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: 12 of 53 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 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
6 crash reports2 fire reports5 injury reports
What owners actually said
53 reports
Mileage unknown · Jan 9, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
I WAS GOING UPHILL AND HEARD A CLOCKING SOUND AND SPEED WAS SLOWING DOWN..SHIFTED TO 2ND GEAR AND HEARD A BIG SNAPPED...AS I WAS GOING TO THE SIDE CURVE, THE ENGINE SEIZED ON ME (ENGINE BLOCK). DEALER SAID THE ROD IN THE ENGINE BROKE AND SOME INTERNAL STUFF. I JUST CAN'T BELIEVE THAT A 6YRS OLD W/ A 109,000 MILES CAR WOULD JUS…
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I WAS GOING UPHILL AND HEARD A CLOCKING SOUND AND SPEED WAS SLOWING DOWN..SHIFTED TO 2ND GEAR AND HEARD A BIG SNAPPED...AS I WAS GOING TO THE SIDE CURVE, THE ENGINE SEIZED ON ME (ENGINE BLOCK). DEALER SAID THE ROD IN THE ENGINE BROKE AND SOME INTERNAL STUFF. I JUST CAN'T BELIEVE THAT A 6YRS OLD W/ A 109,000 MILES CAR WOULD JUST GIVE UP ON ME. I PREVIOUSLY HAD TOYOTAS THAT LASTED A LONG TIME W/NO ENGINE PROBLEM. I EVEN HAD MY OIL CHANGE PRIOR TO MY TRIP SO I CAN'T SAY I DIDN'T HAVE ANY OIL.
NHTSA ODI #702067
Mileage unknown · Sep 17, 1998
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WARPED. NEW ROTORS AND PAD INSTALLED. INCIDENT OCCURRED ABOUT ONE DOZEN TIMES. REPAIRS MADE ADDING UP TO $2300.00, PROBLEMS STILL EXISTS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #827970
Mileage unknown · Aug 6, 1998
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD/ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILED.
NHTSA ODI #539566
Mileage unknown · Jul 31, 1998
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE IS NOT KEEPING OIL PRESSURE. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THREE TIMES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #826133
Mileage unknown · Jun 30, 1998
Visibility
IF TOYOTA HAD A RECALL ON THE HEAD GASKETS, WHY DID/DO THEY NOT NOTIFY THE OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES? I LIVE IN MONTANA AND IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS ON THE ROADS OF OUT GREAT STATE, YOU USUALLY HAVE ALOT OF MILES TO TRAVEL FOR ANY KIND OF ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE! I'VE ALSO NOTICED ON SOMEOTHER 4 RUNNERS THAT THE WINDSHIELD JUST STARTED …
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IF TOYOTA HAD A RECALL ON THE HEAD GASKETS, WHY DID/DO THEY NOT NOTIFY THE OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES? I LIVE IN MONTANA AND IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS ON THE ROADS OF OUT GREAT STATE, YOU USUALLY HAVE ALOT OF MILES TO TRAVEL FOR ANY KIND OF ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE! I'VE ALSO NOTICED ON SOMEOTHER 4 RUNNERS THAT THE WINDSHIELD JUST STARTED TO CRACK FROM AROUND THE EDGE UNDER THE SEAL! MINE STARTED FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE, TOP AND DOWN/ACROSS TO CENTER. NITICED SOME OTHERS STARTING FROM THE BOTTOM UP! DID SEEM TO START ON THE DRIVERS SIDE MAINLY! THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF OUTSIDE CAUSE FOR CRACK TO START (EI-ROCKS).
NHTSA ODI #537645
Mileage unknown · Jan 28, 1998
Steering
THE POWER STEERING PULLEY NUT LOOSENED, CAME OFF AND HIT THE FAN WHICH BROKE INTO PIECES AND ALSO PUT SEVERAL HOLES IN THE RADIATOR AND HOSES.
NHTSA ODI #529609
Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 1997
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
REPLACE FOUR SET OF BRAKES, DUE TO BRAKE SHUDDERING AND PULSATION.
NHTSA ODI #523503
Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 1997
EquipmentFire
THE COMSUMER REMOVED THE AIR CONDITIONER'S FAN SPEED CONTROL SWITCH WHERE THE CONSOLE OF THE VEHICLE IS. HE SAW THE PLASTIC SHELL MELTED AND BLACK COLOR. ALSO THE CONNECTOR SWITCH WAS BURNED UP, ACCORDING TO THE COMSUMER, THIS PART HAD GOTTEN VERY HOT. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THE MANUFACTURER TOO. *AK THERE WAS THE POT…
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THE COMSUMER REMOVED THE AIR CONDITIONER'S FAN SPEED CONTROL SWITCH WHERE THE CONSOLE OF THE VEHICLE IS. HE SAW THE PLASTIC SHELL MELTED AND BLACK COLOR. ALSO THE CONNECTOR SWITCH WAS BURNED UP, ACCORDING TO THE COMSUMER, THIS PART HAD GOTTEN VERY HOT. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THE MANUFACTURER TOO. *AK THERE WAS THE POTENTIAL FOR ELECTRICAL FIRE IN THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE FAN SWITCH WAS NOT DESIGNED TO CARRY THE ELECTRICAL LOADS OF THE VEHICLE, PLUS BECAUSE THE PLASTIC PARTS IN THE VICINITY OF THE FAN SHOWED OVER HEATING. *YH
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
2
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
1992 Toyota 4RUNNER Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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