1994 Toyota 4RUNNER: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 12 owner complaints on record; most reports concern engine and engine cooling.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 12 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“My vehicle was in a accident on the passenger quarter panel the damage caused a electrical outage to all the blinkers on the passenger side and both my passenger side door lock actuators they locked up and stopped working after the accident. With the door lock actuators not working made my vehicle unsafe on the passenger side.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Dec 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 1994 toyota 4runner. While driving approximately 55 mph, the contact heard a popping sound from under the vehicle and noticed an abnormal odor of oil. The contact stopped the vehicle and upon exiting, noticed a flame under the front driver side. The fire department was called and reported to the scene. A fire report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostics or repairs. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 2012
“Tl*the contact owns a 1994 toyota 4runner . The contact noticed that the frame was rusted, which has caused the control arm to fall off. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer had been notified and the vehicle was not repaired or inspected. The current and failure mileages were 291,000.”Owner report · Structure · Feb 2011
Show 5 more owner reports
“Engine blown head gasket caused water to leak into engine causing engine failure. Toyota repaired under recall several years ago. Now the same problem occurred and now it will cost me $1,900.00 to repair their poor quality, or craftsmanship. Why can't we get toyota to warranty this problem for the life of the car. I have read hundreds of posts regarding this matter, and we cannot get fair results from anyone. My friend had toyota offer him $500.00 towards the purchase of a new toyota, pretty funny offer. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 2010
“I bought 1994 toyota 4runner used. The outfit needed new tires when I tried to remover the wheels I could not get them off the vehicle after alot of work they finally came off. When I reinstalled them I used anti-seize and hope to never have this problem again. *tr”Owner report · Wheels · Aug 2008
“1994 4 runner 4 wd steering control locked up while driving. Vehicle lost all power. *ts ***nar*** the consumers wife lost control of the vehicle and subsequently the vehicle rolled over an embankment into a stream. The vehicle was deemed totaled. *jb”Owner report · Steering · Nov 2005
“My wife was driving home from work at about 8:00 am and the suv slid to the left on ice, she then turned to the right and the steering wouldn't straighten up and as a result she went down an inbankment and the suv rolled all the way over and back on its wheels. The vehicle since has been totaled and parted out but I'm thinking this recall may have caused the accident. *jb”Owner report · Steering · Feb 2005
“Tl* - the contact owns a 1994 toyota forerunner. The contact stated that when he tried to make a turn or steer the vehicle it would not work. The contact had the steering column fixed. The steering column problem was consistent and kept getting worse. The current and failure mileage were both 83000. *ak”Owner report · Steering · Jun 1994
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 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.
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN 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: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
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 1994 Toyota 4RUNNER reliable?
NHTSA has 12 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1994 Toyota 4RUNNER. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling.
Does the 1994 Toyota 4RUNNER have open recalls?
4 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.