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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

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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

Steering complaints

1 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Sep 29, 2004
SteeringCrash

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER LOST STEERING CONTROL AFTER GOING OVER A PUDDLE OF WATER IN THE ROAD. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO HIT THE MEDIAN. VEHICLE WAS TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. EVOQ FILED BY: EVELYN PRITCHETT 540-286-7169. *AK RECALL # COULD NOT BE FOUND BUT THE CONSUMER SENT IN A COPY OF…

Read full complaint

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER LOST STEERING CONTROL AFTER GOING OVER A PUDDLE OF WATER IN THE ROAD. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO HIT THE MEDIAN. VEHICLE WAS TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. EVOQ FILED BY: EVELYN PRITCHETT 540-286-7169. *AK RECALL # COULD NOT BE FOUND BUT THE CONSUMER SENT IN A COPY OF A SAMPLE RECALL NOTICE FOR 1996-1998 TOYOTA 4 RUNNERS DUE TO A COMBINATION OF HEAVY LOADING OR RUFF ROAD CONDITIONS. *TC

NHTSA ODI #10087996

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.