MYRModel Year Report

1990 Toyota 4RUNNER

● Typical for this model
1990 Toyota 4RUNNER
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:48:49.179Z

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
79
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 1990

Investigations
4

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Engine and engine cooling

52% of complaints

Complaints per year

1984: 2 complaints 1984 1985: 2 complaints 1986: 8 complaints 1987: 5 complaints 1988: 9 complaints 1989: 6 complaints 1990: 79 complaints 1990 79 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: 528 complaints 2004: 612 complaints 2005: 410 complaints 2006: 381 complaints 2007: 154 complaints 2008: 96 complaints 2008 2009: 22 complaints 2010: 146 complaints 2011: 163 complaints 2012: 96 complaints 2013: 36 complaints 2014: 77 complaints 2014 2015: 87 complaints 2016: 81 complaints 2017: 36 complaints 2018: 60 complaints 2019: 65 complaints 2020: 32 complaints 2020 2021: 36 complaints 2022: 39 complaints 2023: 31 complaints 2024: 10 complaints 2025: 60 complaints 2026: 8 complaints 2026
1984: 2 complaints 1984 1985: 2 complaints 1986: 8 complaints 1987: 5 complaints 1987 1988: 9 complaints 1989: 6 complaints 1990: 79 complaints 1990 79 1991: 43 complaints 1992: 53 complaints 1993: 52 complaints 1993 1994: 12 complaints 1995: 47 complaints 1996: 72 complaints 1996 1997: 139 complaints 1998: 130 complaints 1999: 220 complaints 1999 2000: 379 complaints 2001: 154 complaints 2002: 192 complaints 2002 2003: 528 complaints 2004: 612 complaints 2005: 410 complaints 2005 2006: 381 complaints 2007: 154 complaints 2008: 96 complaints 2008 2009: 22 complaints 2010: 146 complaints 2011: 163 complaints 2011 2012: 96 complaints 2013: 36 complaints 2014: 77 complaints 2014 2015: 87 complaints 2016: 81 complaints 2017: 36 complaints 2017 2018: 60 complaints 2019: 65 complaints 2020: 32 complaints 2020 2021: 36 complaints 2022: 39 complaints 2023: 31 complaints 2023 2024: 10 complaints 2025: 60 complaints 2026: 8 complaints 2026
1984: 2 complaints 1984 1985: 2 complaints 1986: 8 complaints 1986 1987: 5 complaints 1988: 9 complaints 1988 1989: 6 complaints 1990: 79 complaints 1990 79 1991: 43 complaints 1992: 53 complaints 1992 1993: 52 complaints 1994: 12 complaints 1994 1995: 47 complaints 1996: 72 complaints 1996 1997: 139 complaints 1998: 130 complaints 1998 1999: 220 complaints 2000: 379 complaints 2000 2001: 154 complaints 2002: 192 complaints 2002 2003: 528 complaints 2004: 612 complaints 2004 2005: 410 complaints 2006: 381 complaints 2006 2007: 154 complaints 2008: 96 complaints 2008 2009: 22 complaints 2010: 146 complaints 2010 2011: 163 complaints 2012: 96 complaints 2012 2013: 36 complaints 2014: 77 complaints 2014 2015: 87 complaints 2016: 81 complaints 2016 2017: 36 complaints 2018: 60 complaints 2018 2019: 65 complaints 2020: 32 complaints 2020 2021: 36 complaints 2022: 39 complaints 2022 2023: 31 complaints 2024: 10 complaints 2024 2025: 60 complaints 2026: 8 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
2003528
2004612
2005410
2006381
2007154
200896
200922
2010146
2011163
201296
201336
201477
201587
201681
201736
201860
201965
202032
202136
202239
202331
202410
202560
20268

Known problem areas

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

Engine and engine cooling

52% · 41 reports

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, 2003-02-12

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, 2002-09-13

Power train

19% · 15 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and pedal/hand lever(motorcycle).

CRASHINJURY
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, 1995-11-21

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, 2012-10-03

Also filed under Service brakes

Service brakes

11% · 9 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
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, 2018-04-26

Structure

10% · 8 reports

Most commonly citing door and frame and members.

Vehicle speed control

6% · 5 reports

Most commonly citing linkages and cruise control.

CRASHINJURY

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    1991-11-06Preliminary evaluationClosed 1992-03-24 Loss of brake effectivenes
  2. I
    1992-03-24Engineering analysisClosed 1993-01-21 Loss of brk effectiveness
  3. I
    1999-01-27SQClosed 1999-04-22 Corroded brake lines
  4. I
    2002-03-26Defect petitionClosed 2002-08-26 Rear seat belt routing
  5. R
    2005-10-05Steering05V389000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the steering relay rod. The recall began October 5, 2005. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2006-07-01Exterior lighting06E049000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1990 Toyota 4RUNNER — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine and engine cooling: 41 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 15 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 9 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 05V389000 · Steering
  • Recall 06E049000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

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 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.