1987 Toyota 4Runner Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1987 Toyota 4Runner, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Brakes228.6%
- Powertrain (other)228.6%
- Other / unspecified114.3%
- Tires & wheels114.3%
- Transmission114.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .