1993 Toyota 4RUNNER
This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than 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.
- Complaints
- 52
- Recalls
- 3
- Investigations
- 2
- Top problem
- Engine and engine cooling
Campaigns on file for 1993
Opened by NHTSA
38% of complaints
Complaints per year
1993: 52 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1984 | 2 |
| 1985 | 2 |
| 1986 | 8 |
| 1987 | 5 |
| 1988 | 9 |
| 1989 | 6 |
| 1990 | 79 |
| 1991 | 43 |
| 1992 | 53 |
| 1993 | 52 |
| 1994 | 12 |
| 1995 | 47 |
| 1996 | 72 |
| 1997 | 139 |
| 1998 | 130 |
| 1999 | 220 |
| 2000 | 379 |
| 2001 | 154 |
| 2002 | 192 |
| 2003 | 528 |
| 2004 | 612 |
| 2005 | 410 |
| 2006 | 381 |
| 2007 | 154 |
| 2008 | 96 |
| 2009 | 22 |
| 2010 | 146 |
| 2011 | 163 |
| 2012 | 96 |
| 2013 | 36 |
| 2014 | 77 |
| 2015 | 87 |
| 2016 | 81 |
| 2017 | 36 |
| 2018 | 60 |
| 2019 | 65 |
| 2020 | 32 |
| 2021 | 36 |
| 2022 | 39 |
| 2023 | 31 |
| 2024 | 10 |
| 2025 | 60 |
| 2026 | 8 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Engine and engine cooling
38% · 20 reportsMost commonly citing engine and gasoline.
Service brakes
17% · 9 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic and air.
Steering
13% · 7 reportsMost commonly citing connecting and tie rod assembly.
Show complaint excerpts
Tl*- the contact's daughter owns the 2003 Toyota runner, which crash on 08/26/04. He hit a pot hole and lost control of the vehicle. One year after the crash received recall 05V389000 for steering: linkages: rod: relay: connecting.
NHTSA ODI report, 2007-03-02
Also filed under Tires
Vehicle was impact at 6:00 position, speed 40MPH and rollover no incline involved.
NHTSA ODI report, 1996-02-26
Steering column bolts disconnected, resulting in loss of steering.
NHTSA ODI report, 1994-12-10
Electrical system
10% · 5 reportsMost commonly citing instrument cluster/panel and front underhood.
Show complaint excerpts
Desert Toyota in tucson located at 7150 e. 22D street, tucson, az 85710 sold us this car and maliciously hid the true odometer reading... By 85,000 miles difference... A misdemeanors.
NHTSA ODI report, 2013-05-19
Power train
6% · 3 reportsMost commonly citing manual transmission.
Show complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owns a 1993 Toyota 4RUNNER. The contact stated that while parked, he was unable to switch gears. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis.
NHTSA ODI report, 2013-09-03
Safety timeline
3 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
-
I
1999-01-27SQClosed 1999-04-22 Corroded brake lines
-
I
2002-03-26Defect petitionClosed 2002-08-26 Rear seat belt routing
-
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.
-
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.
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R
2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…
Remedy: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.
Buy-smart checklist
1993 Toyota 4RUNNER — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Engine and engine cooling: 20 reports on file for this year.
- Service brakes: 9 reports on file for this year.
- Steering: 7 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 05V389000 · Steering
- Recall 06E049000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 1993 Toyota 4RUNNER reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1993 Toyota 4RUNNER is rated "better than typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 1993 Toyota 4RUNNER?
- The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 38% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 1993 Toyota 4RUNNER have?
- 3 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.