Toyota 4Runner Years to Avoid

Owners describe the transmission hesitating and revving high before it suddenly engages when accelerating out of a turn or slow traffic, often followed by a lurch forward. Some report dealers ran diagnostics or reflashed the ECM, but the hesitation persisted or couldn't be pinned down.

Owners describe frame rust that eats into brackets and suspension mounts, plus peeling clear coat some link to a recall. Others report brakes that feel soft, delayed or sink to the floor, and stability or traction control abruptly braking or overriding steering, with dealers often unable to duplicate or fully resolve it.

Owners filed 25 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 4Runner in its first five years, about 56 for every 100,000 sold: 1.5× the rate of a typical 4Runner year. 16% of them involve the steering.

Owners describe head-on and side collisions where the front and side air bags did not deploy, sometimes leading to injuries, with a few noticing a non-working horn or clock spring issue beforehand. Several also report being told Takata recall parts were on backorder or delayed at the dealership.