Total Complaints
7 filings
TOYOTA 4RUNNER · model year
1987 TOYOTA 4RUNNER
7 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1987TOYOTA4RUNNER carries 7 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1987 4RUNNER is power train:axle assembly:axle shaft with 1 filings, followed by equipment:mechanical:carrier/rack (1) and tires (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 1987 4RUNNER. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
7
Complaints
3
Crashes
0
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
3 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT | 1 |
| EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK | 1 |
| TIRES | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20091006CrashSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1987 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE BRAKE PEDAL WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A VEHICLE AND SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 72391.
Mileage: 72,391
20040318POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
CONSUMER PURCHASED A TOYOTA 4 RUNNER AND FOUND OUT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE. WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY VEHICLE SHOOK, AND WOULD NOT GO OVER 5 MPH. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT ALL BOLTS WERE MISSING, INCLUDING DRIVE LINE SHIFTER, CLUTCH LINE, AND THE BRAKE LINES. CONSUMER TOLD MECHANIC HAT THIS VEHICLE COULD HAVE BEEN A DEATH TRAP. *AK
20040318POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
CONSUMER PURCHASED A TOYOTA 4 RUNNER AND FOUND OUT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE. WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY VEHICLE SHOOK, AND WOULD NOT GO OVER 5 MPH. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT ALL BOLTS WERE MISSING, INCLUDING DRIVE LINE SHIFTER, CLUTCH LINE, AND THE BRAKE LINES. CONSUMER TOLD MECHANIC HAT THIS VEHICLE COULD HAVE BEEN A DEATH TRAP. *AK
20040318SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
CONSUMER PURCHASED A TOYOTA 4 RUNNER AND FOUND OUT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE. WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY VEHICLE SHOOK, AND WOULD NOT GO OVER 5 MPH. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT ALL BOLTS WERE MISSING, INCLUDING DRIVE LINE SHIFTER, CLUTCH LINE, AND THE BRAKE LINES. CONSUMER TOLD MECHANIC HAT THIS VEHICLE COULD HAVE BEEN A DEATH TRAP. *AK
20000914CrashTIRES
CONSUMER STATED SHE HEARD A MUFFLED GUNSHOT LIKE SOUND AND VEHICLE SANK IN THE REAR, SHE LOST CONTROL, VEHICLE RAN OFF THE ROAD INTO SOME TREES AND THEN ROLLED OVER, A WITNESS STATED HE SAW ONE OF THE REAR FIRESTONE TIRES BLOWOUT (P225/75R15), CONSUMER WAS INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT. *SLC
19990803EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK
THE UNDERSIDE SPARE TIRE FELL OFF DURING DRIVING. LUCKILY, IT WAS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY AND NO ONE WAS HIT. THIS IS THE SECOND FAILURE OF THIS CARRIER. IT IS A CHAIN LIFT WHICH CRANKS UP THE SPARE TIRE UNDER THE VEHICLE'S REAR. THE BREAK OCCURRED BETWEEN THE CHAIN AND THE UNIT THAT ATTACHES TO THE TIRE. THIS UNIT WAS REPLACED ONCE BEFORE WHEN IT FAILED WITH LESS THAN 30,000 MILES ON IT.
19990120CrashPOWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT
WHILE DRIVING REAR AXLE BROKE INSIDE OF THE BEARING. AXLE CAME OUT AND WHEEL DISCONNECTED, VEHICLE LOST CONTROL AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. DEALER/MANUFACTURER CONTACTED AND NEED TO INSPECT. VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVABLE. MEMPHIS POLICE REPORT TAKEN. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Compare 1987TOYOTA4RUNNER to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1987 TOYOTA 4RUNNER have?▼
The 1987 TOYOTA 4RUNNER has 7 NHTSA complaints, 3 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1987 TOYOTA 4RUNNER?▼
The most-complained component for the 1987 TOYOTA 4RUNNER is POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT with 1 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK and TIRES.
Is the 1987 TOYOTA 4RUNNER safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.