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1991 Toyota 4RUNNER

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1991 Toyota 4RUNNER do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 58.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

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: 9 of 43 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.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports

What owners actually said

43 reports
270,000 miles · Sep 27, 2017
Wheels

BACK IN AUGUST 2016 I PURCHASED AND INSTALLED 4 NEW TIRES, I CLEANED AND PAINTED WHEELS BEFORE INSTALLING 4 NEW SLIME TIRE VALVES #TR 415 SLIME PART# 20261 I PURCHASED THESE VALVES AT WALMART IN SOMERSET, KY THE DATE CODE ON PACKAGE WAS 08.26.14 I PURCHASED (8) PACKS 16 TOTAL VALVES ( I STILL HAVE 3 PACKS THAT I HAVE NOT OPENED)…

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BACK IN AUGUST 2016 I PURCHASED AND INSTALLED 4 NEW TIRES, I CLEANED AND PAINTED WHEELS BEFORE INSTALLING 4 NEW SLIME TIRE VALVES #TR 415 SLIME PART# 20261 I PURCHASED THESE VALVES AT WALMART IN SOMERSET, KY THE DATE CODE ON PACKAGE WAS 08.26.14 I PURCHASED (8) PACKS 16 TOTAL VALVES ( I STILL HAVE 3 PACKS THAT I HAVE NOT OPENED). I HAVE A TIRE CHANGER ON MY FARM AND DO MY OWN TIRE SERVICE. ON 09-26-2017 I HAD A TIRE FAILURE ON MY TOYOTA WHILE DRIVING NOTICE SLIGHT PULL. AFTER STOPPING AND INSTALLING SPARE I DETERMINED THAT ALL 4 VALVES I PUT ON LAST YEAR WERE DRY ROTTED (CRACKED). I KEEP THIS VEHICLE IN BARN WHEN NOT BEING DRIVEN (NO SUN DAMAGE SHOULD OCCURED. I CHECKED A TRAILER THAT I HAD APPLIED NEW VALVES ON FROM THE SAME LOT OF VALVES, THEY TO WERE DRY ROTTED AND ONE WAS FLAT. THESE PRODUCTS ARE DANGEROUS TO USE, THE VALVES WILL PULL APART WITH LIGHT PULLING FROM FINGERS. THESE PRODUCTS NEED TO BE RECALLED. I DID NOT CONTACT WALMART ABOUT THIS FAILURE DUE TO PRODUCT PURCHASED FROM THEM NOT MADE BY THEM! I DID CONTACT SLIME.COM WITH NO REPLY BACK AS OF 09-27-2017.

NHTSA ODI #11030211

154,000 miles · Dec 4, 2015
Service BrakesVehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING IN THE STREET AT 40 MPH, IT ACCELERATES FOR NO REASON. I COULD NOT STOP, THE BRAKE PUT HARD, DID NOT RESPOND TO ANY CHANGE AND ENGINE SPEED INCREASED TO MORE THAN 5000. I HAD TO TURN IT OFF STILL RUNNING. TO TURN IT BACK ON, IT WILL NOT DO SO AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #10808466

252,806 miles · Jun 11, 2014
Wheels

OEM STANDARD TIRES ARE 225/75R15 ON TOYOTA STEEL WHEELS. OEM FACTORY OPTION TIRES ARE W/31X10.5 ON TOYOTA BRAND ALUMINUM WHEELS. THE FACTORY OFFICIAL STICKER SHOWS THE OPTION TIRES AS FACTORY-INSTALLED. THE DRIVER DOOR PILLAR STICKER SHOWS THE FACTORY-INSTALLED TIRE AS 225/75R15. THE PILLAR STICKER IS WRONG DUE TO DEFECT IN THE …

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OEM STANDARD TIRES ARE 225/75R15 ON TOYOTA STEEL WHEELS. OEM FACTORY OPTION TIRES ARE W/31X10.5 ON TOYOTA BRAND ALUMINUM WHEELS. THE FACTORY OFFICIAL STICKER SHOWS THE OPTION TIRES AS FACTORY-INSTALLED. THE DRIVER DOOR PILLAR STICKER SHOWS THE FACTORY-INSTALLED TIRE AS 225/75R15. THE PILLAR STICKER IS WRONG DUE TO DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS. IN RELIANCE ON THE PILLAR STICKER, A TIRE TECHNICIAN INSTALLED REPLACEMENT TIRES BASED ON THE STANDARD SIZE. THE STANDARD TIRE IS SIGNIFICANTLY SMALLER IN DIAMETER THAN THE FACTORY OPTION TIRE. SAFETY ISSUES: 1) SPEEDOMETER ERROR ~10%, CAUSING MISMATCH TO POSTED LIMIT AND FORESEEABLE TAILGATING AND OTHER ADVERSE BEHAVIORS BY SURROUNDING DRIVERS; 2) DEGRADED STABILITY ON HIGH-CENTER OF GRAVITY SUV DUE TO MISMATCH BETWEEN FACTORY OPTION SPARE TIRE AND REPLACEMENT TIRES BASED ON ERRONEOUS PILLAR STICKER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10597620

164,000 miles · Mar 2, 2011
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HAVE THE EXHAUST INSPECTED AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS FRACTURING FROM THE UNDERBODY SHIELDS, WHICH WAS ALSO SEVERELY RUSTED. THE VEHIC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HAVE THE EXHAUST INSPECTED AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS FRACTURING FROM THE UNDERBODY SHIELDS, WHICH WAS ALSO SEVERELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 164,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 165,000. UPDATED 4/11/2011 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE DAMAGE WAS HIDDEN BY THE VALANCE AND WAS LOCATED WHERE THE TOW HOOK WAS. ALSO, THE FACTORY PRESS PLATE IN THE FRAME WAS ROTTED, WHICH ALLOWED MOISTURE IN THE FRAME. UPDATED 04/27/11

NHTSA ODI #10386169

Mileage unknown · Jan 3, 2008
Steering

BROUGHT MY 1991 4RUNNER INTO CONCORD (CA) TOYOTA DEALER FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 05V389000, FOR :COMPONENT: STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING AFTER RECEIVING THE VEHICLE, THERE IS TOO MUCH "PLAY" (MOVEMENT) IN THE STEERING WHEEL, AND THE FRONT WHEELS "WOBBLE" BADLY IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS, CREATING UNSAFE DRI…

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BROUGHT MY 1991 4RUNNER INTO CONCORD (CA) TOYOTA DEALER FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 05V389000, FOR :COMPONENT: STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING AFTER RECEIVING THE VEHICLE, THERE IS TOO MUCH "PLAY" (MOVEMENT) IN THE STEERING WHEEL, AND THE FRONT WHEELS "WOBBLE" BADLY IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS, CREATING UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE PROBLEMS APPEAR TO BE FRONT END-END/ALIGNMENT RELATED. I DID NOT HAVE THESE PROBLEMS PRIOR TO TAKING THIS IS IN FOR THE RECALL. THE ASST SVC MGR AT THE DEALER INSISTS THAT THEIR WORK DID NOT CAUSE THE ISSUE, AND THAT THERE IS NOW ANOTHER BAD PART ON MY FRONT-END COMPONENT THAT MUST BE REPLACED, AT MY COST, TO FIX THIS (SAFETY) ISSUE. PLEASE HELP ASAP - MY VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALERSHIP NOW (01/03/06)*CN

NHTSA ODI #10213614

Mileage unknown · Jun 24, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

CAR OVER HEATED AND CUT OFF. NOW LEAKING WATER INTO SPARK PLUGS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10194079

191,680 miles · Jan 21, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

BLOWN HEAD GASKET, 1991 TOYOTA V6 4RUNNER, RECALLED IN 1998 FOR THE PROBLEM, CORRECTED AND GASKET FAILED AGAIN IN 2007. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10179278

Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 2006
SteeringCrash

1991 TOYOTA 4RUNNER STEERING FAILED WHEN TURNING WHEEL. *TS ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE STEERING LINKAGES TWO MONTHS AFTER THE ACCIDENT. *JB *NM

NHTSA ODI #10150856

118,158 miles · Oct 17, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

CORROSION ON THE BREAK LINES FROM POOR DESIGN IN ALLOWING SAND AND DIRT TO ACCUMULATE AND CAUSE THE LINE TO RUST THROUGH AND CREATE A BREAK FAILURE. THE RUST CREATED A LITTLE LARGER THEN A PIN HOLE THAT ALOUD THE RAPID LOST OF BREAK FLUID WHICH CAUSED THE LOSS OF STOPPING AND ALMOST CAUSED SEVER DAMAGE AND INJURY TO SAME. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10139978

Mileage unknown · Jun 8, 2005
Tires

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. HE STATES THAT HE HAD TREAD SEPARATION ON BRIDGESTONE TIRES. IT WAS THE DRIVER'S FRONT TIRE. IT PULLED HIM TOWARD THE MEDIAN, AND HE WAS ABLE TO PULL IT BACK TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE TIRE SEPARATION DAMAGED BUMPER AND FENDER. HE DOES HAVE PHOTOGRAPHS AND THE TIRE AVAILABLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10124587

Official recalls

1

05V389000 · Steering:linkages:rod:relay:connecting

Sep 6, 2005

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, IF THE STEERING WHEEL IS REPEATEDLY TURNED UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS WHERE HIGH STEERING EFFORT AND POWER ASSIST ARE REQUIRED, FOR INSTANCE, WHEN FULLY TURNING THE WHEEL WHILE THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED, A FATIGUE CRACK MAY DEVELOP IN THE STEERING RELAY ROD.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE VEHICLE IS CONTINUED TO BE OPERATED IN THIS CONDITION, THE RELAY ROD MAY FRACTURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING RELAY ROD. THE RECALL BEGAN OCTOBER 5, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

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

4

DP02002 · Rear Seat Belt Routing

Opened Mar 26, 2002 · Closed Aug 26, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:rear/other

No summary supplied.

SQ99003 · Corroded Brake Lines

Opened Jan 27, 1999 · Closed Apr 22, 1999

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TOYOTA IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL IN CANADA 98-253. CORRODED BRAKE LINES COULD FAIL RESULTING IN A PARTIAL BRAK SYSTEM LOSS AND INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES

EA92011 · Loss Of Brk Effectiveness

Opened Mar 24, 1992 · Closed Jan 21, 1993

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

There is no summary currently available

PE91147 · Loss Of Brake Effectivenes

Opened Nov 6, 1991 · Closed Mar 24, 1992

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

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