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: 25 of 110 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 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
18 crash reports3 fire reports10 injury reports
What owners actually said
110 reports
Mileage unknown · Mar 21, 2004
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline
1999 4 RUNNER SR5. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT I HAVE HARD STARTING, INTERMITTENT (POOR, ROUGH) IDLE AND SOME TIME NOT IDLE. AT HIGH ELEVATION, I HAVE EXTREMELY POOR GAS MILEAGE. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL DEALER SERVICES INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM. DEALERS WERE NOT ABLE TO ISOLATE PROBLEM. HOW I DEALT WITH IT OVER THE YEARS. NEVER USED THE VEHI…
Read full complaint
1999 4 RUNNER SR5. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT I HAVE HARD STARTING, INTERMITTENT (POOR, ROUGH) IDLE AND SOME TIME NOT IDLE. AT HIGH ELEVATION, I HAVE EXTREMELY POOR GAS MILEAGE. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL DEALER SERVICES INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM. DEALERS WERE NOT ABLE TO ISOLATE PROBLEM. HOW I DEALT WITH IT OVER THE YEARS. NEVER USED THE VEHICLE OTHER THAN AT SEA LEVEL AND PUMP THROTTLE WHEN IDLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE RETAINED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10062770
57,735 miles · Jan 15, 2004
EquipmentStructureUnknown Or Other
I BOUGHT A CERTIFIED USED CAR FROM A TOYOTA DEALER BACK IN SEP. 2002 FOR $24,000.THEY DIDN'T GIVE ME A MASTER KEY (MASTER KEY IS ONE OF THE INSPECTION POINT CHECK)AND THEY DIDN'T GIVE ME A CAR JACK.THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT BEFORE.THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON JULY 10 2003 I LOOKED AT ENGINE AND U…
Read full complaint
I BOUGHT A CERTIFIED USED CAR FROM A TOYOTA DEALER BACK IN SEP. 2002 FOR $24,000.THEY DIDN'T GIVE ME A MASTER KEY (MASTER KEY IS ONE OF THE INSPECTION POINT CHECK)AND THEY DIDN'T GIVE ME A CAR JACK.THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT BEFORE.THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON JULY 10 2003 I LOOKED AT ENGINE AND UNDERNEATH THE CAR.I NOTICED THE POOR WORKMANSHIP ON FRONT AND REAR BUMPER,SOME MUDD GUARDS ARE MISSING AND THE VIN LABLES LOOKS LIKE IT WAS PEELED OFF BEFORE AND THE ONES ON THE DOORS AND HOOD DOESN'T LOOK AUTHENTIC.
NHTSA ODI #10070572
74,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
"THREW A ROD" WHILE HWY DRIVING. ENGINE SEIZED. ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE ON TIME INCLUDING OIL CHANGES. LAST OIL CHANGE 2 MONTHS PRIOR. NO WARNING.
NHTSA ODI #10069378
6,000 miles · Jan 6, 2004
Tires
THE TIRES WERE DISINTEGRATING AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO RIDE EXTREMELY ROUGH AND CHOPPY. *AK THE TIRES FELT LESS SMOOTH. FIRESTONE ADMITTED THAT THE TIRES FELT CHOPPY AND REFUSED REPLACEMENT. THE PROBLEM WORSENED AS TIME WENT ON. *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10048040
14 miles · Dec 26, 2003
Fuel System, Other
INCONSISTENT FUEL GUAGE READINGS, CAUSING ME TO RUN OUT OF FUEL WHEN GUAGE READS 1/4 TANK. SINCE IT WASN'T A RECALL, BY THE TIME I FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A TECHINICAL SERVICE BULLETIN OUT, MY 1999 TOYOTA 4RUNNER WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, SO THEY REFUSED TO FIX IT UNLESS I PAID. I'VE BEEN LUCKY SO FAR THAT I HAVEN'T RUN OUT OF FUEL …
Read full complaint
INCONSISTENT FUEL GUAGE READINGS, CAUSING ME TO RUN OUT OF FUEL WHEN GUAGE READS 1/4 TANK. SINCE IT WASN'T A RECALL, BY THE TIME I FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A TECHINICAL SERVICE BULLETIN OUT, MY 1999 TOYOTA 4RUNNER WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, SO THEY REFUSED TO FIX IT UNLESS I PAID. I'VE BEEN LUCKY SO FAR THAT I HAVEN'T RUN OUT OF FUEL IN A HAZARDOUS SITUATION. I E-MAILED TOYOTA AND THEY STILL WOULDN'T GIVE ANY COMPENSATION, MY VIN WAS ON THE LIST OF VEHICLES THAT HAVE THIS PROBLEM, TSB EL010-00 FUEL GAGE INACCURACY ADRESSES. I SINCE FOUND OUT I WASN'T THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE DEALING WITH THEM ON THIS ISSUE. *AK
AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR OVER 4 HOURS THE ELECTRICAL WIRING INSIDE THE DRIVER'S DOOR CAUGHT ON FIRE. THIS FAILURE ALSO CAUSED THE ELECTRIC WINDOW TO ROLL DOWN INTO THE DOOR. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO PUT THE FIR OUT. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10050349
102,000 miles · Dec 10, 2003
Electrical SystemFire
1999 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SUV PARKED IN A PARKING LOT FOR A FEW HOURS LOCKED WITH WINDOWS CLOSED. ELECTRICAL EVENT OPENED DRIVER WINDOW AND CAUSED SPONTANEOUS FIRE WHICH STARTED INSIDE PANEL OF DRIVER'S DOOR. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10049524
Mileage unknown · Jul 30, 2003
Air BagsCrash
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN HIT IN THE FRONT CENTER OF VEHICLE THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10031618
72,000 miles · Jul 28, 2003
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING FROM BALTIMORE TO WASHINGTON D.C. ON I-95 SPD APPROX 65 MPH. MY 1999 TOYOTA 4RUNNER, STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY. SUDDENLY I HEARD A LOUD CRASH, THE CLUTCH PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, AND I ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I CAUTIOUSLY MOVED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD, AND COME TO FIND THAT MY TR…
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING FROM BALTIMORE TO WASHINGTON D.C. ON I-95 SPD APPROX 65 MPH. MY 1999 TOYOTA 4RUNNER, STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY. SUDDENLY I HEARD A LOUD CRASH, THE CLUTCH PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, AND I ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I CAUTIOUSLY MOVED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD, AND COME TO FIND THAT MY TRANSMISSION HAD LITERALLY FELL OUT FROM UNDER THE 4RUNNER. EVEN THE TRANSFER CASE FELL OFF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE ALL OF MY MAINTANENCE RECORDS, AND THE TOYTA DEALERSHIP THAT SERVICED MY VEHICLE REFUSED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY, TELLING ME THAT MY VEHICLE WAS OK, THEN IT BREAKING. EVEN TOYOTA CORP. WILL NOT EVEN CONSIDER ANY ASSISTANCE HELPING WITH MY VEHICLE. WHAT SHOULD I DO?*AK
NHTSA ODI #10030247
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.
1999 Toyota 4 Runner Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration