1999 Toyota 4RUNNER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
220 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
167,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1999 model year. Data snapshot: . 178 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Structure:Body is the most frequently named component, appearing in 73 of 220 complaints (33.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 24 | 10.9% |
| Steering behavior | 11 | 5.0% |
| Engine operation | 6 | 2.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 2.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 1.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 0.9% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Structure:Body | 73 |
| Suspension | 56 |
| Unknown Or Other | 34 |
| Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields | 22 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 16 |
| Steering | 14 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 13 |
| Power Train | 12 |
Structure:Body: 73; Suspension: 56; Unknown Or Other: 34; Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields: 22; Structure:Frame And Members: 16; Steering: 14; Fuel System, Gasoline: 13; Power Train: 12
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 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 7 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 14 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 46 |
| 150,000 and above | 109 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 7; 75,000 to 99,999: 14; 100,000 to 149,999: 46; 150,000 and above: 109
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (109). 42 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 |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2008 | 12 |
| 2009 | 10 |
| 2010 | 15 |
| 2011 | 14 |
| 2012 | 18 |
| 2013 | 17 |
| 2014 | 24 |
| 2015 | 22 |
| 2016 | 23 |
| 2017 | 17 |
| 2018 | 11 |
| 2019 | 11 |
| 2020 | 11 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2006: 2; 2007: 5; 2008: 12; 2009: 10; 2010: 15; 2011: 14; 2012: 18; 2013: 17; 2014: 24; 2015: 22; 2016: 23; 2017: 17; 2018: 11; 2019: 11; 2020: 11; 2021: 6; 2022: 1; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Structure:Body leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 24 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 11 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 6 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 10159507 · 2006-06-10 (June 10, 2006)
HAVE A 1999 4RUNNER WHICH SUFFERED RIGHT REAR AXLE GASKET FAILURE AT 59000 MILES. SAME 4RUNNER SUFFERED LEFT REAR AXLE GASKET FAILURE AT 110000 MILES. HAVE OWNED SEVERAL 4RUNNERS (DIFFERENT YEARS) THAT HAVE NEVER HAD REAR AXLE PROBLEMS. HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD SAME PROBLEM. BOTH PROBLEMS WERE DIAGNOSED AT DEALER AND WERE CONSIDERED SAFETY HAZARDS BECAUSE GREASE WAS LEAKING ONTO REAR BRAKE PADS. WOULD ADVISE OTHER OWNERS OF THIS YEAR TO HAVE REAR AXLE SEALS EXAMINED BY DEALER FOR SAME PROBLEM. OTHERS HAVE HAD SAME PROBLEM AND HAVE POSTED REAR AXLE …
Owner-reported narrative. 59,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10159507 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10214446 · 2008-01-10 (January 10, 2008)
PURCHASED NEW - NOW AT 135K MILES. HAVE REPLACED 1 OR BOTH REAR AXLE SEALS AT LEAST 5 TIMES -- FIRST REPLACEMENT WAS ON MY DIME -- REMAINDER HAVE BEEN UNDER WARRANTY. THEY REPLACED AN AXLE LAST TIME, BUT IN LESS THAN 2K MILES SYMPTOMS RETURNED (LEAKS ON WHEELS, STICKING REAR BRAKES). SURE, IT DOESN'T "COST" ME ANYTHING, EXCEPT MY TRUCK IS IN THE SHOP 1-2 DAYS EACH TIME! *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10214446 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10228580 · 2008-05-21 (May 21, 2008)
I HAVE 99 4 RUNNER AND AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY MY VEHICLES ENGINE DIED, I HAD TO CUT ACROSS TRAFFIC WITHOUT POWER BRAKES OR STEERING. I SPOKE TO THE DEALER ABOUT MY PROBLEM AND THEY GAVE ME AN ESTIMATE OF AROUND $1000 DOLLARS, IF U LOOK ON THE INTERNET THERE SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME ISSUE,I THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL CONCERNING THIS ISSUE BECAUSE IT IS POSSIBLE TO CAUSE A COLLISION UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES. THANKS *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 135,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10228580 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10255373 · 2009-01-16 (January 16, 2009)
-STARTED THE VEHICLE. -MOVED FORWARD A FEW FEET -STARTED TO TURN STEERING WHEEL LEFT, NOTICED STEERING WAS HEAVIER THAN NORMAL AS WELL AS UNUSUAL NOISE -CAR JERKED AND SHOT LEFT... TRIED TO STEER TO AVOID HITTING OBSTACLES BUT WAS UNABLE TO DUE TO THE EXTREME HEAVINESS OF THE STEERING WHEEL. DUE TO THIS INCIDENT THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED DIRECTLY TO THE SHOP FOR REPAIRS -MECHANIC IMMEDIATELY NOTICE UNUSUAL SEPARATION OF THE RACK AND PINION. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10255373 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10264990 · 2009-04-11 (April 11, 2009)
DRIVING ON I-79 IN PASSING LANE AT 65 MPH, THE ENGINE QUIT, COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES..RUSH HOUR. MOST DANGEROUS THAT HAS EVER HAPPENED TO ME. COASTED TO SIDE OF ROAD, TOWED TO GARAGE, ENGINE WILL NOT START, SHOWS A LITTLE OVER 1/2 TANK ON FUEL GAGE..ENDS UP, WAS OUT OF FUEL ! GAUGE GAVE FALSE READING. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 54,000 MILES ON IT. I DID FIND A TOYOTA TSB EL010-00 THAT ADDRESSES THIS EXACT PROBLEM, BUT I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF IT. MY VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT FROM A TOYOTA DEALER WITH MY NAME AS THE NEW OWNER ON RECO…
Owner-reported narrative. 54,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10264990 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10294572 · 2009-12-05 (December 5, 2009)
VEHICLE STALLS AND DIES ON FREEWAY ALMOST CAUSING WRECK. FIND OUT THERE IS NO FUEL IN TANK EVEN THOUGH FUEL GAUGE READS 1/2. TOYOTA SAYS TSB EL010-00 ADDRESSES KNOWN DEFECTIVE 1999 AND 2000 FUEL GAUGES AND ALSO ADDRESSES SOME GAUGES INACCURATELY READING EMPTY WHEN 4 GALLONS REMAIN. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10294572 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10310501 · 2010-02-15 (February 15, 2010)
SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER WHEN DRIVING 1999 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SR5. FUEL GAUGE READS FULL AND VEHICLE STALLS DUE TO NO FUEL IN TANK. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO VERIFY THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE TO TOYOTA AND THAT THEY HAVE REFUSED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM UNDER WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT A PROBLEM WITH THE PART AS DELIVERED IN THIS VEHICLE AND THEY ISSUED TSB:EL010-00 TITLED "FUEL GAUGE INACCURACY" TO FIX THE PROBLEM ONLY UNDER WARRANTY. THIS IS NOT A WARRANTY ISSUE, BUT A SAFETY ISSUE AS VEHICLE CAN RUN OUT OF FUEL AND STALL WITHOUT WAR…
Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10310501 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10486261 · 2012-11-27 (November 27, 2012)
I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS 1999 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. FUEL GAUGE IS INACCURATE, GIVES MISLEADING INFORMATION. ACCORDING TO SPECIFICATION THIS GAS TANK CAN HOLDS 18.5 GALLONS, BUT WHEN THE GAUGE SAID IT WAS EMPTY I FILLED IT ALL THE WAY UP AND IT ONLY TOOK ~13 GALLONS. THIS A FAULTY DESIGN AND IT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND REPAIRED FOR CUSTOMER. I DIDN'T NOTICE THIS PROBLEM UNTIL I HAVE A LONG TRIP ~ 500 MILES AWAY FROM HOME. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 81,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10486261 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10519742 · 2013-06-13 (June 13, 2013)
DRIVING DOWN ROAD AND CAR STARTED SWAYING BADLY EVEN WHEN SHIFTING GEARS HEARD A NOISE WHEN GOT HOME I HAD VEHICLE LOOKED AT AND THE BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE REAR WAS BROKE IT IS RUSTED RIGHT FROM FRAME ON PASSENGER SIDE AND FURTHER INSPECTION SHOWS SEVERE FRAME RUST JUST LIKE THE TRUCKS THAT WERE RECALLED STATED THE SAME ISSUE IS TAKING PLACE AND THESE SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. I NOTIFIED TOYOTA AND THEY DON'T WANT TO BE BOTHERED. I HAVE CONTACTED A LAWYER AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OFFICE. PLEASE OPEN AN INVESTIGATION FOR A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE…
Owner-reported narrative. 172,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10519742 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10957316 · 2017-02-27 (February 27, 2017)
ABS LIGHT ;PO500 CODE SPEED SENSOR A SPEEDOMETER NOT WORKING, WONT SHIFT INTO GEAR WITH ABS LIGHT ON WINDOWS MALFUNCTION AND ALL ELECTRIC WINDOWS STOPPED WORKING POSSIBLY DUE TO SAME ABS CIRCUITE AS NOTICED SAME EXACT TIMEFRAME. APART FROM THAT PRIOR MALFUNCTIONS INCLUDE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON NEEDS RESTTING FROM DEALER AND ALSO HORN DOES NOT OPERATE. MISSING/NO FACTORY INSTALLED FOG LAMPS --DEALER WANTS OVER 1,200.00 FOR 2 BASIC FOG LAMPS FROM THEIR PARTS DEPT.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10957316 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10303515 · 2010-02-01 (February 1, 2010)
IN SEPTEMBER 2009, I WAS STARTING MY 1999 TOYOTA 4RUNNER IN MY DRIVEWAY. I DRESSED THE CLUTCH AS USUAL AND TURNED THE KEY. THE ENGINE STARTED, I HEARD A "POP", AND IT BEGAN RUNNING AT FULL THROTTLE AND WAS RACING FOR SEVERAL MINUTES UNTIL I FINALLY TURNED IT OFF. THE RPM GAUGE WAS AT ITS MAXIMUM. I DID NOT HAVE A FLOOR MAT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE, I DID NOT HAVE MY FOOT ON THE GAS, AND WAS NOT DOING ANYTHING TO RACE THE ENGINE. I COULD NOT MAKE THE ENGINE STOP RACING. I TRIED TO PUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL AND THEN RELEASED IT. IT WAS STILL …
Owner-reported narrative. 46,781 miles reported. Look up ODI 10303515 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10820157 · 2016-01-14 (January 14, 2016)
THE VEHICLE STALLS, INCOSISTENTLY, BUT, ON A FREQUENT BASIS, AT ANY GIVEN TIME, THEN WILL BE FINE FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. IT EATS BATTERIES. I'VE HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY EVERY YEAR. A LOCAL AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRICAL SPECIALIST REPLACED THE B+ CABLE FROM THE BATTERY TO THE STARTER, AND THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY FOR A YEAR, BUT, HAS SINCE RETURNED. I RECENTLY UPGRADED TO A BATTERY WITH MORE CRANKING WATTS, AND HAVE EEN IMPROVEMENT. HOWEVER. THERE'S THE ISSUE OF THE HESITATION, JERKING, AND LOSS OF POWER, WHEN TAKING OFF AFTER 1ST START OF THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 180,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10820157 at NHTSA ↗