1991 Toyota 4Runner

Routine

Owners filed 43 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine and engine cooling › engine. It has been recalled 2 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine15
000
Wheels2
000
Tires › Tread/Belt2
000
Tires2
101
Steering › Linkages › Rod › Relay › Connecting2
100
Steering › Linkages › Knuckle › Spindle › Arm2
103
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System2
000
Structure › Frame and Members1
000
Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar1
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings1
000

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting06E049000
Filed May 24, 200627,176 vehiclesCk Motorsport, Inc.

Defect. 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 NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

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.

Steering › Linkages › Rod › Relay › Connecting05V389000
Filed Sep 6, 2005977,839 vehiclesToyota Motor North America, Inc.

Defect. 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 FULLY TURNING THE WHEEL WHILE THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED, A FATIGUE CRACK MAY DEVELOP IN THE STEERING RELAY ROD.

Risk. IF THE VEHICLE IS CONTINUED TO BE OPERATED IN THIS CONDITION, THE RELAY ROD MAY FRACTURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING RELAY ROD. THE RECALL BEGAN OCTOBER 5, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Wheels
Filed Sep 27, 2017270,000 milesKY

BACK IN AUGUST 2016 I PURCHASED AND INSTALLED 4 NEW TIRES, I CLEANED AND PAINTED WHEELS BEFORE INSTALLING 4 NEW SLIME TIRE VALVES #TR 415 SLIME PART# 20261 I PURCHASED THESE VALVES AT WALMART IN SOMERSET, KY THE DATE CODE ON PACKAGE WAS 08.26.14 I PURCHASED (8) PACKS 16 TOTAL VALVES ( I STILL HAVE 3 PACKS THAT I HAVE NOT OPENED). I HAVE A TIRE CHANGER ON MY FARM AND DO MY OWN TIRE SERVICE. ON 09-26-2017 I HAD A TIRE FAILURE ON MY TOYOTA WHILE DRIVING NOTICE SLIGHT PULL. AFTER STOPPING AND INSTALLING SPARE I DETERMINED THAT ALL 4 VALVES I PUT ON LAST YEAR WERE DRY ROTTED (CRACKED). I KEEP THIS VEHICLE IN BARN WHEN NOT BEING DRIVEN (NO SUN DAMAGE SHOULD OCCURED. I CHECKED A TRAILER THAT I HAD APPLIED NEW VALVES ON FROM THE SAME LOT OF VALVES, THEY TO WERE DRY ROTTED AND ONE WAS FLAT. THESE PRODUCTS ARE DANGEROUS TO USE, THE VALVES WILL PULL APART WITH LIGHT PULLING FROM FINGERS. THESE PRODUCTS NEED TO BE RECALLED. I DID NOT CONTACT WALMART ABOUT THIS FAILURE DUE TO PRODUCT PURCHASED FROM THEM NOT MADE BY THEM! I DID CONTACT SLIME.COM WITH NO REPLY BACK AS OF 09-27-2017.

Service Brakes
Filed Dec 4, 2015154,000 milesPR

WHILE DRIVING IN THE STREET AT 40 MPH, IT ACCELERATES FOR NO REASON. I COULD NOT STOP, THE BRAKE PUT HARD, DID NOT RESPOND TO ANY CHANGE AND ENGINE SPEED INCREASED TO MORE THAN 5000. I HAD TO TURN IT OFF STILL RUNNING. TO TURN IT BACK ON, IT WILL NOT DO SO AGAIN.

Wheels
Filed Jun 11, 2014252,806 milesCA

OEM STANDARD TIRES ARE 225/75R15 ON TOYOTA STEEL WHEELS. OEM FACTORY OPTION TIRES ARE W/31X10.5 ON TOYOTA BRAND ALUMINUM WHEELS. THE FACTORY OFFICIAL STICKER SHOWS THE OPTION TIRES AS FACTORY-INSTALLED. THE DRIVER DOOR PILLAR STICKER SHOWS THE FACTORY-INSTALLED TIRE AS 225/75R15. THE PILLAR STICKER IS WRONG DUE TO DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS. IN RELIANCE ON THE PILLAR STICKER, A TIRE TECHNICIAN INSTALLED REPLACEMENT TIRES BASED ON THE STANDARD SIZE. THE STANDARD TIRE IS SIGNIFICANTLY SMALLER IN DIAMETER THAN THE FACTORY OPTION TIRE. SAFETY ISSUES: 1) SPEEDOMETER ERROR ~10%, CAUSING MISMATCH TO POSTED LIMIT AND FORESEEABLE TAILGATING AND OTHER ADVERSE BEHAVIORS BY SURROUNDING DRIVERS; 2) DEGRADED STABILITY ON HIGH-CENTER OF GRAVITY SUV DUE TO MISMATCH BETWEEN FACTORY OPTION SPARE TIRE AND REPLACEMENT TIRES BASED ON ERRONEOUS PILLAR STICKER. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Mar 2, 2011164,000 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HAVE THE EXHAUST INSPECTED AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS FRACTURING FROM THE UNDERBODY SHIELDS, WHICH WAS ALSO SEVERELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 164,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 165,000. UPDATED 4/11/2011 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE DAMAGE WAS HIDDEN BY THE VALANCE AND WAS LOCATED WHERE THE TOW HOOK WAS. ALSO, THE FACTORY PRESS PLATE IN THE FRAME WAS ROTTED, WHICH ALLOWED MOISTURE IN THE FRAME. UPDATED 04/27/11

Steering › Linkages › Rod › Relay › Connecting
Filed Jan 3, 2008CA

BROUGHT MY 1991 4RUNNER INTO CONCORD (CA) TOYOTA DEALER FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 05V389000, FOR :COMPONENT: STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING AFTER RECEIVING THE VEHICLE, THERE IS TOO MUCH "PLAY" (MOVEMENT) IN THE STEERING WHEEL, AND THE FRONT WHEELS "WOBBLE" BADLY IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS, CREATING UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE PROBLEMS APPEAR TO BE FRONT END-END/ALIGNMENT RELATED. I DID NOT HAVE THESE PROBLEMS PRIOR TO TAKING THIS IS IN FOR THE RECALL. THE ASST SVC MGR AT THE DEALER INSISTS THAT THEIR WORK DID NOT CAUSE THE ISSUE, AND THAT THERE IS NOW ANOTHER BAD PART ON MY FRONT-END COMPONENT THAT MUST BE REPLACED, AT MY COST, TO FIX THIS (SAFETY) ISSUE. PLEASE HELP ASAP - MY VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALERSHIP NOW (01/03/06)*CN

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jun 24, 2007PR

CAR OVER HEATED AND CUT OFF. NOW LEAKING WATER INTO SPARK PLUGS.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jan 21, 2007191,680 milesAR

BLOWN HEAD GASKET, 1991 TOYOTA V6 4RUNNER, RECALLED IN 1998 FOR THE PROBLEM, CORRECTED AND GASKET FAILED AGAIN IN 2007. *NM

Steering › Linkages › Rod › Relay › ConnectingCrash
Filed Feb 9, 2006OH

1991 TOYOTA 4RUNNER STEERING FAILED WHEN TURNING WHEEL. *TS ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE STEERING LINKAGES TWO MONTHS AFTER THE ACCIDENT. *JB *NM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Oct 17, 2005118,158 milesMO

CORROSION ON THE BREAK LINES FROM POOR DESIGN IN ALLOWING SAND AND DIRT TO ACCUMULATE AND CAUSE THE LINE TO RUST THROUGH AND CREATE A BREAK FAILURE. THE RUST CREATED A LITTLE LARGER THEN A PIN HOLE THAT ALOUD THE RAPID LOST OF BREAK FLUID WHICH CAUSED THE LOSS OF STOPPING AND ALMOST CAUSED SEVER DAMAGE AND INJURY TO SAME. *NM

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Jun 8, 2005UT

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. HE STATES THAT HE HAD TREAD SEPARATION ON BRIDGESTONE TIRES. IT WAS THE DRIVER'S FRONT TIRE. IT PULLED HIM TOWARD THE MEDIAN, AND HE WAS ABLE TO PULL IT BACK TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE TIRE SEPARATION DAMAGED BUMPER AND FENDER. HE DOES HAVE PHOTOGRAPHS AND THE TIRE AVAILABLE. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Aug 27, 2004153,664 milesCA

HEAD GASKET LEAK. *AK

Power Train › Clutch Assembly › Bell Housing
Filed Feb 10, 2004260,000 milesCA

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A CLUTCH ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT PROBLEM. THERE WAS A SMELL AND CHATTERING WITHIN THE CLUTCH. DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO REPLACE OR REPAIR THE PROBLEM. LATER, CLUTCH ASSEMBLY BROKE APART, INCLUDING THE BELL HOUSING AND THE CONE.*AK PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.

Steering › Linkages › Knuckle › Spindle › ArmCrash3 injured
Filed Oct 1, 2003170,000 milesWA

MY DAUGHTER WITH TWO GRANDDAUGHTERS WERE DRIVING IN A 91 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER ON A WELL MAINTAINED LOG ROAD WHEN THEY LOST STEERING AND WENT OVER A 30 FT CLIFF. THE STEERING KNUCKLE BROKE THE TILT STEERING AND PLASTIC. *LA

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jul 11, 2003CA

THE HEAD GASKET LEAKED OIL. *JB THE MAIN WIRES ON THE ENGINE SHORTED OUT WITH MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL COMPONENT FAILURES. OVER $3500 SPENT IN REPAIRS WITHIN 2 WEEKS. * CB *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System
Filed Jun 27, 2003WA

FUEL LEAKED ONTO THE GASKET AND CAUSED A FUEL ODOR TO ENTER THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE VENTS. *NLM

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 20, 2001CA

VEHICLE WOULD SHIFT FROM FIRST TO OVERDRIVE WITHOUT ENTERING ANY OF THE OTHER GEARS. VEHICLE WOULD HAVE TO BE SHIFTED MANUALLY THROUGH THE GEARS. PROBLEM WAS THAT THERE WAS A COLD SOLDER JOINT ON ALL THREE SOLENOIDS INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION. THESE SOLENOIDS ARE USED TO SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION THROUGH THE GEARS. THE PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT AND WOULD OCCUR AT THE MOST INOPPORTUNE TIME LIKE PASSING A VEHICLE, ENTERING A MAJOR INTERSTATE, OR STARTING FROM A STOP. COST OF THE PARTS ALONE AMOUNTED TO OVER $500.00 FOR PARTS THAT SHOULD COST NO MORE THAN $100.00.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Dec 26, 2000MA

THERE HAD BEEN A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL OF HEAD GASKETS. CONSUMER HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR RAPAIRS, BUT DEALER WAS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR RECALL REPAIRS. INSTEAD DEALER WAS CHARGING CONSUMER FULL PRICE ON REPAIRS WHEN, IN OTHER SITUATIONS, DEALER WOULD NOT CHARGE FULL PRICE FOR HEAD GASKET.*AK

Tires
Filed Sep 21, 2000NC

MY TIRES ARE NOT RECALLED, BUT THEY ARE LISTED ON THE DANGEROUS LIST, THERE ARE CHUNKS OF RUBBER FALLING OFF OF THEM. I CONTACTED THE LOCAL FIRESTONE AND HE OFFERED TO SELL ME SOME TIRES FOR 'REAL CHEAP'. YEAH I BET THEY ARE REAL CHEAP. I DO NOT THINK THAT THESE TIRES ARE SAFE TO DRIVE ON. THEY ONLY HAVE LIKE 10K MILES ON THEM, SO I DONT THINK THAT IT SHOULD BE MY RESPONSIBILITY TO PAY FOR FIRESTONES MISTAKES. I AM VERY UNHAPPY WITH FIRESTONE AND WOULD LIKE SOME ADVICE ABOUT WHAT I CAN DO TO CORRECT THE SITUATION. J SASS( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235 )

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Aug 10, 2000NC

PE00020; TIRE TREAD SEPARATION: WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 65 - 70 MPH TREAD ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE CAME OFF. DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF TRUCK, BUT DID NOT HAVE A CRASH. DRIVER WAS THE ONLY PERSON IN THE TRUCK, AND WAS NOT INJURED. TIRE WAS A REPLACED TIRE. FIRESTONE HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED ABOUT TIRE. *AK THE BLOW OUT CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE CHROME BUMPER, BODY PAINT AND MUD FLAP WHICH WAS TORN TO PIECE. *YH

TiresCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 4, 2000TX

PE00 020; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 65MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND RIGHT REAR TIRE EXPLODED. CONSUMER FELT A VIBRATION COMING FROM STEERING. LOST CONTROL, VEHICLE SLID AND WENT INTO AN ENBANKMENT. *AK

20 of 43 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2003
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20267200Routine
202557120Routine
20248100Routine
202332110Routine
202239310Routine
202136110Routine
202033100Routine
201965410Routine
201858510Routine
201736510Routine
201679810Routine
201586900Routine
201477710Routine
201336600Routine
201296810Routine
20111631010Routine
20101451220Routine
200922610Routine
200896520Routine
2007154530Routine
2006381530Above average
2005424530Above average
2004678230Above average
2003695300Above average
2002224330Above average
2001185310Routine
2000483212Fatalities reported
1999330250Above average
1998250451Fatalities reported
1997261425Fatalities reported
1996161512Fatalities reported
1995172401Fatalities reported
199464422Fatalities reported
199351320Routine
199253323Fatalities reported
1991 — this page43200Routine
199078261Fatalities reported

Compare every 4Runner year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: May 24, 2006. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.