Most common 2011 Toyota 4Runner problems
Share of the 163 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Toyota 4Runner complaints by model year
Best 4Runner years: 2013, 2017, 2024. Years to avoid: 2025, 2011, 2003, 2004. Compare all years →
2011 Toyota 4Runner recalls (10)
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430,…
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Toyota 4Runner, 2014-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, and 2014-2017 Lexus GX460 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South…
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly. The recall began February 15, 2019.
Equipment
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2011-2016 Toyota Tacoma and 4Runner vehicles equipped with accessory hood scoops installed by SET or SET dealers. The adhesive attaching the hood scoop may weaken, allowing the hood scoop to detach from the vehicle.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will mechanically fasten the scoop to the hood, free of charge. The recall began on September 1, 2017. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-954-429-2000.
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2015 Toyota 4Runner vehicles manufactured September 3, 2009, to December 1, 2014. The affected vehicles may be equipped with accessory exhaust tips installed by SET or SET dealers that may contact people and possibly burn them while they are standing…
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will install a re-designed exhaust tip that is smaller in diameter and is more recessed behind the bumper, free of charge. The recall began September 15, 2016.
Seats › Front assembly › Seat heater/cooler
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010…
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2009-2011 Toyota Corolla and Corolla Matrix, 2006-2011 Toyota Yaris, Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, Lexus IS250C, Lexus IS350C and Lexus GX460, 2011 Sienna, 2007-2011 Lexus ES350, and…
Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag assembly, free of…
Show 4 more recalls
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2015 Toyota 4Runner vehicles manufactured March 29, 2010, to July 30, 2015. The affected vehicles may be equipped with accessory exhaust tips installed by SET or SET dealers that may contact people and possibly burn them while they are standing behind…
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will install a re-designed exhaust tip that is smaller in diameter and is more recessed behind the bumper, free of charge. The recall began on September 22, 2015.
Seats › Front assembly › Seat heater/cooler
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge.
Equipment › Other › Labels
Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2010-2013 Toyota Tundra, 2010-2012 Rav4, 2012 Toyota Sequoia, 2010-2011 Toyota Corolla, 2010-2011 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser, 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser, 2010-2013 Toyota Venza, 2010-2011…
Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners and provide a corrected label with instructions concerning its installation. A small group of the affected vehicles will need additonal remedies which are still being developed.
Seats
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and…
Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2011 Toyota 4Runner:
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.
What 2011 Toyota 4Runner owners say
Air bags all 112 →
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Toyota 4runner. While driving approximately 20 MPH, the contact rear ended another vehicle and the air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained no injuries. A police report was filed. The contact stated that the vehicle was still drivable. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously serviced per an unknown recall at Toyota of north miami (16600 nw 2nd ave, miami, fl 33169, [phone]). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
We were hit head on in a collision on 5/5/2017 and the airbags did not deploy. The front and side bags of the other vehicle deployed. The vehicle we were in did not. It was unprovable but the airbags didn't deploy. We were driving at approximately 60 MPH on a 4 lane highway.
Body & structure
The contact owns a 2011 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated as he arrived at his residence after driving 40 MPH, his father noticed that something was hanging underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that he noticed that the gas tank strap had detached, and the main guard was rusted. The contact replaced the gas tank strap himself. The contact stated that the hatch release was corroded. The contact also stated that the bottom of the liftgate of the vehicle was severely corroded and had holes. The contact stated that the inside of the front passenger's side door of the vehicle was corroded. The contact also stated that the skid plate was severely corroded. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who took photos of the failure and sent a report to the district manager. …
I am writing to report a serious safety hazard regarding the factory paint and primer on my 2011 Toyota 4Runner (Paint Code: [ 070 for Blizzard Pearl]). The vehicle is experiencing severe, widespread paint delamination where areas of factory paint are peeling cleanly away from the metal body panels while driving. This is a known manufacturing defect involving a chemical failure of the factory primer, which Toyota previously acknowledged under Customer Support Program ZKG. This manufacturing failure has created distinct, immediate safety hazards on public roadways. Blinding Glare / Driver Distraction: Because the paint has completely peeled away in sections on the hood, the bare, highly reflective eco-coat/metal underneath is completely exposed and getting worse day by day. …
Brakes
Brakes ABS system failure affect the rear traction not feeding the brakes rear lines could be related to the proportioning sensing valve or other devices and the dealer says that the part it's discontinued and service center says that the part cost around $2,000 plus labor. It's very dangerous that someone have this issue on the road.
Purchased vehicle new and the 5 speed automatic transmission operated smoothly. Around 9,300 miles the transmission started shifting gears harshly. The harshness is intermittent but happening more frequently. Also, while at highway speeds going downhill, the rpms bounce everywhere from 1500 rpms to 3000 rpms. Its almost as if the transmission is confused and doesn't know what gear to choose anymore. I also feel as if the brakes aren't releasing. When sitting at a red light going down hill, once I release my foot off the brake and before I accelerate, while coasting, I feel a "thud" in the rear end after about two rotations of the wheels. I drive in bumper-to-bumper traffic daily in pittsburgh and this shifting is awful - by far the worst transmission in a vehicle I have ever owned. …
2011 Toyota 4Runner engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.7L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 18 / 21 / 19 |
| 4.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 17 / 23 / 19 |
| 4.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 4WD | 17 / 22 / 19 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2011 Toyota 4Runner a good car?
Based on 163 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 4Runner rates use caution: 1.6× as many complaints as a typical year of the 4Runner at the same age. It is one of the 4Runner years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2011 Toyota 4Runner?
The air bags — 112 complaints, 69% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the body & structure (9) and brakes (8).
How many recalls does the 2011 Toyota 4Runner have?
There are 10 recalls for the 2011 Toyota 4Runner, the most recent from October 17, 2019 (inflator module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Toyota 4Runner?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2013, 2017 and 2024. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2025, 2011, 2003 and 2004. See the full Toyota 4Runner years comparison.
At what mileage do 2011 Toyota 4Runner problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 44,000 miles; 54% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.