1998 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER

135 complaints filed with NHTSA.

135
Complaints
17
Crashes
3
Fires
24
Injuries
0
Deaths

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
TIRES17
TIRES:TREAD/BELT13
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE8
SUSPENSION5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE5
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP4
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR4
SUSPENSION:REAR4
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL3
SUSPENSION:FRONT3
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR2
STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE2

Recent Complaints

20040908CrashSUSPENSION

MY 1998 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER WENT TO THE LEFT SIDE OF A HIGHWAY THAT HAD RUMBLE STRIPS. THE DRIVER SWERVED TO THE RIGHT TO GET OFF THE STRIPS AND THE CAR TIPPED AND THEN FLIPPED OVER 3 TIMES. IT WAS THE NEW YORK STATE THRUWAY SO THE SPEED WAS APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH. I READ AN ARTICLE IN USA TODAY RECENTLY THAT WITHOUT THE ANTI-STABILITY SYSTEM THE TOYOTA 4-RUNNER COULD ACUTALLY FLIP AT SPEEDS OF 35 PMH. *AK

Mileage: 59,000

20040709CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

WHEN THE CONSUMER SHIFTED TO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. THIS CAUSED A MINOR COLLISION WITH MINOR DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. *AK THE CONSUMER SHIFTED THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND BUMPED INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. THE CONSUMER THEN SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE, WITH HER FOOT ON THE BRAKES, BUT THE VEHICLE HAD TAKEN OFF BY ITSELF. THE CONSUMER STRUCK TWO OTHER VEHICLES. *SC *JB

Mileage: 84,129

20040225CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH DOWN A CITY ROAD IN VA. BEACH A CAR ON OUR RIGHT HAND SIDE ENTERED THE INTERSECTION MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN. THE CAR ENTERED THE INTERSECTION APPROX. 20-25 FEET AHEAD OF US. I IMMEDIATLEY HIT THE BRAKES AND TURNED THE CAR TO THE LEFT AS TO TRY AND AVOID A COLLISION. WE ENDED UP T-BONING THE ONCOMING VEHICLE. OUR 4-RUNNER WAS CLAIMED A TOTAL LOSE DUE TO A BEND FRAME. THE FRONT END DAMAGE WAS ESTIMATED AT 4-6 THOUSAND DOLLARS. THE FULL FRONT END AND PASSENGER FENDER WERE DESTR

Mileage: 78,000

20040131FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

OUR TOYOTA 4RUNNER CAUGHT ON FIRE WITHOUT ANY WARNING. MY HUSBAND HAD JUST PULLED INTO OUR DRIVEWAY, TAKEN OUR 2 SMALL CHILDREN OUT OF THE CAR, WHEN WE NOTICED SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE HOOD WOULD NOT RELEASE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED. IT TOOK 30-45 MINUTES TO CONTAIN THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOST. *JB

20030516CrashAIR BAGS

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION BUT NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT. *NLM *TT

Mileage: 60,000

20030326CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL

I WAS IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT JULY 6, 2002. I DROVE A 98' TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. THERE WERE FOUR PERSONS WHO SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE AIRBAG SEEMED TO PERFORM AS INTENDED, HOWEVER, TO THIS DATE I HAVE HORRIFYING PLASTIC MATERIAL COMING FROM THE INSIDE... AND OUTSIDE OF MY CHEEKS. IT HAS CAUSED VERY VISIBLE PATTERNS TO PROTRUDE FROM THE SKIN, CONSTANT PAIN, AND DESPERATE EFFORTS TO GET ANSWERS. THOUGH I HAVE BEEN TO MANY DOCTORS, I HAVE FAILED TO ESCAPE THE RESEARCH EVASIVE REALITIES OF MY PROVIDERS.

Mileage: 60,000

20030218CrashSUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, THE REAR AXLE BORKE

Mileage: 38,311

20030122FireEXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS

FREQUENT PROBLEM WITH TAIL LIGHTS ON MY VEHICLE HAVE BURNED OUT. THE "STONE MONTAIN GEORGIA" DEALERSHIP CANNOT LOCATE THE PROBLEM BUT IT SEEMS TO ME TO BE A DEAD SHORT IN THE SYSTEM. THIS PROBLEM HAS CREATED A FIRE IN THE UPPER CENTER REAR BRAKE WARNING LIGHT AND HAS MELTED THE HOUSING THAT IN-CASES THE BULB. THE BRAKE AND TAIL LIGHTS ARE CONSTANTLY BURNING OUT. I HAVE CEASED USE OF THE REMOTE DOOR LOCK AS THE FLASHING OF THE LIGHTS SEAMED TO ONLY MAKE THE PROBLEM WORSE AND BLOW LIGHT BULB

Mileage: 1

20020328CrashSTRUCTURE

ON 03'04/02 I WAS SITTING AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT WITIN ON THE LIGHT TO CHANGE TO GREEN. THE LIGHT CHANGED TO GREEN , THEN I PROCEEDED INTO THE INTERSECTION WHERE I WAS T-BONED ON THE DRIVER SIDED. AT THIS TIME I HEAR A LOUD BANG THEN THE LOWER AREA BY THE BRAKES CAVED IN ON MY LEFT LEG, THE THE DOORS LOCKED ,THEN MY CAR ALARM SOUNDS OFF. DURING THIS TIME I CAN SEE SMOKE TO MY LEFTT IN THE DOOR AREA. SO IMMDIATELY I TRY TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE BUT I HAD TO UNLOCK DOORS FIRST. I RECALL TRYI

20020328CrashELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ON 03'04/02 I WAS SITTING AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT WITIN ON THE LIGHT TO CHANGE TO GREEN. THE LIGHT CHANGED TO GREEN , THEN I PROCEEDED INTO THE INTERSECTION WHERE I WAS T-BONED ON THE DRIVER SIDED. AT THIS TIME I HEAR A LOUD BANG THEN THE LOWER AREA BY THE BRAKES CAVED IN ON MY LEFT LEG, THE THE DOORS LOCKED ,THEN MY CAR ALARM SOUNDS OFF. DURING THIS TIME I CAN SEE SMOKE TO MY LEFTT IN THE DOOR AREA. SO IMMDIATELY I TRY TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE BUT I HAD TO UNLOCK DOORS FIRST. I RECALL TRYI

20020328CrashAIR BAGS

ON 03'04/02 I WAS SITTING AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT WITIN ON THE LIGHT TO CHANGE TO GREEN. THE LIGHT CHANGED TO GREEN , THEN I PROCEEDED INTO THE INTERSECTION WHERE I WAS T-BONED ON THE DRIVER SIDED. AT THIS TIME I HEAR A LOUD BANG THEN THE LOWER AREA BY THE BRAKES CAVED IN ON MY LEFT LEG, THE THE DOORS LOCKED ,THEN MY CAR ALARM SOUNDS OFF. DURING THIS TIME I CAN SEE SMOKE TO MY LEFTT IN THE DOOR AREA. SO IMMDIATELY I TRY TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE BUT I HAD TO UNLOCK DOORS FIRST. I RECALL TRYI

20020327CrashSTEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:POWER STEERING FLUID

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING 45-50 MPH WITHOUT WARNING POWER STEERING WENT OUT RESULTING LOST OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE CAUSING A MAJOR COLLISION. NLM

20020312CrashTIRES

2 FRONT REPLACEMENT TIRES FAILED AFTER LESS THAN 5 MONTHS OF USE - SEPARATION. *AK (DOT NUMBER: 8XHL TIRESIZE: 235/75/R15) (DOT NUMBER: 8XHL TIRESIZE: 235/75/R15)

20020228CrashLATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH

MY DAUTHER AGED 10 YEARS, WAS IN THE REAR OF THE CAR TRYING TO GRAB A BAG OF CHIPS THAT WERE IN THE LUGGAGE. WHEN WE GOT REAR ENDED AT THE HIGHWAY EXIT, THE BACK DOOR OF THE SUV POPPED OPEN EVEN THOUGH THE CAR DOORS WERE LOCKED. MY DAUGHTER WAS THROWN OUT OF THE BACK OF THE SUV AND IN FRONT OF THE TRUCK THAT REAR ENDED US. LUCKILY SHE FELL ON SOME PILLOWS THAT WERE ALSO FLUNG FROM THE CAR, THEREBY REDUCING HER INJURIES. ALSO THE PICKUP TRUCK THAT REAR ENDED US HAD STOPPED, SO SHE DID NOT GET RUN

20020228CrashSTEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

MY DAUTHER AGED 10 YEARS, WAS IN THE REAR OF THE CAR TRYING TO GRAB A BAG OF CHIPS THAT WERE IN THE LUGGAGE. WHEN WE GOT REAR ENDED AT THE HIGHWAY EXIT, THE BACK DOOR OF THE SUV POPPED OPEN EVEN THOUGH THE CAR DOORS WERE LOCKED. MY DAUGHTER WAS THROWN OUT OF THE BACK OF THE SUV AND IN FRONT OF THE TRUCK THAT REAR ENDED US. LUCKILY SHE FELL ON SOME PILLOWS THAT WERE ALSO FLUNG FROM THE CAR, THEREBY REDUCING HER INJURIES. ALSO THE PICKUP TRUCK THAT REAR ENDED US HAD STOPPED, SO SHE DID NOT GET RUN

20000825CrashAIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

WHEN DRIVING 35-40 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION WHICH CAUSED OVER $5,300 WORTH OF DAMAGE, AND NEITHER DRIVER'S SIDE OR PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, RESULTING IN INJURIES TO DRIVER'S SIDE OCCUPANT. ALSO, SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK IN PLACE, FORCING DRIVER INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

20000825CrashSEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

WHEN DRIVING 35-40 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION WHICH CAUSED OVER $5,300 WORTH OF DAMAGE, AND NEITHER DRIVER'S SIDE OR PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, RESULTING IN INJURIES TO DRIVER'S SIDE OCCUPANT. ALSO, SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK IN PLACE, FORCING DRIVER INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

20000411CrashSTEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

ENGINE FAILED TWICE WITHIN TWO MONTHS FOR NO REASON. BOTH TIMES SLOWING DOWN WHEN GOING TO TURN. NO ONE WAS HURT./// LOST CONTROL OF 4 RUNNER WHILE SLOWING DOWN FOR EXIT RAMP AT 35 MPH AND WET ROAD. SPEED WAS NOT EXCESSIVE FOR CONDITIONS. CAR SPUN HIT GUARD RAIL AND THEN HIT AND DID A 360. 4 DAYS LATER, DRY FREEWAY AT 70 MPH CAR SUDDENLY VEERED TO LEFT, SPUN 360 THEN INTO GRASS MEDIAN 360 , THEN 360 BACK ONTO FREEWAY AND CAME TO STOP, ONLY GOD COULD HAVE PREVENTED THIS FROM BEING A DISASTER. TWO

20000411CrashENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

ENGINE FAILED TWICE WITHIN TWO MONTHS FOR NO REASON. BOTH TIMES SLOWING DOWN WHEN GOING TO TURN. NO ONE WAS HURT./// LOST CONTROL OF 4 RUNNER WHILE SLOWING DOWN FOR EXIT RAMP AT 35 MPH AND WET ROAD. SPEED WAS NOT EXCESSIVE FOR CONDITIONS. CAR SPUN HIT GUARD RAIL AND THEN HIT AND DID A 360. 4 DAYS LATER, DRY FREEWAY AT 70 MPH CAR SUDDENLY VEERED TO LEFT, SPUN 360 THEN INTO GRASS MEDIAN 360 , THEN 360 BACK ONTO FREEWAY AND CAME TO STOP, ONLY GOD COULD HAVE PREVENTED THIS FROM BEING A DISASTER. TWO

19980826FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

VEHICLE IN HEAD ON COLLISION, FIRE ERRUPTED IMMEDIATELY. (QCAW)