TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED BUT DID NOT HOLD AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES YET THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED FOR THE INCIDENT AND THE CONTACT RECEIVED A CITATION FOR THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED BUT DID NOT HOLD AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES YET THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED FOR THE INCIDENT AND THE CONTACT RECEIVED A CITATION FOR THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY THE CONTACTS INSURANCE COMPANY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. UPDATED 05/18/11
NHTSA ODI #10395186
100,300 miles · Nov 20, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
I AM AN OWNER OF A TOYOTA 4 RUNNER (1998), AND CERTAINLY A SAFETY ISSUE EXISTS WITH THIS VEHICLE. IF DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL IN AN EMERGENCY (HARDER THAN NORMAL OPERATIONS), THE REAR SEAL (PASSENGER SIDE) WILL BREAK, LEAVING ONLY THREE (3) WHEELS BRAKES TO STOP THE VEHICLE. HAD TO REPLACE BOTH REAR SEALS AT 68K MILES. AGAIN AT…
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I AM AN OWNER OF A TOYOTA 4 RUNNER (1998), AND CERTAINLY A SAFETY ISSUE EXISTS WITH THIS VEHICLE. IF DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL IN AN EMERGENCY (HARDER THAN NORMAL OPERATIONS), THE REAR SEAL (PASSENGER SIDE) WILL BREAK, LEAVING ONLY THREE (3) WHEELS BRAKES TO STOP THE VEHICLE. HAD TO REPLACE BOTH REAR SEALS AT 68K MILES. AGAIN AT 105KMILES THE SAME ISSUE. I STRONGLY BELIEVED THAT THE TOYOTA REAR SEAL IS NOT WITHIN SPECIFICATION OF THE PRESSURE DELIVERED TO THE BRAKE LINES. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER, SINCE A SAFETY ISSUE EXISTS. *TR THANKS
NHTSA ODI #10292994
142,650 miles · Jan 19, 2007
Parking BrakeService Brakes, HydraulicCrash
I LOVE MY 1998 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER SR5 - BUT I HATE THE EXPENSE OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM. IN THE 5 YEARS THAT I HAVE OWNED MY VEHICLE I HAVE HAD TO COMPLETELY REPLACE THE ENTIRE BRAKING SYSTEM PADS, ROTORS, DRUMS, CABLES ETC FOUR TIMES. IT IS NEVER JUST THE PADS. EVERY SINGLE TIME I'VE TAKEN IT IN FOR A BRAKE INSPECTION - THEY ALWAYS N…
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I LOVE MY 1998 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER SR5 - BUT I HATE THE EXPENSE OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM. IN THE 5 YEARS THAT I HAVE OWNED MY VEHICLE I HAVE HAD TO COMPLETELY REPLACE THE ENTIRE BRAKING SYSTEM PADS, ROTORS, DRUMS, CABLES ETC FOUR TIMES. IT IS NEVER JUST THE PADS. EVERY SINGLE TIME I'VE TAKEN IT IN FOR A BRAKE INSPECTION - THEY ALWAYS NEED TO MACHINE THE ROTORS. AND, NO IT IS NOT MY DRIVING ABILITY. EACH TIME I HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR THIS VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR (400-600) THE MECHANICS ALWAYS SAY THE SAME THING - "WE SEE THIS ALL THE TIME ON THESE 4WD 4-RUNNERS - THEY JUST DON'T DESIGN THE BRAKING SYSTEMS PROPERLY FOR THIS TYPE OF TRUCK". TWICE I HAVE RUN OFF THE ROAD IN ORDER TO AVOID HITTING SOMEONE IN FRONT OF ME BECAUSE OF COMPLETE FAILURE, ONCE WHILE ONLY GOING 20 MPH. TOYOTA TACOMA'S APPEAR TO NOT HAVE THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM - I THINK AFTER THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN BRAKE SYSTEM REPAIRS AND TWO VERY NEAR ACCIDENTS - SOMEONE AT TOYOTA SHOULD EVALUATE THIS BRAKING SYSTEM AND EITHER OFFER AN ALTERNATIVE OR OFFER A WARNING TO POTENTIAL BUYERS. *NM
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.
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.
1998 Toyota 4RUNNER Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year