Toyota 4RUNNER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
4,772 owner complaints analyzed
45 distinct recall campaigns
121,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1984 to 2026 model years. Data snapshot: . 3,114 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Structure:Body is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1,384 of 4,772 complaints (29.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 675 | 14.1% |
| Steering behavior | 299 | 6.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 170 | 3.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 119 | 2.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 113 | 2.4% |
| Engine operation | 61 | 1.3% |
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 | 1384 |
| Suspension | 761 |
| Unknown Or Other | 721 |
| Air Bags | 447 |
| Service Brakes | 285 |
| Steering | 271 |
| Power Train | 213 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 198 |
Structure:Body: 1,384; Suspension: 761; Unknown Or Other: 721; Air Bags: 447; Service Brakes: 285; Steering: 271; Power Train: 213; Vehicle Speed Control: 198
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 371 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 231 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 268 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 332 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 853 |
| 150,000 and above | 1059 |
Under 25,000: 371; 25,000 to 49,999: 231; 50,000 to 74,999: 268; 75,000 to 99,999: 332; 100,000 to 149,999: 853; 150,000 and above: 1,059
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1,059). 1,658 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 | 20 |
| 1996 | 16 |
| 2000 | 40 |
| 2001 | 12 |
| 2002 | 5 |
| 2003 | 19 |
| 2004 | 10 |
| 2005 | 9 |
| 2006 | 64 |
| 2007 | 99 |
| 2008 | 92 |
| 2009 | 110 |
| 2010 | 300 |
| 2011 | 175 |
| 2012 | 162 |
| 2013 | 186 |
| 2014 | 249 |
| 2015 | 286 |
| 2016 | 390 |
| 2017 | 491 |
| 2018 | 469 |
| 2019 | 449 |
| 2020 | 335 |
| 2021 | 263 |
| 2022 | 137 |
| 2023 | 115 |
| 2024 | 73 |
| 2025 | 109 |
| 2026 | 87 |
1995: 20; 1996: 16; 2000: 40; 2001: 12; 2002: 5; 2003: 19; 2004: 10; 2005: 9; 2006: 64; 2007: 99; 2008: 92; 2009: 110; 2010: 300; 2011: 175; 2012: 162; 2013: 186; 2014: 249; 2015: 286; 2016: 390; 2017: 491; 2018: 469; 2019: 449; 2020: 335; 2021: 263; 2022: 137; 2023: 115; 2024: 73; 2025: 109; 2026: 87
Pattern summary
Structure:Body leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 675 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 299 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 170 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 979280 · 1996-02-14 (February 14, 1996)
WHILE DRIVING, AT APPROX. 50MPH, MADE ATTEMPT TO SLOW VEHICLE, WHEN CAR JUMPED OUT IN FRONT, REAR BRAKES LOCKED, RESULT ROLLOVER INTO AN EMBANKMENT. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 979280 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10049623 · 2003-12-12 (December 12, 2003)
ON 1986 TOYOTA 4 RUNNERS THE HAND BRAKE IS SOLELY RELIED ON TO ADJUST THE BACK BRAKES. THE PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE THE BELL CRANK BOOT DOES NOT SUFFICIENTLY PREVENT CORROSION BETWEEN THE BELL CRANK AND ITS FRAME AT THE BACKING PLATE. THIS CAUSES THE ADJUSTING SCREW TO NOT ENGAGE AND THEREFORE THE BACK BRAKES DO NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. WITH LESS FORCE ON THE BACK BRAKES THAN THE FRONT BRAKES THE FRONT BRAKES TEND TO LOCK UP. STEERING CONTROL IS THEN LOST.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 268,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10049623 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10153046 · 2006-03-08 (March 8, 2006)
1990 4 RUNNER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHICH OCCURRED DUE TO FAULTY STEERING RELAY ROD. *TS THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL FOR THE STEERING RELAY ROD SEVERAL YEARS AFTER THE COMPONENT HAD ALREADY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A SINGLE CAR ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER. CONSEQUENTLY THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED SERIOUS INJURIES AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED. THE CONSUMER NOW REALIZES THAT THE ACCIDENT WAS LIKELY DUE TO THE STEERING RELAY ROD PROBLEM MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 169,542 miles reported. Look up ODI 10153046 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10000871 · 2003-01-09 (January 9, 2003)
1990 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER INTERMITTANTLY JUMPS IN AND OUT OF OVERDRIVE AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MILES PER HOUR OR HIGHER WHEN HIGHWAY DRIVING, CAUSING INCREASE IN GAS MILEAGE AND HIGH RPMS ON THE ENGINE. IN 2001 I WENT TO TOYOTA FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THEY TOLD ME I WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION SO I SHOULD DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL I COULD NOT DRIVE IT ANYMORE. AT THAT POINT I SHOULD HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. AFTER EXTENSIVE RESEARCH I LOCATED TSBS FOR THIS VEHICLE AND FOUND ONE THAT ADDRESSES THIS ISSUE (TSB ATRATB351 DATED JAN 96). THI…
Owner-reported narrative. 110,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000871 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 503108 · 1996-04-04 (April 4, 1996)
TRANSMISSION UPSHIFTING FAILED DUE TO GEARS STICKING. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 503108 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 ↗
Owner report 10454472 · 2012-04-08 (April 8, 2012)
THE FRAME ON MY 96 4 RUNNER LIMITED IS RUSTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT APPROXIMATELY 1 FOOT LONG ON THE DRIVERS SIDE BY THE GAS TANK WHERE THE REAR BODY MOUNT AND TRAILING ARM MEET THE FRAME. BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE FRAME RAILS ARE ROTTED THROUGH. MY 4 RUNNER BODY IS IN PERFECT CONDITION WITH NO RUST. THE REST OF THE FRAME IS IN GOOD CONDITION WITH ONLY MINIMAL SURFACE RUST. WITHOUT PERIODIC INSPECTION IT WOULD NEVER BE KNOWN THAT A PROBLEM EXISTED BECAUSE THE REST OF THE VEHICLEE IS NEAR PERFECT CONDITION. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 171,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10454472 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10406880 · 2011-06-14 (June 14, 2011)
FAN BLADE DISINTEGRATED AT HIGHWAY SPEED. DENTED HOOD, CRACKED BATTERY, RUINED SHROUD AND ALTERNATOR BELT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 300,854 miles reported. Look up ODI 10406880 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 721731 · 2000-04-20 (April 20, 2000)
THIS VEHICLE BEHAVES IN A VERY "LEMON" LIKE WAY. NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL FAILURES SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE. MAIN PROBLEM IS VEHICLE JUMPING IN AND OUT OF OVERDRIVE AT HIGHWAY CRUISING SPEEDS. (A CONSTANT PROBLEM.) TOYOTA SEEMS TO NOT WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM, ALTHOUGH I KNOW OF AT LEAST ONE OTHER OWNER LOCALLY WHO HAS EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. AT ONE TIME, A WIRING HARNESS WAS BLAMED AND A FIX WAS MADE THAT CURED THE PROBLEM FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS. VEHICLE CONSTANTLY LEAKS OIL, EVEN THOUGH THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP "FIXED" T…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 721731 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10031090 · 2003-08-08 (August 8, 2003)
I PURCHASED MY 4RUNNER USED IN 1998. THE MILEAGE AT PURCHASE WAS ONLY 30K, AS IT HAD BEEN USED PRIMARILY FOR DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. THE ORIGINAL OWNER INFORMED ME THAT A NOTICE HAD BEEN SENT BY TOYOTA REGARDING HEAD GASKET FAILURES (TSB #97121797017), AND THAT TOYOTA WOULD HONOR THE REPAIRS (IF NECESSARY) UP TO 100K MILES, REGARDLESS OF TIME SINCE ORIGINAL USE. THE TSB, HOWEVER, STATES THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY LASTS UNTIL 8 YEARS FROM ORIGINAL USE OR 100K MILES, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST. SINCE OCTOBER 2000, I HAVE EXPERIENCED INT…
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10031090 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10069821 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
I PURCHASED MY 4RUNNER USED IN 1998. THE MILEAGE AT PURCHASE WAS ONLY 30K, AS IT HAD BEEN USED PRIMARILY FOR DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. THE ORIGINAL OWNER INFORMED ME THAT A NOTICE HAD BEEN SENT BY TOYOTA REGARDING HEAD GASKET FAILURES (TSB #97121797017), AND THAT TOYOTA WOULD HONOR THE REPAIRS (IF NECESSARY) UP TO 100K MILES, REGARDLESS OF TIME SINCE ORIGINAL USE. THE TSB, HOWEVER, STATES THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY LASTS UNTIL 8 YEARS FROM ORIGINAL USE OR 100K MILES, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST. SINCE OCTOBER 2000, I HAVE EXPERIENCED INTER…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10069821 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 |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 12 |
| 2011 | 10 |
| 2012 | 8 |
| 2013 | 6 |
| 2014 | 7 |
| 2015 | 9 |
| 2016 | 8 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2010: 12; 2011: 10; 2012: 8; 2013: 6; 2014: 7; 2015: 9; 2016: 8; 2017: 5; 2018: 5; 2019: 4; 2020: 1; 2021: 1; 2022: 3; 2023: 1; 2024: 1; 2025: 1; 2026: 2
Year-by-year records
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Change in recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | 1 | 0 | Not available |
| 1985 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 1986 | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| 1987 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 1988 | 4 | 1 | +1 |
| 1989 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 1990 | 51 | 1 | 0 |
| 1991 | 32 | 1 | 0 |
| 1992 | 34 | 1 | 0 |
| 1993 | 39 | 1 | 0 |
| 1994 | 12 | 1 | 0 |
| 1995 | 47 | 1 | 0 |
| 1996 | 72 | 2 | +1 |
| 1997 | 139 | 1 | -1 |
| 1998 | 130 | 1 | 0 |
| 1999 | 220 | 0 | -1 |
| 2000 | 379 | 0 | 0 |
| 2001 | 154 | 1 | +1 |
| 2002 | 192 | 1 | 0 |
| 2003 | 527 | 3 | +2 |
| 2004 | 612 | 2 | -1 |
| 2005 | 409 | 5 | +3 |
| 2006 | 381 | 5 | 0 |
| 2007 | 154 | 5 | 0 |
| 2008 | 96 | 5 | 0 |
| 2009 | 22 | 6 | +1 |
| 2010 | 145 | 12 | +6 |
| 2011 | 163 | 10 | -2 |
| 2012 | 96 | 8 | -2 |
| 2013 | 36 | 6 | -2 |
| 2014 | 77 | 7 | +1 |
| 2015 | 86 | 9 | +2 |
| 2016 | 79 | 8 | -1 |
| 2017 | 36 | 5 | -3 |
| 2018 | 58 | 5 | 0 |
| 2019 | 64 | 4 | -1 |
| 2020 | 33 | 1 | -3 |
| 2021 | 36 | 1 | 0 |
| 2022 | 39 | 3 | +2 |
| 2023 | 32 | 1 | -2 |
| 2024 | 8 | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 | 56 | 1 | 0 |
| 2026 | 7 | 2 | +1 |