Used 2011 Toyota 4Runner Consumer Reviews
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Took a Bad Hit; We Didn't Die.
Jim Cunningham, 09/17/2016
updated 04/06/2022
2011 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
16 of 148 people found this review helpful
THIS REVIEW IS FOR A 2011 SR-5 4-RUNNER! Generally a good, solid vehicle, but some major disappointments. First, the roof lacks the strength to car-top a 14' boat [145 lbs. plus rack system]. Didn't know that when I bought it, or would have passed. I hate moonroofs and wish they'd get rid of them for this kind of vehicle. In upstate NY it's just a matter of time before temp extremes kill the seal and cause a leak. Eliminate the damn things and put a roll-bar-type reinforcement in the roof. It's an SUV, for God's sake. Secondly, the neutral safety switch failed at 63K, just out of warranty. $400, 2800 miles from home. [The lifters on the hatch failed while it was still warranted and were replaced., The new ones are now getting a bit saggy.] Also, you should not have to kneel in the driveway or wherever to reach the light harness plug. What a-hole thought it was a good idea to put it BEHIND the bumper? My last gripe: the rear seats don't fold flat, so forget napping back there. On the upside, the 4WD is flawless, and I can get way back in the woods during deer season and get 2 dead ones in back for the ride out. Over several long-haul trips, it's been quite comfortable, and it readily accommodates 2 big adults in the back seat during family visits. In sum, I wish I'd gone for the Sequoia, but since I'll own it in January I'll make do for a while. I already sold my boat. UPDATE: I still generally like the vehicle, but my original gripes remain. When we got it I had to splice 2' of cable on our Aliner camper to reach the absurdly-located plug socket for the wire harness. The camper's now 11 years old and we've had our eye on a new one, but it would present the same problem with the short cable. I'm also bald, prone to basal cell skin cancer and HATE having the sun beat down on my head, so I never open the damn moonroof. I'm looking for a 12' cartop fishing boat light enough [and narrow enough] to shove in the back with a bed extender. As I noted, the vehicle is now paid off and serves very well as a family passenger car and for getting to the good hunting and fishing spots. It's also good for over-the-road travel from CNY to Florida several times a year and gets decent gas mileage for what it is. I just had a lot of pricey scheduled service done on it and don't anticipate trading it any time soon, but unless Toyota strengthens the roof, moves the trailer wire plug and offers fold-flat rear seats, I'll be looking at Sequoias and Tahoes when I do. Update: No new problems since last update. Looking at a new, larger camper. Still pissed about the wire harness plug location behind the bumper and will again have to modify the camper cable when we get it. Notice that Toyota didn't change the plug location on the new ones, still insists on putting moonroofs in them and still hasn't redesigned the rear seats to fold flat [plus the front end of the new ones looks like an uncircumsized pecker]. I'd never get another 4-Runner after this. Update March 2018: Nothing to add since last review. Update: I had both radiation for prostate cancer and open heart/bypass surgery since the last review, turned 70 and find it ever more difficult to shove heavy items [like my generator and spare marine battery] over the hump in the back for camping trips, or to kneel on pavement or gravel to plug the camper cable in. Toyota STILL doesn't have the seats fold flat and STILL has the trailer plug behind the bumper on the new ones. I've been looking at pickups, and if I could have anything I wanted I'd have a 4-Runner cut off behind the rear seats, have the cargo area replaced with a 6 1/2' bed and have the towing capacity bumped up another ton. The small Lexus V-8 block would be lovely. If the Honda Ridgeline was a real truck with a standard bed, I'd buy that. It would fit in my driveway and do everything I needed a truck/passenger vehicle to do. Please hurry with it; I'm not getting any younger. Update October 2019: Not much really new, aside from the more frequent need for brake work. I'm not fond of all the electronic and "connectivity" crap in Toyota's new SUV's, so have cooled on the idea of replacing it with a new Sequoia. It's coming up on needing new tires and probably an exhaust system and is overdue for a tune-up [though it runs fine and mileage is the same], so I'm at a crossroads about trading it. Truthfully, I'll find out this week whether or not we'll need to replace our furnace. If so, I'll get all the maintenance done after the holidays and plan to keep it another year. If not, I'll look hard for a good trade deal on a lightly-used Sequoia and move on it soonest [while wishing I could buy a Land Cruiser like the ones they sell in Europe, the Caribbean, and apparently everywhere but here.] On 11/30/19 we were hit almost head-on by an old Silverado pickup. I just got banged up a bit, but my wife [in front passenger seat] was badly injured by the seatbelt. The 4-Runner was totaled. Screw my thumbs-downers.
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Hate my 2011 Toyota 4runner
toyota02011, 04/03/2011
2011 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
6 of 70 people found this review helpful
My first experience with toyota and I hate my 4 runner. Poor design of the running boards- they are useless!!! Also what vehicle now days doesn't have an automatic rear hatch. I have the limited model with all the bells and whistles and I think it still feels cheaply made. Very disappointed!!! I want my 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe back. Not a family friendly vehicle. You can't get kids in and out of carseats with the worthless running board in the backseat.
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'11 4R better than '05
jdg613, 01/23/2012
2011 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Traded '05 4Runner for '11, and definitely an improvement. Quieter, more responsive handling, just as powerful. Miss the rear door close-assist, and don't understand lack of cross-rails for luggage rack, but add'n of bluetooth phone and leather, electric, heated seats more than acceptable trade-off. This version even classier than '05, and mpg is the same (18/21). Feels bigger, more substantial, and just as good of quality. Like the stylish design, and the add'l height makes me feel more confident on the road.
Why is Toyota Going Backwards??
dpast276, 10/31/2011
2011 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
0 of 5 people found this review helpful
Had to purchase a replacement 2011 4Runner for my 2005 4Runner Sport Ed. due to damages from a body shop. I have to ask " What is Toyota thinking??" 1) This vehicle is severely under powered! Take off feels like being in 4 cylinder car w/ full power a/c 2) No gas latch / security 3) No cargo cover included w/ vehicle, Expensive purchase at $153.00 + tax or shipping/handling. 4) Lightning in the cargo are is crap, all lighting was installed on the back door. Non are actually in the cargo area/ Where you will actually be using. 5) Removed automatic back latch, have to slam down. 6) Why is a newer vehicle getting lower gas mileage than an older version?? 05 4Runner 19 new 17?? Really!!
Impressive 4 & 5 star reviews
AZCA here we are, 09/10/2024
2011 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
2011 LTD purchased new, now 95K miles; 7 years in CA, the rest in AZ - check out "2011 4Runner options" so I don't need to list them all. Pros: I feel safe being able to see over and around smaller vehicles; hoping it has more steel than a small/small Toyota. And then...I'm amazed at some of the reviews that said it has a lot of horsepower compared to their V-8, etc.. I call mine "the gutless wonder". From a standing stop it can't get out of its own way - I leave a lot of room between me and any incoming vehicles. Even worse if I'm making a turn to a slight grade or hill - Yikes! And when already moving at 40+mph it struggles on a grade or hill whether I stay in a lower gear or put it in 'passing'--catalytic converter very smelly. I have a light foot on the accelerator & brakes. Mileage stats don't match any of the good reviews. 13mpg around town in the big city with long stop lights. 19.1 combined where I live now more highway than town. 19.4mpg freeway when driving 65mph or less; Take it 70+ and it's down to the high 18s. A/C cools down nicely, takes a bit longer in AZ but haven't had any problems. Good upper level fan power (yes my hair blows), less power when using the upper/lower level combined but >acceptable. More road noise inside than other cars I've had -- a 2002 Ford Taurus before this that had A LOT more get up and go and quiet along with 25+mpg city and freeway. Brakes have always been soft even after two sets beyond the factory. Factory battery lasted eight years until my grandson played in the back and left a light on for a couple days w/o me realizing it. I'm keeping it until something expensive goes wrong. So far only normal maintenance except for the first shocks/struts for some reason needed at 40K. It's been reliable. 95/100K maintenance cost was a shock. Next vehicle I buy I will definitely check out the ability to get up and go in all conditions, along with the mileage - I won't believe the posted stats.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value