1995 Toyota 4RUNNER: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 47 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (67% of complaints); the 1994 model year looks more trouble-free.
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 47 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Engine, no sign of overheating ... Overheated within 3 months of ownership on my way to work with my wife's Conclude the headgaskets were blown. Toyota doesn't acknowledge recall. . Plus send a recall for v6 4runners headgaskets”Owner report · Engine · Oct 2021
“My head gasket is blown. The dummy panel did not show overheating but steam or smoke was visible coming out from under the hood. Coolant was leaking when parked but the radiator is full. Toyota says my VIN says it was manufactured in nov 1995 my registration paperwork says it was first registered october 1995. As with many others, toyota says it is not included. How many reports must be made before it is a covered problem? Or is there no change til lawyers get involved? *tr”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2015
“Engine exhaust smoky. Coolant level drops. Steam and water emitted from exhaust pipe. Cause seems to be due to a failed head gasket(s) or failure of aluminum cylinder heads to mate to cast iron engine block. Other possibility is cracking in water jacket of heads. This is a 3.0 liter v6 engine and has had press releases about gasket failures. This vehicle was purchased new by customer and has never had the engine overheat or has it been run while low on engine lubricating oil.”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“Blown rod . Bad motor .. The 4 runner had a 4 wheel drive engine in it that came stock in a 2 wheel drive 4 runner? It blew out a rod on me and these sr5 motors are suppose to last a long time? 98,432 is low for me. *tr”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2013
“The head gasket is going out there is a recall for other mfg dates but mine was 1 month too long and other people complaining on the internet about their 95 4runners with blown head gaskets and toyota telling them to go pound sand.toyota is even having later model v6s with failing head gaskets the motor its self is the problem the design is not perfect it's cooling problem is the cause of the sledge recalls they have going on. But if they admit that the motor is bad it would cost them a arm and a leg so me and a lot of other people are left holding the crappy cars tail pipe what worries me is it stopping in the middle of the freeway then getting rear ended. *js”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Mar 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 1995 toyota 4runner. While driving 25 mph, the contact noticed smoke coming from the tail pipe and the vehicle began driving erratically. The engine was turned off but would not restart after four to five attempts. When restarted, there was thick white smoke coming from the tail pipe abnormally. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic and after inspecting the vehicle, the mechanic noticed that the head gasket was fractured. The manufacturer was contacted and offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 179,000.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Sep 2011
“Vehicle with 3.0l v6 has blown two head gaskets in 135,000 miles. VIN is just outside of the "special service campaign". Gasket failed (again) with no warning, vehicle stalled in the middle of highway in inclement weather, driver lost control”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2011
“Properly cared for 1995 4runner blew head gaskets. Looking at approx. $2k repair. Toyota recall for this problem ends at man. Date of 10-94. They won't cover the same problem that has apparently happened to hundreds of 95 owners. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Dec 2009
“Tires bought from sears auto center 31x10.50x15 general all train l/ts were brought in for rotation & balance regular (2x) .tires are weather cracking in the treads , tires were 2 years old when bought never told now they won't do nothing half tread on tires it is all way's parked in garage. Need your help! *tr”Owner report · Tires · Oct 2009
“I have a 1995 toyota 4-runner that has frame rust so bad that the wheel fell off while my son was driving it. At that time we were advised by a mechanic that the vehicle is unsafe to drive. We are the original owners, it was garaged and well maintained throughout the years. I have contacted a local toyota dealer as well as the corporate offices since they have a buy back program for the same year truck with the same rust problem but have gotten nowhere. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Apr 2009
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 0 - 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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1995 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
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 1995 Toyota 4RUNNER reliable?
NHTSA has 47 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1995 Toyota 4RUNNER. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (67% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1995 Toyota 4RUNNER problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 132,567 miles or less.
Does the 1995 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.