Total Complaints
34 filings
TOYOTA 4 RUNNER · model year
34 NHTSA complaints, 4 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2001TOYOTA4 RUNNER carries 34 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 4 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2001 4 RUNNER is tires:tread/belt with 4 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline (3) and power train:automatic transmission (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 51 investigation files overlapping the 2001 4 RUNNER, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
34 filings
Crashes Reported
4 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| TIRES:TREAD/BELT | 4 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 3 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 3 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 3 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 2 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 1 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 1 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM) | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS | 1 |
| SEATS | 1 |
| STRUCTURE | 1 |
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 TO THIS IMPACT, MY CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. ROADS WERE WET DUE TO RAIN AND VISIBILITY WAS LOW DUE TO EVENING. I FEEL THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT MAY HAVE BEEN DUE TO A BALL JOINT/STEERING FAILURE BECAUSE 1. I WAS MOVING RIGHT BUT SOMEHOW ENDED UP HYDROPLANING LEFT 2. MY FRONT RIGHT TIRE FELL OFF(BUT THIS MAY HAVE BEEN DUE TO IMPACT OF THE OTHER CAR HITTING MY FRONT END-BUT SAW AN ARTICLE ABOUT A FATAL ACCIDENT 03/21/2006-2000 4RUNNER WHERE THE DRIVER VEERED RIGHT, ROLLED OVER, DRIVER DIED AND HER LEFT FRONT TIRE FELL OFF.). MY CAR VEERED LEFT AND MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE FELL OFF, HER CAR VEERED RIGHT AND HER LEFT FRONT TIRE FELL OFF. 3. I HAVE 25+
Mileage: 48,000
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 TO THIS IMPACT, MY CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. ROADS WERE WET DUE TO RAIN AND VISIBILITY WAS LOW DUE TO EVENING. I FEEL THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT MAY HAVE BEEN DUE TO A BALL JOINT/STEERING FAILURE BECAUSE 1. I WAS MOVING RIGHT BUT SOMEHOW ENDED UP HYDROPLANING LEFT 2. MY FRONT RIGHT TIRE FELL OFF(BUT THIS MAY HAVE BEEN DUE TO IMPACT OF THE OTHER CAR HITTING MY FRONT END-BUT SAW AN ARTICLE ABOUT A FATAL ACCIDENT 03/21/2006-2000 4RUNNER WHERE THE DRIVER VEERED RIGHT, ROLLED OVER, DRIVER DIED AND HER LEFT FRONT TIRE FELL OFF.). MY CAR VEERED LEFT AND MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE FELL OFF, HER CAR VEERED RIGHT AND HER LEFT FRONT TIRE FELL OFF. 3. I HAVE 25+
Mileage: 48,000
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
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
Mileage: 67,000
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 FROM STRANDED CUSTOMERS. AND TO TURN THE WHEEL, JIGGLE THE KEY AND THE LOCKED STEERING WHEEL SHOULD DISENGAGE. THIS HAS NOT HELPED AT ALL. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR SINCE I PURCHASED NEW IN 2001 AND THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED UNTIL NOW AND I AM NOT PARKING ANY DIFFERENTLY THEN I HAD IN THE PREVIOUS 4 YEARS, SO SOMETHING ELSE MUST BE WRONG. HELP PLEASE. I CAN'T BE GETTING STRANDED LIKE THIS EVERYDAY. THANKS *JB
Mileage: 36,889
107 DEGREE WEATHER, HIGHWAY SPEEDS, FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT P235/75R15 TIRE WITH TOTAL TREAD SEPARATION. CAUSED DAMAGE TO WHEEL WELL, BUMPER, VEHICLE BODY.
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 STALLING IN THIS VEHICLE. THE 4 RUNNER HAD TO BE IN PARKED, AND DID START RIGHT BACK UP. THERE WAS NO DELAY IN GETTING THE VEHICLE STARTED AGAIN. THERE WAS NO NOISE, AND THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS DID NOT COMING ON BEFORE VEHICLE DIED.*AK
Mileage: 49,000
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 BURNIE. WHEN THE ENGINE STOPPED THE VEHICLE KEPT COASTING THEN THE WHEELS LOCKED UP. THE CONSUMER ADDED OIL BUT IT CAME OUT ONTO THE PAVEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS A LIFE-THREATENING SITUATION WHICH SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE. *BF *NM
Mileage: 112,000
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
Mileage: 63,300
VERY STRONG VIBRATION/SHAKING FELT WHEN BRAKING HARD OR DOWNHILL. ROTORS AND BRAKES ARE GOOD. *NM
Mileage: 50,000
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
Mileage: 35,600
TIRE TREAD BELT SEPARATED. CONSUMER DID NOT REMEMBER LOCATION OF FAILED TIRE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM. STEEL RADIAL, 225/75R15, DOT# 3DBHHA630700. *AK
Mileage: 26,000
TRANSMISSION SOMETIMES SLIPS. THIS HAS HAPPENED FROM DAY ONE AND I WAS TOLD THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG.*AK
FRONT WHEEL BEARING LOCKED UP. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
NOT REALLY A COMPLAINT, BUT YOU GUYS DON'T HAVE 4RUNNER LISTED AS A MODEL FOR TOYOTA. JUST THOUGHT YOU SHOULD KNOW... *LA
ALL FOUR VEHICLE TIRES ARE FEATHERING(IMPROPER WEAR). THIS CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO PULL TO THE RIGHT/LEFT WHILE DRIVING. THE CAUSE OF THE FEATHERING WAS UNDETERMINED. DUELER H/T689.*AK
Mileage: 11,033
WHILE MAKING RIGHT TURNS VEHICLE WOULD LOSE POWER AND THEN T STALL OUT.*AK
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOWS DOWN, THE WAS A VIBRATION COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. *AK THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED WIND TURBULENCE FAILURES WHEN DRIVEN 30 MPH WITH ALL THE WINDOWS CLOSED, THEN SUDDENLY THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOW WAS OPENED AND A LOUD SOUND OCCURRED. THIS CAUSED EAR DAMAGES AND DIZZINESS TO THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS. *SCC *JB
VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. *MR THE ENGINE PROBLEM ONLY OCCURRED AFTER MAKING A COMPLETE STOP. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY ACCELERATE APPROXIMATELY 6 MPH AND LAST ABOUT 4-10 SECONDS. NEITHER DEALER COULD FIND THE PROBLEM. SCC
Mileage: 1,000
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. *NLM
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.