2001 Toyota 4runner problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Structure:body (45) · Suspension (15) · Structure:frame And Members:underbody Shields (13)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Toyota 4runner model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
134 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
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
2026-02-19 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint · 275,000 mi“the contact owns a 2001 toyota 4runner. the contact stated that while driving approximately 15 mph, there was a thumping and clicking sound coming from the front of the vehicle before the front passenger’s side of the vehicle unintendedly lowered. the vehicle was stopped and inspected, and the ball joint was touching the ground. the vehicle was tow…”
2025-05-20 · Unknown Or Other“i bought my 4runner in 2021 and am just now getting ready to sell it. did a carfax report and it shows a possible odometer rollback that the previous owner did in 2020. when i bought the vehicle it was my understanding that the vehicle had only 160,000 miles on it but it apparently had 236,900 miles. because of this i’ve had to make countless repai…”
2022-10-09 · Unknown Or Other“rusted frame cracked by back driver side tire…”
2021-12-15 · Structure:frame And Members“frame has rotted out along with a lot more rust problems…”
2021-08-16 · Structure:body · 119,000 mi“the contact owns a 2001 toyota 4runner. the contact stated that he noticed a swaying while driving the vehicle. the vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who stated that the sub frame was severely rusted between the sway bar and the differential. the certified mechanic referred the contact to the dealer. the contact took the vehicle to the deal…”
2021-03-30 · Unknown Or Other · 200,000 mi“first there were 3 recalls 1. 135468 2. 135469 and 3. 135469 dating back to 2005 that i was never notified of and i have a very bad corrugated metal bumpers and when i drive my vehicle and i hit a bump or something in the road it feels like my car is going to turn over. i had the shocks replaced and it hasn't helped…”
2021-03-22 · Unknown Or Other · 220,000 mi“the frame is rusting out and is deemed unsafe to drive…”
2020-12-13 · Suspension · 280,001 mi“the vehicle frame has rusted through. my mechanic says this is unable to be inspected and should not be driven.…”
2020-05-06 · Structure:body · 205,000 mi“the frame of my 2001 toyota 4runner is rusted to the point that you can break some of it off in our hand. recently took my vehicle in for an oil change and was told that it would not pass inspection in its current condition. this required welding to some sections in order to keep driving. the welding will only keep me on the road for now but the ov…”
2020-05-02 · Suspension · 179,800 mi“while driving down the highway at approximately 65mph our toyota 4runner suddenly began to shake and sway violently and was very difficult to control. i pulled over and checked but did not see anything apparent. we had the car checked at our local toyota dealer and was told the frame is corroded completely thru and the rear trailing arm was separat…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.