1998 Toyota 4 RUNNER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
91 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
60,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 17 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Tires is the most frequently named component, appearing in 16 of 91 complaints (17.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 15 | 16.5% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 6.6% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 3.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 3.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Tires | 16 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 12 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 5 |
| Suspension | 5 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 4 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 4 |
| Suspension:Rear | 4 |
Tires: 16; Tires:Tread/Belt: 12; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 5; Suspension: 5; Electrical System: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 4; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 4; Suspension:Rear: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 8 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 8; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 74 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 |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 28 |
| 2001 | 12 |
| 2002 | 21 |
| 2003 | 9 |
| 2004 | 13 |
| 2005 | 6 |
| 2006 | 2 |
2000: 28; 2001: 12; 2002: 21; 2003: 9; 2004: 13; 2005: 6; 2006: 2
Pattern summary
Tires leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 15 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 3 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10002832 · 2003-01-17 (January 17, 2003)
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ALONG APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WINDOW SHATTERS FOR NO APPARENT REASON. LUCKILY OUR 3 YEAR OLD CHILD WAS ON THE OTHER SIDE. SHE CALLED THE POLICE AND HE SAID IT WAS A DEFECT IN TOYOTA 4RUNNERS. TS
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10002832 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003233 · 2003-01-22 (January 22, 2003)
FREQUENT PROBLEM WITH TAIL LIGHTS ON MY VEHICLE HAVE BURNED OUT. THE "STONE MONTAIN GEORGIA" DEALERSHIP CANNOT LOCATE THE PROBLEM BUT IT SEEMS TO ME TO BE A DEAD SHORT IN THE SYSTEM. THIS PROBLEM HAS CREATED A FIRE IN THE UPPER CENTER REAR BRAKE WARNING LIGHT AND HAS MELTED THE HOUSING THAT IN-CASES THE BULB. THE BRAKE AND TAIL LIGHTS ARE CONSTANTLY BURNING OUT. I HAVE CEASED USE OF THE REMOTE DOOR LOCK AS THE FLASHING OF THE LIGHTS SEAMED TO ONLY MAKE THE PROBLEM WORSE AND BLOW LIGHT BULBS MORE OFTEN. NOT ONLY IS THE PROBLEM A FINACIA…
Owner-reported narrative. 1 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003233 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006880 · 2003-02-10 (February 10, 2003)
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT DRIVING 10 MPH AND THE REAR AXLE BROKE.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006880 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007750 · 2003-02-18 (February 18, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, THE REAR AXLE BORKE
Owner-reported narrative. 38,311 miles reported. Look up ODI 10007750 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009528 · 2003-03-10 (March 10, 2003)
THERE WAS AN UNFAMILIAR RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. *DT *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10009528 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011092 · 2003-03-26 (March 26, 2003)
I WAS IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT JULY 6, 2002. I DROVE A 98' TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. THERE WERE FOUR PERSONS WHO SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE AIRBAG SEEMED TO PERFORM AS INTENDED, HOWEVER, TO THIS DATE I HAVE HORRIFYING PLASTIC MATERIAL COMING FROM THE INSIDE... AND OUTSIDE OF MY CHEEKS. IT HAS CAUSED VERY VISIBLE PATTERNS TO PROTRUDE FROM THE SKIN, CONSTANT PAIN, AND DESPERATE EFFORTS TO GET ANSWERS. THOUGH I HAVE BEEN TO MANY DOCTORS, I HAVE FAILED TO ESCAPE THE RESEARCH EVASIVE REALITIES OF MY PROVIDERS. LABS SIMPLY FAIL TO IDENTIFY, AND DOCTORS AGREE TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10011092 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10019973 · 2003-05-16 (May 16, 2003)
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION BUT NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT. *NLM *TT
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10019973 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10029394 · 2003-07-16 (July 16, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES THAT REAR LEFT SEAT BELT DOES NOT UNLOCK. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10029394 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.