1994 Toyota 4Runner

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 64 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine. It has been recalled 4 times.

Avoid One of the Toyota 4Runner years to avoid: an unusual share of fires, crashes and deaths for a car of its age. Which Toyota 4Runner years to avoid →

Most common 1994 Toyota 4Runner problems

26 of the 64 complaints (41%) are about the engine.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine · engine13
000
Engine and Engine Cooling · engine6
010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components · brakes4
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline · engine4
000
Wheels3
202
Vehicle Speed Control · throttle and acceleration3
101
Unknown or Other3
100
Tires › Tread/Belt2
000
Structure › Body › Bumpers · body and frame2
000
Steering › Linkages › Rod › Relay › Connecting2
101

4 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting09E012000
Filed Apr 7, 200916,270 vehiclesSabersport

Defect. 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 CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

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.

Exterior Lighting06E026000
Filed Mar 23, 200661,944 vehiclesPro-A Motors, Inc.

Defect. 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 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. 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.

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.

All 4 campaigns on file, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Unknown or OtherCrash
Filed Apr 28, 2021160,000 milesCA

MY VEHICLE WAS IN A ACCIDENT ON THE PASSENGER QUARTER PANEL THE DAMAGE CAUSED A ELECTRICAL OUTAGE TO ALL THE BLINKERS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND BOTH MY PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS THEY LOCKED UP AND STOPPED WORKING AFTER THE ACCIDENT. WITH THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS NOT WORKING MADE MY VEHICLE UNSAFE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE.

Engine
Filed Apr 7, 2013155,000 milesCO

A COUPLE OF YEARS AFTER PURCHASING THIS TOYOTA 4-RUNNER THERE WAS A RECALL DUE TO FAULTY HEAD GASKETS. THEY LEAKED. A RECALL WAS (SUPPOSEDLY) DONE. 100,000 MILES LATER THE SAME PROBLEM HAD TO BE FIXED AGAIN. I CONTACTED TOYOTA AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WERE ONLY RESPONSIBLE FOR ONE FIX. THAT WOULD BE NICE IF THEY HAD ACTUALLY FIXED IT. A (FIX) IMPLIES THAT IT HAS BEEN REALLY FIXED. HEAD GASKETS ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO LEAK . . . EVER! SO I AM WONDERING OF THEY REALLY ACCOMPLISHED A FIX THE FIRST TIME. OBVIOUSLY NOT SINCE IT COST ME $2000 TO GET IT FIXED AGAIN FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. IF THEY DID ATTEMPT A FIX THEY CERTAINLY MUST HAVE USED INFERIOR OF DEFECTIVE PARTS SINCE THE SAME PROBLEM NEEDED TO BE FIXED AGAIN. I THINK THERE OUGHT TO BE A LAW THAT IF A RECALL (FIX) FAILS AND NEED TO BE DONE OVER THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE LIABLE FOR THE REDO. THANK YOU *TR

Engine and Engine CoolingFire
Filed Mar 22, 2012100,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING SOUND FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED AN ABNORMAL ODOR OF OIL. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND UPON EXITING, NOTICED A FLAME UNDER THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND REPORTED TO THE SCENE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS OR REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Feb 7, 2011291,000 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 TOYOTA 4RUNNER . THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED, WHICH HAS CAUSED THE CONTROL ARM TO FALL OFF. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR INSPECTED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 291,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Apr 8, 2010173,000 milesSC

THIS IS A FAILURE THAT HAS NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO IT . I OWN A 1994 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER WITH 4 WHEEL DRIVE. THE HARMONIC BALANCER HAS BROKEN MORE THAN 3 TIMES ON THIS VEHICLE. IT SEEMS THAT THE KEY THAT FITS INTO THE SLOT ON THE CRANK SHAFT IS TOO SHORT. THE KEY THAT FITS INTO THE SLOT ALSO KEEPS THE HARMONIC BALANCER IN PLACE AS IT ALSO HAS A SLOT FOR THE KEY TO FIT INTO. WHEN THIS HAPPENS IT IS SUDDEN AND GIVES YOU LITTLE OR NO TIME TO REACT. ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT LIGHTS COME ON AT ONCE AND THE STEERING AND BRAKES FAIL CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH DOZENS OF MECHANICS AND TOYOTA OWNERS AND THEY ALL SAY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. THIS IS NOT ONLY A SAFETY HAZARD BUT ALSO A COSTLY REPAIR. THIS HAPPENED TO MY CAR AGAIN FOR THE FOURTH TIME RECENTLY. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Mar 9, 2010115,000 milesFL

ENGINE BLOWN HEAD GASKET CAUSED WATER TO LEAK INTO ENGINE CAUSING ENGINE FAILURE. TOYOTA REPAIRED UNDER RECALL SEVERAL YEARS AGO. NOW THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED AND NOW IT WILL COST ME $1,900.00 TO REPAIR THEIR POOR QUALITY, OR CRAFTSMANSHIP. WHY CAN'T WE GET TOYOTA TO WARRANTY THIS PROBLEM FOR THE LIFE OF THE CAR. I HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF POSTS REGARDING THIS MATTER, AND WE CANNOT GET FAIR RESULTS FROM ANYONE. MY FRIEND HAD TOYOTA OFFER HIM $500.00 TOWARDS THE PURCHASE OF A NEW TOYOTA, PRETTY FUNNY OFFER. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed May 17, 200998,000 milesNE

BLOWN HEAD GASKET ON 1994 TOYATA 4RUNNER. 98K ON ENGINE. *TR

Wheels
Filed Sep 17, 2008WY

I BOUGHT 1994 TOYOTA 4RUNNER USED. THE OUTFIT NEEDED NEW TIRES WHEN I TRIED TO REMOVER THE WHEELS I COULD NOT GET THEM OFF THE VEHICLE AFTER ALOT OF WORK THEY FINALLY CAME OFF. WHEN I REINSTALLED THEM I USED ANTI-SEIZE AND HOPE TO NEVER HAVE THIS PROBLEM AGAIN. *TR

Steering › Column
Filed Feb 21, 200783,000 milesTN

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 TOYOTA FORERUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE TRIED TO MAKE A TURN OR STEER THE VEHICLE IT WOULD NOT WORK. THE CONTACT HAD THE STEERING COLUMN FIXED. THE STEERING COLUMN PROBLEM WAS CONSISTENT AND KEPT GETTING WORSE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE BOTH 83000. *AK

Steering › Linkages › Rod › Relay › ConnectingCrash1 injured
Filed Oct 30, 2006OH

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AT ABOUT 8:00 AM AND THE SUV SLID TO THE LEFT ON ICE, SHE THEN TURNED TO THE RIGHT AND THE STEERING WOULDN'T STRAIGHTEN UP AND AS A RESULT SHE WENT DOWN AN INBANKMENT AND THE SUV ROLLED ALL THE WAY OVER AND BACK ON ITS WHEELS. THE VEHICLE SINCE HAS BEEN TOTALED AND PARTED OUT BUT I'M THINKING THIS RECALL MAY HAVE CAUSED THE ACCIDENT. *JB

SteeringCrash1 injured
Filed Oct 11, 2006WV

1994 4 RUNNER 4 WD STEERING CONTROL LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER. *TS ***NAR*** THE CONSUMERS WIFE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND SUBSEQUENTLY THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER AN EMBANKMENT INTO A STREAM. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED TOTALED. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Sep 27, 200690,700 milesNH

I OWN A 94 TOYOTA 4RUNNER WITH A 3VZ-E MOTOR. THE HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACE UNDER THE RECALL IN 1997 WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD 45000 MILES. THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP JUST REPLACED THE HEAD GASKET AND NEVER RESURFACED THE HEADS. ON SEPTEMBER 20,2006 HEAD GASKET BLOW AGAIN.IT IS WELL KNOWN ABOUT THE DESIGN FLAW IN THIS MOTOR AND TOYOTA SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR TO BE DONE CORRECTLY. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 90700 MILES ON THE MOTOR.I CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY TOLD MY THAT THEY ONLY FIX IT ONE TIME. I ADVISED THEM THAT THEY NEVER FIXED THE FIRST HEAD GASKET CORRECTLY AND THEY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR MAKING THERE RECALLS CORRECTED IN A PROPER MANNER.I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT AGAINST TOYOTA IN REGARDS TO THIS ISSUE. *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed May 8, 2006102,000 milesNC

I OWN A 94 TOYOTA 4RUNNER AND A 94 TOYOTA SR5 PICKUP TRUCK. BACK IN '98 I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE I BROUGHT BOTH MY VEHICLES TO FRED ANDERSON TOYOTA IN RESPONSE TO THE RECALL. THEY REPLACED THE HEAD GASKETS ON BOTH VEHICLES. RECALL NOTICE: A 3VZ-E HEAD GASKET REPLACEMENT JUNE 26, 1998 VEHICLE: TOYOTA TRUCK 4X4MILEAGE: 46,623 JULY 17, 1998 VEHICLE: TOYOTA 4RUNNERMILEAGE: 38,037 THE BEGINNING OF FEBRUARY 2006 OF THIS YEAR, MY TOYOTA PICKUP TRUCK BLEW A HEAD GASKET WHEN I CRANKED IT UP ONE AFTERNOON. DENSE SMOKE AND RADIATOR FLUID FLOWED FROM THE TAILPIPE AND THE ENGINE WAS VIBRATING.LESS THAN 12 HOURS AFTER THE HEAD GASKET BLEW IN MY PICKUP TRUCK, THE VERY NEXT MORNING I STARTED MY WIFE'S 4RUNNER TO MAKE A TRIP INTO TOWN. IMMEDIATELY WHEN I STARTED IT, DENSE SMOKE AND RADIATOR FLUID FLOWED FROM THE TAILPIPE AND THE ENGINE WAS VIBRATING EVEN WORST THAN BEFORE. I IMMEDIATELY TURN THE TRUCK OFF. TOYOTA OPENED A CASE# 200602060829. I WAS TOLD THEY WOULD CALL CHAN COLEMAN AT SANFORD TOYOTA AND TRY TO GET A SPECIAL PRICE. I CALLED CHAN AND WAS TOLD I WOULD NEED TO SPEAK WITH SOMEONE IN HIS SERVICE DEPARTMENT. HE TRANSFERRED ME TO SERVICE AND WAS QUOTED A PRICE OF $1,600 PER VEHICLE TO REPAIR. I HAD BOTH VEHICLES TOWED AND REPAIRED BY A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. BELOW ARE THE DATES AND MILEAGE FOR THE REPAIRS. FEBRUARY 16, 2006 VEHICLE: TOYOTA TRUCK 4X4 MILEAGE: 120,000 FEBRUARY 4, 2006 VEHICLE: TOYOTA 4RUNNER MILEAGE: 102,000 I WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC AT THE LOCAL REPAIR SHOP THAT THE REA

Steering › Linkages › Rod › Relay › Connecting
Filed Jan 24, 2006DC

CONSUMER IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE 1994 4-RUNNER STEERING ROD. *TS THE CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 05V389000 REFERENCING A STEERING ROD. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION ON THE RECALL ESPECIALLY SINCE HIS FATHER, WHO ALSO OWNED A TOYOTA 4RUNNER, WAS KILLED FOUR YEAR AGO WHEN HIS VEHICLE VEERED OFF A FREEWAY. *NM

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jul 19, 2005CO

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 TOYOTA RUNNER SR5. HE ALMOST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM A PRIVATE PARTY, AND HE WENT ON TO THE WEBSITE TO OBTAIN A CAR FAX REPORT. THE REPORT WAS SHOWING AN ODOMETER READING OF 147124 ON SEPTEMBER 18, 2004. NOW THE CAR IS SHOWING AN ODOMETER READING OF A LITTLE MORE THAN 98,000. THIS HAS NOT BEEN REPORTED TO THE POLICE BECAUSE THAT UNIT WAS OUT AT THE TIME. HE DID LEAVE A MESSAGE FOR THEM TO CONTACT HIM BACK, BUT THEY HAVE NOT DONE SO AS OF YET.*AK

WheelsCrash1 injured
Filed Apr 6, 2005153,000 milesCO

LEFT REAR WHEEL BROKE OFF THE VEHICLE AT 65 MPH. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL, AND VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER THREE TIMES.*AK THE LEFT REAR AXLE BROKE CAUSING ACCIDENT. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED ROAD RASH TO LEFT HAND AND ARM WHICH RESULTED IN PERMANENT SCARING. *NM

Tires › Sidewall
Filed Nov 8, 2004125,000 milesFL

DAYTON TIMBERLINE A/T, P235/75R15, DOT#VDHLTD3110.CONSUMER THAT THE SIDEWALLS BLEW OUT. THE TREAD WEAR ON THE TIRES WAS LESS THAN 10,000 MILES. RIGHT REAR TIRE WENT OUT FIRST. FOLLOWED BY LEFT FRONT TIRE WHICH EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT AS THE RIGHT REAR TIRE.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Feb 19, 200475,000 milesCA

PROBLEM WITH 5 CYLINDER ENGINE ON 1994 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER. *PH *MR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Feb 10, 200495,668 milesPA

IN SHORT, I BROUGHT A 1994 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER WITH A WARRANTY BACK IN JUNE 2002 FROM POTAMKIN SPRINGFIELD AUTO WORLD. IN NOVEMBER 2003, THE TRUCK WAS DEEMED UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE THE HEAD GASKETS BLEW. I HAD THE REQUIRED MAINTENANCE DONE PLUS OTHER REPAIRS AND TOOK THE TRUCK TO BE SERVICED WHENEVER THERE WAS A PROBLEM PRIOR TO THIS SITUATION. I COMPLAINED TO THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS BECAUSE THIS WAS A COSTLY REPAIR AND OF COURSE THE WARRANTY DID NOT COVER THE PART. I PAID OUT OF POCKET FOR THE REPAIR NOT KNOWING THEN THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR DEFECTED HEAD GASKETS ON THIS MODEL. I HAD THE HEAD GASKETS REPLACED BUT WITH NO GUARANTEE THAT IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN AND GUESS WHAT, I'M STILL NOT ABLE TO DRIVE THE TRUCK. I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY TIMES THIS MAY OF HAPPEN BEFORE ME BUT I KNOW THE DEALER KNEW OF THIS PROBLEM WHEN IT WAS SOLD.*AK

Unknown or Other
Filed Nov 25, 2003198,000 milesCA

WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE SPARE TIRE CABLE BROKE WITHOUT WARNING AND AS A RESULT THE TIRE FELL OFF INTO ON-COMING TRAFFIC. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NLM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Sep 4, 2003NY

UNDER TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN# 54015, THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE ON 5/15/2002 FOR THE SECOND TIME. ONE YEAR LATER THE ENGINE DIED. THE DEALER STATED THE ENGINE FAILED DUE TO THE OIL NOT BEING CHANGED. THE CONSUMER SAYS THE VEHICLE WAS REGULARLY TAKEN FOR MAINTENANCE. *PH THERE WAS ENGINE NOISE. *SCC *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Apr 18, 2003MD

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE DRIVER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *NLM

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Oct 21, 2002HI

TRANSMISSION WILL INTERMITTENTLY DROP OUT OF 1ST AND 3RD GEAR. WHEN AT A DEAD STOP, TRANSMISSION WILL DROP OUT OF 1ST GEAR WHILE ACCELERATING, CAUSING LOST OF POWER. ALSO WHILE ENTERING THE FREEWAY, TRANSMISSION WILL DROP OUT OF THIRD GEAR, CAUSING LOST OF POWER. THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED AT ABOUT 40, 000 MILES AND AGAIN AT ABOUT 99,000 MILES. DT

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Mar 23, 2002MO

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components
Filed Jan 23, 2002OH

WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED A VERY UNUSUAL NOISE OCCURS. ALSO, BRAKE PEDAL HAS TO BE PUMPED TO GET VEHICLE TO STOP. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components
Filed Oct 26, 2001CO

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Aug 20, 2001CA

PRIOR TO ANY KNOWLEDGE OF RECALL, RADIATOR IN VEHICLE BLEW UP, VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND RADIATOR WAS REPLACED, VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MALFUNCTION, AND THE OXYGEN SENSOR WERE REPLACED, HOWEVER VEHICLE STILL FAILED TO OPERATE, UPON SECOND VISIT CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DETERMINED, BUT THOUGHT THAT IT MAY BE THE HEAD GASKET AND TO TAKE VEHICLE TO AN OFFICIAL DEALERSHIP, CONSUMER WAS THEN INFORMED BY DEALER OF THE OUTSTANDING RECALL AND ADVISED HIM THAT THE FAILING HEAD GASKETS WERE ALMOST CERTAINLY THE CAUSE OF THE RADIATOR BLOWING UP AND THE OTHER RELATED PROBLEMS, DEALER REPLACED ENGINE UNDER WARRANTY, HOWEVER CONSUMER WAS RESPONSIBILE FOR THE WATER PUMP,VARIOUS BELTS, AND TIMING DEVICES.*JB

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist SystemCrash1 injured1 killed
Filed Jun 29, 2001CA

VEHICLE SKIDDED AND ROLLED RESULTING IN DRIVER'S DEATH DUE TO CHEST INJURIES AND SUFFOCATION FROM BEING TRAPPED UPSIDE DOWN. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc
Filed Apr 16, 2001ID

BRAKES AND ROTORS CONTINUE TO FAIL OR WARP-FRONT ONLY-RESULTING IN DANGEROUS WOBBLE/SHUTTER WHEN BRAKEING. NUMEROUS REPAIRS INCLUDING TURNING/REPLACEMENT OF ROTORS AND REPLACEMENT OF BRAKES AND AT 98800 MILES IT IS IN NEED OF REPAIR AGAIN. ONLY HAVE 12,500 MILES SINCE LAST FRONT BRAKE CHANGE AND ROTOR TURN.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jan 31, 2001VA

ENGINE HEAD GASKETS ARE BLOWN, PREVIOUSLY RECALLED ONCE AND REPAIRED 5/98 AT 53K MILES, BLOWN AGAIN AT 85K MILES, NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, REQUIRED MAINTENANCE DONE. HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA - TOLD TO GO THROUGH DEALER THAT PERFORMED RECALL. HAVE CONTACTED REPAIR DEALER, NO RESOLUTION AT THIS TIME. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Jan 23, 2001NY

NO SUMMERY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Oct 3, 2000HI

NO EVIDENCE OF OIL LEAK AND CHECKED WITHIN ONE MONTH. ALL REQUIRED MAINTENANCE ON VEHICLE COMPLETED THROUGHOUT THE LIFE OF THE CAR WITH VERIFICATION. HEAD GASKETS CHANGED UNDER WARRANTY AS DIRECTED 1.5 YEARS PRIOR TO FAILURE. AT 60MPH, COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER AND ENGINE SEIZED UP. DEALER NOTES THAT OIL PUMP FAILED ACUTELY DRIVING THE ROD THROUGH THE ENGINE BLOCK. RESULTED IN A TOTAL LOSS OF THE VEHICLE AT ONLY 6 YEARS AND 80,000 MILES WITH FULL MAINTENANCE. VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVER WITH COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER ON BUSY FREEWAY.*AK

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Sep 7, 2000CA

WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY WHEN LEFT FRONT TIRE BLEWOUT. VEHICLE WAS CONTROLLABLE & GUIDED IT TO SIDE OF ROAD. CHECKED THE TIRE & NOTICED TREAD HAD PEELED OFF. \ HAD TIRE EXCHANGED WITH SPARE. TOOK TIRE TO FIRESTONE RETAILER. DO NOT HAVE TIRE. FIRESTONE ATX 311050R15F WITH 91,000 MILES ON IT.*AK

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Aug 13, 2000LA

TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM TIRE ON I-10W, TRAVELING @60MPH. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF HIGHWAY AND CALL ROAD SERVICE TO CHANGE TIRE. LUCKLY NO ONE WAS INJURED. CHANGED ALL FOUR TIRES IMMEDIATELY AFTER RETURNING HOME. TREAD ON TIRES WERE GOOD. *AK( DOT NUMBER: U8860 TIRE SIZE: P225/75R15 )

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate
Filed Jul 20, 2000MN

THE REAR WINDOW GOES UP AND DOWN IN THE TAIL GATE IN ORDER TO OPEN THE TAIL GATE YOU MUST MOVE THE WINDOW UP AND DOWN ALL THE PARTS THAT MOVE THE WINDOW UP AND DOWN RUSTED OUT WHEN I CALLED TOYOTA TO GET AN ESTIMATE ON THE REPAIR AND FIND OUT WHAT THE PARTS COST AND IF THEY HAD THEM ON HAND THE GENTLEMEN IN THE PARTS DEPARTMENT TOLD ME THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME AND THEY KEEP THE PARTS ON HAND. WHEN I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN TO BE FIXED WHILE FIXING THE PARTS THEY BROKE THE GLASS ON THE WINDOW AND TRIED TO GET ME TO PAY FOR IT OR FILE A CLAIM WITH MY INSURANCE COMPANY.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Radiator Assembly
Filed Jun 28, 2000NV

DO TO WEAK MANUFACTURED MATERIAL LIQUID HEATS UP AND IT FLOWS OUT THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jun 6, 2000CA

WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 1/2000, ON 6/1/2000, I WAS DRIVING THROUGH A FAST-FOOD DRIVE-THROUGH I WAS STOPPED, I PRESSED ON THE GAS, THE ENGINECHECK LIGHT WENT ON, THE CAR QUIT AND A HUGE AMOUNT OF SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE TAIL PIPE. THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WHERE WE BOUGHT THE CAR STATED THAT THE PISTON BLEW DUE TO THE BAD HEAD GASKET. THEY FOUND ANTI-FREEZE AND WATER IN THE ENGINE. NO WARNING LIGHTS WENT ON BEFORE THIS. THE TRUCK SHOWED NO SIGNS OF OVERHEATING BEFORE THIS. TWO MINUTES LATER, I WOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE FREEWAY.*AK

Wheels › Rim
Filed May 4, 2000CA

THE RIM FOR THE SPARE TIRE DID NOT MATCH THE RIM ON THE ROAD WHEELS. YH

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed May 4, 2000NC

ENGINE HEAD GASKETS ARE BLOWN THEY WERE RECALLED ONCE ALREADY AND REPAIRED IN 12/1998 BY PREVIOUS OWNER. THEY HAVE BLOWN AGAIN ON 11/1999. I CONTACTED TOYOTA ABOUT THE PROBLEM SINCE IT WAS RECALLED ONCE BY THEM. THEY STATED IT HAD BEEN REPAIRED ONCE FOR THE RECALL AND THAT WAS ALL THEY WOULD COVER. FOR ME TO CONTACT DEALER WHO REPAIRED IT (ANDRETTIS AIRPORT TOYOTA) I DID SO THEY WILL NOT COOPERATE WITH ME EITHER. I FEEL THAT SINCE IT WAS RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM ONCE AND IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN THAT TOYOTA SHOULD STILL BE REPONSIBILE FOR CORRECTING BECAUSE IT IS UNDOUBTLY STILL DEFECTIVE. A REPAIR OF THAT COST SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN 11 MONTHS. IT SHOULD NOT BE MY PLACE TO HAVE IT REPAIRED BUT I HAVE TO. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jan 7, 2000PA

FAILURE OF THE HEAD GASKET RESULTED IN POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION OF OIL, WHICH LEAD TO SERIOUS DAMAGE TO ENGINE. (ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMER) MJS

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Oct 29, 1999WA

ENGINE OIL PAN DESIGN IS DEFECTIVE, THE OIL DOES NOT COMPLETELY DRAIN OUT DURING OIL CHANGES CAUSING CONTAMINATION AND DAMAGE TO OTHER ENGINE COMPONENTS. MJS

SteeringCrash
Filed Oct 20, 1999OH

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING VEHICLE AND SHE WAS AT A STOP LIGHT WHEN VEHICLE IN BACK OF HER HIT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE, AND PUSHED IT INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE, RESULTING IN A SEVEN CAR COLLISION. CONSUMER'S RIGHT REAR WHEEL WAS DEFECTIVE. SHE NOTIFIED THE DEALERSHIP. *AK

WheelsCrash1 injured
Filed Oct 20, 1999OH

THE CONSUMER WAS SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT WHEN VEHICLE BEHIND HER HIT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE AND PUSHED HER INTO ANOTHER VECHICLE AT A COST OF SEVEN CAR COLLISION. ALSO THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WAS AFFECTED. SHE TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP BODY SHOP, AND THEY SAID THE TRUCK WAS TWISTED AND SHE SUSTAINED HEAD AND RIGHT SHOULDER AND LEFT ELBOW INJURIES. *AK

Structure1 injured1 killed
Filed Jul 14, 1999CA

VEHICLE ROLLOVER DUE TO INSTABILITY DESIGN OF STRUCTURE, ROOF FRAME/ROLL BAR INSUFFICIENT FOR VEHICLE DURING COLLISION CAUSING DEATH OF OCCUPANT WHEN FRAME SEVERLY CRUSHED INTO PASSENGERS HEAD. MJS

Unknown or Other
Filed Nov 9, 1998NH

CRUISE CONTROL SHIFTS DOWN TO GO UP HILL BUT THEN FAILS TO SHIFT BACK UPON REACHING SET SPEED UNTILL IT IS ABOUT 5-10 MPH OVER SET SPEED.

Wheels › Hub
Filed Jul 26, 1998NJ

THE WHEEL ADHERES TO THE HUB AND CANNOT BE SAFELY REMOVED BY THE DRIVER.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Jul 4, 1998WA

OIL GAUGE READINGS WOULD FREQUENTLY DROP TO LOW DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. DEALER NOTIFIED SOON AFTER PURCHASE. OWNER WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO PROBLEM IF NO EXCESSIVE OIL USAGE WAS NOTICED. FINALLY, ENGINE COMPLETELY SEIZED UP DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Apr 29, 1998PA

TRANSMISSION FAILURE.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components
Filed Mar 31, 1998NY

BRAKES EXPERIENCE SKIDING AND LOSS OF CONTROL. REPLACED BRAKES HOWEVER CONTINUED TO LOOSE CONTROL.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Nov 24, 1997MA

MOISTURE ENTERED THE ENGINE BLOCK, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. ALSO CAUSING LOSS OF VISIBILTY DUE TO THE THICK SMOKE WHICH CAME FROM THE ENGINE. *AK

Complaints 1-50 of 64, newest first, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2003
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20268200Routine
202560120Routine
202410100Routine
202333110Routine
202239310Routine
202136110Routine
202033100Routine
201965410Routine
201860510Routine
201736510Routine
201681810Routine
201587900Routine
201477710Routine
201336600Routine
201296810Routine
20111631010Routine
20101471220Routine
200922610Routine
200896520Routine
2007154530Routine
2006381530Above average
2005425530Above average
2004678230Above average
2003696300Above average
2002225330Above average
2001185310Routine
2000483212Fatalities reported
1999330250Above average
1998250451Fatalities reported
1997261425Fatalities reported
1996161512Fatalities reported
1995172401Fatalities reported
1994 — this page64422Fatalities reported
199351320Routine
199253323Fatalities reported
199143200Routine
199078261Fatalities reported

Compare every 4Runner year →

Reading this record

2 deaths reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

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: Apr 7, 2009. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.