Total Complaints
168 filings
TOYOTA 4RUNNER · model year
168 NHTSA complaints, 9 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1998TOYOTA4RUNNER carries 168 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 9 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injury, and 1 fatality. 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 1998 4RUNNER is structure:body with 46 filings, followed by suspension (35) and structure:frame and members:underbody shields (19). 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 1998 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.
Total Complaints
168 filings
Crashes Reported
9 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 46 |
| SUSPENSION | 35 |
| STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS | 19 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 14 |
| STEERING | 6 |
| POWER TRAIN | 4 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 3 |
| SUSPENSION:REAR | 3 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT | 3 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 3 |
| STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS | 3 |
| STRUCTURE | 3 |
| EQUIPMENT | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 2 |
| AIR BAGS | 2 |
The rear end suspension is sagging on my vehicle. When I look up the VIN number on the nhtsa website it says that there is not a recall, but when I look up my vehicle by year it says that all vehicles of this year should be recalled for rear suspension repair/check. I called usa toyota and they said that they could not send the ticket to my local toyota dealership to for repair because my vehicle was imported from japan to canada. I have tried calling canada toyota but they have not picked up their phone. Reaching out to determine if the nhtsa can help with getting my vehicle suspension checked/repaired. Below is the message/link I receieved from NHTSA when I looked up my car's production year. ----- [XXX] January 18, 2002 NHTSA Campaign Number: 02V021000 TOYOTA/REAR SUSPENSION THIS MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH. NHTSA Campaign Number: 02V021000 Manufacturer TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC. Components SUSPENSION Potential Number of Unit
The frame is rusting out and broke while driving. The frame is almost totally destroyed from rust . The rear started swinging violently but luckily got it stop without crashing. The entire frame is a joke. I can't believe it hasn't been recalled STILL. The body is in perfect shape but a frame that can snap at any moment....I thought Toyota put safety first?
The frame is rusting out and broke while driving. The frame is almost totally destroyed from rust . The rear started swinging violently but luckily got it stop without crashing. The entire frame is a joke. I can't believe it hasn't been recalled STILL. The body is in perfect shape but a frame that can snap at any moment....I thought Toyota put safety first?
The drivers side front lower ball joint completely sheared off at around 15 miles an hour. The wheel and tire separated from the vehicle.
CRITICAL FRAME RUST CAUSING TRAILING ARMS TO DETACH UNDER NORMAL USE.
Mileage: 305,000
THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR CONTROL ARM MOUNTING BRACKET THAT IS WELDED TO THE FRAME HAS RUSTED AND COMPLETELY FRACTURED OFF OF THE FRAME. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE I BEGAN TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP LIGHT ON A CITY STREET AT NORMAL SPEEDS. I FELT AND HEARD A LOUD POP, THEN HAD SEVERE REAR END INSTABILITY WHILE DRIVING, REQUIRING ME TO "LIMP HOME" TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
Mileage: 101,185
RUSTED FRAME. HOLE RIGHT THROUGH IT. CAN'T SELL, REGISTER OR DO ANYTHING WITH IT. CAR HAS 188K MILES, DRIVES LIKE A TANK, AND HAS YEARS LEFT IN IT, BUT NOT WITH A RUSTED OUT FRAME. NO ONE SHOWED IT TO ME BEFORE I TRIED TO SELL IT. I HAVE OWNED FOR 7 YEARS, 2ND OWNER.
THE FRAME HAS RUSTED OUT AND THE SWAYBAR HAS BROKE LOOSE FROM THE FRAME. *TR
Mileage: 245,000
THE FRAME HAS RUSTED OUT AND THE SWAYBAR HAS BROKE LOOSE FROM THE FRAME. *TR
Mileage: 245,000
THE FRAME HAS RUSTED OUT AND THE SWAYBAR HAS BROKE LOOSE FROM THE FRAME. *TR
Mileage: 245,000
1998 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER STARTING TO SWAY SIDE TO SIDE. THE REAR AXLE SUPPORT FRAME IS RUSTED THRU THE BOX TUBE. CALLED TOYOTA TO REPORT THE ISSUE AND DID NOT SEEM TO BE CONCERNED THAT THE ISSUE IS SERIOUS. NO RECOMMENDATIONS GIVEN.
Mileage: 150,000
THE FRAME OF MY VEHICLE IS RUSTING OUT TO THE POINT OF BEING UNSAFE. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 68K MILES. THE REAR TRAILING ARM BRACKET HAS A HOLE INSIDE
Mileage: 68,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, BUT THE SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT. THE POLICE WAS PRESENT AND A REPORT NUMBER: G8J014000216 WAS ISSUED. THE CONTACT WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE AND HAD TO SPEND 6 DAYS IN TWO DIFFERENT HOSPITALS WITH MULTIPLE FRACTURES AND INTERNAL ORGANS INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT AND LATER LABELED AS DESTROYED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.
Mileage: 109,000
WHEN BRAKING FROM 20 MPH, THE SEAT ROCKS FORWARD, AND THEN IN COMING TO A HALT, ROCKS BACKWARD. VERY UNSAFE. FEELS LIKE THE SEAT MOUNT IS ABOUT TO BREAK OFF FROM FLOOR PAN. 07/24/2019
Mileage: 252,649
EXCESSIVE FRAME RUST CAUSED REAR DRIVER SIDE CONTROL ARM MOUNT TO RUST RIGHT OFF THE FRAME WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING IT. AT THE TIME HER SPEED WAS SLOW AS SHE WAS PULLING INTO GROCERY STORE PLAZA.
Mileage: 187,000
REAR PASSENGER SIDE SWAY BAR ATTACHMENT RUSTED THROUGH AND SNAPPED FROM FRAME. AND ON OTHER SIDE SWAY BAR LINK SNAPPED. IN ADDITION THE FRAME NEAR IT IS ROTTING AWAY. NOTICED IT WHILE DRIVING IT WAS SWAYING BADLY. IN ADDITION THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WILL UNLATCH OCCASIONALLY WHILE DRIVING.
Mileage: 280,000
REAR PASSENGER SIDE SWAY BAR ATTACHMENT RUSTED THROUGH AND SNAPPED FROM FRAME. AND ON OTHER SIDE SWAY BAR LINK SNAPPED. IN ADDITION THE FRAME NEAR IT IS ROTTING AWAY. NOTICED IT WHILE DRIVING IT WAS SWAYING BADLY. IN ADDITION THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WILL UNLATCH OCCASIONALLY WHILE DRIVING.
Mileage: 280,000
REAR PASSENGER SIDE SWAY BAR ATTACHMENT RUSTED THROUGH AND SNAPPED FROM FRAME. AND ON OTHER SIDE SWAY BAR LINK SNAPPED. IN ADDITION THE FRAME NEAR IT IS ROTTING AWAY. NOTICED IT WHILE DRIVING IT WAS SWAYING BADLY. IN ADDITION THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WILL UNLATCH OCCASIONALLY WHILE DRIVING.
Mileage: 280,000
I WAS ON MY WAY TO THE STORE WITH MY WIFE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE TRUCK STARTED TO SWAY WILDLY , GOOD THING THERE WAS NO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AT THE TIME SINCE THE TRUCK SWERVED INTO THE OPPOSING LANE , I PULLED OVER AND THOUGHT AT FIRST THE LUG NUTS CAME LOSE BUT WHEN I CRAWLED UNDER THE TRUCK I HAD FOUND THAT THE FRAME IS ROTTED AWAY, APPARENTLY TOYOTA HAS AN ISSUES WITH THERE FRAMES AND I WAS ASKED BY PEOPLE ONLINE IF I GOT A RECALL NOTICE WHICH I DID NOT , I HAD BOUGHT THE TRUCK USED FROM A USED CAR DEALER SO IM NOT SURE IF IT WAS IN THE SYSTEM , IN ANY EVENT I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS ON THIS , THE REST OF THE TRUCK IS IN GREAT SHAPE AND RUNS FINE , I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO ENSUE A FINANCIAL LOSE IF THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE , THANK YOU
Mileage: 227,912
I WAS ON MY WAY TO THE STORE WITH MY WIFE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE TRUCK STARTED TO SWAY WILDLY , GOOD THING THERE WAS NO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AT THE TIME SINCE THE TRUCK SWERVED INTO THE OPPOSING LANE , I PULLED OVER AND THOUGHT AT FIRST THE LUG NUTS CAME LOSE BUT WHEN I CRAWLED UNDER THE TRUCK I HAD FOUND THAT THE FRAME IS ROTTED AWAY, APPARENTLY TOYOTA HAS AN ISSUES WITH THERE FRAMES AND I WAS ASKED BY PEOPLE ONLINE IF I GOT A RECALL NOTICE WHICH I DID NOT , I HAD BOUGHT THE TRUCK USED FROM A USED CAR DEALER SO IM NOT SURE IF IT WAS IN THE SYSTEM , IN ANY EVENT I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS ON THIS , THE REST OF THE TRUCK IS IN GREAT SHAPE AND RUNS FINE , I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO ENSUE A FINANCIAL LOSE IF THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE , THANK YOU
Mileage: 227,912
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.