FaultScore report
Owners have filed 55 complaints about the 1991 Toyota 4RUNNER with NHTSA between 1995 and 2017. The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
55
Complaints
3
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
164,000 mi
Median mileage at failure
Half of reported failures happened before this
0%
Failed under 36,000 miles
Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Median failure at 260,000 miles
2 crashes, 0 fires · median 170,000 mi
1 crashes, 0 fires
Median failure at 261,403 miles
Median failure at 153,664 miles
Median failure at 154,000 miles
Median failure at 164,000 miles
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own photographs and star ratings.
These stars come from the pre-2011 crash test programme. NHTSA rebuilt the programme for the 2011 model year and states that ratings either side of that change are not comparable — so do not read these against a 2011-or-newer car's stars.
| Configuration | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 Toyota 4Runner 4-DR. 4x4 | — | — | — | — |
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
REAR SEAT BELT ROUTING
CORRODED BRAKE LINES
TOYOTA IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL IN CANADA 98-253. CORRODED BRAKE LINES COULD FAIL RESULTING IN A PARTIAL BRAK SYSTEM LOSS AND INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES
LOSS OF BRK EFFECTIVENESS
LOSS OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENES
===
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, IF THE STEERING WHEEL IS REPEATEDLY TURNED UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS WHERE HIGH STEERING EFFORT AND POWER ASSIST ARE REQUIRED, FOR INSTANCE, WHEN FULLY TURNING THE WHEEL WHILE THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED, A FATIGUE CRACK MAY DEVELOP IN THE STEERING RELAY ROD.
Risk: IF THE VEHICLE IS CONTINUED TO BE OPERATED IN THIS CONDITION, THE RELAY ROD MAY FRACTURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.
Steering
On certain vehicles, if the steering wheel is repeatedly turned under conditions where high steering effort and power assist are required, for instance, when fully turning the wheel while the vehicle is stopped, a fatigue crack may develop in the steering relay rod. Correction: Dealers will replace the steering relay rod.
Structure
Owners of affected vehicles operated in severe/high road salt use areas of Ontario, Quebec and the Atlantic provinces will receive a Toyota advisory letter. This letter will include a free-of-charge vehicle undercarriage wash and inspection. Subsequently, owners will be advised of any services, if applicable.
Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING
1991 TOYOTA 4RUNNER STEERING FAILED WHEN TURNING WHEEL. *TS ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE STEERING LINKAGES TWO MONTHS AFTER THE ACCIDENT. *JB
NHTSA complaint #10150856 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM
MY DAUGHTER WITH TWO GRANDDAUGHTERS WERE DRIVING IN A 91 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER ON A WELL MAINTAINED LOG ROAD WHEN THEY LOST STEERING AND WENT OVER A 30 FT CLIFF. THE STEERING KNUCKLE BROKE THE TILT STEERING AND PLASTIC.
NHTSA complaint #10041078 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES
PE00 020; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 65MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND RIGHT REAR TIRE EXPLODED. CONSUMER FELT A VIBRATION COMING FROM STEERING. LOST CONTROL, VEHICLE SLID AND WENT INTO AN ENBANKMENT.
NHTSA complaint #866867 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
WHEELS
BACK IN AUGUST 2016 I PURCHASED AND INSTALLED 4 NEW TIRES, I CLEANED AND PAINTED WHEELS BEFORE INSTALLING 4 NEW SLIME TIRE VALVES #TR 415 SLIME PART# 20261 I PURCHASED THESE VALVES AT WALMART IN SOMERSET, KY THE DATE CODE ON PACKAGE WAS 08.26.14 I PURCHASED (8) PACKS 16 TOTAL VALVES ( I STILL HAVE 3 PACKS THAT I HAVE NOT OPENED). I HAVE A TIRE CHANGER ON MY FARM AND DO MY OWN TIRE SERVICE. ON 09-26-2017 I HAD A TIRE FAILURE ON MY TOYOTA WHILE DRIVING NOTICE SLIGHT PULL. AFTER STOPPING AND INSTALLING SPARE I DETERMINED THAT ALL 4 VALVES I PUT ON LAST YEAR WERE DRY ROTTED (CRACKED). I KEEP THIS VEHICLE IN BARN WHEN NOT BEING DRIVEN (NO SUN DAMAGE SHOULD OCCURED. I CHECKED A TRAILER THAT I HAD APPLIED NEW VALVES ON FROM THE SAME LOT OF VALVES, THEY TO WERE DRY ROTTED AND ONE WAS FLAT. THESE PRODUCTS ARE DANGEROUS TO USE, THE VALVES WILL PULL APART WITH LIGHT PULLING FROM FINGERS. THESE PRODUCTS NEED TO BE RECALLED. I DID NOT CONTACT WALMART ABOUT THIS FAILURE DUE TO PRODUCT PURCHASED FROM THEM NOT MADE BY THEM! I DID CONTACT SLIME.COM WITH NO REPLY BACK AS OF 09-27-2017.
NHTSA complaint #11030211 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING IN THE STREET AT 40 MPH, IT ACCELERATES FOR NO REASON. I COULD NOT STOP, THE BRAKE PUT HARD, DID NOT RESPOND TO ANY CHANGE AND ENGINE SPEED INCREASED TO MORE THAN 5000. I HAD TO TURN IT OFF STILL RUNNING. TO TURN IT BACK ON, IT WILL NOT DO SO AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10808466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
WHILE DRIVING IN THE STREET AT 40 MPH, IT ACCELERATES FOR NO REASON. I COULD NOT STOP, THE BRAKE PUT HARD, DID NOT RESPOND TO ANY CHANGE AND ENGINE SPEED INCREASED TO MORE THAN 5000. I HAD TO TURN IT OFF STILL RUNNING. TO TURN IT BACK ON, IT WILL NOT DO SO AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10808466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS
OEM STANDARD TIRES ARE 225/75R15 ON TOYOTA STEEL WHEELS. OEM FACTORY OPTION TIRES ARE W/31X10.5 ON TOYOTA BRAND ALUMINUM WHEELS. THE FACTORY OFFICIAL STICKER SHOWS THE OPTION TIRES AS FACTORY-INSTALLED. THE DRIVER DOOR PILLAR STICKER SHOWS THE FACTORY-INSTALLED TIRE AS 225/75R15. THE PILLAR STICKER IS WRONG DUE TO DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS. IN RELIANCE ON THE PILLAR STICKER, A TIRE TECHNICIAN INSTALLED REPLACEMENT TIRES BASED ON THE STANDARD SIZE. THE STANDARD TIRE IS SIGNIFICANTLY SMALLER IN DIAMETER THAN THE FACTORY OPTION TIRE. SAFETY ISSUES: 1) SPEEDOMETER ERROR ~10%, CAUSING MISMATCH TO POSTED LIMIT AND FORESEEABLE TAILGATING AND OTHER ADVERSE BEHAVIORS BY SURROUNDING DRIVERS; 2) DEGRADED STABILITY ON HIGH-CENTER OF GRAVITY SUV DUE TO MISMATCH BETWEEN FACTORY OPTION SPARE TIRE AND REPLACEMENT TIRES BASED ON ERRONEOUS PILLAR STICKER.
NHTSA complaint #10597620 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HAVE THE EXHAUST INSPECTED AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS FRACTURING FROM THE UNDERBODY SHIELDS, WHICH WAS ALSO SEVERELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 164,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 165,000. UPDATED 4/11/2011 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE DAMAGE WAS HIDDEN BY THE VALANCE AND WAS LOCATED WHERE THE TOW HOOK WAS. ALSO, THE FACTORY PRESS PLATE IN THE FRAME WAS ROTTED, WHICH ALLOWED MOISTURE IN THE FRAME. UPDATED 04/27/11
NHTSA complaint #10386169 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING
BROUGHT MY 1991 4RUNNER INTO CONCORD (CA) TOYOTA DEALER FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 05V389000, FOR :COMPONENT: STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING AFTER RECEIVING THE VEHICLE, THERE IS TOO MUCH "PLAY" (MOVEMENT) IN THE STEERING WHEEL, AND THE FRONT WHEELS "WOBBLE" BADLY IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS, CREATING UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE PROBLEMS APPEAR TO BE FRONT END-END/ALIGNMENT RELATED. I DID NOT HAVE THESE PROBLEMS PRIOR TO TAKING THIS IS IN FOR THE RECALL. THE ASST SVC MGR AT THE DEALER INSISTS THAT THEIR WORK DID NOT CAUSE THE ISSUE, AND THAT THERE IS NOW ANOTHER BAD PART ON MY FRONT-END COMPONENT THAT MUST BE REPLACED, AT MY COST, TO FIX THIS (SAFETY) ISSUE. PLEASE HELP ASAP - MY VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALERSHIP NOW (01/03/06)
NHTSA complaint #10213614 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CAR OVER HEATED AND CUT OFF. NOW LEAKING WATER INTO SPARK PLUGS.
NHTSA complaint #10194079 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
BLOWN HEAD GASKET, 1991 TOYOTA V6 4RUNNER, RECALLED IN 1998 FOR THE PROBLEM, CORRECTED AND GASKET FAILED AGAIN IN 2007.
NHTSA complaint #10179278 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING
1991 TOYOTA 4RUNNER STEERING FAILED WHEN TURNING WHEEL. *TS ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE STEERING LINKAGES TWO MONTHS AFTER THE ACCIDENT. *JB
NHTSA complaint #10150856 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
CORROSION ON THE BREAK LINES FROM POOR DESIGN IN ALLOWING SAND AND DIRT TO ACCUMULATE AND CAUSE THE LINE TO RUST THROUGH AND CREATE A BREAK FAILURE. THE RUST CREATED A LITTLE LARGER THEN A PIN HOLE THAT ALOUD THE RAPID LOST OF BREAK FLUID WHICH CAUSED THE LOSS OF STOPPING AND ALMOST CAUSED SEVER DAMAGE AND INJURY TO SAME.
NHTSA complaint #10139978 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. HE STATES THAT HE HAD TREAD SEPARATION ON BRIDGESTONE TIRES. IT WAS THE DRIVER'S FRONT TIRE. IT PULLED HIM TOWARD THE MEDIAN, AND HE WAS ABLE TO PULL IT BACK TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE TIRE SEPARATION DAMAGED BUMPER AND FENDER. HE DOES HAVE PHOTOGRAPHS AND THE TIRE AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10124587 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
HEAD GASKET LEAK.
NHTSA complaint #10088704 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
HEAD GASKET LEAK.
NHTSA complaint #10088704 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:BELL HOUSING
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A CLUTCH ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT PROBLEM. THERE WAS A SMELL AND CHATTERING WITHIN THE CLUTCH. DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO REPLACE OR REPAIR THE PROBLEM. LATER, CLUTCH ASSEMBLY BROKE APART, INCLUDING THE BELL HOUSING AND THE CONE.*AK PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #10057847 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM
MY DAUGHTER WITH TWO GRANDDAUGHTERS WERE DRIVING IN A 91 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER ON A WELL MAINTAINED LOG ROAD WHEN THEY LOST STEERING AND WENT OVER A 30 FT CLIFF. THE STEERING KNUCKLE BROKE THE TILT STEERING AND PLASTIC.
NHTSA complaint #10041078 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
FUEL LEAKED ONTO THE GASKET AND CAUSED A FUEL ODOR TO ENTER THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE VENTS. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10025121 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE HEAD GASKET LEAKED OIL. *JB THE MAIN WIRES ON THE ENGINE SHORTED OUT WITH MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL COMPONENT FAILURES. OVER $3500 SPENT IN REPAIRS WITHIN 2 WEEKS. * CB
NHTSA complaint #10017552 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
VEHICLE WOULD SHIFT FROM FIRST TO OVERDRIVE WITHOUT ENTERING ANY OF THE OTHER GEARS. VEHICLE WOULD HAVE TO BE SHIFTED MANUALLY THROUGH THE GEARS. PROBLEM WAS THAT THERE WAS A COLD SOLDER JOINT ON ALL THREE SOLENOIDS INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION. THESE SOLENOIDS ARE USED TO SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION THROUGH THE GEARS. THE PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT AND WOULD OCCUR AT THE MOST INOPPORTUNE TIME LIKE PASSING A VEHICLE, ENTERING A MAJOR INTERSTATE, OR STARTING FROM A STOP. COST OF THE PARTS ALONE AMOUNTED TO OVER $500.00 FOR PARTS THAT SHOULD COST NO MORE THAN $100.00.
NHTSA complaint #748850 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THERE HAD BEEN A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL OF HEAD GASKETS. CONSUMER HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR RAPAIRS, BUT DEALER WAS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR RECALL REPAIRS. INSTEAD DEALER WAS CHARGING CONSUMER FULL PRICE ON REPAIRS WHEN, IN OTHER SITUATIONS, DEALER WOULD NOT CHARGE FULL PRICE FOR HEAD GASKET.
NHTSA complaint #876974 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES
MY TIRES ARE NOT RECALLED, BUT THEY ARE LISTED ON THE DANGEROUS LIST, THERE ARE CHUNKS OF RUBBER FALLING OFF OF THEM. I CONTACTED THE LOCAL FIRESTONE AND HE OFFERED TO SELL ME SOME TIRES FOR 'REAL CHEAP'. YEAH I BET THEY ARE REAL CHEAP. I DO NOT THINK THAT THESE TIRES ARE SAFE TO DRIVE ON. THEY ONLY HAVE LIKE 10K MILES ON THEM, SO I DONT THINK THAT IT SHOULD BE MY RESPONSIBILITY TO PAY FOR FIRESTONES MISTAKES. I AM VERY UNHAPPY WITH FIRESTONE AND WOULD LIKE SOME ADVICE ABOUT WHAT I CAN DO TO CORRECT THE SITUATION. J SASS( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235 )
NHTSA complaint #732127 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
PE00020; TIRE TREAD SEPARATION: WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 65 - 70 MPH TREAD ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE CAME OFF. DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF TRUCK, BUT DID NOT HAVE A CRASH. DRIVER WAS THE ONLY PERSON IN THE TRUCK, AND WAS NOT INJURED. TIRE WAS A REPLACED TIRE. FIRESTONE HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED ABOUT TIRE. *AK THE BLOW OUT CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE CHROME BUMPER, BODY PAINT AND MUD FLAP WHICH WAS TORN TO PIECE.
NHTSA complaint #867388 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES
PE00 020; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 65MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND RIGHT REAR TIRE EXPLODED. CONSUMER FELT A VIBRATION COMING FROM STEERING. LOST CONTROL, VEHICLE SLID AND WENT INTO AN ENBANKMENT.
NHTSA complaint #866867 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE HEAD GASKET FAILED AT +-77,000 MILES. I REPLACED THE GASKET AND HAD THE VALVES INSPECTED AND REFINISHED AT THIS TIME. IT WAS EVIDENT THAT THERE WAS A DESIGN FLAW WITH THE WATER PORTS AT TWO CYLINDERS. SUBSEQUENTLY, TOYOTA HAD A 'VOLUNARY WARRANTY EXTENSION' CONCERNING THE HEAD GASKET FAILURES. AT +- 118,000 MILES, TOYOTA REPLACED THE HEAD GASKET, THIS TIME, AT THEIR COST. I NOW HAVE LOW COMPRESSION (FAILING VALVES OR PISTON RINGS) ON THE TWO CYLINDERS WHERE THE WATER PORT DESIGN FLAW EXISTS.
NHTSA complaint #725461 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL:LINKAGE AND CABLE
PARKING BRAKE HAS FAILED TWICE--WHERE CABLE ATTACHES TO HAND LEVER (TO ACTUATE BRAKE, DRIVER PULLS LEVER OUT AND ROTATES 90 DEGREES TO LOCK, APPARENTLY TWISTING CABLE AND FATIGUING IT)--SINCE VEHICLE PURCHASED NEW IN NOV 90. THE FIRST TIME, THE VEHICLE WAS ONLY A FEW YEARS OLD. FAILURE IS SUDDEN AND COMPLETE AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING, RENDERING PARKING BRAKE INOPERABLE. IF THIS OCCURS WHILE PARKED, IT COULD ALLOW VEHICLE TO ROLL.
NHTSA complaint #720696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE HEAD GASKETS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING, CREATING CONDITIONS FOR A POSSIBLE FIRE. ALSO DAMAGED CATALYTIC CONVERTER.
NHTSA complaint #780978 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.