1998 Toyota 4Runner problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 303 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.5 times the median 4Runner year — the 1998 model ranks #9 of 43 4Runner years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 25 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Body & Structure leads the complaint categories with 78 reports (26% of the total).

303

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1998 compare to other 4Runner years?

4Runner NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 4Runner years to avoid →

What are the most common 1998 Toyota 4Runner problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Body & Structure	78	26%	— flat
Suspension	64	21%	▼ down
Tires & Wheels	37	12%	▲ up
Other	18	6%	▼ down
Brakes	16	5%	▼ down
Engine	16	5%	— flat
Electrical System	13	4%	— flat
Steering	12	4%	— flat
Transmission	12	4%	▼ down
Seat Belts	9	3%	▲ up
Speed Control	8	3%	▼ down
Airbags	7	2%	— flat
Lighting	6	2%	▲ up
Seats	2	1%	▼ down
Latches & Locks	2	1%	▼ down
Fuel System	1	0%	— flat
Child Seat	1	0%	— flat
Visibility & Wipers	1	0%	▼ down

Does the 1998 Toyota 4Runner have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

06E049000LightingMay 24, 2006 · 27,176 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

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.

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

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.

02V021000SuspensionJanuary 18, 2002 · 273,743 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“ON 03'04/02 I WAS SITTING AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT WITIN ON THE LIGHT TO CHANGE TO GREEN. THE LIGHT CHANGED TO GREEN , THEN I PROCEEDED INTO THE INTERSECTION WHERE I WAS T-BONED ON THE DRIVER SIDED. AT THIS TIME I HEAR A LOUD BANG THEN THE LOWER AREA BY THE BRAKES CAVED IN ON MY LEFT LEG, THE THE DOORS…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · March 4, 2002 · crash

“MY 1998 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER WENT TO THE LEFT SIDE OF A HIGHWAY THAT HAD RUMBLE STRIPS. THE DRIVER SWERVED TO THE RIGHT TO GET OFF THE STRIPS AND THE CAR TIPPED AND THEN FLIPPED OVER 3 TIMES. IT WAS THE NEW YORK STATE THRUWAY SO THE SPEED WAS APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH. I READ AN ARTICLE IN USA TODAY RECENTLY…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · June 21, 2004 · crash

“2 FRONT REPLACEMENT TIRES FAILED AFTER LESS THAN 5 MONTHS OF USE - SEPARATION. *AK (DOT NUMBER: 8XHL TIRESIZE: 235/75/R15) (DOT NUMBER: 8XHL TIRESIZE: 235/75/R15)”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · August 7, 2000 · crash

“TWO WEEKS AGO I WAS DRIVING DOWN A FLAT PAVED ROAD AND MY LOWER BALL JOINT (ATM 1012460) CAME OFF FOR NO REASON CAUSING ME TO SKID TO A HALT. MY TIRE WAS SIDEWAYS AND PUSHED INTO MY FENDER CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL WELL AND OTHER PARTS. THIS PART (LOWER BALL JOINT) WAS REPLACED 8 MONTHS PRIOR…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · June 13, 2013 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED BUT DID NOT HOLD AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES YET THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED FOR THE INCIDENT AND THE CONTACT RECEIVED A…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · March 31, 2011 · crash

1998 Toyota 4Runner — common questions

Is the 1998 Toyota 4Runner reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 303 complaints put the 1998 model at #9 of 43 4Runner years. It is one of the 4Runner years to avoid.

What are the most common 1998 4Runner problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (78 complaints), suspension (64 complaints), tires & wheels (37 complaints).

Does the 1998 Toyota 4Runner have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1998 Toyota 4Runner. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Toyota 4Runner years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the 4Runner years to avoid are 2004, 2003, 2000, 2005, 2006, 1999, 1997, 2002, 1998, 2001, 2007, 1996, 1995, 2011, 2010, 2008, 2015, 2012, 2016, 2014, 2013, 2017. The cleanest record among 4Runner years belongs to 1985.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.

How does 1998 compare to other 4Runner years?

What are the most common 1998 Toyota 4Runner problems?

Does the 1998 Toyota 4Runner have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

1998 Toyota 4Runner — common questions

Is the 1998 Toyota 4Runner reliable?

What are the most common 1998 4Runner problems?

Does the 1998 Toyota 4Runner have recalls?

Which Toyota 4Runner years should you avoid?

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