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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 →

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

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

What owners actually said

130 reports
152,000 miles · Aug 17, 2010
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT WAS SITTING AT A TRAFFIC STOP WITH THE BRAKES DEPRESSED WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. SHE ENGAGED THE BRAKES ABRUPTLY TO STOP THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IMMEDIATELY TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SENSOR ON THE ACCELERATO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT WAS SITTING AT A TRAFFIC STOP WITH THE BRAKES DEPRESSED WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. SHE ENGAGED THE BRAKES ABRUPTLY TO STOP THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IMMEDIATELY TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SENSOR ON THE ACCELERATOR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 152,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 155,000. UPDATED 11/08/10 * BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE AT TIMES. UPDATED 11/10/10.

NHTSA ODI #10350065

223,000 miles · Aug 10, 2010
Suspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING 3 MPH THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WAS POINTING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION OF THE OTHER FRONT WHEEL. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE LOWER B…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING 3 MPH THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WAS POINTING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION OF THE OTHER FRONT WHEEL. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINT HAD SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE CV JOINT BOOT HAD SEPARATED FROM THE AXLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS AND CV JOINTS WERE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 223000.

NHTSA ODI #10348585

125,000 miles · Jul 28, 2010
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHEN HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THERE WAS NOT A RECALL AND THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHEN HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THERE WAS NOT A RECALL AND THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 125,000.

NHTSA ODI #10345835

60,000 miles · Mar 16, 2010
SteeringCrash

TL* THE CONTACT PREVIOUSLY OWNED A 1998 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS SON WAS DRVING THE VEHICLE 55 MPH AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOSS CONTROL AND ROLLED OVER INTO THE MEDIAN. THE ACCIDENT WAS FATAL AND THE DRIVER DIED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES…

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TL* THE CONTACT PREVIOUSLY OWNED A 1998 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS SON WAS DRVING THE VEHICLE 55 MPH AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOSS CONTROL AND ROLLED OVER INTO THE MEDIAN. THE ACCIDENT WAS FATAL AND THE DRIVER DIED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #10320083

Mileage unknown · Mar 6, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

I HAVE A 1998 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER. IT, TOO, HAS RANDOM ACCELERATION PROBLEMS. OVER THE YEARS I HAVE HAD IT CHECKED BY A MECHANIC FOR PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION NO LESS THAN 10 TIMES BUT NO PROBLEMS WERE IDENTIFIED AND THEREFORE NOTHING WAS FIXED.. THE OCCURRENCES ARE SPORADIC AND UNPREDICTABLE. I DO A LOT OF FREEWAY DRIVING AND THUS,…

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I HAVE A 1998 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER. IT, TOO, HAS RANDOM ACCELERATION PROBLEMS. OVER THE YEARS I HAVE HAD IT CHECKED BY A MECHANIC FOR PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION NO LESS THAN 10 TIMES BUT NO PROBLEMS WERE IDENTIFIED AND THEREFORE NOTHING WAS FIXED.. THE OCCURRENCES ARE SPORADIC AND UNPREDICTABLE. I DO A LOT OF FREEWAY DRIVING AND THUS, MOST HAVE OCCURRED ON FREEWAYS AND WITHOUT ANY SIGNIFICANT CONSEQUENCE, THE CAR WAS BOUGHT USED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10317399

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

150,000 miles · Feb 9, 2009
Structure

MY MECHANIC (JAY SHIEL OF FINE TUNES, MIDDLETOWN, CT) INFORMED ME THAT I HAD AN UNUSUAL AMOUNT OF RUST UNDER MY VEHICLE. HE SAID HE KNEW THAT TOYOTA HAD PROBLEMS WITH INSUFFICIENT RUST PROTECTION ON THE TACOMA'S, BUT HE HADN'T HEARD ANYTHING ABOUT THE 4RUNNERS. HE SAID WE SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AND ASK TO HAVE A REP LOOK AT IT.…

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MY MECHANIC (JAY SHIEL OF FINE TUNES, MIDDLETOWN, CT) INFORMED ME THAT I HAD AN UNUSUAL AMOUNT OF RUST UNDER MY VEHICLE. HE SAID HE KNEW THAT TOYOTA HAD PROBLEMS WITH INSUFFICIENT RUST PROTECTION ON THE TACOMA'S, BUT HE HADN'T HEARD ANYTHING ABOUT THE 4RUNNERS. HE SAID WE SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AND ASK TO HAVE A REP LOOK AT IT. WE DID AND TOYOTA DECLINED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10258021

117,000 miles · Sep 11, 2008
Suspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHENEVER THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED OIL DRIPPING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL AUTO SHOP AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR WHEEL HUB NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 117,000.

NHTSA ODI #10241849

72,100 miles · Aug 25, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. DURING DECELERATION, THE VEHICLE STALLS AND ACCELERATES BOTH AT THE SAME TIME. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IDLE SWITCH VALVE TWICE, WHICH CORRECTED THE FAILURE FOR A FEW MONTHS. ON AUGUST 21, 2008 WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. THE CONTACT WILL TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEAL…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. DURING DECELERATION, THE VEHICLE STALLS AND ACCELERATES BOTH AT THE SAME TIME. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IDLE SWITCH VALVE TWICE, WHICH CORRECTED THE FAILURE FOR A FEW MONTHS. ON AUGUST 21, 2008 WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. THE CONTACT WILL TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,100 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ODI #10239661

110,000 miles · Jun 2, 2008
EquipmentExterior Lighting

1998 TOYOTA 2WD 4RUNNER, DRIVER SIDE REAR TAIL LIGHT DOESN'T FUNCTION PROPERLY. LIGHT COMES ON WHEN BRAKING, BUT NOT WHEN RUNNING. INSTALLING NEW BULBS DOESN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10229627

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.