TOYOTA 4RUNNER · model year

1991 TOYOTA 4RUNNER

55 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1991TOYOTA4RUNNER carries 55 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, 4 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 1991 4RUNNER is engine and engine cooling:engine with 17 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling:exhaust system (2) and power train:clutch assembly (2). 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 1991 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.

55
Complaints
3
Crashes
0
Fires
4
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

55 filings

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

ComponentCount
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE17
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM2
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY2
STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM2
TIRES2
TIRES:TREAD/BELT2
STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING2
WHEELS2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS1
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR1
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR1
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE1
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION1

Recent Complaints

20170927WHEELS

BACK IN AUGUST 2016 I PURCHASED AND INSTALLED 4 NEW TIRES, I CLEANED AND PAINTED WHEELS BEFORE INSTALLING 4 NEW SLIME TIRE VALVES #TR 415 SLIME PART# 20261 I PURCHASED THESE VALVES AT WALMART IN SOMERSET, KY THE DATE CODE ON PACKAGE WAS 08.26.14 I PURCHASED (8) PACKS 16 TOTAL VALVES ( I STILL HAVE 3 PACKS THAT I HAVE NOT OPENED). I HAVE A TIRE CHANGER ON MY FARM AND DO MY OWN TIRE SERVICE. ON 09-26-2017 I HAD A TIRE FAILURE ON MY TOYOTA WHILE DRIVING NOTICE SLIGHT PULL. AFTER STOPPING AND INSTALLING SPARE I DETERMINED THAT ALL 4 VALVES I PUT ON LAST YEAR WERE DRY ROTTED (CRACKED). I KEEP THIS VEHICLE IN BARN WHEN NOT BEING DRIVEN (NO SUN DAMAGE SHOULD OCCURED. I CHECKED A TRAILER THAT I HAD APPLIED NEW VALVES ON FROM THE SAME LOT OF VALVES, THEY TO WERE DRY ROTTED AND ONE WAS FLAT. THESE PRODUCTS ARE DANGEROUS TO USE, THE VALVES WILL PULL APART WITH LIGHT PULLING FROM FINGERS. THESE PRODUCTS NEED TO BE RECALLED. I DID NOT CONTACT WALMART ABOUT THIS FAILURE DUE TO PRODUCT PURCHAS

Mileage: 270,000

20151204SERVICE BRAKES

WHILE DRIVING IN THE STREET AT 40 MPH, IT ACCELERATES FOR NO REASON. I COULD NOT STOP, THE BRAKE PUT HARD, DID NOT RESPOND TO ANY CHANGE AND ENGINE SPEED INCREASED TO MORE THAN 5000. I HAD TO TURN IT OFF STILL RUNNING. TO TURN IT BACK ON, IT WILL NOT DO SO AGAIN.

Mileage: 154,000

20151204VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WHILE DRIVING IN THE STREET AT 40 MPH, IT ACCELERATES FOR NO REASON. I COULD NOT STOP, THE BRAKE PUT HARD, DID NOT RESPOND TO ANY CHANGE AND ENGINE SPEED INCREASED TO MORE THAN 5000. I HAD TO TURN IT OFF STILL RUNNING. TO TURN IT BACK ON, IT WILL NOT DO SO AGAIN.

Mileage: 154,000

20140611WHEELS

OEM STANDARD TIRES ARE 225/75R15 ON TOYOTA STEEL WHEELS. OEM FACTORY OPTION TIRES ARE W/31X10.5 ON TOYOTA BRAND ALUMINUM WHEELS. THE FACTORY OFFICIAL STICKER SHOWS THE OPTION TIRES AS FACTORY-INSTALLED. THE DRIVER DOOR PILLAR STICKER SHOWS THE FACTORY-INSTALLED TIRE AS 225/75R15. THE PILLAR STICKER IS WRONG DUE TO DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS. IN RELIANCE ON THE PILLAR STICKER, A TIRE TECHNICIAN INSTALLED REPLACEMENT TIRES BASED ON THE STANDARD SIZE. THE STANDARD TIRE IS SIGNIFICANTLY SMALLER IN DIAMETER THAN THE FACTORY OPTION TIRE. SAFETY ISSUES: 1) SPEEDOMETER ERROR ~10%, CAUSING MISMATCH TO POSTED LIMIT AND FORESEEABLE TAILGATING AND OTHER ADVERSE BEHAVIORS BY SURROUNDING DRIVERS; 2) DEGRADED STABILITY ON HIGH-CENTER OF GRAVITY SUV DUE TO MISMATCH BETWEEN FACTORY OPTION SPARE TIRE AND REPLACEMENT TIRES BASED ON ERRONEOUS PILLAR STICKER. *TR

Mileage: 252,806

20110302STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HAVE THE EXHAUST INSPECTED AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS FRACTURING FROM THE UNDERBODY SHIELDS, WHICH WAS ALSO SEVERELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 164,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 165,000. UPDATED 4/11/2011 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE DAMAGE WAS HIDDEN BY THE VALANCE AND WAS LOCATED WHERE THE TOW HOOK WAS. ALSO, THE FACTORY PRESS PLATE IN THE FRAME WAS ROTTED, WHICH ALLOWED MOISTURE IN THE FRAME. UPDATED 04/27/11

Mileage: 164,000

20080103STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING

BROUGHT MY 1991 4RUNNER INTO CONCORD (CA) TOYOTA DEALER FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 05V389000, FOR :COMPONENT: STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING AFTER RECEIVING THE VEHICLE, THERE IS TOO MUCH "PLAY" (MOVEMENT) IN THE STEERING WHEEL, AND THE FRONT WHEELS "WOBBLE" BADLY IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS, CREATING UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE PROBLEMS APPEAR TO BE FRONT END-END/ALIGNMENT RELATED. I DID NOT HAVE THESE PROBLEMS PRIOR TO TAKING THIS IS IN FOR THE RECALL. THE ASST SVC MGR AT THE DEALER INSISTS THAT THEIR WORK DID NOT CAUSE THE ISSUE, AND THAT THERE IS NOW ANOTHER BAD PART ON MY FRONT-END COMPONENT THAT MUST BE REPLACED, AT MY COST, TO FIX THIS (SAFETY) ISSUE. PLEASE HELP ASAP - MY VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALERSHIP NOW (01/03/06)*CN

20070624ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

CAR OVER HEATED AND CUT OFF. NOW LEAKING WATER INTO SPARK PLUGS.*AK

20070121ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

BLOWN HEAD GASKET, 1991 TOYOTA V6 4RUNNER, RECALLED IN 1998 FOR THE PROBLEM, CORRECTED AND GASKET FAILED AGAIN IN 2007. *NM

Mileage: 191,680

20060216CrashSTEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING

1991 TOYOTA 4RUNNER STEERING FAILED WHEN TURNING WHEEL. *TS ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE STEERING LINKAGES TWO MONTHS AFTER THE ACCIDENT. *JB *NM

20051017SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

CORROSION ON THE BREAK LINES FROM POOR DESIGN IN ALLOWING SAND AND DIRT TO ACCUMULATE AND CAUSE THE LINE TO RUST THROUGH AND CREATE A BREAK FAILURE. THE RUST CREATED A LITTLE LARGER THEN A PIN HOLE THAT ALOUD THE RAPID LOST OF BREAK FLUID WHICH CAUSED THE LOSS OF STOPPING AND ALMOST CAUSED SEVER DAMAGE AND INJURY TO SAME. *NM

Mileage: 118,158

20050608TIRES:TREAD/BELT

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. HE STATES THAT HE HAD TREAD SEPARATION ON BRIDGESTONE TIRES. IT WAS THE DRIVER'S FRONT TIRE. IT PULLED HIM TOWARD THE MEDIAN, AND HE WAS ABLE TO PULL IT BACK TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE TIRE SEPARATION DAMAGED BUMPER AND FENDER. HE DOES HAVE PHOTOGRAPHS AND THE TIRE AVAILABLE. *AK

20040827ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

HEAD GASKET LEAK. *AK

Mileage: 153,664

20040827EQUIPMENT

HEAD GASKET LEAK. *AK

Mileage: 153,664

20040210POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:BELL HOUSING

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A CLUTCH ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT PROBLEM. THERE WAS A SMELL AND CHATTERING WITHIN THE CLUTCH. DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO REPLACE OR REPAIR THE PROBLEM. LATER, CLUTCH ASSEMBLY BROKE APART, INCLUDING THE BELL HOUSING AND THE CONE.*AK PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.

Mileage: 260,000

20031001CrashSTEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM

MY DAUGHTER WITH TWO GRANDDAUGHTERS WERE DRIVING IN A 91 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER ON A WELL MAINTAINED LOG ROAD WHEN THEY LOST STEERING AND WENT OVER A 30 FT CLIFF. THE STEERING KNUCKLE BROKE THE TILT STEERING AND PLASTIC. *LA

Mileage: 170,000

20030627ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

FUEL LEAKED ONTO THE GASKET AND CAUSED A FUEL ODOR TO ENTER THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE VENTS. *NLM

20030424ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

THE HEAD GASKET LEAKED OIL. *JB THE MAIN WIRES ON THE ENGINE SHORTED OUT WITH MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL COMPONENT FAILURES. OVER $3500 SPENT IN REPAIRS WITHIN 2 WEEKS. * CB *JB

20010725POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

VEHICLE WOULD SHIFT FROM FIRST TO OVERDRIVE WITHOUT ENTERING ANY OF THE OTHER GEARS. VEHICLE WOULD HAVE TO BE SHIFTED MANUALLY THROUGH THE GEARS. PROBLEM WAS THAT THERE WAS A COLD SOLDER JOINT ON ALL THREE SOLENOIDS INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION. THESE SOLENOIDS ARE USED TO SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION THROUGH THE GEARS. THE PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT AND WOULD OCCUR AT THE MOST INOPPORTUNE TIME LIKE PASSING A VEHICLE, ENTERING A MAJOR INTERSTATE, OR STARTING FROM A STOP. COST OF THE PARTS ALONE AMOUNTED TO OVER $500.00 FOR PARTS THAT SHOULD COST NO MORE THAN $100.00.*AK

20001226ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

THERE HAD BEEN A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL OF HEAD GASKETS. CONSUMER HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR RAPAIRS, BUT DEALER WAS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR RECALL REPAIRS. INSTEAD DEALER WAS CHARGING CONSUMER FULL PRICE ON REPAIRS WHEN, IN OTHER SITUATIONS, DEALER WOULD NOT CHARGE FULL PRICE FOR HEAD GASKET.*AK

20000927TIRES

MY TIRES ARE NOT RECALLED, BUT THEY ARE LISTED ON THE DANGEROUS LIST, THERE ARE CHUNKS OF RUBBER FALLING OFF OF THEM. I CONTACTED THE LOCAL FIRESTONE AND HE OFFERED TO SELL ME SOME TIRES FOR 'REAL CHEAP'. YEAH I BET THEY ARE REAL CHEAP. I DO NOT THINK THAT THESE TIRES ARE SAFE TO DRIVE ON. THEY ONLY HAVE LIKE 10K MILES ON THEM, SO I DONT THINK THAT IT SHOULD BE MY RESPONSIBILITY TO PAY FOR FIRESTONES MISTAKES. I AM VERY UNHAPPY WITH FIRESTONE AND WOULD LIKE SOME ADVICE ABOUT WHAT I CAN DO TO CORRECT THE SITUATION. J SASS( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235 )

Compare 1991TOYOTA4RUNNER to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1991 TOYOTA 4RUNNER have?
The 1991 TOYOTA 4RUNNER has 55 NHTSA complaints, 3 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1991 TOYOTA 4RUNNER?
The most-complained component for the 1991 TOYOTA 4RUNNER is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE with 17 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM and POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY.
Is the 1991 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.