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Toyota 4Runner · 5th gen (2010–2024)

2021 Toyota 4Runner

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What changed

  • LED low beams on every 4Runner. A Trail Edition trim added.1

What it came with

  • 4.0L V6 1GR-FE1,2

    270 hp

    Gearbox
    5-speed automatic2
Drivetrains
2WD2,1, Part-time 4WD2,1, Full-time 4WD2,1
Trims
SR52,1,3, Limited2,3,4, SR5 Premium (2014–2024)3,4, TRD Off-Road (2017–2024)5,4, TRD Off-Road Premium (2017–2024)5,4, TRD Pro (2015–2024)6,4,7, Trail Special Edition (2021)8,7
Packages
KDSS1,4, Third-row seat9,3, X-REAS suspension9,10,4

Also in the 5th gen, years not known: Limited Nightshade Special Edition11,8, Venture Special Edition12,8, Pull-out cargo deck9

Fuel economy

  • 4Runner 2WD 6 cyl, 4.0 L, Automatic (S5), Rear-Wheel Drive 16 city, 19 highway, 17 combined MPG
  • 4Runner 4WD 6 cyl, 4.0 L, Automatic (S5), All-Wheel Drive 16 city, 19 highway, 17 combined MPG
  • 4Runner 4WD 6 cyl, 4.0 L, Automatic (S5), Part-time 4-Wheel Drive 16 city, 19 highway, 17 combined MPG

The EPA's ratings, copied from fueleconomy.gov on 23 October 2026. The EPA restated its figures for 1984 to 2007, so that years compare.

Colors

Also in the 5th gen, years not known: Blizzard Pearl9,3, Classic Silver Metallic9,3, Magnetic Gray Metallic9,3,13, Black9,3, Shoreline Blue Pearl9, Salsa Red Pearl9, Super White3,8, Attitude Black Metallic3, Barcelona Red Metallic3,13, Nautical Blue Metallic3, Midnight Black Metallic11,13

Interiors

  • Black with tan stitching Trail Special Edition, 2021 8

Also in the 5th gen, years not known: Graphite (Fabric)9,3, Sand Beige (Fabric)9,3, Black (Fabric)3, SofTex (SofTex)3,13, Sand Beige (Leather)9,3, Black (Leather)9,3, Redwood (Leather)3

Compare with another year

Buy

Watch out for

Reputation: what owners and the press report. Tap one to see what to check.

  • Failed door lock actuator All years

    What to check: Unlock with the fob, then open every door from outside.

    The outside handle stops opening the door. Trail4Runner's writer calls it common among owners, and CarComplaints lists broken door locks among the worst 2010 and 2014 problems.

    Sources 14,15,16

  • X-REAS shock leaks Limited

    What to check: Look for wet, oily shocks.

    Two owners of 2011 4Runners in one thread had leaking shocks, at about 86,000 and 125,000 miles. CarComplaints ranks X-REAS leaks third among 2016 problems.

    Sources 17,18

  • Rust All years One source so far

    What to check: Look at the frame, the door bottoms, the liftgate and the door sills.

    Three members in one thread agree that salted roads will rust any 4Runner that is not undercoated and washed. They name the door bottoms, liftgate and sills as places to look.

    Sources 19

  • Slow or freezing touch screen All years One source so far

    What to check: Switch between screens and sources, and watch for lag or a freeze.

    Autotrader reports complaints that the Entune system freezes or is slow.

    Sources 1

Rare catches

Rare options, colors and interiors to look out for, and whether finding one is good news.

  • Good find Trail Special Edition Trim

    One model year, based on the SR58

    4,000 built8

    Why it is a good find: The Kent Reporter's review notes it is the only way to get the 4Runner's 40-quart cooler.20

  • Rare Cement Color

    The 2021 Trail Special Edition only7

  • Rare Army Green Color

    The 2020 TRD Pro colour, and on the 2021 Trail Special Edition6,7

  • Rare Lunar Rock Color

    TRD Pro only, for one year6

Recalls

No recalls are listed for this year.

Checked against NHTSA records on 21 October 2026.

Complaints

Owners filed 36 complaints about the 2021 with NHTSA.

3 said there had been a crash and 1 a fire.

The parts named most

  • Steering 13
  • Suspension 10
  • Service brakes 6
  • Wheels 4
  • Electrical system 3

and 13 other parts

Counted from NHTSA's complaints on 23 October 2026. These are owners' own reports, counted by the parts they named; one complaint can name several. NHTSA's list

Crash-test stars

Copied from NHTSA's ratings on 23 October 2026.

What buyers say

Reputation: what owners and the press report

  • Sought after: 4.0L V6 V6 One source so far

    Autotrader's writer ranks it among the best V6 engines ever built. The 5th gen is the last 4Runner to use it.1

  • Sought after: 2020 and later 2020–2024 One source so far

    Autotrader recommends these years for Toyota Safety Sense-P, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.1

Before you pay

Open the buyer's checklist

Every warning and recall for this generation, with a box to tick.

Sources

  1. Autotrader best years
  2. Wikipedia (5th gen)
  3. Toyota Newsroom (2014 4Runner pricing)
  4. Toyota Newsroom (2024 4Runner)
  5. Toyota Newsroom (2017 TRD Off-Road)
  6. Autoblog (TRD Pro colors)
  7. Toyota Newsroom (2021 4Runner lineup)
  8. Toyota Newsroom (2021 Trail Special Edition)
  9. Toyota Newsroom (2010 4Runner)
  10. Toyota Newsroom (2022 TRD Sport)
  11. Toyota Newsroom (2019 Nightshade)
  12. Toyota Newsroom (2020 Venture)
  13. Toyota Newsroom (40th Anniversary Special Edition)
  14. Trail4Runner (door lock actuator)
  15. CarComplaints (2010 4Runner)
  16. CarComplaints (2014 4Runner)
  17. Toyota-4Runner.org (2011 struts)
  18. CarComplaints (2016 4Runner)
  19. Toyota-4Runner.org (5th gen frame rust)
  20. Kent Reporter (2021 Trail Special Edition)