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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.

About this comparison →
120Owner 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
125
199589
1996122
1997120
1998110
1999104
200031
2001
Compare all 4 Runner years →

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

What owners reported most

Tires
29Suspension
17Engine And Engine Cooling
15Service Brakes, Hydraulic
9Electrical System
7
All reported categories
Power Train
7Seat Belts
7Steering
6Structure
6Air Bags
5Exterior Lighting
5Vehicle Speed Control
5Equipment
3Wheels
3Latches/locks/linkages
2Child Seat
1Parking Brake
1Unknown Or Other
1Visibility
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: 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

What owners actually said

120 reports
Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling

VEHICLE EXPERIENCING ENGINE KNOCKING AND STALLING. YH

NHTSA ODI #609026

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Structure

REAR GATE HANDLE LATCH SHARP METAL CAUSING FINGERS TO CATCH WHEN CONSUMER ATEMPT TO OPEN THE GATE. YH

NHTSA ODI #608960

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Steering

ALARM AND KEYLESS ENTRY SYSTEM FAILED. NLM

NHTSA ODI #607760

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Structure

STRUCTURE IS NOT VERY STABLE IN WINDY WEATHER AT SPEEDS OF 55-65MPH. YH

NHTSA ODI #607680

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Latches/locks/linkages

REAR DOOR LATCH STUCK, WOULDN'T OPEN. YH

NHTSA ODI #607373

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAILED CAUSED GRINDING AND STICKING BETWEEN SHIFTS. YH

NHTSA ODI #607364

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Equipment

CIGARETTE LITHTER IS NOT WORKING. YH

NHTSA ODI #606730

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Suspension

SHOCK ABSORBERS FAILED. YH

NHTSA ODI #606548

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Exterior Lighting

TAIL LIGHT BULB FAILED. YH

NHTSA ODI #606339

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Exterior Lighting

REAR BRAKE LIGHT FAILED. NLM

NHTSA ODI #606330

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.