1998 Toyota 4RUNNER: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 130 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is structure (53% of complaints); the 1996 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 130 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The drivers side front lower ball joint completely sheared off at around 15 miles an hour. The wheel and tire separated from the vehicle.”Owner report · Steering · Oct 2022
“The driver's side rear control arm mounting bracket that is welded to the frame has rusted and completely fractured off of the frame. The failure occurred while I began to accelerate from a stop light on a city street at normal speeds. I felt and heard a loud pop, then had severe rear end instability while driving, requiring me to "limp home" to maintain control of the vehicle.”Owner report · Structure · Nov 2020
“The frame is rusting out and broke while driving. The frame is almost totally destroyed from rust . The rear started swinging violently but luckily got it stop without crashing. The entire frame is a joke. I can't believe it hasn't been recalled STILL. The body is in perfect shape but a frame that can snap at any moment....I thought Toyota put safety first?”Owner report · Structure · Oct 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“Rusted frame. Hole right through it. Can't sell, register or do anything with it. Car has 188k miles, drives like a tank, and has years left in it, but not with a rusted out frame. No one showed it to me before I tried to sell it. I have owned for 7 years, 2nd owner.”Owner report · Structure · Jun 2020
“1998 toyota 4 runner starting to sway side to side. The rear axle support frame is rusted thru the box tube. Called toyota to report the issue and did not seem to be concerned that the issue is serious. No recommendations given.”Owner report · Suspension · Jan 2020
“The frame of my vehicle is rusting out to the point of being unsafe. The vehicle only has 68k miles. The rear trailing arm bracket has a hole inside”Owner report · Structure · Nov 2019
“When braking from 20 mph, the seat rocks forward, and then in coming to a halt, rocks backward. Very unsafe. Feels like the seat mount is about to break off from floor pan. 07/24/2019”Owner report · Seats · Jul 2019
“Rear passenger side sway bar attachment rusted through and snapped from frame. And on other side sway bar link snapped. In addition the frame near it is rotting away. Noticed it while driving it was swaying badly. In addition the driver side seat belt will unlatch occasionally while driving.”Owner report · Suspension · Jun 2019
“Excessive frame rust caused rear driver side control arm mount to rust right off the frame while my daughter was driving it. At the time her speed was slow as she was pulling into grocery store plaza.”Owner report · Suspension · Jun 2019
“The toyota 4 runner is unstable and has the body of the vehicle making noise. After inspection, the frame is completely rusted thru in several areas.”Owner report · Suspension · May 2019
When filing, owners marked a crash in 6 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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.
ON CERTAIN 2-WHEEL-DRIVE (2WD) AND 4-WHEEL-DRIVE (4WD) 4RUNNER SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, A COMBINATION OF HEAVY LOADING (SIMULTANEOUS LOADING TO REAR GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATING AND GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING) AND SEVERE STEERING MANEUVERS COULD CAUSE THE 2WD 4RUNNER TO LOSE DIRECTIONAL STABILITY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE REAR SUSPENSION PARTS. ALTHOUGH THE 4WD 4RUNNERS DO NOT EXHIBIT THE HANDLING CONDITION, TOYOTA WILL RECALL THESE VEHICLES TO AVOID ANY PUBLIC CONFUSION AS TO WHICH VEHICLES SHOULD RECEIVE THE REPLACEMENT PARTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 28, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
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 1998 Toyota 4RUNNER reliable?
NHTSA has 130 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 Toyota 4RUNNER. The most complained-about area is structure (53% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1998 Toyota 4RUNNER problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 167,043 miles or less.
Does the 1998 Toyota 4RUNNER have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting. 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.