repaired · 2021 Q3
Driver side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
2011 Toyota 4RUNNERProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 163 owner complaints about the 2011 Toyota 4RUNNER, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 10 safety recalls, and for recall 16V-396 the manufacturer reports only 24% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 12, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2011 Toyota 4RUNNER has problems
163 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
112Air bags2 crash/fire/injury
9Structure
6Power train
6Service brakes
6Electrical system
6Engine
5Steering
4Seats
3Wheels
169 other systems1 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 112 | 2 |
| Structure | 9 | 0 |
| Power train | 6 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 6 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 6 | 0 |
| Engine | 6 | 1 |
| Steering | 5 | 1 |
| Seats | 4 | 1 |
| Wheels | 3 | 0 |
| 9 other systems | 16 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
10 recalls
2011 Toyota 4RUNNER recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2021 Q3
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2019 Q2
Equipment
Risk. If the hood scoop detaches, it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2017 Q4
Exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
Risk. Contact with an exhaust tip may result in personal injury.
Show 6 more recalls
repaired · 2017 Q4
Front assembly: seat heater/cooler
Risk. If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
repaired · 2021 Q3
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2016 Q4
Exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
Risk. Contact with an exhaust tip may result in personal injury.
repaired · 2016 Q2
Front assembly: seat heater/cooler
Risk. Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.
no report yet
Other: labels
Risk. An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires.
no report yet
Frontal: sensor/control module-inactive
Risk. If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for…
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Toyota.
Best & worst years
2011 vs. every other 4RUNNER year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the 4RUNNER median. How we score
'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2011 Toyota 4RUNNER safety ratings
2011 Toyota 4runner SUV AWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Rollover: 3 stars (24.6% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2011 Toyota 4RUNNER, and the recalls they led to.
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
In owners' words
What 4RUNNER owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND DEALERSHIP MENTIONED THERE IS NO PROBLEM. I KEEP GETTING LETTERS FROM YOU BY THE WEEK AND MY AVIN SHOWS ON YOUR RECALL DATABASE. WHEN I GO TO THE MANUFACTURER'S DATABASE, IT DOESN'T. SO, WHAT DO I NEED TO DO?
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.
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…
Own a 2011 4RUNNER?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.