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1998 Toyota 4 Runner

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1998 Toyota 4 Runner do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 96.5.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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

What owners reported most

All reported categories

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: 17 of 120 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.

  • Tires. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 15 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 reports3 fire reports10 injury reports

Parking Brake complaints

1 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jul 16, 2000
Parking BrakeService Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKES BECOME SOFT AND PARKING BRAKE HAS INCREASED NUMBER OF CLICKS TO TIGHTEN-THIS HAS OCCURRED AT APPROX 11,000 AND AGAIN AT APPROX 18,000 MILES; TOOK TO DEALER AT APPROX 11,800 INITIALLY WITH THIS COMPLAINT AND THEY ONLY INSPECTED BRAKES (NO ADJUSTMENT)AND SAID BRAKES LOOK ALMOST BRAND NEW. I HAD TO RETURN TO DEALER AND HAVE…

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BRAKES BECOME SOFT AND PARKING BRAKE HAS INCREASED NUMBER OF CLICKS TO TIGHTEN-THIS HAS OCCURRED AT APPROX 11,000 AND AGAIN AT APPROX 18,000 MILES; TOOK TO DEALER AT APPROX 11,800 INITIALLY WITH THIS COMPLAINT AND THEY ONLY INSPECTED BRAKES (NO ADJUSTMENT)AND SAID BRAKES LOOK ALMOST BRAND NEW. I HAD TO RETURN TO DEALER AND HAVE SHOP FOREMAN DRIVE THE TRUCK WHO THEN TOLD MECHANIC TO ADJUST BRAKES. ONCE AGAIN I AM NOTICING BRAKES ARE SOFT AND PARKING BRAKE TAKES MORE CLICKS TO TIGHTEN (APPROX 18,000). I CONTACTED ANOTHER DEALER WHO TOLD ME THAT THIS IS EXPECTED WITH TOYOTA 4 RUNNERS BECAUSE THEY DO NOT HAVE SELF ADJUSTING BRAKES. HE SAID THAT I NEED TO HAVE THE BRAKES CHECKED AND ADJUSTED IF NECESSARY EVERY 5000 MILES (AT AN EXTRA CHARGE OF 30.00 DOLLARS). I EXPLAINED THAT THEY GO OUT OF ADJUSTMENT VERY QUICKLY AND NOT AT EXACTLY EVERY 5000 MILES, THEREFORE THE DEALER WOULD NOT ADJUST THEM UNTIL I HAVE A PROBLEM AGAIN WHICH MEANS I AM SPENDING TIME AND MONEY (BESIDES THE EXPECTED 5000 MILE OIL CHANGE/ROTATE TIRES) WITH A PROBLEM I FEEL MAY NOT BE NORMAL FOR A $32,000 DOLLAR TRUCK AND SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARANTEE OR AT LEAST DESCRIBED AS A COMMON NECESSITY TO CUSTOMERS BEFORE PURCHASE( NOWHERE IN THE OWNERS MANUAL DOES IT STATE THAT BRAKES WILL NEED ADJUSTMENT FREQUENTLY DUE TO NOT SELF ADJUSTING).

NHTSA ODI #725522

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.