten out my car i was then hit by another vehicle. due…”
2005-11-29 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:catalytic Convertor“i drive highway 90% of the time and then 10% on city street. i was told by greenville toyota that my catalytic converter needed to be replaced. i was quoted $1,070.00.00. i have a 2001 toyota 4runner, 2wd, sr5. i have been told that these don't die this soon. is there a recall? *jb…”
2005-11-08 · Structure:body:bumpers · 67,000 mi“rear bumper rusting through from the inside out. dealer says the result of poor welds on the bumper brackets. vehicle has 5 year rust through warranty that dealer and company will not honor on the bumper, only on sheet metal. *nm…”
2005-08-16 · Electrical System:ignition · 36,889 mi“drove to store, parked car, shopped , got in car put key in ignition and key would not turn , tried turning wheel was stranded for 1 hour 45 minutes pulling and turning steering wheel . next day same thing happened and it has been happening ever since. called toyota of runnemede nj was told it was a safety feature and they get about 7 calls a day f…”
2005-07-17 · Tires:tread/Belt“107 degree weather, highway speeds, firestone wilderness at p235/75r15 tire with total tread separation. caused damage to wheel well, bumper, vehicle body.…”
2005-06-02 · Electrical System:ignition · 49,000 mi“dt: toyota 4 runner, when driving between 35-40 mph vehicle shut off and it came a stop. the first time this happened was 1 month ago. vehicle was on a street and not on the freeway. consumer will take vehicle to the dealership tomorrow. consumer talked to toyota, and was advised to bring the 4 runner in for service. toyota had not heard of st…”
2005-04-06 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 112,000 mi“while driving the oil warning light illuminated. this caused the vehicle to stall. vehicle was towed. dealership informed the consumer of the cam shaft failure. the problem was not resolved. *ak consumer has written 5 letters, to toyota, attorney general of md,usa (2), attorney general of md (1) and service manager at toyota of glen …”
2004-12-30 · Power Train:automatic Transmission · 63,300 mi“1. no given indication that there was a problem before the "check engine" light came on. . trasnmition failure. requirement of a complete new transmition.. replacement of transmition.*ak…”
2004-12-29 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 50,000 mi“very strong vibration/shaking felt when braking hard or downhill. rotors and brakes are good. *nm…”
2004-06-09 · Tires:tread/Belt · 35,600 mi“while driving 65 mph driver side rear tire experienced a blowout, causing the tread to separate from the sidewall. tire size p265/70r16, dot da72c440702. *ak…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.