The Lemon Index2001 Toyota 4Runner.
The 2001 Toyota 4Runner is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 24 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 23, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 3 recalls, and it gets 16 to 17 mpg combined. The best Toyota 4Runner year is 2013.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 185 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Toyota 4Runner year. 2001 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 98K to 162K miles on the car (146 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- body structure complaints mostly came at 112K–172K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 79K–149K miles
- suspension complaints mostly came at 109K–181K miles
Recalls 3
- lights 2006
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
- lights 2006
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
- suspension 2005
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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Toyota told dealers about
Toyota sent dealers 107 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Accelerator pedal sensor assembly information regarding the inspection, removal, and…
- The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of…
- The purpose of this bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★☆☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3800–4000 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.4L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
While driving the vehicle stalled without warning.
2001 Toyota 4Runner owner · NHTSA complaint 10009752
More owner reports
When applying brakes at a sudden/ emergency stop vehicle would slide or skid before stopping. Dealer notified. Feel free to provide any further details on this matter.
NHTSA complaint 896022
Consumer states that after washing and spraying the undercarriage to wash off road salt, consumer backed car into garage with no problems but the next day the engine wouldn't start.
NHTSA complaint 785970
Quick answers
Is the 2001 Toyota 4Runner reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 4.3× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 23; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Toyota 4Runner year by this measure is 2013.
What are the most common 2001 Toyota 4Runner problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (25%), brakes (17%) and transmission & drivetrain (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2001 Toyota 4Runner have?
3 safety recalls (latest: lights). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2001 Toyota 4Runner get?
16 to 17 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2001 Toyota 4Runner problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 98,400 and 162,400 miles. The middle report was at 122,000 miles, from 146 complaints.
Does the 2001 Toyota 4Runner have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 17% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2001 Toyota 4Runner cost in fuel a year?
About $3800 to $4000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2001 Toyota 4Runner have?
3.4L 6-cyl.
What Toyota 4Runner year is better than the 2001?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2013, 2017 and 2021.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works