Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 163 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Toyota 4Runner, and it carries 10 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 109 | 67% |
| Structure | 7 | 4% |
| Unknown or other | 5 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 4 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 4 | 2% |
| Seats | 3 | 2% |
| Power train | 3 | 2% |
| Steering | 3 | 2% |
| Wheels | 2 | 1% |
| Visibility | 2 | 1% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
I am writing to report a serious safety hazard regarding the factory paint and primer on my 2011 Toyota 4Runner (Paint Code: [ 070 for Blizzard Pearl]). The vehicle is experiencing severe, widespread paint delamination
NHTSA complaint: Structure
Received a letter about recall letter about peeling paint. Paint was ok at time of letter. A year later the paint is now peeling from every panel. Toyota says the campaign has ended and there is nothing they can do. But
NHTSA complaint: Structure
The paint on the outside of my 2011 Toyota 4Runner has recently been peeling significantly in various areas of the car, including the roof, the door below the window, and the front driver side panel. These areas are pro
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
The Blizzard Pearl paint on my Toyota 4Runner is peeling in large patches, exposing the undercoat and compromising the vehicle’s integrity. Toyota issued a Customer Support Program (CSP) acknowledging this as a known def
NHTSA complaint: Structure
Brakes ABS system failure affect the rear traction not feeding the brakes rear lines could be related to the proportioning sensing valve or other devices and the dealer says that the part it’s discontinued and service ce
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
The conectors wire of the fuel pump was burn, inside the fuel pump the wire is melted. I thing is danger because the gas can involved.
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
I was driving my truck and needed to use the horn to warn another driver of a potential collision. My horn did not work. I later noticed that the horn only stopped working when the steering wheel was in the forward posit
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The contact owns a 2011 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated as he arrived at his residence after driving 40 MPH, his father noticed that something was hanging underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that he noticed tha
NHTSA complaint: Structure
NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for the 2011 Toyota 4Runner. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Toyota 4Runner, 2014-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, and 2014-2017 Lexus GX460 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louis
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly. The recall began February 15, 2019. Owners may
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX4
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-asse
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2011-2016 Toyota Tacoma and 4Runner vehicles equipped with accessory hood scoops installed by SET or SET dealers. The adhesive attaching the hood scoop may weaken, allowing the hood scoop to detach from the vehicle.
Risk: If the hood scoop detaches, it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: SET will notify owners, and dealers will mechanically fasten the scoop to the hood, free of charge. The recall began on September 1, 2017. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-954-429-2000.
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2015 Toyota 4Runner vehicles manufactured September 3, 2009, to December 1, 2014. The affected vehicles may be equipped with accessory exhaust tips installed by SET or SET dealers that may contact people and possibly burn
Risk: Contact with an exhaust tip may result in personal injury.
Fix: SET will notify owners, and dealers will install a re-designed exhaust tip that is smaller in diameter and is more recessed behind the bumper, free of charge. The recall began September 15, 2016. Ow
| Reliability raw | 54 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 71 | good |
| Maintenance | 81 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 84 | excellent |
| Performance | 65 | good |
| Efficiency | 36 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 163 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 109 of them (67%). There are 10 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 54/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 71/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2011 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 67/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.