What 34 owners told NHTSA about the 2021 Toyota 4RUNNER Hybrid

*Steering shudder occurs when driving 55-70mph. *The shudder makes it feel as you have no control over vehicle, especially in wet/snow driving conditions. *dealer technicians have inspected multiple times with no fix. *issue began with in first 500 miles (brand new purchase).

NHTSA ODI 11425077

On 3/30/21 it was discovered that my 2021 4runner with 5500 miles caught fire while parked in my enclosed garage. This event happened while my family and I were sleeping. The fire was discovered @5am at which time the fire department was contacted. The fire was contained to the garage. The vehicle was a total loss and was determined to be the source of the fire that destroyed all of the contents in my garage and significantly damaged the garage structure resulting in a rebuild. The fire department performed an initial investigation, a 3rd party fire investigator performed an investigation, and State Farm along with a representative from Toyota conducted an investigation. Per my claims adjuster, the investigation determined that the fire originated in the vehicle but the exact cause could not be determined due to the damage to the wiring harness and the proximity to the condenser. This incident could have easily lead to significant injury or death to my family. The vehicle had not experienced any issues, no warning lights had indicated an issue, and the only maintenance that had been performed to the vehicle was a tire rotation at 5000 miles at the Toyota dealership.

NHTSA ODI 11425082

On May 27, 2021 The brakes failed on my brand new 2021 Toyota TRD Off-Road Premium 4Runner. I attempted to brake at a stop light, the brake pedal went to the floor and the car did not stop. Luckily no accident occurred and I was able to drive it home (4 miles). No warning lights or messages appeared at all before, during or after the incident. This occurred between 3-4 pm in Custer, SD on Main Street during clear weather. The vehicle was hauled to Toyota dealer in Rapid City, SD the next morning, May 28th. They could not duplicate the issue, brakes appeared to work fine. They found no fluid leaks and no computer trouble codes. Dealer says they can't diagnose and fix it unless they can replicate the issue. I asked how brakes can completely fail and then work fine again - they don't know. After this brake failure I have found several other 4Runner owners who have experienced this same failure, under similar conditions and speeds. Other owners have also submitted incident reports to NHTSA.

NHTSA ODI 11421989

Between 58-65mpg steering whee shakes. Vehicle has been back to dealer for rebalancing the tires twice and a front end alignment. The issue persists.

NHTSA ODI 11420755

Steering wheel shimmy and shake from around 55-63mph. Intermittently happens but is very well documented across forums. This affects 4runners that are brand new, and there is no clear answer to a fix.

NHTSA ODI 11418568

The steering wheel will shimmy between 50-61mph. Just under 60mph is when it's most apparent. Worse on a cold morning when beginning commute. Can vary from slight vibration felt in the hand to visibly shaking. Can also be felt on the vehicle floor and seats when at its worst.

NHTSA ODI 11418003

I BOUGHT A 2021 4RUNNER LATE APRIL OF 2021. I REPORTED AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR A BALANCE CHECK. THIS DIDN'T SEEM TO FIX THE PROBLEM. WHILE THEY WHERE IN THE PROCESS OF BALANCING THE TECH BROKE 2 CENTER CAPS. I WILL SETTING UP AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE DEALERSHIP RECHECK AND ALIGNMENT. I'VE READ REPORTS WHERE THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM BEFORE WITH A LOT OF 4 RUNNERS. I'M DISAPPOINTED WITH THE CUSTOMER SERVICE AS WELL THERE. PLEASE HELP ME RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM. I REALLY LOVE THE VEHICLE BUT AT 60-65MPH THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AND THE 4RUNNER WANTS TO PULL TO THE RIGHT.

NHTSA ODI 11415750

WHILE DRIVING IN A SNOWSTORM ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT NIGHT ON 1/25/2021, TWO IMPORTANT SAFETY SYSTEMS FAILED DUE TO ICE AND SNOW BUILDUP ON THE VEHICLE. FAILURE 1: THE PRE COLLISION SYSTEM (PCS) WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INDICATING TEMPORARY FAILURE OF THE PCS SYSTEM (SEE PHOTO 1). THIS WAS DUE TO ICE AND SNOW BUILDUP ON THE FORWARD SENSOR, LOCATED ON THE FRONT GRILLE (SEE PHOTO 2). PROBLEM COULD ONLY BE RECTIFIED BY STOPPING AND PHYSICALLY REMOVING THE ICE BUILDUP, AS REFERENCED IN THE TOYOTA OWNER'S MANUAL, PAGE 252. I RECOMMEND THE SENSOR BE RELOCATED IN FRONT OF THE REAR VIEW MIRROR HIGH ON THE WINDSHIELD, WHERE WINDSHIELD DEFROST AND THE ANGLE OF THE GLASS WILL REDUCE OR ELIMINATE THE BUILDUP. IN THE SHORT TERM, PERHAPS A PLASTIC AIR DEFLECTOR OR SHIELD CAN BE FABRICATED WHICH WILL KEEP ICE FROM INTERFERING WITH THE SENSOR. FAILURE 2: HEADLIGHT HIGH BEAM FAILURE. THE DESIGN OF THE HEADLIGHT COVER FACILITATES ICE BUILDUP OVER THE ENTIRE STRUCTURE (SEE PHOTO 3). SINCE THE HIGH BEAM BULB IS INBOARD AND AFT OF THE LOW BEAM BULB, IT CANNOT PENETRATE THE ICE BUILDUP AT ALL, AND MAKES THE HIGH BEAMS COMPLETELY INEFFECTIVE. WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE: OUTSIDE AIR TEMP: 30 TO 32 DEGREES; NIGHT; HEAVY SNOW; ALTITUDE: 3,000 TO 6,563 FEET.

NHTSA ODI 11390053

TIRE PRESSURE WAS 56 PSI ON ALL FOUR TIRES; MEASURED ON THREE DIFFERENT GAUGES. BRIDGESTONE DUELER H/T TIRES WITH WRITING 'NEVER EXCEED 40 PSI'. NEW CAR PURCHASED 13 DAYS AGO.

NHTSA ODI 11384945