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1995 Toyota 4RUNNER

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1995 Toyota 4RUNNER do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 58.

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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

37 reports with mileage · 10 unknown

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 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 3 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 reports0 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

30 reports
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124,000 miles · Dec 14, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

I BOUGHT A REGULARLY MAINTAINED, USED 1995 4 RUNNER WITH 119,000 MILES. WITHIN A MONTH, IT BEGAN RUNNING POORLY AND THE REPAIRS BEGAN. HAD TO HAVE THE TRUCK TOWED NUMEROUS TIMES AFTER IT LEFT ME STRANDED WITH MY INFANT CHILD. I HAVE REPLACED EVERYTHING POSSIBLE BUT NOW THE MECHANIC TELLS ME I HAVE A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. THERE WAS …

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I BOUGHT A REGULARLY MAINTAINED, USED 1995 4 RUNNER WITH 119,000 MILES. WITHIN A MONTH, IT BEGAN RUNNING POORLY AND THE REPAIRS BEGAN. HAD TO HAVE THE TRUCK TOWED NUMEROUS TIMES AFTER IT LEFT ME STRANDED WITH MY INFANT CHILD. I HAVE REPLACED EVERYTHING POSSIBLE BUT NOW THE MECHANIC TELLS ME I HAVE A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. THERE WAS NO INCIDENT OF OVERHEATING. I HAVE SEEN ENOUGH COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE TO UNDERSTAND THAT TOYOTA IS AWARE AND REFUSES TO RECTIFY THIS SITUATION. I WAS TOLD BY TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE THAT MY TRUCK IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. WHY NOT? EVERY OTHER YEAR WAS RECALLED FOR THE VERY SAME PROBLEM. I CANNOT AFFORD THIS REPAIR AND SINCE THIS VEHICLE HAS 'NICKEL AND DIMMED' ME TO DEATH, IT SITS IN THE DRIVEWAY. I CAN'T FIX IT, CAN'T SELL IT, CAN'T TRADE IT IN. IT WAS A WASTE. MY HUSBAND'S CAR HAS BEEN A REAL TROOPER BUT IT NEEDS REPAIRS. THE 4 RUNNER HAS TAKEN SO MUCH, WE CAN'T EVEN FIX THE BASICS ON HUBBY'S CAR. JUST WANT TO KNOW WHEN TOYOTA IS GOING TO ADMIT THE PROBLEM AND HELP US ALL THAT ARE STUCK WITH THEIR MESS! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10439999

179,000 miles · Sep 13, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE TAIL PIPE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN DRIVING ERRATICALLY. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF BUT WOULD NOT RESTART AFTER FOUR TO FIVE ATTEMPTS. WHEN RESTARTED, THERE WAS THICK WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE TAIL PIPE ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE TAIL PIPE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN DRIVING ERRATICALLY. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF BUT WOULD NOT RESTART AFTER FOUR TO FIVE ATTEMPTS. WHEN RESTARTED, THERE WAS THICK WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE TAIL PIPE ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC AND AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 179,000.

NHTSA ODI #10425217

135,000 miles · Feb 5, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingCrash

VEHICLE WITH 3.0L V6 HAS BLOWN TWO HEAD GASKETS IN 135,000 MILES. VIN IS JUST OUTSIDE OF THE "SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN". GASKET FAILED (AGAIN) WITH NO WARNING, VEHICLE STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, DRIVER LOST CONTROL

NHTSA ODI #10380814

130,000 miles · Jan 10, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

I'VE TALKED WITH TOYOTA ABOUT THE HEAD GASKET RECALL ON THIS 4RUNNER , AND I'VE BEEN TOLD YES THEY WILL FIX THE HEAD GASKET BUT ONLY IF I PAY FOR ANY OTHER REPAIRS TO THE ENGINE AND THEY TELL ME THEY WILL ONLY DO IT UNDER THESE CONDITIONS. IS THIS TRUE OR ARE THESE DEALERSHIPS TRYING TO EXTORT MONEY FROM ME . I JUST WANT THE HEA…

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I'VE TALKED WITH TOYOTA ABOUT THE HEAD GASKET RECALL ON THIS 4RUNNER , AND I'VE BEEN TOLD YES THEY WILL FIX THE HEAD GASKET BUT ONLY IF I PAY FOR ANY OTHER REPAIRS TO THE ENGINE AND THEY TELL ME THEY WILL ONLY DO IT UNDER THESE CONDITIONS. IS THIS TRUE OR ARE THESE DEALERSHIPS TRYING TO EXTORT MONEY FROM ME . I JUST WANT THE HEAD GASKET FIXED ALL OTHER IS MY RESPONSIBILITY AND I WILL REPAIR THE OTHER MYSELF.

NHTSA ODI #10376138

164,299 miles · Aug 9, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

I HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF STORIES SIMILAR TO MINE - YET TOYOTA IS TELLING ME MY VIN DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR THE SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN AKA: RECALL. ALTHOUGH I DO HAVE AN OFFICIAL LETTER STATING THAT ALL TOYOTA 3VZ-E ENGINES QUALIFY. . MY STORY: LAST WEEK, I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND MY 1995 V6 3.0L EFI (3VZ-E ENGINE) BEGAN T…

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I HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF STORIES SIMILAR TO MINE - YET TOYOTA IS TELLING ME MY VIN DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR THE SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN AKA: RECALL. ALTHOUGH I DO HAVE AN OFFICIAL LETTER STATING THAT ALL TOYOTA 3VZ-E ENGINES QUALIFY. . MY STORY: LAST WEEK, I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND MY 1995 V6 3.0L EFI (3VZ-E ENGINE) BEGAN TO OVERHEAT. SUDDENLY A CLOUD OF WHITE SMOKE EMERGED FROM BENEATH THE HOOD AND I LOST ALL POWER. I PULLED OVER ON THE SHOULDER, LIFTED THE HOOD TO FIND THE RADIATOR CAP SEVERED FROM THE RADIATOR AND ANTIFREEZE/BOILING WATER SPRAYING EVERYWHERE - I LET IT COOL BUT HAD A DIFFICULT TIME STARTING IT. EVENTUALLY I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO A MECHANIC SHOP ABOUT 7 MILES AWAY.. BLOWN HEAD GASKETS #6 CYLINDER IS NOT FIRING. THIS IS CLEARLY A CLASS ACTION SUIT IN THE MAKING! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10348347

140,000 miles · Jan 25, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

PROPERLY CARED FOR 1995 4RUNNER BLEW HEAD GASKETS. LOOKING AT APPROX. $2K REPAIR. TOYOTA RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM ENDS AT MAN. DATE OF 10-94. THEY WON'T COVER THE SAME PROBLEM THAT HAS APPARENTLY HAPPENED TO HUNDREDS OF 95 OWNERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10302173

163,000 miles · Mar 23, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

BLOWN HEAD GASKET ON 1995 TOYOTA 4RUNNER 4X4 WITH V-6 ENGINE. I SEE RECALL INFORMATION FOR 91,92, 93, 94, AND 96. WHAT ABOUT 95. I HAVE TALKED WITH OTHERS THAT HAVE HAD SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10262842

104,500 miles · Feb 28, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

BLOWN HEAD GASKET ON 1995 4 RUNNER. HAPPENED IN 2/2009. TOYOTA HAS HAD RECALLS ON HEAD GASKETS FOR 1995 4 RUNNERS BUT HAS CLAIMED THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED. MANY MANY OTHER OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM SEE: HTTP://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/VIEWCOMMENTS_REVIEW_45660.HTML REQUIRES HEAD GASKET REPLACEMENT - TOYOTA WON…

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BLOWN HEAD GASKET ON 1995 4 RUNNER. HAPPENED IN 2/2009. TOYOTA HAS HAD RECALLS ON HEAD GASKETS FOR 1995 4 RUNNERS BUT HAS CLAIMED THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED. MANY MANY OTHER OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM SEE: HTTP://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/VIEWCOMMENTS_REVIEW_45660.HTML REQUIRES HEAD GASKET REPLACEMENT - TOYOTA WON'T COVER IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10260325

107,500 miles · Dec 22, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

I OWN A 1995 4 RUNNER # WITH ONE OF YOUR 3.0 MOTORS IN IT AND IT ONLY HAS 107,000. MILES ON IT. THE HEAD GASKET BLOW OUT ON IT, IT STARTED EATING COOLANT. I HAVE CALLED YOUR CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT CASE # 200812190092 WITH NO REGARDS TO MY PROBLEM, I WAS BLOWN OFF JUST LIKE THE HEAD ON THIS MOTOR, BLOWN OFF. I HAVE OWNE…

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I OWN A 1995 4 RUNNER # WITH ONE OF YOUR 3.0 MOTORS IN IT AND IT ONLY HAS 107,000. MILES ON IT. THE HEAD GASKET BLOW OUT ON IT, IT STARTED EATING COOLANT. I HAVE CALLED YOUR CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT CASE # 200812190092 WITH NO REGARDS TO MY PROBLEM, I WAS BLOWN OFF JUST LIKE THE HEAD ON THIS MOTOR, BLOWN OFF. I HAVE OWNED 4 TOYOTA?S INCLUDING NEW CAMRY'S, MY PARENTS BOTH DRIVE TOYOTA'S. THE 4RUNNER IS NOW SITTING IN MY DRIVE WHILE THE SNOW IS PILING UP AROUND IT, I BOUGHT IT TO DRIVE IN THE WINTER, I'M LEFT DRIVING MY CAR. I WANT THIS FIXED BY YOU ( TOYOTA) YOU KNOW YOU HAVE A DESIGN FLAW WITH THIS MOTOR. CONTACT ME ASAP TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM THAT YOU CAN WALK AWAY FROM, THERE ARE TO MANY OCCURRENCES. I WILL LET THIS TRUCK SET IN MY YARD WITH A SIGN ON IT THAT TELLS ALL WHO DRIVE BY IT THAT TOYOTA WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS-BLOWN HEAD GASKET AT 107000 MILES. I WANT AN ANSWER AS TO WHEN YOU WILL GET MY TRUCK REPAIRED AT YOUR COST, NOT MINE. CALL TODAY IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO RESOLVE THIS MATTEROR THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. HAVE A GREAT DAY. KB *TR

NHTSA ODI #10252489

124,500 miles · Jul 21, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 40 MPH AND CAR STARTED BLOWING WHITE SMOKE. WAS TOLD IT WAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. CAR HAS 124,500 MILES. CURRENTLY DO NOT HAVE MONEY TO REPAIR AND IS DRIVEN SPARINGLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10235135

Official recalls

1

05V389000 · Steering:linkages:rod:relay:connecting

Sep 6, 2005

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, IF THE STEERING WHEEL IS REPEATEDLY TURNED UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS WHERE HIGH STEERING EFFORT AND POWER ASSIST ARE REQUIRED, FOR INSTANCE, WHEN FULLY TURNING THE WHEEL WHILE THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED, A FATIGUE CRACK MAY DEVELOP IN THE STEERING RELAY ROD.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE VEHICLE IS CONTINUED TO BE OPERATED IN THIS CONDITION, THE RELAY ROD MAY FRACTURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING RELAY ROD. THE RECALL BEGAN OCTOBER 5, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

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

1

SQ99003 · Corroded Brake Lines

Opened Jan 27, 1999 · Closed Apr 22, 1999

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TOYOTA IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL IN CANADA 98-253. CORRODED BRAKE LINES COULD FAIL RESULTING IN A PARTIAL BRAK SYSTEM LOSS AND INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES