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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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

16 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Jan 7, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ONGOING PROBLEM WITH ABS SYSTEM FAILING TO WORK PROPERLY,AND WILL NOT WORK AT ALL IN WET WEATHER. VEHICLE BEEN INSPECTED ON THREE OCCASIONS AND REPAIRED ON ONE OCCASION ( REPLACED BOTH FRONT ROTORS AND PADS), PROBLEM STILL OCCURING. HELP IN THIS MATTER IS NEEDED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #833194

Mileage unknown · Sep 19, 1997
Electrical SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKE SYSTEM MAKES NOISE.

NHTSA ODI #605193

Mileage unknown · Jul 9, 1997
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash

CONSUMER WAS COMING TO A STOP AT ABOUT 30 MPH,BEGAN APPLYING PRESSURE TO BRAKE, HEARD LOUD GRINDING NOISE, VEHICLE DID NOT STOP, CAUSED ACCIDENT, ROD THAT HOLDS TIRE AND AXLE CAME OFF. DEALER CANNOT FIND PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #814006

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

DUNLOP TIRES FAILED/BLEW OUT.

NHTSA ODI #517064

Mileage unknown · Feb 24, 1997
Service Brakes, HydraulicInjury

WHILE TRYING TO AVOID ACCIDENT BRAKES FAILED FOR THE THIRD TIME, CAUSING VEHICLE TO ROLL OVER.

NHTSA ODI #602609

Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 1996
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE DRIVING EXPERIENCED ABS BRAKE WARMUP AND VIOLENT VIBRATION THROUGHOUT VEHICLE UPON BRAKING.*AK

NHTSA ODI #802804

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.