Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
10–25K
125–50K
050–75K
275–100K
9100–150K
42150K+
55 reports with mileage · 17 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.
Structure. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Suspension. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
5 crash reports1 fire reports2 injury reports
What owners actually said
72 reports
Mileage unknown · Oct 10, 2021
SuspensionWheels
I have noticed that my vehicle doesn’t seem to be balance and most of the time i am afraid the tires will fall off by the movement of the vehicle. And the metal parts that attachment part it looks very bad on the metal parts like it rusted so bad. I hope they will be able to figure out whats wrong and if i am the only one who is…
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I have noticed that my vehicle doesn’t seem to be balance and most of the time i am afraid the tires will fall off by the movement of the vehicle. And the metal parts that attachment part it looks very bad on the metal parts like it rusted so bad. I hope they will be able to figure out whats wrong and if i am the only one who is experiencing this issue.
NHTSA ODI #11436237
256,000 miles · Mar 31, 2021
Visibility
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE SUN ROOF DETACHED AND FLEW OFF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT S…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE SUN ROOF DETACHED AND FLEW OFF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT SHE WOULD RECEIVE A CALLBACK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 256,000.
NHTSA ODI #11405797
171,253 miles · Jun 11, 2019
Suspension
MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN SLIPPING A LOT CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IT'S NOT THE FIRST TIME IT HAS HAPPENED JUST RECENTLY IT HAPPENED AGAIN AND I WAS TOLD TO CHECK IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE BUT THERE WASN'T BUT AFTER RESEARCHING MY 4RUNNER I'VE READ THERE WAS SOME RECALLS ON THE CAR ABOUT THE REAR SUSPENSION.
NHTSA ODI #11219278
Mileage unknown · Jan 9, 2019
Suspension
THE REAR AXLE/SUSPENSION IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. JUST TOOK IT TO MY AUTO SHOP FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND THEY WILL NOT PUT IT UP FOR AN OIL CHANGE BECAUSE THEY ARE AFRAID IT WILL COLLAPSE.
NHTSA ODI #11166078
192,000 miles · Jan 5, 2019
Suspension
THE AXEL SUPPORT RUSTED OFF CAUSING IT TO SEPARATE FROM THE FRAME. THIS RESULTS IN A DANGEROUS CONDITION
NHTSA ODI #11165416
192,000 miles · Dec 22, 2018
Unknown Or Other
AXEL SUPPORTS RUSTED OFF THE FRAME MAKING IT DANGEROUS TO DRIVE
NHTSA ODI #11163122
200,000 miles · Dec 13, 2018
StructureUnknown Or Other
FRAME IS RUSTING VARY BADLY, IN TWO YEARS THE FRAME THAT IS THE DRIVE TRAIN WILL BE ALL GONE RUST! AND AUTO WILL NOT BE DRIVABLE THEN
NHTSA ODI #11161127
205,000 miles · Nov 9, 2018
Unknown Or Other
1996 TOYOTA 4RUNNER, THE FRAME IS RUSTTING OUT TOTALLY. THE TOTAL FRAME IS RUST OR GONE. THIS 4RUNNER WAS ZEBARTED WHEN NEW. I HAVE BOUGHT THIS 4RUNNER NEW FROM SUNSHINE TOYOTA BATTLE CREEK,MI
NHTSA ODI #11150439
Mileage unknown · Oct 16, 2018
Structure
EXCESSIVE FRAME CORROSION. VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE.
NHTSA ODI #11140708
150,000 miles · Oct 15, 2018
Air BagsService BrakesSuspensionCrash
TAKATA RECALL. ANTILOCK BRAKES SLIPPED AND DIDNT STOP. THE AIR BAGS OPEN UNTIL AFTER THE TRUCK WAS TOWED AND PARKED BACK AT MY HOUSE WHEN NO ONE WAS IN IT.
ON CERTAIN 2-WHEEL-DRIVE (2WD) AND 4-WHEEL-DRIVE (4WD) 4RUNNER SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, A COMBINATION OF HEAVY LOADING (SIMULTANEOUS LOADING TO REAR GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATING AND GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING) AND SEVERE STEERING MANEUVERS COULD CAUSE THE 2WD 4RUNNER TO LOSE DIRECTIONAL STABILITY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE REAR SUSPENSION PARTS. ALTHOUGH THE 4WD 4RUNNERS DO NOT EXHIBIT THE HANDLING CONDITION, TOYOTA WILL RECALL THESE VEHICLES TO AVOID ANY PUBLIC CONFUSION AS TO WHICH VEHICLES SHOULD RECEIVE THE REPLACEMENT PARTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 28, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
THE STICKER REQUIRED BY PART 575, "CONSUMER INFORMATION REGULATIONS" TO ALERT THE DRIVER OF "THE PARTICULAR HANDLING AND MANEUVERING CHARACTERISTICS OF UTILITY VEHICLES" WAS NOT AFFIXED TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: OWNERS MAY NOT BE AWARE OF THE HANDLING AND MANUEVERING CHARACTERISTICS OF THIS VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SUN VISORS ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WITH VISORS CONTAINING THE CORRECT LABELS.
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.
1996 Toyota 4RUNNER Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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