MYRModel Year Report

1997 Toyota 4RUNNER

◆ Worse than typical
1997 Toyota 4RUNNER
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:48:10.887Z

This year had 30% to 100% more 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.

How is this computed?

Complaints
139
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 1997

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Structure

50% 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 1991: 43 complaints 1992: 53 complaints 1993: 52 complaints 1994: 12 complaints 1995: 47 complaints 1996: 72 complaints 1997: 139 complaints 1997 139 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 1991: 43 complaints 1992: 53 complaints 1993: 52 complaints 1993 1994: 12 complaints 1995: 47 complaints 1996: 72 complaints 1997: 139 complaints 1997 139 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 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 1991: 43 complaints 1992: 53 complaints 1992 1993: 52 complaints 1994: 12 complaints 1994 1995: 47 complaints 1996: 72 complaints 1997: 139 complaints 1997 139 1998: 130 complaints 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

1997: 139 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.

Structure

50% · 70 reports

Most commonly citing body and underbody shields.

CRASH

Suspension

47% · 65 reports

Most commonly citing rear and coil springs.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I have a 1997 Toyota 4RUNNER. I was driving down the road and my frame suddenly broke. This caused me to loose control and crash into a ditch line. I've contacted Toyota and they are not wiling to help me with a replacment frame.

NHTSA ODI report, 2015-06-04

While driving on the highway at the speed limit (60 MPH), the vehicle surged/jolted forward pulling to the right. I was unable to regain control of vehicle causing me to merge into the direction of a tractor trailer.

NHTSA ODI report, 2009-07-11

Also filed under Electronic stability control (esc)

Power train

8% · 11 reports

Most commonly citing driveline and banjo housing.

CRASHINJURY

Steering

7% · 10 reports

Most commonly citing tie rod assembly.

CRASHINJURY

Vehicle speed control

5% · 7 reports
CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact was loaned a 1997 Toyota 4RUNNER. The contact mentioned the vehicle was loaned from a used dealer (Mcfarland auto sales located at 231 frontage rd mc, mcfarland, ca 93250).

NHTSA ODI report, 2020-03-06

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. ▮
    1997Complaint volume 139 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2002-02-28Suspension02V021000 On certain 2-wheel-drive (2WD) and 4-wheel-drive (4WD) 4RUNNER sport utility vehicles, a combination of heavy loading (Simultaneous loading to rear gross axle weight rating and gross vehicle weight…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace rear suspension parts. Although the 4WD 4RUNNERS do not exhibit the handling condition, Toyota will recall these vehicles to avoid any public confusion as to which vehicles…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2006-04-03Exterior lighting06E026000 Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber…

    Remedy: Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006. Owners may contact pro-a motors at 323-838-2988.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. 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 →

  5. 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1997 Toyota 4RUNNER — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Structure: 70 reports on file for this year.
  • Suspension: 65 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 11 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 02V021000 · Suspension
  • Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E049000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1997 Toyota 4RUNNER reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Toyota 4RUNNER is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Toyota 4RUNNER?
The most-reported component is structure, accounting for 50% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1997 Toyota 4RUNNER have?
4 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.