1999 Toyota 4RUNNER

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1999 Toyota 4RUNNER
BUILT 2026-08-02

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Toyota 4RUNNER Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1999 highlighted. 1984: 2 complaints 1984 1985: 2 complaints 1986: 8 complaints 1987: 5 complaints 1988: 9 complaints 1989: 6 complaints 1990: 78 complaints 1990 1991: 43 complaints 1992: 53 complaints 1993: 51 complaints 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: 527 complaints 2004: 612 complaints 2005: 409 complaints 2006: 380 complaints 2007: 154 complaints 2008: 96 complaints 2008 2009: 22 complaints 2010: 145 complaints 2011: 163 complaints 2012: 96 complaints 2013: 36 complaints 2014: 76 complaints 2014 2015: 86 complaints 2016: 77 complaints 2017: 35 complaints 2018: 57 complaints 2019: 64 complaints 2020: 31 complaints 2020 2021: 34 complaints 2022: 39 complaints 2023: 30 complaints 2024: 8 complaints 2025: 48 complaints 2026: 5 complaints 2026
1999: 220 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19842
19852
19868
19875
19889
19896
199078
199143
199253
199351
199412
199547
199672
1997139
1998130
1999220
2000379
2001154
2002192
2003527
2004612
2005409
2006380
2007154
200896
200922
2010145
2011163
201296
201336
201476
201586
201677
201735
201857
201964
202031
202134
202239
202330
20248
202548
20265

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

STRUCTURE 33%

33% of complaints: structure — 73 distinct reports on file.

SUSPENSION 25%

25% of complaints: suspension — 56 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
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, 20190109

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, 20130613

STRUCTURE 10%

10% of complaints: structure — 22 distinct reports on file.

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, 20130613

STRUCTURE 7%

7% of complaints: structure — 16 distinct reports on file.

STEERING 6%

6% of complaints: steering — 14 distinct reports on file.

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, 20090116

SAFETY TIMELINE

1999 — complaint volume: 220
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

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1999 Toyota 4RUNNER — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for structure issues (73 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for suspension issues (56 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for structure issues (22 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E049000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2023 ▲ 2020 ▲ 2021

WORST YEARS

■ 2004 ■ 2003 ■ 2005

See all years ranked →

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:body, accounting for 33% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1999 Toyota 4RUNNER have?

2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.