1997 Toyota 4 Runner problems
Owners have filed 163 complaints about the 1997 Toyota 4 Runner with NHTSA. Suspension accounts for 19% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of service brakes, hydraulic at 16%.
Complaints163
Crashes30
Fires0
Injuries16
Deaths5
What owners report breaking
Suspension 19.0% · 31
Service brakes, hydraulic 16.0% · 26
Tires 10.4% · 17
Power train 9.2% · 15
Engine and engine cooling 6.7% · 11
Air bags 4.9% · 8
Structure 4.3% · 7
Electrical system 3.7% · 6
Severity
Of those complaints, 30 describe a crash, 16 report an injury and 5 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 7 model years of the Toyota 4 Runner in this data, 1997 ranks 2nd by complaint volume — 2003 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 30 in the last three years against 64 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 86,000 miles.
In owners' own words
While pulling away from a stop position at 10 mph right, the side front of the vehicler dropped to the ground. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop, and the mechanic determined that the upper and the lower ball joints needed to be replaced. *Ak the ball joint snapped, causing the front end of the vehicle to collapse. The consumer requested reimbursement for the faulty part and repairs. *Sc Suspension · reported at 116,000 miles
Nar 3-11-03. While driving the consumers 4runner slipped out of control and caused an accident. Damages cost approx $2000. Soon after a recall was released by Toyota about a faulty suspension. The consumer asked to be reimbursed for the repair made after the accident because it may have been the faulty suspension that caused the vehicle to lose directional stability. *Cb Suspension
While driving at highway speeds in the snow, vehicle lost directional stability and spun out of control, causing a roll over. Vehicle was totalled. Consumer has just received a recall notice for rear suspension.*Ak. There were 2 injuries. Suspension
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…