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2021 Toyota 4Runner

Gas
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
3 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
A
Safety Signal
97 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns1
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA36
Crash ratingNHTSA overall4★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA17 mpg
20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner is sold in the U.S. as a gas midsize or large SUV with 3 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the 4Runner 2WD, is EPA-rated at 17 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of A. Owners have filed 36 complaints, most often about the steering. NHTSA crash-tested it at 4 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
4Runner 2WDGasRWD4.0L 6-cyl161917$3,650
4Runner 4WDGas4WD (part-time)4.0L 6-cyl161917$3,650
4Runner 4WDGasAWD4.0L 6-cyl161917$3,650

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 42974, 42981, 42982.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (1)

Source: NHTSA recall database
○minor

Equipment

SET22A
280 vehicles
ProblemSoutheast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2020-2022 4Runner vehicles equipped with 20-inch Black Gunner Wheels. The load carrying capacity modification labels are incorrect. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."RiskAn incorrect label may lead to unintentionally overloading the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.FixSET will mail replacement labels to owners, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 4, 2022. Owners may contact SET's customer service at 954-429-2000. SET's number for this recall is SET22A.
NHTSA campaign 22V480000reported Jul 6, 2022Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
36complaints filed

3 involved a crash · 1 a fire · 1 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2020: 1 · 2021: 12 · 2022: 5 · 2023: 3 · 2024: 4 · 2025: 5 · 2026: 6

Most-cited components

Steering13
Suspension10
Service Brakes6
Wheels4
Forward Collision Avoidance3
Electrical System3

What owners describe

“I have a Toyota 4runner 2021. I'm actually presenting steering wheel shake and a feeling of unstable suspension issues in the front end during highway speeds more than 60 MPH. I when to the dealership and they align and balance the tires. But problem still happens. They said that not problem has been found when they ve…”Jul 9, 2023 · Steering · NHTSA owner report
“I purchased the vehicle from a Dealer. During a test drive I noticed a shake in the steering wheel that represented a wheel balance issue. The dealership acknowledged that, according to their techs that it was a wheel issue. A new set of tires was ordered mounted and balanced. I have been dealing with the issue of some…”May 10, 2023 · Steering · NHTSA owner report
“was going to work on rt 80 east had cruise control on and was getting off exit 45 in new jersey to get bus into manhattan at approx 430 amwhile getting off highway stepped on brakes pedal went to floor tried pumping nothing happened nor did criuise control disengage or collision warning come on a total collapse of syst…”Feb 4, 2023 · Service Brakes · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
SUV 2WD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★☆☆25%
SUV AWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★☆☆25%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program. Standard driver-assist: forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking.

Other 4Runner model years

A

2026 Toyota 4Runner

1 recalls · 7 complaints

A

2025 Toyota 4Runner

1 recalls · 58 complaints

A

2024 Toyota 4Runner

1 recalls · 8 complaints

A

2023 Toyota 4Runner

1 recalls · 32 complaints

B

2022 Toyota 4Runner

3 recalls · 39 complaints

A

2020 Toyota 4Runner

1 recalls · 33 complaints

C

2019 Toyota 4Runner

4 recalls · 64 complaints

C

2018 Toyota 4Runner

5 recalls · 58 complaints

C

2017 Toyota 4Runner

5 recalls · 36 complaints

F

2016 Toyota 4Runner

8 recalls · 79 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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