1998 Toyota 4RUNNER

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/30/2013· SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE

  VEHICLE STARTED A CLUNKING SOUND AND BEGAN TO SWAY FROM SIDE TO SIDE. MECHANIC INSPECTED AND FOUND FRAME HAD RUSTED ON DRIVERS SIDE NEAR REAR SWAY BAR. *TR

• 12/29/2016· STRUCTURE

  AFTER MULTI-POINT INSPECTION, DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THE "FRAME IS VERY RUSTED AND IS ROTTING OUT WHERE REAR SUSPENSION MEETS FRAME. DO NOT RECOMMEND TO DRIVE."

• 12/21/2011· STRUCTURE

  I FOUND A 10" LONG X1" WIDE SECTION OF FRAME PERFORATED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AT THE CROSS MEMBER. THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER PLACES ON THE PASSENGER SIDE THAT ARE PERFORATED AS WELL. THE DRIVERS SIDE SEEMS OK. I AM NOW WORRIED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE. *TR

• 12/21/2004· POWER TRAIN

  DRIVING ON FREEWAY 5 AT SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA FROM THE SURFACE STREET AT 35 MPH, I HEARD A THUMP AND THE 4 RUNNER SLOWED TO A STOP. THE TRAFFIC WAS HELD TO A SCREETCHING HALT AS THE CAR WILL NOT MOVE. I MANAGE TO PUSH IT TO THE EMERGENCY SIDE PARKING. IT WAS TOWED TO FRANK TOYOTA OF NATIONAL CITY SAN DIEGO, CA. THERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR END AXLE GEAR HAS BEEN STRIPPED. I JUST ARRIVED TODAY SURVIVE A THIRD TOUR OF IRAQ AND THIS HAPPENED. THIS NEARLY COST ME MY LIFE AND POSSIBLY A LOT MORE PEOPLE.*AK

• 12/21/2000· TIRES

  WHILE DRIVING, RIGHT REAR FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRE P225/75R15 EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, TIRES WERE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT, DOT W2HHAWB487. *SLC

• 12/20/2016· SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE

  FRAME RUSTED OUT AND REAR AXLE SUPPORT DETACHED FROM FRAME WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SWAY UNCONTROLLABLY ALMOST ROLLING OVER. FOUND THAT MANUFACTURER HAS RECALL ON TRUCKS WITH SIMILAR FRAME FOR RUST ISSUE, BUT NOT THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH COMPLAINTS OR DEATHS. *TR

• 12/19/2011· STRUCTURE

  I OWN A 1998 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER WITH A SAFETY ISSUE. THE FRAME IS RUSTED OUT WHERE THE FRONT PORTION OF THE REAR LEAF SPRING BRACKET IS WELDED TO THE FRAME. THIS WAS POINTED OUT TO ME BY AN AUTO BODY REPAIR PERSON WHO'S FATHER HAD A TACOMA THAT RUSTED OUT IN THE SAME SPOT. HIS VEHICLE WAS GRANTED 1.5 TIMES OVER KELLY BLUE BOOK VALUE AND THE VEHICLE WAS SEIZED FROM HIM AT THE TIME DUE TO SAFETY. MY 4 RUNNER IS ONLY 13 YEARS OLD WITH A KELLY BLUE BOOK VALUE OF 6500.00. IT LOOKS AND RUNS GREAT. BUT OBVIOUSLY THIS VEHICLE IS NOT WORTH THAT NOW AND CANNOT BE SOLD DUE TO THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE FRAME. IT ALSO CANNOT BE REPAIRED. EVENTUALLY THIS WILL RESULT IN A FAILURE AND DEPENDING ON WHAT SPEED THE VEHICLE IS TRAVELING AT THE TIME WILL TELL HOW SERIOUS THE ACCIDENT WILL BE. IT APPEARS THAT TOYOTA HAS VERY LITTLE TO DO WITH MY CONCERNS. I SENT THREE CERTIFIED LETTERS TO TOYOTA EXPRESSING MY CONCERNS WITH SAFETY. THE LETTER SENT TO THE PRESIDENT YOSHIMI INABA THAT WAS NOT FORWARDED TO HIM, WAS RETURNED DUE TO AN ERRONEOUS ADDRESS SO IT APPEARS HE IS BEING SHELTERED. I WAS OFFERED $500.00 REIMBURSEMENT ON SERVICE, PARTS OR ACCESSORIES OR A 1500.00 'GIFT' BASED ON TOYOTA'S 'GOODWILL OFFER' TOWARDS A NEW TOYOTA. THIS "GIFT" WAS OFFERED BY AN EXECUTIVE ANALYST WITH TOYOTA CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE WHOM APPARENTLY DOESN'T WANT THE TOP EXECUTIVES TO RECEIVE CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS. BASED ON COMPARISONS THAT THE TACOMA AND TUNDRA OWNERS RECEIVED, I DON'T FEEL THE SO-CALLED "GOODWILL" OF BEING A TOYOTA CUSTOMER. IT SEEMS THERE MUST BE LITIGATION TO GET TOYOTA'S WELL-BRAGGED-ABOUT CUSTOMER CARE. SAFETY IS #1 AT TOYOTA IF THEY ARE GOING TO MAKE A NEW SALE! SAFETY FOR OLD CUSTOMERS IS OUT THE WINDOW IF THE SALE IS FROM THE PAST. LOOKS LIKE TOYOTA DOES NOT REALLY BACK THEIR PRODUCTS UNLESS THERE IS A DEATH. *TR

• 12/16/2011· STRUCTURE

  I WAS DRIVING IF YOU WOULD GO THE SPEED LIMIT IT WOULD START TO SHAKE REAL BAD. COULD DRIVE IF YOU DROVE 25 TO 30 MILES A HOUR. PARKED IT AND GOT TO LOOKING AND THE FRAME ON DRIVERS SIDE BROKE IN FRONT OF REAR WHEEL BY THE LOWER STRAIT TO REAR END. ## VIN PASSED ## 1998 4 RUNNER ## *TR

• 12/08/2015· SEATS

  THE DRIVERS SEAT MOUNT (LEFT FRONT) FAILED CAUSING THE SEAT TO BECOME LOOSE AND ROCK. THE SEAT MOUNT BENEATH THE CARPET HAD FAILED, ALLOWING THE MOUNTING BOLT TO FALL OFF. THE METAL BRACKET HAD TO BE WELDED WITH NEW, STRONGER METAL AND THE BOLT REATTACHED WITH SPOT WELDS. THIS FAILURE IS WIDE SPREAD AMONG ALL TOYOTA 4 RUNNERS FROM 1995-2002; TOYOTA IS AWARE AND HAS FAILED TO ADDRESS THIS DEFECT; ALL SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPAIRED.

• 12/08/1998· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  HAD VEHICLE IN REVERSE & USING BRAKES HEARD LOUD CLICKING/GRINDING NOISES. TOOK TO DEALER. *AK

• 12/06/2018· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  THE FRAME IS RUSTING TERRIBLY DESPITE ALL EFFORTS TO CURB IT.

• 12/06/2018· SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  MY 1998 TOYOTA 4RUNNER FRAME IS COMPRISED AND DEEMED UNSAFE AND UNDRIVABLE DUE TO SEVERE FRAME RUST. I HAD TO REMOVE IT FROM THE ROAD SINCE THE BODY ROCKS ON THE FRAME AND IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

• 12/06/2011· SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE

  THE FRAME ON MY 1998 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SR5 HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH ON THE REAR AND HAS BROKEN IN HALF. THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE. THE TOYOTA TACOMA PICKUP (SAME MODEL YEAR TIME-FRAME) HAS THE SAME ISSUE AND HAS BEEN RECALLED, BUT THE 4RUNNER HAS NOT. THE 4RUNNER SHOULD ALSO BE RECALLED AND A 15 YEAR EXTENDED FRAME RUST THOUGH WARRANTY APPLIED. *TR

• 12/05/2015· STRUCTURE

  REAR FRAME RUSTED OUT WHERE SWAY BARS ATTACH, FRAME MOUNTS BROKE WHILE TOWING A TRAILER ON SR 22 IN SOUTHERN OHIO. LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE CROSSED TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC BEFORE GAINING CONTROL AND STOPPING THE 4RUNNER.

• 12/04/2016· STRUCTURE

  EXTENSIVE UNDER BODY FRAMES SCALY RUST AND WITH SPECIFIC SERIOUS DAMAGE TO REAR STRUTS BASE. WHOLE PIECE SUPPORTING STRUT BASE BROKEN COMPLETELY BROKEN AROUND AND SUNK IN CREATING LOUD NOISE WITH THE LIST IMPACT. I HAVE SEVERAL PICTURES AS PROOF.

• 12/03/2020· STRUCTURE

  CRITICAL FRAME RUST CAUSING TRAILING ARMS TO DETACH UNDER NORMAL USE.

• 12/02/2019· STRUCTURE

  THE FRAME OF MY VEHICLE IS RUSTING OUT TO THE POINT OF BEING UNSAFE. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 68K MILES. THE REAR TRAILING ARM BRACKET HAS A HOLE INSIDE

• 12/02/2004· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

  WHILE PARKED A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, PUT OUT THE FIRE, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

• 12/01/2018· STRUCTURE

  SENT MY VEHICLE FOR SAFETY INSPECTION AND IT WAS FAILED. BADLY RUSTED FRAME WAS SITED AS ONE REASON.

• 11/28/2016· STEERING,STRUCTURE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 161,000.

• 11/24/1998· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  ENGINE STALLS WHILE DRIVING ,LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE DEFECT. *AK

• 11/20/2009· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  I AM AN OWNER OF A TOYOTA 4 RUNNER (1998), AND CERTAINLY A SAFETY ISSUE EXISTS WITH THIS VEHICLE. IF DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL IN AN EMERGENCY (HARDER THAN NORMAL OPERATIONS), THE REAR SEAL (PASSENGER SIDE) WILL BREAK, LEAVING ONLY THREE (3) WHEELS BRAKES TO STOP THE VEHICLE. HAD TO REPLACE BOTH REAR SEALS AT 68K MILES. AGAIN AT 105KMILES THE SAME ISSUE. I STRONGLY BELIEVED THAT THE TOYOTA REAR SEAL IS NOT WITHIN SPECIFICATION OF THE PRESSURE DELIVERED TO THE BRAKE LINES. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER, SINCE A SAFETY ISSUE EXISTS. *TR THANKS

• 11/19/2012· STEERING,SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE

  VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING AND CLUNKING. I WAS NEAR HOME AND ABLE TO GET IT BACK TO MY DRIVEWAY. UPON TOWING TO THE MECHANIC, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR CONTROL ARM HAD RUSTED OUT AND DETACHED FROM THE FRAME. FRAME ROT WAS DISCOVERED ON THE SIDE RAILS. CAR IS CONSIDERED UNDRIVEABLE AND SHOULD BE TOTALED. *TR

• 11/16/2006· SEAT BELTS

  ***SECOND OCCURRENCE ON SAME VEHICLE*** WHILE TRAVELING STRAIGHT, A VEHICLE TURNED LEFT IN FRONT OF OUR 4RUNNER. WE BRAKED FAIRLY HARD. UPON BRAKING, THE LEFT REAR SEAT BELT MADE A WHIRLING NOISE AND COMPLETELY LOST TENSION WHILE UNRAVELING. THIS CAUSED THE REAR OCCUPANT (PROPERLY BUCKLED IN) TO MOVE FORWARD DUE TO THE BRAKING FORCES, AND THE OCCUPANT WAS SUBSEQUENTLY NOT RESTRAINED IN MOVEMENT BY THE FAILING SEAT BELT. THIS SEAT BELT UNRAVELED SO FAR THAT THE OCCUPANT COULD HAVE EASILY SLID UNDERNEATH THE SLACK IN THE BELT. *NM

• 11/15/2012· STRUCTURE

  1998 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FRAME RUST. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE REAR SUPPORT BRACKET SNAPPED OFF THE MAIN FRAME OF THE VEHICLE.

• 11/11/2022· SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE

  The frame is rusting out and broke while driving. The frame is almost totally destroyed from rust . The rear started swinging violently but luckily got it stop without crashing. The entire frame is a joke. I can't believe it hasn't been recalled STILL. The body is in perfect shape but a frame that can snap at any moment....I thought Toyota put safety first?

• 11/08/2020· STRUCTURE

  THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR CONTROL ARM MOUNTING BRACKET THAT IS WELDED TO THE FRAME HAS RUSTED AND COMPLETELY FRACTURED OFF OF THE FRAME. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE I BEGAN TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP LIGHT ON A CITY STREET AT NORMAL SPEEDS. I FELT AND HEARD A LOUD POP, THEN HAD SEVERE REAR END INSTABILITY WHILE DRIVING, REQUIRING ME TO "LIMP HOME" TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

• 11/08/2002· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING EXHAUST FUMES INSIDE THE VEHICLE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

• 11/05/1998· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  WHEN DRIVING ON WET PAVEMENT THE ABS LIGHT KEEP COMING ON, AND THE BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON NON-EMERGENCY SITUATIONS WHEN COMING TO A STOP. ALSO, WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THEY DON'T SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN FAST ENOUGH, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE CONTROL, ALMOST HITTING OTHER VEHICLES. CONSUMER CAN HEAR THE BRAKES MOVING BACKWARD AND FORWARD, AND THE DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK

• 10/29/2013· STRUCTURE

  DURING NORMAL SERVICE AND INSPECTION, MY TOYOTA DEALER SERVICE REP. REPORTED FRAME RUST, INCLUDING PERFORATION OF THE FRAME. SERVICE REP RECOMMENDED THAT VEHICLE NOT BE DRIVEN, AND TAKEN OUT OF SERVICE. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR 13 YEARS. TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS HAVE DONE THE SERVICE AND REPAIRS ON THIS VEHICLE, AND NEVER REPORTED THIS PROBLEM PREVIOUSLY. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE EVEN HEARD OF FRAME RUST. NOW, I HAVE A VEHICLE THAT IS ALMOST WORTHLESS. I REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO TOYOTA, BUT THEY DID NOT OFFER ANY SUGGESTIONS OR HELP. *TR

• 10/23/2000· POWER TRAIN

  GEAR SHIFTER LOCKS UP WHEN PLACED IN "PARK" (P) POSITION RESULTING IN KEY NOT BEING ABLE TO BE REMOVED FROM IGNITION. THIS CAUSED THE PUSH-BUTTON CONTROL HANDLE TO BECOME COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE GEAR SHIFTER ARM AND SERVERED THE WIRE FOR THE PUSH-BUTTON OVERDRIVE CONTROL. THE SCREWS BECAME STIPPED AND THE HOUSING INSIDE THE RUBBER COVER WERE CRACKED. I HAVE NOT CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP WERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE DUE TO PAST PROBLEMS I'VE HAD WHEN REPORTING DEFECTS TO THEM.*AK

• 10/19/2000· TIRES

  WE HAVE A THUMPING NOISE IN ONE OF THE TIRES. FIRESTONE WILL NOT HONOR THE RECAL ON THIS AS IT IS A 225 . DO WE HAVE ANY RECOURSE? I AM CONCERNED THAT ALL THE TIRES ARE DANGEROUS AT THIS POINT. (TIRESIZE: 22575R15)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 22575R15 )

• 10/18/2000· TIRES

  THE TIRE SHREDDED WHILE DRIVING ALONG THE HIGHWAY. I DO HAVE PHOTOS OF THE TIRE SHOWING THE DISINTEGRATION OF THE TIRE TREAD. THIS IS NOT ONE OF THE RECALLED TIRES. HOWEVER, DUE TO THIS INCIDENT, I FEEL I SHOULD HAVE MY TIRES REPLACED BY FIRESTONE. I WILL FORWARD THE PHOTS TO YOUR OFFICE. (DOT NUMBER: W2HHAWB068 TIRESIZE: P225 75R15)

• 10/17/2017· STRUCTURE

  I OWN A 1998 TOYOTA 4RUNNER THAT I BOUGHT FROM A TOYOTA DEALER IN 2001, AFTER ABOUT THREE TO FOUR YEAR LATER, I STARTED TO NOTICE RUST SHOWING UP ON THE REAR BUMPER AND ALSO UNDER NEATH THE VEHICLE SO I BOUGHT A GALLON OF RUST PROF PAINT AND STARTED TO COAT BENEATH THE TRUCK WITH THE HOPE TO STOP THE RUST FROM TAKING OVER THE VEHICLE. WELL THE LONG AND SHORT STORY IS I HAVE FINALY LOST THE BATTLE AFTER REPLACING REAR BUMPERS,TWO REAR SHOCKS AND A MUFFULER SYSTEMS. I WAS TOLD TODAY THAT MY 4 RUNNER IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I WILL INCLUDE SOME PICS AND LET YOU DECIDE WHAT HAPPEN.

• 10/10/2022· STEERING

  The drivers side front lower ball joint completely sheared off at around 15 miles an hour. The wheel and tire separated from the vehicle.

• 10/10/2015· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  WHILE HAVING REPAIRS MADE TO DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING FOR A RUST HOLE, MECHANIC POINTED OUT RUST HOLES THOUGH FRAME ON BOTH SIDES OF VEHICLE ABOUT MID VEHICLE. MECHANIC CAUTIONED THAT VEHICLE WILL SOON BE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. VEHICLE IS OTHERWISE IN GOOD CONDITION AND WELL MAINTAINED.

• 10/10/2000· TIRES

  PE 00 020/ TIRE TREAD SEPARATION: VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY GOODYEAR CENTER AND INFORMED THAT THREE OF THE TIRES SHOWED SIGN OF TREAD SEPARATION ON A 1998 TOYOTA, 4 RUNNER; ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT, P225/75R15, DOT# W2HHAWB048 & W2HHAWBO38(TWO). FIRSTONE NOTIFIED AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT TIRES WERE NOT COVER UNDER RECALL. TIRES WERE AVAILABLE FOR ANALYSIS. *AK

• 10/09/2012· SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE,WHEELS

  FRAME IS RUSTED OUT AROUND REAR CONTROL ARM BRACKETS. NUMEROUS RUST HOLES IN FRAME. THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE IN THIS CONDITION AND TOYOTA DOES NOT WANT TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I HAVE SEEN HUNDREDS OF THE SAME MODEL VEHICLE ONLINE WITH THIS SAME ISSUE. THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL, JUST LIKE THE TACOMA FRAMES. VEHICLE IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AND HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. IT IS A SHAME THIS 4RUNNER IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. BEAUTIFUL TRUCK, UNSAFE FRAME. *TR

• 10/08/2011· STRUCTURE

  THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE IS RUSTING OUT I HAVE ONE OR TWO HOLES IN MY FRAME AND I SEE THAT IS A SAFETY PROBLEM. I WORK FOR A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND WE REPLACING ALOT OF TACOMA FRAMES DUE TO RUST. THE 4RUNNER FRAME IS THE SAME AS THE TACOMA SO I DON'T SEE WHY 4RUNNER FRAMES ARE NOT INVOLVED IN THE RECALL. THANKS. *TR

• 10/06/2000· TIRES

  REPLACEMENT OF ALL FIVE TIRES AS TWO WERE ALREADY SEPARATING,HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH ONE LOOSING AIR SINCE BOUGHT,UNABLE TO FIND REASON,TIRES WERE REPLACED BY GOODYEAR AND FIRESTONE ADVISED CAN'T REEMBURSE BECAUSE OF ALREADY TAKEN OFF,OTHER FIRESTONE SAID TIRES ARE TWO YEARS OLD AND NEEDED REPLACING ANYWAY. I SPOKE WITH ROBERT OPER.50 AT NHTSA. *AK (DOT NUMBER: W2HHAWB048 TIRESIZE: P225/75R15)

• 10/06/1999· POWER TRAIN

  WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY JUMPS OUT OF GEAR.DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

• 10/04/2023· SUSPENSION

  The rear end suspension is sagging on my vehicle. When I look up the VIN number on the nhtsa website it says that there is not a recall, but when I look up my vehicle by year it says that all vehicles of this year should be recalled for rear suspension repair/check. I called usa toyota and they said that they could not send the ticket to my local toyota dealership to for repair because my vehicle was imported from japan to canada. I have tried calling canada toyota but they have not picked up their phone. Reaching out to determine if the nhtsa can help with getting my vehicle suspension checked/repaired. Below is the message/link I receieved from NHTSA when I looked up my car's production year. ----- [XXX] January 18, 2002 NHTSA Campaign Number: 02V021000 TOYOTA/REAR SUSPENSION THIS MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH. NHTSA Campaign Number: 02V021000 Manufacturer TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC. Components SUSPENSION Potential Number of Units Affected 273,743 Summary 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 RATING) AND SEVERE STEERING MANEUVERS COULD CAUSE THE 2WD 4RUNNER TO LOSE DIRECTIONAL STABILITY. 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 SHOULD RECEIVE THE REPLACEMENT PARTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 28, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331. Notes TOYOTA RECALL NO. SSC 20A. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

• 10/02/2001· TIRES

  WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH TREAD ON RIGHT REAR TIRE COMPLETELY SEPARATED, TIRE SIZE P26570R16, TIRE MILEAGE 46,000, ORIGINAL MANUFACTURED EQUIPMENT ON A TOYOTA, 4 RUNNER, 1999. *AK *YD

• 10/01/2000· TIRES

  UPON SWITCHING MY FIRESTONE TIRES TO ANOTHER BRAND, I NOTICED THAT ONE OF THE TIRES REMOVED FROM MY VEHICLE HAD A DEFINITE CRACK BETWEEN THE TREAD. IT WAS AN OLDER TIRE, 2 YEARS, 40K MILES, BUT THE DEEP CRACK BETWEEN THE TREADS CONCERNED ME, AS I HAD NOT SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THAT BEFORE. NONE OF THE OTHER 3 TIRES EXHIBITED THIS UNUSUAL WEAR CHARACTERISTIC. *AK (DOT NUMBER: W2HH TIRESIZE: P225/75R15)

• 10/01/1999· SEAT BELTS

  SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILED CAUSING, SEAT BELT TO STUCK.

• 09/29/2017· STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  WHEN TO GET INSPECTION STICKER AND FAIL BECAUSE FRAME HAD HOLES ON UNDERCARRIAGE AND ALSO ON THE CHASSIS

• 09/28/1997· POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO KICK INTO HIGH GEAR, COMING OUT OF THE OVERDRIVE AND REVS UP TO 3500 MPH WHICH ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. CAUSE UNKNOWN.

• 09/23/2015· STRUCTURE

  1998 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE FRAME RUST ISSUES. *SMD

• 09/20/2002· TIRES,WHEELS

  VEHICLE HAD A FLAT TIRE WHILE DRIVING. WHEN CHANGING TIRE, CONSUMER DISCOVERED THAT SPARE TIRE HAD A STEEL WHEEL WHILE VEHICLE'S WHEELS WERE ALLOY. WHILE PURCHASING REPLACEMENT TIRES DEALER ADVISED CONSUMER THAT SPARE TIRE WAS VERY UNSAFE BECAUSE THE LOCKING LUG WAS ONLY GRIPPING WHEEL BY A FEW THREADS. LUG WAS 1/2 INCH AWAY FROM WHEEL.*AKJLG

• 09/18/2002· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  CONSUMER STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON DUE TO OXYGEN SENSOR FAILURE. *YH