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Toyota 4Runner 2001

The 2001 Toyota 4Runner has a 3.4 L engine. It gets 16 MPG combined (15 city, 18 highway), per the EPA. 3 recall campaigns and 40 owner complaints are on record.

Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD AWD
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Toyota 4Runner
Representative photo of the 4Runner. It may show a different year or version. Photo: RL GNZLZ · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · resized and cropped

Specs

Engine
3,400 cc
6
Cylinders6
TransmissionAutomatic · 4 speeds
DrivetrainAWD
Dimensions (L × W × H)4,540 × 1,730 × 1,760 mm (178.7 × 68.1 × 69.3 in)
Wheelbase2,680 mm (105.5 in)
Curb weight1,846 kg (4,070 lb)
Body styleSport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

Dimensions and weight: median of the 3 versions in Canada's official specifications (NHTSA vPIC). Each version differs slightly.

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Safety

Crash-test results across markets. They can vary by version and equipment.

NHTSA NCAP
Results · 2001 Toyota 4Runner 4-DR.
🇺🇸 Local data
Rollover★★★★★

Fuel economy (MPG)

🇺🇸 Local data
City
15 MPG
Highway
18 MPG
Combined
16 MPG
Emissions
345 g/km
COâ‚‚

By version

EngineTransmissionDrivetrainCityHighwayCombined
3.4 L 6-cylinder Automatic · 4 speeds AWD 15 MPG 18 MPG 16 MPG
3.4 L 6-cylinder Automatic · 4 speeds Rear-wheel (RWD) 16 MPG 19 MPG 17 MPG

EPA figures for each version sold in the U.S.

Recalls

3 campaigns🇺🇸 Local dataNHTSA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 06E049000 · 2006-05-24 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 06E026000 · 2006-03-23 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT 05V225000 · 2005-05-17 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

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

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.

1 campaign🇨🇦 CA dataTransport Canada

It may not apply to vehicles sold in your country. Check with your VIN at the source.

Suspension 2005151 · 2005-05-18 · Transport Canada
Details

On certain vehicles, a manufacturing issue with the front lower ball joint could result in premature wear. If the vehicle is operated for an extended period of time in this condition, the ball joint may eventually experience excessive wear and looseness, resulting in increased steering effort, reduced vehicle self-centering and noise in the front suspension. In extreme cases, when the driver continues to operate the vehicle in this condition, the lower ball joint may separate from the knuckle causing a loss of vehicle steering control. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the front lower ball joints.

Common problems

40 reports🇺🇸 Local data

Reported by owners to the source below. It is not a verdict on this car: it is what people wrote.

SUSPENSION 2026-02-19 · NHTSA

The contact owns a 2001 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 MPH, there was a thumping and clicking sound coming from the front of the vehicle before the front passenger’s side of the vehicle unintendedly lowered. The vehicle was stopped and inspected, and the ball joint was touching …

UNKNOWN OR OTHER 2025-05-20 · NHTSA

I bought my 4Runner in 2021 and am just now getting ready to sell it. Did a carfax report and it shows a possible odometer rollback that the previous owner did in 2020. When I bought the vehicle it was my understanding that the vehicle had only 160,000 miles on it but it apparently had 236,900 miles. Because of this I…

UNKNOWN OR OTHER 2022-10-09 · NHTSA

Rusted Frame Cracked by back driver side tire

STRUCTURE 2021-12-15 · NHTSA

Frame has rotted out along with a lot more rust problems

STRUCTURE 2021-08-16 · NHTSA

The contact owns a 2001 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that he noticed a swaying while driving the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who stated that the sub frame was severely rusted between the sway bar and the differential. The certified mechanic referred the contact to the dealer. The conta…

STEERING,STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER 2021-03-30 · NHTSA

FIRST THERE WERE 3 RECALLS 1. 135468 2. 135469 AND 3. 135469 DATING BACK TO 2005 THAT I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF AND I HAVE A VERY BAD CORRUGATED METAL BUMPERS AND WHEN I DRIVE MY VEHICLE AND I HIT A BUMP OR SOMETHING IN THE ROAD IT FEELS LIKE MY CAR IS GOING TO TURN OVER. I HAD THE SHOCKS REPLACED AND IT HASN'T HELPED

UNKNOWN OR OTHER 2021-03-22 · NHTSA

THE FRAME IS RUSTING OUT AND IS DEEMED UNSAFE TO DRIVE

SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE 2020-12-13 · NHTSA

THE VEHICLE FRAME HAS RUSTED THROUGH. MY MECHANIC SAYS THIS IS UNABLE TO BE INSPECTED AND SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN.

STRUCTURE 2020-05-06 · NHTSA

THE FRAME OF MY 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER IS RUSTED TO THE POINT THAT YOU CAN BREAK SOME OF IT OFF IN OUR HAND. RECENTLY TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION IN ITS CURRENT CONDITION. THIS REQUIRED WELDING TO SOME SECTIONS IN ORDER TO KEEP DRIVING. THE WELDING WILL ONLY KEEP ME…

SUSPENSION 2020-05-02 · NHTSA

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 65MPH OUR TOYOTA 4RUNNER SUDDENLY BEGAN TO SHAKE AND SWAY VIOLENTLY AND WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED BUT DID NOT SEE ANYTHING APPARENT. WE HAD THE CAR CHECKED AT OUR LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE FRAME IS CORRODED COMPLETELY THRU AND TH…

STRUCTURE 2020-03-05 · NHTSA

PURCHASED VEHICLE TOOK FOR MASS INSPECTION AND FAILED DUE TO ROTTED FRAME WAS TOLD NOT ROAD WORTHY AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE CALLED TOYOTA THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST ON REPAIR VEHICLE HAS 145K MILES ON NOW VEHICLE DOTS ON MY DRIVEWAY OLDER GENTLEMAN I PURCHASED FROM WILL NOT ASSIST EITHER SPENT $4K NEED ASSISTANCE IF POSSIBLE PL…

STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER 2019-12-31 · NHTSA

I JUST PURCHASED A 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. ALL SEEMED FINE .BUT WHEN I WENT TO GET IT INSPECTED THEY WOULD NOT PASS STARTING IT HAD FRAME RUST THROUGH. I CALLED TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE WHO SAID AND I ALSO READ ONLINE THAT THOUSANDS OF TOYOTA TRUCKS HAVE A FRAME RECALL BUT MINE DOES NOT. AND THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO DO ANY…

All 40 reports, grouped by component

Questions

What engine does the 2001 Toyota 4Runner have?
The 2001 Toyota 4Runner has a 3.4 L engine.
What is the fuel economy of the 2001 Toyota 4Runner?
It gets 16 MPG combined (15 city, 18 highway), per the EPA.
Does the 2001 Toyota 4Runner have recalls?
3 recall campaigns are on record. The latest concerns Exterior Lighting (2006-05-24).
What are the common problems of the 2001 Toyota 4Runner?
40 owners have filed complaints, most often about Structure.

Other years

Which Toyota 4Runner year to buy? Recalls and complaints by year

Other models by Toyota

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