1990 Toyota 4RUNNER: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 78 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (49% of complaints); the 1991 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2006
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 78 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Clutch/brake pedal bracket broke/cracked after pressing the clutch pedal. Was originally diagnosed as a bad clutch and almost pulled the plug to get the clutch replaced. Would have been a load of wasted money on a poor diagnosis. Pedal bracket cracked with clutch pedal was pressed to start the car. Heard lour crack, car started, but would not go into gear.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Apr 2018
“This specific toyota forerunner model had a recall for gasket failure. We had it replaced at appx 74,000 miles done by toyota as a courtesy recall. This truck currently has very low mileage considering the age of the truck, about 148,000 miles. It recently almost caught fire overheating after another gasket failure. We feel that either the original repair was not properly completed or another faulty gasket was installed. It's amazing that both times the gasket failed at around the same mileage, 75,000. This car has been extremely well maintained and garaged with a single owner.”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2016
“Tl*the contact owns a 1990 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the bracket sub-assembly that held the clutch and brake pedal was fractured. As a result, the contact was unable to depress the brake pedal or the clutch. The dealer repaired the failure at least three times in less than one year. The manufacturer was notified of the issue who offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 150,000. ..updated 11/14/12 *bf updated 11/14/12”Owner report · Service Brakes · Oct 2011
Show 7 more owner reports
“Dt*: the contact stated there was a problem with the rear end of the vehicle. The welds on the rear subframe of the vehicle popped and fractured which caused the read end to fall off. The weld did not fracture, but instead popped away from the rear end which held the rear sway bar onto the axle. The welds popped on both sides. The truck had never had a hitch or carried a heavy load on the vehicle.”Owner report · Structure · Nov 2006
“I brought my toyota to the repair shop,the repairman told me my car has a defective head gasket and told me to call the toyota dealer for repair. I called the dealer they told me that the head gasket had been repaired. They will not pay for it again. I think that is not fair for a consumer to pay for a defective engine. Keeps blowing head gasket but only repair once is not enough. *jb”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 2006
“While the vehicle was parked, the consumer noticed fluid leaking from underneath the vehicle. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer for an inspection. The mechanic informed the consumer that the head gasket was cracked and needed to be replaced. Please provide further details. *jb”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2004
“Total loss of braking function. Wife and grand daughter in car. No accident occurred. Emnergency brake still functioned. Root cause was due to long-term wear on left rear metal brake line by anit-lock-brakes control arm. This action resulted in the metal brake line integrity failure.*ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Oct 2003
“I was locked inside this vehicle and unable to get out. I ended up smashing the window after 45 minutes and crawling out of the vehicle. The door locks were "energized" and holding the lock levers down. Mechanic is unable to understand what happened and the lock solenoids are still in this same situation. The lock arms have been disconnected.”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Jan 2003
“Consumer was locked inside of his vehicle and was unable to get out. Cause unknown. Please provide additional information. Ts. *ak”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Jan 2003
“1990 4 runner was involved in an accident which occurred due to faulty steering relay rod. *ts the consumer received a recall for the steering relay rod several years after the component had already failed. The vehicle was involved in a single car accident in which the vehicle rolled over. Consequently the consumer sustained serious injuries and the vehicle was totally destroyed. The consumer now realizes that the accident was likely due to the steering relay rod problem mentioned in the recall. *nm”Owner report · Steering · Sep 2002
When filing, owners marked a crash in 10 of these complaints and injuries in 8 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING RELAY ROD. THE RECALL BEGAN OCTOBER 5, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
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.
Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
How other years compare
Check your exact 4RUNNER by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1990 Toyota 4RUNNER reliable?
NHTSA has 78 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1990 Toyota 4RUNNER. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (49% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1990 Toyota 4RUNNER problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 150,000 miles or less.
Does the 1990 Toyota 4RUNNER have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning steering:linkages:rod:relay:connecting. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.