1991 Toyota 4RUNNER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
32 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
170,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1991 model year. Data snapshot: . 9 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 32 complaints (34.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 5 | 15.6% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 9.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 3.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 3.1% |
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 | 11 |
| Steering:Linkages:Rod:Relay:Connecting | 2 |
| Tires | 2 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 2 |
| Wheels | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 1 |
| Equipment | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 11; Steering:Linkages:Rod:Relay:Connecting: 2; Tires: 2; Tires:Tread/Belt: 2; Wheels: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe: 1; Equipment: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 8 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 8
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 23 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 | 7 |
| 1996 | 3 |
| 2000 | 6 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
1995: 7; 1996: 3; 2000: 6; 2001: 1; 2003: 3; 2004: 2; 2005: 2; 2006: 1; 2007: 2; 2008: 1; 2011: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 1; 2017: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 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 10041078 · 2003-10-01 (October 1, 2003)
MY DAUGHTER WITH TWO GRANDDAUGHTERS WERE DRIVING IN A 91 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER ON A WELL MAINTAINED LOG ROAD WHEN THEY LOST STEERING AND WENT OVER A 30 FT CLIFF. THE STEERING KNUCKLE BROKE THE TILT STEERING AND PLASTIC. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. 170,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10041078 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10150856 · 2006-02-09 (February 9, 2006)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10150856 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10808466 · 2015-12-04 (December 4, 2015)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 154,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10808466 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 480270 · 1995-01-27 (January 27, 1995)
BRAKE ROTORS FAILED, CAUSING SEVERE VIBRATION WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480270 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 748850 · 2001-07-20 (July 20, 2001)
VEHICLE WOULD SHIFT FROM FIRST TO OVERDRIVE WITHOUT ENTERING ANY OF THE OTHER GEARS. VEHICLE WOULD HAVE TO BE SHIFTED MANUALLY THROUGH THE GEARS. PROBLEM WAS THAT THERE WAS A COLD SOLDER JOINT ON ALL THREE SOLENOIDS INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION. THESE SOLENOIDS ARE USED TO SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION THROUGH THE GEARS. THE PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT AND WOULD OCCUR AT THE MOST INOPPORTUNE TIME LIKE PASSING A VEHICLE, ENTERING A MAJOR INTERSTATE, OR STARTING FROM A STOP. COST OF THE PARTS ALONE AMOUNTED TO OVER $500.00 FOR PARTS THAT SHOULD COST NO MORE THA…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 748850 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017552 · 2003-07-11 (July 11, 2003)
THE HEAD GASKET LEAKED OIL. *JB THE MAIN WIRES ON THE ENGINE SHORTED OUT WITH MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL COMPONENT FAILURES. OVER $3500 SPENT IN REPAIRS WITHIN 2 WEEKS. * CB *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10017552 at NHTSA ↗