1991 Toyota 4RUNNER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
32 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
170,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1991 model year. Data snapshot: . 9 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 32 complaints (34.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 5 | 15.6% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 9.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 3.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 3.1% |
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 | 11 |
| Steering:Linkages:Rod:Relay:Connecting | 2 |
| Tires | 2 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 2 |
| Wheels | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 1 |
| Equipment | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 11; Steering:Linkages:Rod:Relay:Connecting: 2; Tires: 2; Tires:Tread/Belt: 2; Wheels: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe: 1; Equipment: 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 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 8 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 8
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 23 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 | 7 |
| 1996 | 3 |
| 2000 | 6 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
1995: 7; 1996: 3; 2000: 6; 2001: 1; 2003: 3; 2004: 2; 2005: 2; 2006: 1; 2007: 2; 2008: 1; 2011: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 1; 2017: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10017552 · 2003-07-11 (July 11, 2003)
THE HEAD GASKET LEAKED OIL. *JB THE MAIN WIRES ON THE ENGINE SHORTED OUT WITH MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL COMPONENT FAILURES. OVER $3500 SPENT IN REPAIRS WITHIN 2 WEEKS. * CB *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10017552 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10025121 · 2003-06-27 (June 27, 2003)
FUEL LEAKED ONTO THE GASKET AND CAUSED A FUEL ODOR TO ENTER THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE VENTS. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10025121 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10041078 · 2003-10-01 (October 1, 2003)
MY DAUGHTER WITH TWO GRANDDAUGHTERS WERE DRIVING IN A 91 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER ON A WELL MAINTAINED LOG ROAD WHEN THEY LOST STEERING AND WENT OVER A 30 FT CLIFF. THE STEERING KNUCKLE BROKE THE TILT STEERING AND PLASTIC. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. 170,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10041078 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10057847 · 2004-02-10 (February 10, 2004)
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A CLUTCH ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT PROBLEM. THERE WAS A SMELL AND CHATTERING WITHIN THE CLUTCH. DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO REPLACE OR REPAIR THE PROBLEM. LATER, CLUTCH ASSEMBLY BROKE APART, INCLUDING THE BELL HOUSING AND THE CONE.*AK PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.
Owner-reported narrative. 260,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10057847 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10088704 · 2004-08-27 (August 27, 2004)
HEAD GASKET LEAK. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 153,664 miles reported. Look up ODI 10088704 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10124587 · 2005-06-08 (June 8, 2005)
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. HE STATES THAT HE HAD TREAD SEPARATION ON BRIDGESTONE TIRES. IT WAS THE DRIVER'S FRONT TIRE. IT PULLED HIM TOWARD THE MEDIAN, AND HE WAS ABLE TO PULL IT BACK TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE TIRE SEPARATION DAMAGED BUMPER AND FENDER. HE DOES HAVE PHOTOGRAPHS AND THE TIRE AVAILABLE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10124587 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10139978 · 2005-10-17 (October 17, 2005)
CORROSION ON THE BREAK LINES FROM POOR DESIGN IN ALLOWING SAND AND DIRT TO ACCUMULATE AND CAUSE THE LINE TO RUST THROUGH AND CREATE A BREAK FAILURE. THE RUST CREATED A LITTLE LARGER THEN A PIN HOLE THAT ALOUD THE RAPID LOST OF BREAK FLUID WHICH CAUSED THE LOSS OF STOPPING AND ALMOST CAUSED SEVER DAMAGE AND INJURY TO SAME. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 118,158 miles reported. Look up ODI 10139978 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10150856 · 2006-02-09 (February 9, 2006)
1991 TOYOTA 4RUNNER STEERING FAILED WHEN TURNING WHEEL. *TS ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE STEERING LINKAGES TWO MONTHS AFTER THE ACCIDENT. *JB *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10150856 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
05V389000 · Steering:Linkages:Rod:Relay:Connecting
Reported: 2005-09-06 (September 6, 2005)
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, IF THE STEERING WHEEL IS REPEATEDLY TURNED UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS WHERE HIGH STEERING EFFORT AND POWER ASSIST ARE REQUIRED, FOR INSTANCE, WHEN FULLY TURNING THE WHEEL WHILE THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED, A FATIGUE CRACK MAY DEVELOP IN THE STEERING RELAY ROD.
Consequence: IF THE VEHICLE IS CONTINUED TO BE OPERATED IN THIS CONDITION, THE RELAY ROD MAY FRACTURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING RELAY ROD. THE RECALL BEGAN OCTOBER 5, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
NHTSA campaign record ↗