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1996 Toyota 4 Runner

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1996 Toyota 4 Runner do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 96.5.

About this comparison →
89Owner complaints

Model-year median: 96.5

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
52
1994125
199589
1996122
1997120
1998110
1999
Compare all 4 Runner years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Engine And Engine Cooling
24Service Brakes, Hydraulic
16Suspension
16Tires
12Air Bags
7
All reported categories
Structure
4Visibility
4Electrical System
3Power Train
3Wheels
3Seat Belts
2Child Seat
1Equipment
1Exterior Lighting
1Fuel System, Gasoline
1Latches/locks/linkages
1Service Brakes, Air
1Steering
1Unknown Or Other
1Vehicle Speed Control
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 9 of 89 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

12 crash reports0 fire reports7 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

24 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Jun 22, 1998
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE ENGINE STALLS WHEN DRIVING AND WHEN APPROACHING STOP LIGHTS. APPROXIMATELY A MONTH AGO I WAS CROSSING THREE LANES OF TRAFFICE AND IT STALLED. THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE AND WARRANTS REPURCHASING.

NHTSA ODI #537185

Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 1997
Engine And Engine Cooling

GASKET FAILED.

NHTSA ODI #605477

Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 1997
Engine And Engine Cooling

HEAD GASKET FAILED.

NHTSA ODI #605345

Mileage unknown · Oct 22, 1997
Engine And Engine Cooling

ENGINE COMPUTER FAILED.

NHTSA ODI #604207

Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 1997
Engine And Engine CoolingTires

FIRESTONE TIRE BLEW OUT ON FREEWAY.

NHTSA ODI #603831

Mileage unknown · Sep 2, 1997
Engine And Engine Cooling

ENGINE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI #603794

Mileage unknown · Jul 7, 1997
Engine And Engine CoolingSuspensionVisibility

BLOWN HEAD GASKET FAILED.

NHTSA ODI #519456

Mileage unknown · May 8, 1997
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingSeat Belts

DUNLOP TIRES FAILED/BLEW OUT.

NHTSA ODI #517064

Mileage unknown · Apr 29, 1997
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SMOKE CAME FROM THE FRONT ENGINE AND THERE WAS A FUEL SMELL. MANUFACTURER SAID DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET WAS THE CAUSE. CONSUMER STATED IF MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM, WHY NOT NOTIFY THE CONSUMERS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #811806

Mileage unknown · Apr 17, 1997
Engine And Engine Cooling

HEAD GASKET FAILED

NHTSA ODI #603133

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.