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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

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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

Power Train complaints

3 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Dec 20, 2004
Power TrainSuspension

HAPPENED TO NOTICED FLUID AROUND RIM. REPEATED REAR AXLE SEAL LEAK. BELIEVE BACK SPACING OF SEAL AGAINST THE ABS RING IS OF A QUARTER OF INCH. CAUSING VEHICLE TO VIBRATE AND CREATE LOUD GRINDING HUM. BRAKES HAVE BECOME SOAKED IN GEAR OIL. CAUSING BRAKES TO LOCK UP AND SMOKE PROFUSELY. BELIEVETOYOTA IS AWARE OF ISSUE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10104167

Mileage unknown · Jan 6, 2001
Power Train

THIS COMPONENT HAS FAILED NUMEROUS TIMES IN THE PAST 4 YEARS, REQUIRING 7 TRIPS TO THE DEALERSHIP AND PART REPLACEMENT 3 TIME. THE LAST TIME THE ENTIRE CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. THE MAIN FAILURE IS IN A CHEAP PLASTIC BUSHING THAT CONSTANTLY FALLS APART. THE CLUTCH PEDAL WHILE WORKABLE DOES BECOME SOMEWHAT JERKY IN ITS …

Read full complaint

THIS COMPONENT HAS FAILED NUMEROUS TIMES IN THE PAST 4 YEARS, REQUIRING 7 TRIPS TO THE DEALERSHIP AND PART REPLACEMENT 3 TIME. THE LAST TIME THE ENTIRE CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. THE MAIN FAILURE IS IN A CHEAP PLASTIC BUSHING THAT CONSTANTLY FALLS APART. THE CLUTCH PEDAL WHILE WORKABLE DOES BECOME SOMEWHAT JERKY IN ITS WORKING AS WELL AS NOISY AFTER THIS PART BREAKS.

NHTSA ODI #738893

Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 1996
Power Train

TRANSMISSION SLIPS IN BETWEEN GEARS, EXPERIENCED ONE MONTH AFTER PURCHASE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #983541

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.