1993 Toyota 4RUNNER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
39 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
150,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1993 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 39 complaints (23.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 9 | 23.1% |
| Braking behavior | 5 | 12.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.6% |
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 |
| Steering:Linkages:Rod:Relay:Connecting | 4 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 3 |
| Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 9; Steering:Linkages:Rod:Relay:Connecting: 4; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 3; Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Power Train: 2; Electrical System: 1; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 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 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 7 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 7
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 27 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 | 6 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 4 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2018 | 1 |
1995: 4; 1996: 3; 2000: 6; 2001: 1; 2002: 1; 2003: 4; 2004: 2; 2005: 2; 2006: 2; 2007: 4; 2008: 4; 2010: 1; 2011: 1; 2013: 3; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 5 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 10143808 · 2005-11-28 (November 28, 2005)
DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 05V389000 CONCERNING THE STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING. THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS NOT AVAILABLE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. SHE SPOKE TO THE MANUFACTURER, WHO CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *AK UPDATED 12/27/2005. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ON 12/3/2005. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10143808 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10156850 · 2006-05-05 (May 5, 2006)
CONTACT HAS A TOYOTA 1993 4 RUNNER. RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 05V389000 ON STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING. CONTACTED TOYOTA IN PUERTO RICO AT [phone removed], ASKING FOR A REIMBURSEMENT. CONTACT DID NOT GET A RESPONSE. TRIED CALLING AGAIN, AND THE RESPONSE BY TELEPHONE WAS THAT I HAD TO WAIT FOR THE SITUATION TO BE ANALYZED. ALSO, THIS PART WAS TO CHANGE ON NOVEMBER 2, 2005. HOWEVER, CONTACT GOT A RECALL NOTICE IN FEBRUARY, 2006 PERTAINING TO THIS SAME PROBLEM. THAT WAS WHY HE DECIDED TO APPLY FOR A REIMBURSEMENT. UPDATED 0…
Owner-reported narrative. 180,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10156850 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10538497 · 2013-09-03 (September 3, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, HE WAS UNABLE TO SWITCH GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE METAL BRACKET WHICH HELD THE BRAKE AND CLUTCH PEDAL WAS FRACTURED AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE FAILURE RECURRED. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL IN WHICH THE METAL BRACKET WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 150,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10538497 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 720664 · 2000-03-27 (March 27, 2000)
WE ARE STARTING A CAMPAIGN TO FIND A RESOLUTION TO THE TOYOTA POLICY CONCERNING BRAKES. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 720664 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10204913 · 2007-09-26 (September 26, 2007)
1993 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER WITH TRANSMISSION AND STEERING PROBLEMS. CUSTOMER STATES SHE HAS FIXED A HOLE IN THE TRANSMISSION 4 TIMES AND THE PROBLEM RETURNS. SHE JUST RECEIVED A RECALL FOR THE STEERING AND CAN'T GET TO A DEALER. *KB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10204913 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 863601 · 2000-06-14 (June 14, 2000)
WHILE DRIVING ENGINE, W/O WARNING, TURNED OFF. CONSUMER STARTED ENGINE BACK UP, AND THEN ENGINE BEGAN SMOKING. CONSUMER GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE, AND IN LESS THAN 2 MINUTES, ENTIRE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. ENTIRE FRONT SIDE OF THE HOOD MELTED, INCLUDING THE BATTERY. *AK *ML
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 863601 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10036922 · 2003-08-31 (August 31, 2003)
FUEL PRESSURE CONTROL VALVE ON INJECTOR ASS. FAILED AT SEAMS AND SPRAYED FUEL ALL OVER TOP OF ENGINE. FUEL WAS AT IGNITION POINT WHEN SMELLED GAS AND SAW GAS DRIPPING OFF ENGINE AND EXHAUST. FUEL WAS POPPING AND BOILING. EXTREME FIRE OR EXPLOSION POTENTIAL. HAVE PART FOR INSPECTION IF YOU WANT SENT TO YOU.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 123,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10036922 at NHTSA ↗