Model year record

1998 Toyota 4RUNNER

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 168 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
Structure: body	46	158,000 mi
Suspension	35	187,000 mi
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields	19	190,000 mi
Unknown or other	14	205,000 mi
Steering	6	83,680 mi
Power train	4	190,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic	3	130,000 mi
Structure	3	180,000 mi
Structure: frame and members	3	125,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint	3	159,158 mi
Suspension: rear	3	88,000 mi
Vehicle speed control	3	152,000 mi
Air bags	2	109,000 mi
Electrical system	2	152,000 mi
Equipment	2	110,000 mi
Seats	2	120,000 mi
Wheels	2	170,000 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator	1	101,000 mi
Electrical system: starter assembly: solenoid	1	102,560 mi
Engine and engine cooling	1	72,100 mi
Exterior lighting	1	110,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline	1	167,043 mi
Parking brake	1	142,650 mi
Power train: driveline	1	170,000 mi
Seat belts	1	280,000 mi
Seat belts: rear/other	1	70,000 mi
Service brakes	1	218,206 mi
Structure: body: bumpers	1	—
Suspension: front	1	168,641 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm	1	16,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint	1	80,000 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing	1	117,000 mi
Tires	1	97,595 mi

The 1997 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1999 model has about half as many 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.