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1998 Toyota 4RUNNER

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most 4RUNNER years

Owner complaints for the 1998 Toyota 4RUNNER are substantially higher than the model-year median of 58.

About this comparison →
130Owner complaints

Model-year median: 58

1Recall campaigns

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0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
47
199572
1996139
1997130
1998220
1999379
2000154
2001
Compare all 4RUNNER years →

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

What owners reported most

Structure
72Suspension
43Unknown Or Other
14Steering
6Power Train
5
All reported categories
Electrical System
4Service Brakes, Hydraulic
3Vehicle Speed Control
3Air Bags
2Equipment
2Seat Belts
2Seats
2Wheels
2Engine And Engine Cooling
1Exterior Lighting
1Fuel System, Gasoline
1Parking Brake
1Service Brakes
1Tires
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

105 reports with mileage · 25 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 72 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports2 fire reports1 injury reports

Tires complaints

1 reports
Clear category filter
97,595 miles · Feb 17, 2015
Tires

2009 MICHELIN LATITUDE TOUR ALL SEASON LUXURY TIRES P265/70R16 WERE PURCHASED AT COSTCO 12/16/09. WE WENT TO OUR MECHANIC ON 2/17/15 FOR A VIBRATION PROBLEM ON FRONT END OF OUR 1998 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER. AFTER INSPECTION HE INFORMED US THAT OUR TIRES WERE CRACKED ON SIDE WALL. IN ADDITION THE ROAD FORCE BALANCE TEST SHOWS SEVERE RUNO…

Read full complaint

2009 MICHELIN LATITUDE TOUR ALL SEASON LUXURY TIRES P265/70R16 WERE PURCHASED AT COSTCO 12/16/09. WE WENT TO OUR MECHANIC ON 2/17/15 FOR A VIBRATION PROBLEM ON FRONT END OF OUR 1998 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER. AFTER INSPECTION HE INFORMED US THAT OUR TIRES WERE CRACKED ON SIDE WALL. IN ADDITION THE ROAD FORCE BALANCE TEST SHOWS SEVERE RUNOUT ON FRONT TIRES AND WE SHOULD REPLACE ALL 4 TIRES. WE HAVE ONLY PUT 18,000 MILES ON THESE TIRES. MY TIRES DON'T FALL UNDER THE RECALLS BUT THIS DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT FOR THAT KIND OF FAILURE TO OCCUR WITH SUCH LOW MILAGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10683915

Official recalls

1

02V021000 · Suspension

Jan 18, 2002

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.