Overview & Reviews

Base models have been dropped, leaving Limited and SR5 trim levels equipped with a standard automatic transmission, Vehicle Skid Control (VSC), traction control and ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and BrakeAssist. All 4Runners have power door locks this year, as well as a prewired trailer hitch harness, a modified grille design and freshened taillights. New wheels for Limited and Sport debut, and a new premium 3-in-1 audio system with a CD changer is available. Revised sun visors with extensions and a HomeLink programmable transmitter come standard on Limited and can be ordered on SR5. Limited also gets a new color of wood trim, and standard front seat heaters. There's bad news for hard-core off-roaders -- the optional differential lock has been discontinued with the demise of the manual transmission. Three new colors replace two old ones on the color chart.

• Great crash-test scores, roomy interior, truck-tough underpinnings, power hatch glass.

• Hard to climb in and out of, dated dashboard design, weak V6 engine, truck-like ride quality and handling.

User Reviews:

Showing 51 through 60 of 80.00

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  Best SUV Ive owned - 2001 Toyota 4Runner
  By vtm351 - January 4 - 2:00 am

  This is my third SUV and the best. It drives and handles like a car. The anti-skid and anti-lock break breaking systems saved me from flipping on an unexpectedly sharp turn. I was going 55 mph on Rt 1 in Pa and my exit came up faster than expected and hit the turn faster than expected. I didnt realize that it was a sharp turn and I slammed on the breaks. My back end kicked out and I though that I was going to hit the unusually high curb and flip. But the anti-skid straightened my back end and the anti- lock breaks stoped me I hit the curb. My Montero would have hit the curb and ended up on its side.

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  Best vehicle I ever owned - 2001 Toyota 4Runner
  By HKPulschen - August 23 - 10:30 pm

  Owning the car was a pleasure in every way. It never failed me, ever, in 130,000 plus miles.

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  2001 4RUNNER FRAME CORROSION - 2001 Toyota 4Runner
  By maine4runner - August 6 - 7:36 am

  Been a good vehicle to date, but the latest issue is major. Frame corrosion by muffler which will not pass inspection without getting fixed. This is at 112K miles and 11 years. Beside the chrome bumpers which I just replaced, the rest of the car is perfect. Toyota response is a case #, and will not tell me how many cases have been reported. The local dealer has had a few come in with the same issue. Searching the internet, I find many people with similiar issues. Anybody having similiar experiance.

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  Outstanding Vehicle - 2001 Toyota 4Runner
  By Guy Walker - June 2 - 4:40 am

  I have owned 10-12 different cars and trucks, foreign and domestic, none of them comes close to the reliability and solidity of the 4runner. This is truly an unbelievable truck!! I have 81000 miles and not even needed brakes, they work great! I have not spent a penny on this truck except scheduled maintenance and tires. The ride is a bit jarring, but the solid sounds from the suspension more than make up for it. Power could be stronger but the smoothness and low-end torque more than make up for that. I am obsessed with my 4runner I will always own one, it goes anywhere and is the perfect size SUV. I have driven this in 115 heat and -30 cold, truck never missed a beat!!

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  Fun ride - 2001 Toyota 4Runner
  By Nick - May 26 - 4:30 am

  Bought this vehicle with 100000 miles on it, not a rattle, or squeak no fluid leaks, no visible smoke or vapors, great gas mileage 21 mpg 90 per cent highway driving, off road fun and safe, handles snow/ice/wet conditions excellent, quiet and comfortable, a/c excellent (live in desert), heater same, tows my boat and trailer, my motorcycle and trailer,and my toy hauler travel trailer with no effort, hardly know anything is behind me. Need a bigger tow vehicle, but I love my Toyota so much, I will be happy with smaller toys just so I can keep my 4runner. Great piece of mechanical engineering and it is a matter of pride in ownership.

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  Great vehicle except for typical Toyota rust - 2001 Toyota 4Runner
  By EJG - April 6 - 3:42 pm

  I bought mine used with 125,000 and sold it with 185,000 several years later. Mechanically it has been great, only did typical maintenance and some smaller repairs, such as a tune up, timing belt. It did need and axle seal and bearing, water pump and A/C compressor, ABS pump and a few other items later on. However, with approaching 200,000 miles it still had the original engine, transmission, all suspension and differentials and drive like it had 50,000 miles on it. No squeaks, rattles and just a pleasure to drive. My biggest disappointment was how bad it rusted out. The frame rusted through by the lower control arm perches in the rear. I had it repaired and a few years later it rusted out right next to the repairs. The frame was literally rusting from the inside out and flaking apart, even after I caught it soon after purchased and had it rust proofed three times. By 185,000 the rocker panels were also rusting though, even after rust proofing and trying to prevent any corrosion. Unfortunately after worrying about the compromised safety of it since I used it to transport my 2 children I had to trade it in. It is probably one of the best vehicles I have owned but with the frame crumbling it has made me have second thoughts about Toyota build quality, especially with no recall for it offered by Toyota. If looking at one I would suggest finding one from the southwest or pacific northwest, somewhere free of road salt and have it thoroughly inspected.

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  Cant beat it! - 2001 Toyota 4Runner
  By doug - March 16 - 1:06 pm

  Just got rid of this 4 runner. Bought a 2007 4 runner LTD. Bought new 5-2001 and traded 3-2007. Only problem was power antenna chain broke in 1-2007. Still running original Dunlop tires and factory battery. I have owned about 40 vehicles in my life and without a doubt the Toyota 4 runner is the best of the bunch! The 2001 was a little too tight in the front seats for a guy over 200#s. Shoulders were broader than seat bolsters. 2007 is wider for my size. Whoever buys this 2001 is going to get a vehicle that will probably still be going another 10 years!

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  Love this SUV!! - 2001 Toyota 4Runner
  By Rolly - March 13 - 1:46 pm

  I bought this brand new few days before 9/11. I am very happy owning this vehicle up to now 04/09/2016 (154,000 miles). I have very few issues - the gas tank and the easily rustic chassis. The rest of the vehicle I did not find any problems. With the gas tank, I found having a hard time pumping gas. The gas dispenser nozzle suddenly clicks even when the gas tank is half empty. I brought my 4Runner to a mechanic and he told me their is a problem with the tank (one of the valves is not functioning - the valve closes easily and tries blocking the flow of fuel into the tank. In this situation, the gas pump thinks the tank is already full therefore disengaging the flow by a clicking sound. I just dont know if other owners of this vehicle suffer the same fate as I am. With the rustic chassis, I always washed the vehicle especially after a snow storm (leave in New Jersey). Salt accumulation under the chassis creates oxidation (rust). I spray rust remover upon seeing rust spots under the chassis and around the exhaust system. I used metallic brush to scraped the rust and apply rust remover and dried the surface before spraying with pain primer then applying protective black metallic paint over the primed areas.

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  Love My Runner - 2001 Toyota 4Runner
  By Sherrrys4Runner - January 29 - 10:00 am

  Rain, snow, sleet, and I95 traffic, my runner just keeps on getting it!

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  What a feeling - great SUV !! - 2001 Toyota 4Runner
  By skykingrc - November 29 - 10:00 am

  This is one really great SUV. Drive much tighter and quieter than any other car/van/truck that I have owned. Realiability doesnt get any better than this. I know I will be staying with TOYO