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: 1 of 5 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.
Power Train. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Equipment. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
3 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports
What owners actually said
5 reports
72,391 miles · Oct 6, 2009
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1987 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE BRAKE PEDAL WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A VEHICLE AND SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1987 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE BRAKE PEDAL WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A VEHICLE AND SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 72391.
NHTSA ODI #10286491
Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 2004
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
CONSUMER PURCHASED A TOYOTA 4 RUNNER AND FOUND OUT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE. WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY VEHICLE SHOOK, AND WOULD NOT GO OVER 5 MPH. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT ALL BOLTS WERE MISSING, INCLUDING DRIVE LINE SHIFTER, CLUTCH LINE, AND THE BRAKE LINES. CONSUMER TOLD MECH…
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CONSUMER PURCHASED A TOYOTA 4 RUNNER AND FOUND OUT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE. WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY VEHICLE SHOOK, AND WOULD NOT GO OVER 5 MPH. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT ALL BOLTS WERE MISSING, INCLUDING DRIVE LINE SHIFTER, CLUTCH LINE, AND THE BRAKE LINES. CONSUMER TOLD MECHANIC HAT THIS VEHICLE COULD HAVE BEEN A DEATH TRAP. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10063508
Mileage unknown · Sep 14, 2000
TiresCrashInjury
CONSUMER STATED SHE HEARD A MUFFLED GUNSHOT LIKE SOUND AND VEHICLE SANK IN THE REAR, SHE LOST CONTROL, VEHICLE RAN OFF THE ROAD INTO SOME TREES AND THEN ROLLED OVER, A WITNESS STATED HE SAW ONE OF THE REAR FIRESTONE TIRES BLOWOUT (P225/75R15), CONSUMER WAS INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #870535
Mileage unknown · Aug 3, 1999
Equipment
THE UNDERSIDE SPARE TIRE FELL OFF DURING DRIVING. LUCKILY, IT WAS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY AND NO ONE WAS HIT. THIS IS THE SECOND FAILURE OF THIS CARRIER. IT IS A CHAIN LIFT WHICH CRANKS UP THE SPARE TIRE UNDER THE VEHICLE'S REAR. THE BREAK OCCURRED BETWEEN THE CHAIN AND THE UNIT THAT ATTACHES TO THE TIRE. THIS UNIT WAS REPLACED …
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THE UNDERSIDE SPARE TIRE FELL OFF DURING DRIVING. LUCKILY, IT WAS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY AND NO ONE WAS HIT. THIS IS THE SECOND FAILURE OF THIS CARRIER. IT IS A CHAIN LIFT WHICH CRANKS UP THE SPARE TIRE UNDER THE VEHICLE'S REAR. THE BREAK OCCURRED BETWEEN THE CHAIN AND THE UNIT THAT ATTACHES TO THE TIRE. THIS UNIT WAS REPLACED ONCE BEFORE WHEN IT FAILED WITH LESS THAN 30,000 MILES ON IT.
NHTSA ODI #709540
Mileage unknown · Jan 20, 1999
Power TrainCrash
WHILE DRIVING REAR AXLE BROKE INSIDE OF THE BEARING. AXLE CAME OUT AND WHEEL DISCONNECTED, VEHICLE LOST CONTROL AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. DEALER/MANUFACTURER CONTACTED AND NEED TO INSPECT. VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVABLE. MEMPHIS POLICE REPORT TAKEN. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #833713
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.
1987 Toyota 4RUNNER Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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