SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

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

What owners actually said

89 reports
84,500 miles · Sep 12, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I HAVE A 1996 4RUNNER AND I HAVE NOTICED THAT IT VIBRATES WHEN I BRAKE HARD, ESPECIALLY WHEN I GO DOWNHILL. I CAN FEEL IT IN THE STEERING WHEEL. WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES MY TRUCK STARTED SHAKING LIKE A EARTHQUAKE. IT WAS VERY SERIOUS. I ALMOST LOST CONTROL AND I COULD HAVE DIED. IT ONLY HAS ABOUT 70,000 MILES ON IT. BRAKE PADS …

Read full complaint

I HAVE A 1996 4RUNNER AND I HAVE NOTICED THAT IT VIBRATES WHEN I BRAKE HARD, ESPECIALLY WHEN I GO DOWNHILL. I CAN FEEL IT IN THE STEERING WHEEL. WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES MY TRUCK STARTED SHAKING LIKE A EARTHQUAKE. IT WAS VERY SERIOUS. I ALMOST LOST CONTROL AND I COULD HAVE DIED. IT ONLY HAS ABOUT 70,000 MILES ON IT. BRAKE PADS ARE OK. PLEASE CHECK THIS WEBSITE TO SEE SIMILAR PROBLEM. HTTP://TOYOTAOWNERSCLUB.COM/FORUMS/INDEX.PHP?ACT=ST&F=5&T=1147& *PH

NHTSA ODI #10038752

2 miles · Mar 15, 2003
Air BagsCrash

THE 1996 TOYOTA 4RUNNER HIT A STOP SIGN POLE AND A BIG TREE AT 50 TO 60 MPH DURING WET WEATHER. THE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS TOTALED AND THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY, RESULTING IN THE COLLISION OF THE DRIVERS HEAD TO THE STEERING WHEEL. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10010496

Mileage unknown · Feb 25, 2003
Suspension

CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL REGARDING THE REAR SUSPENSION. *AK *JB

NHTSA ODI #10007300

Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 2003
Suspension

PER THE CONSUMER THE DEALERSHIP IS REFUSING TO HONOR THE RECALL FOR THE REAR SUSPENSION 02V-021, TOYOTA MOTOR, CLEVELAND OH, 216-321-9100 .*JB

NHTSA ODI #10002536

Mileage unknown · Nov 25, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

CONSUMER NOTICE WHILE TRAVELING EXHAUSTS LEAKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. VEHICLE WAS SERVICE BY DEALER TECHNICIAN NOTICE CORROSION ON THE CROSSOVER PIPE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

NHTSA ODI #8023265

Mileage unknown · Jul 29, 2002
Suspension

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 02 V 021 000. CONTACTED DEALER, AND PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8015018

Mileage unknown · Jul 7, 2002
Seat Belts

SEATBELT WOULD NOT RELEASE. REPEATED ATTEMPTS WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. HAD TO CUT BELT TO RELEASE 12 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WHO WAS IN PAIN DUE TO EXTREME TIGHTNESS OF BELT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #763890

Mileage unknown · Apr 22, 2002
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

CONSUMER HAD REAR SUSPENSION REPAIRS PRIOR TO RECALL SSC20A NOTIFICATION. DEALER REPACKED AND ADJUSTED REAR AXLE AND REPLACED BEARINGS. CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR EXPENSES INCURRED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE. *TT

NHTSA ODI #565288

Mileage unknown · Mar 21, 2002
Suspension

WHEN CARRYING MORE WEIGHT VEHICLE GRINDS AND FISHTALES IN BACK. WEIGHT IS ON SHOCKS INSTEAD OF SPRINGS WHICH CAUSES SHOCKS TO WEAR OUT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8006119

Mileage unknown · Mar 21, 2002
SuspensionCrash

AFTER VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER RECALL 02 V021 000, AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS REAR OF VEHICLE LOST DIRECTIONAL STABILITY, RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL/COLLISION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #8006088

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.