Toyota 4 RUNNER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
871 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
25,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1994 to 2005 model years. Data snapshot: . 312 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 83 of 871 complaints (9.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 145 | 16.6% |
| Steering behavior | 62 | 7.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 31 | 3.6% |
| Engine operation | 29 | 3.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 13 | 1.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 6 | 0.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 83 |
| Tires | 77 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 42 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 41 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 37 |
| Suspension | 32 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor | 31 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 29 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 83; Tires: 77; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 42; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System: 41; Tires:Tread/Belt: 37; Suspension: 32; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor: 31; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 29
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 155 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 35 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 37 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 36 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 39 |
| 150,000 and above | 10 |
Under 25,000: 155; 25,000 to 49,999: 35; 50,000 to 74,999: 37; 75,000 to 99,999: 36; 100,000 to 149,999: 39; 150,000 and above: 10
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (155). 559 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 13 |
| 1996 | 10 |
| 2000 | 139 |
| 2001 | 89 |
| 2002 | 106 |
| 2003 | 188 |
| 2004 | 189 |
| 2005 | 99 |
| 2006 | 38 |
1995: 13; 1996: 10; 2000: 139; 2001: 89; 2002: 106; 2003: 188; 2004: 189; 2005: 99; 2006: 38
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 145 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 62 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 31 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 488799 · 1995-10-01 (October 1, 1995)
BRAKES PULSATE/FAIL. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 488799 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 489757 · 1995-05-02 (May 2, 1995)
REAR BRAKES LOCKED UP BECAUSE A ROD WAS NOT ADJUSTED CORRECTLY FROM FACTORY, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 489757 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10149743 · 2006-01-24 (January 24, 2006)
CONSUMER IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE 1994 4-RUNNER STEERING ROD. *TS THE CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 05V389000 REFERENCING A STEERING ROD. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION ON THE RECALL ESPECIALLY SINCE HIS FATHER, WHO ALSO OWNED A TOYOTA 4RUNNER, WAS KILLED FOUR YEAR AGO WHEN HIS VEHICLE VEERED OFF A FREEWAY. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10149743 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10148777 · 2006-01-26 (January 26, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE IS A RECALL, #05V389000 CONCERNING THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL BUT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO A MECHANIC TO VERIFY THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEMS.
Owner-reported narrative. 37,683 miles reported. Look up ODI 10148777 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 768680 · 2002-10-21 (October 21, 2002)
TRANSMISSION WILL INTERMITTENTLY DROP OUT OF 1ST AND 3RD GEAR. WHEN AT A DEAD STOP, TRANSMISSION WILL DROP OUT OF 1ST GEAR WHILE ACCELERATING, CAUSING LOST OF POWER. ALSO WHILE ENTERING THE FREEWAY, TRANSMISSION WILL DROP OUT OF THIRD GEAR, CAUSING LOST OF POWER. THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED AT ABOUT 40, 000 MILES AND AGAIN AT ABOUT 99,000 MILES. DT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 768680 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017168 · 2003-04-18 (April 18, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. *NLM WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. CONSUMERS TWO SONS REMOVED TRANSMISSION. CONSUMER HAS TRANSMISSION IN STORAGE. *MR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10017168 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017173 · 2003-04-18 (April 18, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE DRIVER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10017173 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 733286 · 2000-10-03 (October 3, 2000)
NO EVIDENCE OF OIL LEAK AND CHECKED WITHIN ONE MONTH. ALL REQUIRED MAINTENANCE ON VEHICLE COMPLETED THROUGHOUT THE LIFE OF THE CAR WITH VERIFICATION. HEAD GASKETS CHANGED UNDER WARRANTY AS DIRECTED 1.5 YEARS PRIOR TO FAILURE. AT 60MPH, COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER AND ENGINE SEIZED UP. DEALER NOTES THAT OIL PUMP FAILED ACUTELY DRIVING THE ROD THROUGH THE ENGINE BLOCK. RESULTED IN A TOTAL LOSS OF THE VEHICLE AT ONLY 6 YEARS AND 80,000 MILES WITH FULL MAINTENANCE. VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVER WITH COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER ON BUSY FREEWAY.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 733286 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 601527 · 1996-07-11 (July 11, 1996)
WIRING HARNESS FAILED. *DH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 601527 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 749929 · 2001-08-06 (August 6, 2001)
ENGINE SHUTS DOWN WHEN A SINGLE ELECTRICAL COMPONENT IS TURNED ON (LIGHTS/AC/WWIPERS/ETC.) THE POWER BRAKES AND STEERING GO OUT, EMERGENCY LIGHTS ARE INOPERABLE, AND CAR OFTEN TAKES MINUTES TO RESTART. TOYOTA SAYS "NO KNOWN REPAIR...DUE TO SHORT DISTANCE DRIVING(20/DAY AVG)... DRIVES AS ANY 1995 4 RUNNER WOULD UNDER SAME DRIVING CIRCUMSTANCES" THIS HAPPENS AT ALL SPEEDS. HAS HAPPENED AT INTERSECTION, ON INTERSTATE,ETC. IT IS A CRASH WAITING TO HAPPEN. TOYOTA IS UNABLE TO REPAIR AND UNWILLING TO BUY BACK EXISTING VEHICLE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 749929 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 864397 · 2000-06-28 (June 28, 2000)
DO TO WEAK MANUFACTURED MATERIAL LIQUID HEATS UP AND IT FLOWS OUT THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 864397 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10063109 · 2004-04-01 (April 1, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 65 MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY SPUTTERED AND STALLED. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC, BUT CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE FREEWAY. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A FAULTY SENDING UNIT IN THE FUEL TANK. IT WAS READING FULL WHEN THE TANK WAS EMPTY. *AK THE OLD STYLE SENDING UNIT WAS OBSOLETE AND NOT AVAILABLE. *SC
Owner-reported narrative. 74,120 miles reported. Look up ODI 10063109 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1994 | 0 |
| 1995 | 0 |
| 1996 | 0 |
| 1997 | 0 |
| 1998 | 0 |
| 1999 | 0 |
| 2000 | 0 |
| 2001 | 0 |
| 2002 | 0 |
| 2003 | 0 |
| 2004 | 0 |
| 2005 | 0 |
1994: 0; 1995: 0; 1996: 0; 1997: 0; 1998: 0; 1999: 0; 2000: 0; 2001: 0; 2002: 0; 2003: 0; 2004: 0; 2005: 0