1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER

200 complaints filed with NHTSA.

200
Complaints
25
Crashes
2
Fires
20
Injuries
4
Deaths

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SUSPENSION57
STRUCTURE:BODY41
UNKNOWN OR OTHER17
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS16
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS10
STEERING9
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL7
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC6
POWER TRAIN6
SUSPENSION:REAR5
TIRES3
STRUCTURE3
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE3
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE2

Recent Complaints

20200307CrashFatalUNKNOWN OR OTHER

MY FIANCE AND I WERW DRIVING A BORROWERED 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WE WERE DRIVING AT 65 M AND ALL I REMEMBER JUST GETTIN ON THE FREEWAY.AND BLANKING OUT.. WHEN I WOKE UP I SADLY DISCOVERD THAT MY FIANCE LOST CONTROL AND VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND HIT A GUARDRAIL THEN A POST SIGN AND THEN RESTED ON A TREE..HE PASSED AWAY ON IMPACT. I SUFFERED A T1 TO T3 SPINE FRACTURE.MY LEFT WRIST FRACTURED.A BROKEN NOSE. AS I WOKE UP FROM MY 3 WEEK COMA. I REALISED HE PASSED AWAY. NOW THE TRUCK WAS BORRWED, NOT

20200307CrashFatalTIRES

MY FIANCE AND I WERW DRIVING A BORROWERED 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WE WERE DRIVING AT 65 M AND ALL I REMEMBER JUST GETTIN ON THE FREEWAY.AND BLANKING OUT.. WHEN I WOKE UP I SADLY DISCOVERD THAT MY FIANCE LOST CONTROL AND VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND HIT A GUARDRAIL THEN A POST SIGN AND THEN RESTED ON A TREE..HE PASSED AWAY ON IMPACT. I SUFFERED A T1 TO T3 SPINE FRACTURE.MY LEFT WRIST FRACTURED.A BROKEN NOSE. AS I WOKE UP FROM MY 3 WEEK COMA. I REALISED HE PASSED AWAY. NOW THE TRUCK WAS BORRWED, NOT

20200307CrashFatalAIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

MY FIANCE AND I WERW DRIVING A BORROWERED 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WE WERE DRIVING AT 65 M AND ALL I REMEMBER JUST GETTIN ON THE FREEWAY.AND BLANKING OUT.. WHEN I WOKE UP I SADLY DISCOVERD THAT MY FIANCE LOST CONTROL AND VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND HIT A GUARDRAIL THEN A POST SIGN AND THEN RESTED ON A TREE..HE PASSED AWAY ON IMPACT. I SUFFERED A T1 TO T3 SPINE FRACTURE.MY LEFT WRIST FRACTURED.A BROKEN NOSE. AS I WOKE UP FROM MY 3 WEEK COMA. I REALISED HE PASSED AWAY. NOW THE TRUCK WAS BORRWED, NOT

20200306CrashFatalVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT WAS LOANED A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THE VEHICLE WAS LOANED FROM A USED DEALER (MCFARLAND AUTO SALES LOCATED AT 231 FRONTAGE RD MC, MCFARLAND, CA 93250). THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HER HUSBAND WAS DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT INDEPENDENTLY CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL, A WOODEN POST, A FENCE AND CAME TO A STOP AT A TREE. THE CONTACT DOES NOT REMEMBER IF THE FRONT DRIVER AIR

20170618CrashSTRUCTURE:BODY

FRAME RUSTED OUT WHERE THE REAR AXLE ARM ATTACHES. ARM MOUNT BROKEN LOOSE FROM FRAME. VEHICHLE IS UNDRIVEABLE AND VIRTUALLY NOT REPAIRABLE. (FRAME REPLACEMENT) RIDICULOUS TOYOTA!!! YOU KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, MAKE IT RIGHT TO YOUR CUSTOMERS!. MYSELF AND FMAILY OWN 7 TOYOTAS. MIGHT RECONSIDER EVER BUYING ANOTHER!

Mileage: 225,000

20170618CrashSUSPENSION

FRAME RUSTED OUT WHERE THE REAR AXLE ARM ATTACHES. ARM MOUNT BROKEN LOOSE FROM FRAME. VEHICHLE IS UNDRIVEABLE AND VIRTUALLY NOT REPAIRABLE. (FRAME REPLACEMENT) RIDICULOUS TOYOTA!!! YOU KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, MAKE IT RIGHT TO YOUR CUSTOMERS!. MYSELF AND FMAILY OWN 7 TOYOTAS. MIGHT RECONSIDER EVER BUYING ANOTHER!

Mileage: 225,000

20170618CrashUNKNOWN OR OTHER

FRAME RUSTED OUT WHERE THE REAR AXLE ARM ATTACHES. ARM MOUNT BROKEN LOOSE FROM FRAME. VEHICHLE IS UNDRIVEABLE AND VIRTUALLY NOT REPAIRABLE. (FRAME REPLACEMENT) RIDICULOUS TOYOTA!!! YOU KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, MAKE IT RIGHT TO YOUR CUSTOMERS!. MYSELF AND FMAILY OWN 7 TOYOTAS. MIGHT RECONSIDER EVER BUYING ANOTHER!

Mileage: 225,000

20150727CrashSTRUCTURE:BODY

THE REAR END PART THAT CONNECTS TO FRAME BROKE FREE FROM WELD ON FRAME CAUSED SERIOUS SWEARVING ON ROAD AT 65 MPH MY KIDS WERE SCARED TO DEATH COULD OF CAUSED A ROLL OVER BUT KEPT IT ON ROAD

Mileage: 186,000

20150727CrashEQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

THE REAR END PART THAT CONNECTS TO FRAME BROKE FREE FROM WELD ON FRAME CAUSED SERIOUS SWEARVING ON ROAD AT 65 MPH MY KIDS WERE SCARED TO DEATH COULD OF CAUSED A ROLL OVER BUT KEPT IT ON ROAD

Mileage: 186,000

20150612CrashSTRUCTURE:BODY

DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD AND THE PART FROM REAR END THAT CONNECTS TO FRAME RUSTED AND BROKE OFF. VIOLENT SHAKING OCCURRED AND FORCED ME OFF THE ROAD. FRAME LOOKS GOOD EVERYWHERE ELSE BUT THE SAME LOCATION ON BOTH SIDE.

Mileage: 139,000

20150604CrashUNKNOWN OR OTHER

I HAVE A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND MY FRAME SUDDENLY BROKE. THIS CAUSED ME TO LOOSE CONTROL AND CRASH INTO A DITCH LINE. I'VE CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THEY ARE NOT WILING TO HELP ME WITH A REPLACMENT FRAME. THIS FRAME IS RUSTED TO THE POINT OF NO REPAIR. SOMETHING NEEDS DONE ABOUT THIS

Mileage: 163,211

20150604CrashSUSPENSION

I HAVE A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND MY FRAME SUDDENLY BROKE. THIS CAUSED ME TO LOOSE CONTROL AND CRASH INTO A DITCH LINE. I'VE CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THEY ARE NOT WILING TO HELP ME WITH A REPLACMENT FRAME. THIS FRAME IS RUSTED TO THE POINT OF NO REPAIR. SOMETHING NEEDS DONE ABOUT THIS

Mileage: 163,211

20150112CrashUNKNOWN OR OTHER

WHILE SITTING AT A STOP SIGN, I WAS HIT FROM BEHIND AND THE DRIVER TOOK OFF. HAVING INSURANCE COVERAGE ON MY 1997, I TOOK IT TO 2 GARAGES FOR REPAIR. THE FRAME WAS BENT AT THE BACK WHEEL, BOTH GARAGES SAID THERE IS NO WAY THIS CAR CAN BE REPAIRED DUE TO THE RUSTED AND ALMOST NON EXISTENT FRAME. IF THE BODY SHOP WERE TO CUT OFF THE BENT PART OF THE FRAME, THE REMAINDER OF THE FRAME IS SO BAD, THERE IS NOTHING TO WELD THE NEW PART TO. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN MINE SINCE 1998, GARAGE KEPT, NO BODY

Mileage: 158,400

20111111CrashSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

I WAS MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN INTO A PARKING SPOT. AT THE MOMENT RIGHT BEFORE YOU STRAIGHTEN THE VEHICLE WHEEL TO PARK, THE CAR SUDDENLY REVVED UP FOR ABOUT 1 TO 2 SECONDS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WENT OVER THE CURVE AND HIT THE BUILDING IN FRONT OF THE PARKING SPOT. *TR

20111111CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I WAS MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN INTO A PARKING SPOT. AT THE MOMENT RIGHT BEFORE YOU STRAIGHTEN THE VEHICLE WHEEL TO PARK, THE CAR SUDDENLY REVVED UP FOR ABOUT 1 TO 2 SECONDS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WENT OVER THE CURVE AND HIT THE BUILDING IN FRONT OF THE PARKING SPOT. *TR

20110829CrashSUSPENSION:FRONT

THIS DESCRIPTION IS A SUPPLEMENT TO ODI # 10423371 WHERE BALL JOINT FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE ON THE SAME VEHICLE. I INVESTIGATED AND FOUND THE LOWER BALL JOINT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE THAT FAILED IS PART # 43330-39585. THE REPAIRED PART IS #43330-39415, BOTH MANUFACTURED BY TY (TOYOTA?) WHICH SUGGESTS THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ORIGINAL. WHEN ASKED, TOYOTA DID NOT INFORM US OF THE PART CHANGE AND ASSURED US THE DRIVER'S SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT IS SOUND. THE PART 43330-39585 (LOWER BALL JOINT) IS IN

Mileage: 168,000

20100311CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, APPROACHING A STOP SIGN. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. AN OPPOSING VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ENTER THE MEDIAN AND ROLL OVER. THE DRIVER INVOLVED IN THE ROLL OVER CRASH WAS AIR LIFTED TO A HOSPITAL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 210,00

Mileage: 210,000

20100305FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. SHE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. SHE PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE . SHE ALSO STATED THAT ALL THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED IN THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL. THE GROUND WIRES WERE BURNT AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HER RESIDENCE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALLS AND THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND THEY STA

Mileage: 195,942

20100226CrashSTEERING

WE WERE SOUTHBOUND ON I25, EXT 261,STATE OF COLORADO, GOING ABOUT 45 MPH IN LANE #1 WHEN MY VEHICLE, A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SUDDENLY VEERED TO THE LEFT LANDING ON THE MEDIAN HITTING THE GUARDRAIL AND CAUSING A 3 CAR ACCIDENT. THE WEATHER WAS A LITTLE SNOW AND THE FWY SURFACE APPEARED CLEAR. *TR

Mileage: 149,112

20100226CrashSUSPENSION

WE WERE SOUTHBOUND ON I25, EXT 261,STATE OF COLORADO, GOING ABOUT 45 MPH IN LANE #1 WHEN MY VEHICLE, A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SUDDENLY VEERED TO THE LEFT LANDING ON THE MEDIAN HITTING THE GUARDRAIL AND CAUSING A 3 CAR ACCIDENT. THE WEATHER WAS A LITTLE SNOW AND THE FWY SURFACE APPEARED CLEAR. *TR

Mileage: 149,112