1992 Toyota 4RUNNER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
34 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
141,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1992 model year. Data snapshot: . 12 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 34 complaints (26.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 8 | 23.5% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.9% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 2.9% |
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 | 9 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 2 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 9; Vehicle Speed Control: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings: 2; Tires:Tread/Belt: 2; Electrical System: 1; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 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 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 4
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 22 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 | 4 |
| 1996 | 3 |
| 2000 | 5 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2016 | 1 |
1995: 4; 1996: 3; 2000: 5; 2001: 2; 2002: 1; 2003: 3; 2004: 3; 2005: 3; 2006: 2; 2007: 2; 2008: 2; 2010: 3; 2016: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues 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 10080125 · 2004-06-29 (June 29, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH APPLIED BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR. IT TOOK LONGER FOR VEHICLE TO STOP. CONSUMER STOPPED THE VEHICLE ON THE PARKING LOT, WENT UNDER THE VEHICLE, AND DISCOVERED A CORRODED BRAKE LINE THAT WAS LEAKING FLUID. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10080125 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10121117 · 2005-05-16 (May 16, 2005)
MY HUSBAND, STANLEY W. SIRNIK BOUGHT A 1992 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER. HE ONLY HAD IT FOR TWO WEEKS WHEN HE DECIDED TO TRAVEL TO WEST VIRGINIA. STANLEY, MY BROTHER -IN-LAW AND MY YOUNG SON WAS COMING BACK FROM SHOPPING THE NEXT DAY. STANLEY PUT THE TRUCK INTO CRUISE CONTROL AT 40 MPH. HE WAS TRAVELING ALONG AT 40 MPH WHEN ALL OF SUDDEN THE TRUCK STARTED TO ACCELERATE UP TO A VERY HIGH SPEED. HE TRIED TO TAKE IT OUT OF CRUISE CONTROL BUT HE COULD NOT. HE APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT THE BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK. TO KEEP FROM GOING OVER A CLIFF, HE RA…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10121117 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10249070 · 2008-11-18 (November 18, 2008)
MYSTERIOUS COOLANT LOSS, PRESSURIZED SYSTEM FOUND NO EXTERNAL LEAKS. WATCHED PROBLEM FOR ABOUT A MONTH, KEPT TOPPING UP COOLANT. DRIVING HOME LAST NIGHT SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER ON FREE WAY TEMPERATURE SPIKE, ALMOST CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT GETTING OFF FREEWAY. HEAD GASKET FAILURE. TOWED. CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN DONE, TOYOTA DEALER WILL NOT HONOR LABOR OR EVEN THE PART, AND IT IS QUITE AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR FOR SOMETHING THAT WILL FAIL SOONER THAN LATER. MY NISSAN HAS OVER 300,000KM ON IT AND NEVER HAD A PROBLEM. FLAWED DESIGN IN HEAD OR BLOCK. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 213,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10249070 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10110020 · 2005-02-07 (February 7, 2005)
SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION. FIRE INSPECTOR/INVESTIGATOR REPORTS FINDING ELECTRICAL CHARGE THAT HAPPENED IN BUNDLE OF WIRES LEADING TO HEATER CONTROLS "LEAVING NOTHING MORE THAN THE END OF THE FUSED WIRES THAT WERE CONNECTED TO IT." TOYOTA 4RUNNER WAS QUICKLY AND COMPLETELY ON FIRE DUE TO AN "ELECTRICAL FAILURE AND/OR SHORT.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 165,964 miles reported. Look up ODI 10110020 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10171969 · 2006-10-27 (October 27, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TURNING A CORNER, THE STEERING BECAME INOPERABLE CAUSING THE DRIVER TO CRASH INTO A GARBAGE CAN. A NHTSA RECALL LETTER#05V389000 CONCERNING THE RELAY ROD WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE FOUR MONTHS BEFORE THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO GAVE NO DIAGNOSIS FOR THE PROBLEM.
Owner-reported narrative. 110,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10171969 at NHTSA ↗