1998 Toyota 4RUNNER

◆ Worse than typical

1998 Toyota 4RUNNER
RENDERED 2026-08-02T13:20:22.613Z

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 PER YEAR

1998: 130 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1984	2
1985	2
1986	8
1987	5
1988	9
1989	6
1990	78
1991	43
1992	53
1993	51
1994	12
1995	47
1996	72
1997	139
1998	130
1999	220
2000	379
2001	154
2002	192
2003	527
2004	612
2005	409
2006	380
2007	154
2008	96
2009	22
2010	145
2011	163
2012	96
2013	36
2014	76
2015	86
2016	77
2017	35
2018	57
2019	64
2020	31
2021	34
2022	39
2023	30
2024	8
2025	48
2026	5

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

STRUCTURE 35%

35% of complaints: structure — 46 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

DURING A STATE INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE I WAS MADE AWARE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO BE ON THE ROAD. THE ENTIRE FRAME RUSTED OUT FRONT TO BACK. YOU CAN EVEN STICK YOUR HAND INSIDE THE HOLLOWED OUT FRAME.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180129

I PURCHASED THIS TRUCK ONLY 20 DAYS AGO. I HAVE BEEN LOYAL TO TOYOTA ALL MY LIFE AND MY FAMILY TOO. THE TRUCK APPEARED TO BE IN IMMACULATE SHAPE. HOWEVER AFTER ITS 3RD DRIVE I NOTICED A SWAY WHEN LETTING OFF THE ACCELERATOR.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180129

SUSPENSION 27%

27% of complaints: suspension — 35 distinct reports on file.

CRASH

Show complaint excerpts

TWO WEEKS AGO I WAS DRIVING DOWN A FLAT PAVED ROAD AND MY LOWER BALL JOINT (ATM 1012460) CAME OFF FOR NO REASON CAUSING ME TO SKID TO A HALT. MY TIRE WAS SIDEWAYS AND PUSHED INTO MY FENDER CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL WELL AND OTHER PARTS.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130613

The rear end suspension is sagging on my vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 20231004

STRUCTURE 15%

15% of complaints: structure — 19 distinct reports on file.

STEERING 5%

5% of complaints: steering — 6 distinct reports on file.

CRASH DEATH

Show complaint excerpts

NHTSA ODI report, 20130613

POWER TRAIN 3%

3% of complaints: power train — 4 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 1998 — complaint volume: 130

R 20020228 — suspension

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 RA

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 SHOUL

Campaign 02V021000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060403 — exterior lighting

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 S

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.

Campaign 06E026000 — 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

R 20090511 — exterior lighting

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 CONF

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.

Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed