Model year record

1997 Toyota 4RUNNER

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 200 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V021000

Suspension

Component: Suspension
Manufacturer: TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected: 273,743
Reported to NHTSA: 2002-01-18
Owners notified: 2002-02-28

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THIS MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Suspension	57	188,705 mi
Structure: body	41	186,000 mi
Unknown or other	17	195,000 mi
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields	16	173,000 mi
Structure: frame and members	10	180,000 mi
Steering	9	149,112 mi
Vehicle speed control	7	107,038 mi
Power train	6	139,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic	6	127,534 mi
Suspension: rear	5	139,000 mi
Power train: driveline	3	170,000 mi
Structure	3	170,000 mi
Tires	3	180,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)	2	145,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine	2	195,942 mi
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module	1	—
Electrical system	1	23,700 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe	1	177,000 mi
Equipment adaptive/mobility	1	186,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights	1	—
Fuel/propulsion system	1	—
Power train: automatic transmission	1	—
Power train: axle assembly: banjo housing	1	104,000 mi
Seats	1	210,000 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly	1	190,000 mi
Suspension: front	1	168,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint	1	133,000 mi
Suspension: rear: springs: coil springs	1	50,000 mi

The 1996 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. The 1998 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.