MYRModel Year Report

1999 Toyota 4RUNNER

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1999 Toyota 4RUNNER
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints 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
220
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 1999

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Structure

51% 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 1998: 130 complaints 1999: 220 complaints 1999 220 2000: 379 complaints 2001: 154 complaints 2002: 192 complaints 2003: 527 complaints 2004: 612 complaints 2005: 410 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: 65 complaints 2020: 32 complaints 2020 2021: 36 complaints 2022: 39 complaints 2023: 30 complaints 2024: 9 complaints 2025: 59 complaints 2026: 7 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 1996 1997: 139 complaints 1998: 130 complaints 1999: 220 complaints 1999 220 2000: 379 complaints 2001: 154 complaints 2002: 192 complaints 2002 2003: 527 complaints 2004: 612 complaints 2005: 410 complaints 2005 2006: 381 complaints 2007: 154 complaints 2008: 96 complaints 2008 2009: 22 complaints 2010: 145 complaints 2011: 163 complaints 2011 2012: 96 complaints 2013: 36 complaints 2014: 77 complaints 2014 2015: 86 complaints 2016: 79 complaints 2017: 36 complaints 2017 2018: 58 complaints 2019: 65 complaints 2020: 32 complaints 2020 2021: 36 complaints 2022: 39 complaints 2023: 30 complaints 2023 2024: 9 complaints 2025: 59 complaints 2026: 7 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 1996 1997: 139 complaints 1998: 130 complaints 1999: 220 complaints 1999 220 2000: 379 complaints 2001: 154 complaints 2002: 192 complaints 2002 2003: 527 complaints 2004: 612 complaints 2004 2005: 410 complaints 2006: 381 complaints 2006 2007: 154 complaints 2008: 96 complaints 2008 2009: 22 complaints 2010: 145 complaints 2010 2011: 163 complaints 2012: 96 complaints 2012 2013: 36 complaints 2014: 77 complaints 2014 2015: 86 complaints 2016: 79 complaints 2016 2017: 36 complaints 2018: 58 complaints 2018 2019: 65 complaints 2020: 32 complaints 2020 2021: 36 complaints 2022: 39 complaints 2022 2023: 30 complaints 2024: 9 complaints 2024 2025: 59 complaints 2026: 7 complaints 2026

1999: 220 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
2005410
2006381
2007154
200896
200922
2010145
2011163
201296
201336
201477
201586
201679
201736
201858
201965
202032
202136
202239
202330
20249
202559
20267

Known problem areas

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

Structure

51% · 113 reports

Most commonly citing body and underbody shields.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Driving down road and car started swaying badly even when shifting gears heard a noise when got home I had vehicle looked at and the bracket that holds the rear was broke it is rusted right from frame on passenger side and further inspection shows...

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-06-13

Also filed under Suspension

Suspension

28% · 61 reports

Most commonly citing rear and lower ball joint.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

While driving in the right lane on a 3 lane highway at approx. 65MPH, while feeling the vehicle jerk to the right, thrusting the vehicle onto the right shoulder.

NHTSA ODI report, 2019-01-09

Also filed under Wheels

Power train

8% · 17 reports

Most commonly citing manual transmission and differential unit.

CRASH

Steering

6% · 14 reports
CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

-started the vehicle. -moved forward a few feet -started to turn steering wheel left, noticed steering was heavier than normal as well as unusual noise -car jerked and shot left...

NHTSA ODI report, 2009-01-16

Fuel system, gasoline

6% · 13 reports

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. ▮
    1999Complaint volume 220 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. 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 →

  3. 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

1999 Toyota 4RUNNER — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Structure: 113 reports on file for this year.
  • Suspension: 61 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 17 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
  • 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 1999 Toyota 4RUNNER reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1999 Toyota 4RUNNER is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 1999 Toyota 4RUNNER?
The most-reported component is structure, accounting for 51% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1999 Toyota 4RUNNER have?
2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.