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1986 Toyota 4RUNNER

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

Counts are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. A lower count does not establish that a car is problem-free.

About this comparison →
8Owner complaints

Model-year median: 58

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗ Model-level counts do not show whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

Inspection summary

1986 Toyota 4RUNNER

NHTSA snapshot: September 18, 2026. 8 owner complaints · 0 recall campaigns · 0 investigations.

Counts are not failure probabilities and are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. One report may name several categories. Comparison method and limitations.

Top reported categories (up to 5)

  • Engine And Engine Cooling: 2 reports
  • Parking Brake: 2 reports
  • Tires: 2 reports
  • Equipment: 1 reports
  • Seat Belts: 1 reports

Full reported-category list and vehicle report

Recall links

    No recall campaigns in this snapshot.

    Check a VIN with NHTSA. Model-level history does not establish whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

    Print the top reported categories, recall links, snapshot date and comparison limits.

    How this year compares

    Owner complaints by model year

    Other model years Selected year
    2
    1984    2
    1985    8
    1986    5
    1987    9
    1988    6
    1989
    Compare all 4RUNNER years →

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

    What owners reported most

    Engine And Engine Cooling
    2    Parking Brake
    2    Tires
    2    Equipment
    1    Seat Belts
    1
    All reported categories
    Service Brakes, Hydraulic
    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: 2 of 8 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 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
    • Parking Brake. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
    • Tires. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

    NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

    2 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

    Parking Brake complaints

    2 reports
    Clear category filter
    268,000 miles · Dec 12, 2003
    Parking BrakeService Brakes, Hydraulic

    ON 1986 TOYOTA 4 RUNNERS THE HAND BRAKE IS SOLELY RELIED ON TO ADJUST THE BACK BRAKES. THE PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE THE BELL CRANK BOOT DOES NOT SUFFICIENTLY PREVENT CORROSION BETWEEN THE BELL CRANK AND ITS FRAME AT THE BACKING PLATE. THIS CAUSES THE ADJUSTING SCREW TO NOT ENGAGE AND THEREFORE THE BACK BRAKES DO NOT FUNCTION PROPER…

    Read full complaint

    ON 1986 TOYOTA 4 RUNNERS THE HAND BRAKE IS SOLELY RELIED ON TO ADJUST THE BACK BRAKES. THE PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE THE BELL CRANK BOOT DOES NOT SUFFICIENTLY PREVENT CORROSION BETWEEN THE BELL CRANK AND ITS FRAME AT THE BACKING PLATE. THIS CAUSES THE ADJUSTING SCREW TO NOT ENGAGE AND THEREFORE THE BACK BRAKES DO NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. WITH LESS FORCE ON THE BACK BRAKES THAN THE FRONT BRAKES THE FRONT BRAKES TEND TO LOCK UP. STEERING CONTROL IS THEN LOST.*AK

    NHTSA ODI #10049623

    Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 1996
    Parking BrakeCrashInjury

    VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN HILL DUE TO FAILURE OF PARKING BRAKE, INJURING ONE/KILLING ONE. *DSH

    NHTSA ODI #503800

    Recall campaigns

    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 ↗

    Defect investigations

    0

    No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

    An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.