2001 Toyota 4runner recalls and problems

The 2001 Toyota 4runner has 1 recall and 185 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is structure.

How the 2001 compares
Fewest complaintsMost complaints

High complaint count among 27 4runner model years — 7th most.

1recalls
185complaints
10crashes
1fires
12injuries
125,125median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.
Check your VIN →

1 recall

Suspension

May 17, 2005 · NHTSA campaign 05V225000 · 768,379 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Original NHTSA wording

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.

Risk: The lower ball joint May separate from the knuckle causing loss of steering control and a crash could occur.

Original NHTSA wording

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

Remedy & notes

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.

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.

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Structure81
Power Train32
Suspension27
Unknown or other22
Engine18
Service Brakes9
Steering7
Air Bags6
Electrical System6
Tires5

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

Complaints by year filed

2006: 2 complaints20062008: 5 complaints2009: 10 complaints20092010: 15 complaints2011: 6 complaints20112012: 12 complaints2013: 9 complaints20132014: 21 complaints212015: 19 complaints20152016: 16 complaints2017: 8 complaints20172018: 12 complaints2019: 9 complaints20192020: 4 complaints2021: 4 complaints20212022: 1 complaints2025: 1 complaints20252026: 1 complaints2001: 3 complaints20012002: 6 complaints2003: 9 complaints20032004: 6 complaints2005: 6 complaints20056

2001 vs. other Toyota 4runner years

2000: 483 complaints20002001: 185 complaints2002: 225 complaints2003: 696 complaints20036962004: 678 complaints2005: 425 complaints2006: 381 complaints20062007: 154 complaints2008: 96 complaints2009: 22 complaints20092010: 147 complaints2011: 163 complaints2012: 96 complaints20122013: 36 complaints2014: 77 complaints2015: 87 complaints20152016: 81 complaints2017: 36 complaints2018: 60 complaints20182019: 66 complaints2020: 33 complaints2021: 36 complaints20212022: 39 complaints2023: 33 complaints2024: 10 complaints20242025: 62 complaints2026: 9 complaints20269

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2001. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2001 Toyota 4runner have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign covering the 2001 Toyota 4runner, the latest from May 17, 2005 (suspension). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2001 Toyota 4runner?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention structure (81), power train (32), suspension (27). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.