NHTSA vehicle safety data

2001 Toyota 4Runner Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2001 Toyota 4Runner has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 154 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Toyota dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2001 Toyota 4Runner, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2001 Toyota 4Runner owner complaints

Owners have filed 154 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Toyota 4Runner, describing incidents dated February 4, 2001 to December 17, 2025.

Most-cited components

Structure 79 complaints
Power Train 28 complaints
Suspension 25 complaints
Unknown or Other 22 complaints
Engine 10 complaints
Steering 7 complaints

Of the 154 complaints on file, 7 report a crash and 1 a fire; across all 154 complaints, owners report 11 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11719079 · Filed February 19, 2026
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…
ODI #11662207 · Filed May 20, 2025
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…
ODI #11488509 · Filed October 9, 2022
Rusted Frame Cracked by back driver side tire

Read all 154 complaints

Owner-reported

2001 Toyota 4Runner mileage at failure

132 of the 154 complaints on file for the 2001 Toyota 4Runner give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Structure	Median 135,000 miles	Middle half 115,000–180,000 miles	Based on 71 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

FMVSS 108/AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS

NHTSA #06E049000 · Exterior Lighting · NHTSA notice

Reported May 24, 2006 · CK MOTORSPORT, INC.

Potentially affected: 27,176 vehicles

Owners notified July 1, 2006

Defect description

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Safety consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Manufacturer remedy

CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS.FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE LAMP MODEL NUMBERS, CLICK ON DOCUMENT SEARCH AND VIEW DOCUMENT TITLED "LAMP MODEL NUMBERS."CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

FMVSS 108/AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS

NHTSA #06E026000 · Exterior Lighting · NHTSA notice

Reported March 23, 2006 · PRO-A MOTORS, INC.

Potentially affected: 61,944 vehicles

Owners notified April 3, 2006

Defect description

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Safety consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Manufacturer remedy

PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO PRO-A MOTORS AFTERMARKET LAMPS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON THE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE LAMP MODEL NUMBERS, CLICK ON DOCUMENT SEARCH AND VIEW DOCUMENT TITLED "LAMP MODEL NUMBERS."CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

BALL JOINT FAILURE

NHTSA #05V225000 · Suspension — Front — Control Arm — Lower Ball Joint · NHTSA notice

Reported May 17, 2005 · TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 768,379 vehicles

Toyota campaign 50J · Owners notified July 5, 2005 · Vehicles built May 22, 2001 – August 23, 2003 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, DUE TO A MANUFACTURING ISSUE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINT, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE SURFACE OF THE BALL OF THE JOINT MAY HAVE BEEN SCRATCHED. THE BALL JOINT MAY EVENTUALLY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE WEAR AND LOOSENESS, RESULTING IN INCREASED STEERING EFFORT.

Safety consequence

THE LOWER BALL JOINT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE KNUCKLE CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 5, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Notes

TOYOTA RECALL NO. 50J.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

2001 Toyota 4Runner 4-DR.

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 4

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

154 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2001 Toyota 4Runner.

Suspension

ODI #11719079

Incident: December 17, 2025 · Filed: February 19, 2026

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 towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the lower ball joint had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 275,000.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11662207

Incident: December 12, 2020 · Filed: May 20, 2025

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 repairs as I was under the impression that the vehicle had much less wear. Was researching what to do in this scenario and learned that this was the best place to report the incident.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11488509

Incident: April 24, 2022 · Filed: October 9, 2022

Rusted Frame Cracked by back driver side tire

Structure

ODI #11443914

Incident: November 30, 2015 · Filed: December 15, 2021

Frame has rotted out along with a lot more rust problems

Structure

ODI #11429329

Incident: August 2, 2021 · Filed: August 16, 2021

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 dealer and was informed that the sub frame needed to be replaced. The dealer was concerned that the job was too extensive. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and referred the contact to the NHTSA for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 119,000.

Steering; Structure; Unknown or Other

ODI #11405640

Incident: September 1, 2019 · Filed: March 30, 2021

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

Unknown or Other

ODI #11404208

Incident: March 20, 2021 · Filed: March 22, 2021

THE FRAME IS RUSTING OUT AND IS DEEMED UNSAFE TO DRIVE

Suspension; Structure

ODI #11383249

Incident: December 8, 2020 · Filed: December 13, 2020

THE VEHICLE FRAME HAS RUSTED THROUGH. MY MECHANIC SAYS THIS IS UNABLE TO BE INSPECTED AND SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN.

Structure

ODI #11323539

Incident: May 6, 2020 · Filed: May 6, 2020

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 OVERALL CONDITION OF THE FRAME IS VERY DETERIORATED. THE VEHICLE HAS OVER 205,000 MILES ON IT BUT HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT AND MAINTAINED TO ALL OTHER STANDARDS. THE AUTO SHOP SAID THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT RUST THIS MUCH. I CALLED TOYOTA NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS AND THEY SAID THAT THE YEAR AND MODEL WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. I NEED THIS CAR SO I HAD THE GARAGE REPAIR THE IMMEDIATE SAFETY CONCERN. THIS WAS DISCOVERED BY THE TECHNICIAN CONDUCTING THE OIL CHANGE. THE IMAGES ATTACHED WERE AFTER THE WORK AS THEY HAD TO GRIND OUT THE RUSTED SECTIONS AND REPLACE WITH WELDED STEEL. *TR

Suspension

ODI #11323041

Incident: September 12, 2018 · Filed: May 2, 2020

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 SEPARATED FROM THE FRAME. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT VEHICLE IS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE AND THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO REPAIR SINCE THE FRAME WAS SO BADLY RUSTED. WE BOUGHT THE CAR NEW AND HAVE ALWAYS TAKEN VERY GOOD CARE OF THE VEHICLE AND FOLLOWED RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE. THERE IS NO APPARENT RUST ON ANY OF THE BODY FOR THIS VEHICLE AND IS IN EXCELLENT OPERATING CONDITION OTHERWISE. WE HAD PLANNED ON KEEPING THE VEHICLE FOR SEVERAL MORE YEARS BUT NOW LEFT WITH NOTHING BUT APPARENTLY BEING ABLE TO SELL FOR SALVAGE.

Other Toyota 4Runner model years

Check your 2001 Toyota 4Runner VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Toyota 4Runner at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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