Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 21 of 122 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Suspension. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Tires. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
23 crash reports0 fire reports10 injury reports
What owners actually said
122 reports
Mileage unknown · Dec 2, 1999
Power TrainStructure
LOSS OF AUTO TRANSMISSION FLUID RESULTING IN FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION, POSSIBLY DUE TO LACK OF CARE IN VERIFYING SUFFICIENT FLUID SUPPLIED AT POINT OF SALE. OWNER POINTS OUT THAT FILLER NECK VERY SMALL AND NEXT TO IMPOSIBLE TO RE-INSERT DIPSTICK, MAKING RE-FILLING A SEVERE CHORE AND ENCOURAGING WHOEVER RESPONSIBLE TO AVOID CHECKI…
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LOSS OF AUTO TRANSMISSION FLUID RESULTING IN FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION, POSSIBLY DUE TO LACK OF CARE IN VERIFYING SUFFICIENT FLUID SUPPLIED AT POINT OF SALE. OWNER POINTS OUT THAT FILLER NECK VERY SMALL AND NEXT TO IMPOSIBLE TO RE-INSERT DIPSTICK, MAKING RE-FILLING A SEVERE CHORE AND ENCOURAGING WHOEVER RESPONSIBLE TO AVOID CHECKING THAT SUFFICIENT FLUID HAS NBEEN PROVIDED.
NHTSA ODI #715572
Mileage unknown · Nov 27, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
VEHICLE DISPLAYS CONTINUOUS BRAKE PROBLEMS SINCE DELIVERY DATE. TAKEN BACK TO SELLING DEALER IN MIAMI AND HENDRICKSON TOYOTA IN POMPANO, FLORIDA, NUMEROUS TIMES WITH NO REPAIRS MADE. FREQUENTLY EXPERIENCE HARD BRAKE PEDAL, THEN SOFT BRAKE PEDAL ON SUBSE
NHTSA ODI #715315
Mileage unknown · Nov 23, 1999
Structure
AFTER THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR IS SHUT AND AFTER LOCKING THE POWER LOCKS, THEY WILL BECOME UNLOCKED. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #853280
Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 1999
Equipment
DRIVER WENT TO CHANGE A FLAT TIRE WITH FACTORY JACK WHICH DID NOT GO HIGH ENOUGH. ALSO, IT BENT AND BROKE, CAUSING IT TO FALL ,LANDING AND DAMAGING ROTOR AND AXLE OF THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #852849
Mileage unknown · Nov 3, 1999
Wheels
MY TOYOTA VIBRATES AS THOUGH IT HAS A WHEEL BALANCE PROBLEM WHEN IT'S DRIVEN BETWEEN 58 AND 65 MPH. MULTIPLE "REBALANCES" AND 3 SETS OF NEW TIRES HAVE NOT FIXED IT. I'VE READ ACCOUNTS OF "DRIVELINE RUNOUT" CAUSING THIS PROBLEM. DEALER HAS ALIGNED THE VEHICLE AND I'VE HAD TIRES BALANCED MANY TIMES TO NO AVAIL. THIS PROBLEM HAS BE…
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MY TOYOTA VIBRATES AS THOUGH IT HAS A WHEEL BALANCE PROBLEM WHEN IT'S DRIVEN BETWEEN 58 AND 65 MPH. MULTIPLE "REBALANCES" AND 3 SETS OF NEW TIRES HAVE NOT FIXED IT. I'VE READ ACCOUNTS OF "DRIVELINE RUNOUT" CAUSING THIS PROBLEM. DEALER HAS ALIGNED THE VEHICLE AND I'VE HAD TIRES BALANCED MANY TIMES TO NO AVAIL. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NEW.
NHTSA ODI #714251
Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
SKID PLATE--BOLT.
NHTSA ODI #609821
Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKES.
NHTSA ODI #609100
Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #846119
Mileage unknown · Jun 17, 1999
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
THE REAR AXLE SEAL LEAKED OIL, CONTAMINATING REAR BRAKES, AND CAUSING REAR BRAKES TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. ALSO AND PREMATURE WEAR OF FRONT BRAKE ROTORS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #838187
Mileage unknown · Mar 30, 1999
Power TrainCrashInjury
MY WIFE WAS TRAVELING NORTH ON I-395, EXITING OFF AT D STREET WHEN THE RIGHT REAR AXLE BROKE AND THE WHEEL CAME OFF THE VEHICLE. THE 4-RUNNER BOUNCED OFF THE MEDIAN GUARD RAIL, FLIPPED OVER ON ITS RIGHT SIDE THEN RIGHTED ITSELF THEN CAME TO A STOP. MY WIFE SUSTAINED TISSUE DAMAGE, BUT NO BROKEN BONES. THIS VEHICLE HAD NEVER B…
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MY WIFE WAS TRAVELING NORTH ON I-395, EXITING OFF AT D STREET WHEN THE RIGHT REAR AXLE BROKE AND THE WHEEL CAME OFF THE VEHICLE. THE 4-RUNNER BOUNCED OFF THE MEDIAN GUARD RAIL, FLIPPED OVER ON ITS RIGHT SIDE THEN RIGHTED ITSELF THEN CAME TO A STOP. MY WIFE SUSTAINED TISSUE DAMAGE, BUT NO BROKEN BONES. THIS VEHICLE HAD NEVER BEEN TAKEN OFF ROAD IN ANY CAPACITY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #705102
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1997 Toyota 4 Runner Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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