1996 Toyota 4 Runner problems
Owners have filed 111 complaints about the 1996 Toyota 4 Runner with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling accounts for 22.5% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of service brakes, hydraulic at 17.1%.
Complaints111
Crashes14
Fires0
Injuries15
Deaths1
What owners report breaking
Engine and engine cooling 22.5% · 25
Service brakes, hydraulic 17.1% · 19
Suspension 14.4% · 16
Tires 12.6% · 14
Air bags 7.2% · 8
Structure 4.5% · 5
Visibility 3.6% · 4
Power train 2.7% · 3
Severity
Of those complaints, 14 describe a crash, 15 report an injury and 1 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 7 model years of the Toyota 4 Runner in this data, 1996 draws comparatively few complaints; 2003 is the outlier year.
Filings have fallen off, 10 in the last three years against 15 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 113,413 miles.
In owners' own words
Consumer was losing alot of coolant. Vehicle was overheating by the temperature gauge. Also, vehicle missing and hesitating. Consumer was unable to drive vehicle because of the overheating problem.*Ak the dealer replaced both cylinder head gasket as part of recall, but it failed again after a year. Engine and engine cooling
Oil sludge problem. Coolant is leaking and oil sludge is building up within the manifold. It is using 2 to 3 quarts of oil on a monthly basis and smoking will badly when first cranked. Car checked by Toyota dealership and says nothing is wrong with car. Engine and engine cooling · reported at 132,405 miles
While driving the vehicle smoke came from the front engine and there was a fuel smell. Manufacturer said defective head gasket was the cause. Consumer stated if manufacturer was aware of problem, why not notify the consumers. Engine and engine cooling
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…