MYRModel Year Report

1990 Toyota 4RUNNER

● Typical for this model
1990 Toyota 4RUNNER
RENDERED 2026-09-17T04:29:47.143Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Toyota 4RUNNER Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1990 highlighted. 1984: 2 complaints 1984 1985: 2 complaints 1986: 8 complaints 1987: 5 complaints 1988: 9 complaints 1989: 6 complaints 1990: 79 complaints 1990 1991: 43 complaints 1992: 53 complaints 1993: 52 complaints 1994: 12 complaints 1995: 47 complaints 1996: 72 complaints 1996 1997: 139 complaints 1998: 130 complaints 1999: 220 complaints 2000: 379 complaints 2001: 154 complaints 2002: 192 complaints 2002 2003: 527 complaints 2004: 612 complaints 2005: 409 complaints 2006: 381 complaints 2007: 154 complaints 2008: 96 complaints 2008 2009: 22 complaints 2010: 145 complaints 2011: 163 complaints 2012: 96 complaints 2013: 36 complaints 2014: 77 complaints 2014 2015: 86 complaints 2016: 79 complaints 2017: 36 complaints 2018: 58 complaints 2019: 64 complaints 2020: 32 complaints 2020 2021: 36 complaints 2022: 39 complaints 2023: 30 complaints 2024: 8 complaints 2025: 56 complaints 2026: 7 complaints 2026
1990: 79 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19842
19852
19868
19875
19889
19896
199079
199143
199253
199352
199412
199547
199672
1997139
1998130
1999220
2000379
2001154
2002192
2003527
2004612
2005409
2006381
2007154
200896
200922
2010145
2011163
201296
201336
201477
201586
201679
201736
201858
201964
202032
202136
202239
202330
20248
202556
20267

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 52%

52% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 41 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

VEHICLE WAS MAKING A BANGING NOISE IN THE ENGINE. WHITE SMOKE, AND FIRE IN THE ENGINE. VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED

NHTSA ODI report, 20030212

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDERNEATH HOOD. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. NLM

NHTSA ODI report, 20020913

POWER TRAIN 19%

19% of complaints: power train — 15 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and pedal/hand lever(motorcycle).

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING 40 TO 45 MPH THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE REAR AXLE CAME OFF CAUSING THE TRUCK TO ROLLOVER TRUCK WAS TOTOALED . TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19951121

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRACKET SUB-ASSEMBLY THAT HELD THE CLUTCH AND BRAKE PEDAL WAS FRACTURED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL OR THE CLUTCH.

NHTSA ODI report, 20121003

Also filed under SERVICE BRAKES

SERVICE BRAKES 11%

11% of complaints: service brakes — 9 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

CLUTCH/BRAKE PEDAL BRACKET BROKE/CRACKED AFTER PRESSING THE CLUTCH PEDAL. WAS ORIGINALLY DIAGNOSED AS A BAD CLUTCH AND ALMOST PULLED THE PLUG TO GET THE CLUTCH REPLACED. WOULD HAVE BEEN A LOAD OF WASTED MONEY ON A POOR DIAGNOSIS.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180426

Also filed under UNKNOWN OR OTHER

STRUCTURE 10%

10% of complaints: structure — 8 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing door and frame and members.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 6%

6% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 5 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing linkages and cruise control.

CRASH INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 19911106 — PE (closed 19920324)

LOSS OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENES

I 19920324 — EA (closed 19930121)

LOSS OF BRK EFFECTIVENESS

I 19990127 — SQ (closed 19990422)

CORRODED BRAKE LINES

I 20020326 — DP (closed 20020826)

REAR SEAT BELT ROUTING

R 20051005 — steering

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 FU

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING RELAY ROD. THE RECALL BEGAN OCTOBER 5, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Campaign 05V389000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060701 — exterior lighting

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE N

Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

Campaign 06E049000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1990 Toyota 4RUNNER — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (41 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (15 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (9 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 05V389000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E049000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2023 ▲ 2020 ▲ 2013

WORST YEARS

■ 2004 ■ 2003 ■ 2005

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1990 Toyota 4RUNNER reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1990 Toyota 4RUNNER is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1990 Toyota 4RUNNER?

The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 52% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1990 Toyota 4RUNNER have?

2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.