Model year 2021 · Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
2021 Toyota 4Runner: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings
EPA rates the 2021 Toyota 4Runner at 17 mpg combined across 3 versions. NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 36 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 4 out of 5 stars.
Safety recalls
1
EPA combined mpg
17
NHTSA overall rating
4/5
Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT
Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Toyota dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.
2021 Toyota 4Runner recalls
NHTSA's recall file lists 1 safety recall for the 2021 Toyota 4Runner, newest first.
Equipment: Other: Labels
NHTSA 22V480000Reported Jul 6, 2022
Filed by
Toyota Motor Corporation (manufacturer recall no. SET22A)
Units affected
280 (estimate)
Problem
Southeast 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."
Risk
An incorrect label may lead to unintentionally overloading the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
SET 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.
Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.
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2021 Toyota 4Runner fuel economy by version
EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.
Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.
EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.
2021 Toyota 4Runner crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
2021 Toyota 4Runner NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicle
Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Rollover risk
Forward collision warning
2021 Toyota 4RUNNER SUV 2WD
4 stars
4 stars
5 stars
3 stars
24.6%
Standard
2021 Toyota 4RUNNER SUV AWD
4 stars
4 stars
5 stars
3 stars
24.6%
Standard
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.
Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.
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2021 Toyota 4Runner owner complaints
Owners have filed 36 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Toyota 4Runner, most recently on Sep 3, 2026. 3 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 1 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.
Most-cited components in 2021 Toyota 4Runner complaints
Component named in complaints
Mentions
Steering
13
Suspension
10
Service brakes
6
Wheels
4
Electrical system
3
Exterior lighting
3
Back over prevention: Sensing system: Camera
2
Forward collision avoidance: Adaptive cruise control
2
Unknown or other
2
Visibility/wiper
2
Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.
