1990 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 1990 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
- Engine4045.5%
- Transmission1213.6%
- Brakes910.2%
- Body & structure89.1%
- Driver assistance55.7%
- Powertrain (other)22.3%
- Electrical22.3%
- Interior & seats22.3%
- Steering22.3%
- Tires & wheels22.3%
- Suspension11.1%
- Visibility11.1%
- Seat belts11.1%
- Fuel system11.1%
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
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
THIS SPECIFIC TOYOTA FORERUNNER MODEL HAD A RECALL FOR GASKET FAILURE. WE HAD IT REPLACED AT APPX 74,000 MILES DONE BY TOYOTA AS A COURTESY RECALL. THIS TRUCK CURRENTLY HAS VERY LOW MILEAGE CONSIDERING THE AGE OF THE TRUCK, ABOUT 148,000 MILES. IT RECENTLY ALMOST CAUGHT FIRE OVERHEATING AFTER ANOTHER GASKET FAILURE. WE FEEL THAT EITHER THE ORIGINAL REPAIR WAS NOT PROPERLY COMPLETED OR ANOTHER FAULTY GASKET WAS INSTALLED. IT'S AMAZING THAT BOTH TIMES THE GASKET FAILED AT AROUND THE SAME MILEAGE, 75,000. THIS CAR HAS BEEN EXTREMELY WELL MAINTAINED AND GARAGED WITH A SINGLE OWNER.
FAN BLADE DISINTEGRATED AT HIGHWAY SPEED. DENTED HOOD, CRACKED BATTERY, RUINED SHROUD AND ALTERNATOR BELT. *TR
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRACKET SUB-ASSEMBLY THAT HELD THE CLUTCH AND BRAKE PEDAL WAS FRACTURED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL OR THE CLUTCH. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE FAILURE AT LEAST THREE TIMES IN LESS THAN ONE YEAR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. ..UPDATED 11/14/12 *BF UPDATED 11/14/12
CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET FAILURE NO EVENTS WERE PRESENT LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE OF MY CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET ASSEMBLY. WHILE APPROACHING A STOPLIGHT IN TRAFFIC I DEPRESSED MY CLUTCH PEDAL IN ORDER TO GEAR DOWN FOR THE STOP. WHILE DEPRESSING THE PEDAL I HEARD A LOUD SNAP - THE SOUND OF THE CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET BREAKING. WITH THE BRACKET BROKEN THERE WAS NO ACCEPTABLE WAY TO DISENGAGE THE CLUTCH AND GET THE VEHICLE OUT OF GEAR TO STOP FOR THE STOP LIGHT. I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES AND BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A STOP (WHICH STALLED THE VEHICLE) BEFORE REAR ENDING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. ONCE THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I HAD TO USE THE STARTER WITH THE VEHICLE IN GEAR TO CLEAR THE INTERSECTION. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TOWED TO MY RESIDENCE SO I CAN DECIDE HOW TO FIX THIS. IT SEEMS TOYOTA KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM AND OFFERS AN "UPGRADED" BRACKET AT A PREMIUM PRICE ALONG WITH A PREMIUM INSTALLATION FEE. AFTER BROWSING THE INTERNET IT SEEMS AS IF THIS PROBLEM IS VERY COMMON AMONG TOYOTA TRUCK, 4-RUNNER AND T-100 OWNERS ALIKE. THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM COULD BE LIFE THREATENING! *NM
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
CLUTCH/BRAKE PEDAL BRACKET BROKE/CRACKED AFTER PRESSING THE CLUTCH PEDAL. WAS ORIGINALLY DIAGNOSED AS A BAD CLUTCH AND ALMOST PULLED THE PLUG TO GET THE CLUTCH REPLACED. WOULD HAVE BEEN A LOAD OF WASTED MONEY ON A POOR DIAGNOSIS. PEDAL BRACKET CRACKED WITH CLUTCH PEDAL WAS PRESSED TO START THE CAR. HEARD LOUR CRACK, CAR STARTED, BUT WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRACKET SUB-ASSEMBLY THAT HELD THE CLUTCH AND BRAKE PEDAL WAS FRACTURED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL OR THE CLUTCH. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE FAILURE AT LEAST THREE TIMES IN LESS THAN ONE YEAR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. ..UPDATED 11/14/12 *BF UPDATED 11/14/12
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. THE WELDS ON THE REAR SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE POPPED AND FRACTURED WHICH CAUSED THE READ END TO FALL OFF. THE WELD DID NOT FRACTURE, BUT INSTEAD POPPED AWAY FROM THE REAR END WHICH HELD THE REAR SWAY BAR ONTO THE AXLE. THE WELDS POPPED ON BOTH SIDES. THE TRUCK HAD NEVER HAD A HITCH OR CARRIED A HEAVY LOAD ON THE VEHICLE.
DOOR LOCKS FAILED DUE TO FAILED RELAY IN DOOR CONTROL MODUAL, UNABLE TO UNLOCK DOORS MANUALLY OR ELECTRICALLY. *AK
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE WAS PARKED BUT TURNED ON, HAD JUST SHIFTED INTO REVERSE WITH FOOT ON BRAKES WHEN IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED BACKWARDS. HIT 2 PARKED VEHICLES. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. HAVE NOT CONTACTED DEALERSHIP.*AK
VEHICLE WAS AT A LIGHT AND CONSUMER STEPPED ON CLUTCH AND HEARD A SNAP. VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD, AND HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. CONSUMER PUT VEHICLE IN PARK POSITION, AND GOT UNDER THE DASHBOARD. NOTICED BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE CLUTCH PEDAL WAS BROKEN. DEALER DIDN'T WANT TO SEE THE VEHICLE UNLESS CONSUMER WAS PAYING TO REPAIR IT.*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
THE REAR AXLE BROKE AT 70MPH, RESULTING IN A COLLISION WHICH CAUSED MINOR INJURIES.*AK *ML
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING 40 TO 45 MPH THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE REAR AXLE CAME OFF CAUSING THE TRUCK TO ROLLOVER TRUCK WAS TOTOALED . TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AS SOON AS CONUMER HAD RETURNED HOME, DEALER HAD CHANGED THE WIRES AND WIRING BECAUSE THEY HAD BURNED PREVIOUSLY, CONSUMER HAD BEEN SMELLING SOMETHING BURNING PRIOR TO FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CLAIM 11-3602-682. *SLC
THIS VEHICLE BEHAVES IN A VERY "LEMON" LIKE WAY. NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL FAILURES SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE. MAIN PROBLEM IS VEHICLE JUMPING IN AND OUT OF OVERDRIVE AT HIGHWAY CRUISING SPEEDS. (A CONSTANT PROBLEM.) TOYOTA SEEMS TO NOT WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM, ALTHOUGH I KNOW OF AT LEAST ONE OTHER OWNER LOCALLY WHO HAS EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. AT ONE TIME, A WIRING HARNESS WAS BLAMED AND A FIX WAS MADE THAT CURED THE PROBLEM FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS. VEHICLE CONSTANTLY LEAKS OIL, EVEN THOUGH THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP "FIXED" THESE PROBLEMS AS PART OF A RECALL IN LATE 1997. (PROBLEM NEVER STAYED FIXED.) ELECTRICAL SHORTS IN WIRING ALSO CAUSED SEVERAL INSTANCES OF BATTERY LOSS OF POWER SO BADLY THAT BATTERY HAD TO BE REPLACED NUMEROUS TIMES. TRANSMISSION HAS ALWAYS BEHAVED POORLY, ENGINE ALWAYS LEAKS OIL, AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ARE ABUNDANT. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS LOCKED INSIDE THIS VEHICLE AND UNABLE TO GET OUT. I ENDED UP SMASHING THE WINDOW AFTER 45 MINUTES AND CRAWLING OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE DOOR LOCKS WERE "ENERGIZED" AND HOLDING THE LOCK LEVERS DOWN. MECHANIC IS UNABLE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENED AND THE LOCK SOLENOIDS ARE STILL IN THIS SAME SITUATION. THE LOCK ARMS HAVE BEEN DISCONNECTED.
CONSUMER WAS LOCKED INSIDE OF HIS VEHICLE AND WAS UNABLE TO GET OUT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
1990 4 RUNNER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHICH OCCURRED DUE TO FAULTY STEERING RELAY ROD. *TS THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL FOR THE STEERING RELAY ROD SEVERAL YEARS AFTER THE COMPONENT HAD ALREADY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A SINGLE CAR ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER. CONSEQUENTLY THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED SERIOUS INJURIES AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED. THE CONSUMER NOW REALIZES THAT THE ACCIDENT WAS LIKELY DUE TO THE STEERING RELAY ROD PROBLEM MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. *NM
WHILE MAKING A LANE CHANG ETO THE LEFT AND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT, THERE WAS NO RSPONSE FROM VEHICLE. LOST CONTROL, RESULTING IN A COLLISION. *AK
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
FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRE (P235 75 R15) EXPERIENCED BLOWOUT BETWEEN THE TREAD AND SIDEWALL, CONSUMER HAD TAKEN TIRES TO SERVICE CENTER BECAUSE SOMEONE HAD STATED TIRE HAD HAIR LINE CRACKS, HOWEVER CENTER STATED CRACKS WERE NORMAL. *SLC
THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON INTERSTATE 10 IN TEMPE, ARIZONA AT APPROXIMATELY 12 NOON. AT THE TIME I WAS A RESIDENT OF TEMPE, ARIZONA FOR 12 YEARS. THE FAILURE WAS A SUDDEN AND COMPLETE TREAD SEPARATION OF THE RIGHT REAR TIRE WITHOUT ANY WARNING WHATSOEVER. THE AGE OF THE TIRE AND TREAD WEAR IS UNKNOWN. I WAS THE ONLY OCCUPANT OF THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME. I MAINTAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND BROUGHT IT TO A STOP WITHOUT DIFFICULTY. NO OTHER REPORT IS AVAILABLE. I PAID TO REPLACE THE TIRE AT A FIRESTONE DEALER. OTHER INFORMATION: I HAVE OBSERVED OTHER QUALITY PROBLEMS WITH THIS MODEL TIRE INCLUDING TIRES GETTING OUT OF BALANCE SOON AFTER PURCHASE AND PARTIAL TREAD SEPARATION ON TIRES WITH HEAVY WEAR.( DOT NUMBER: N/A TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 50 MPH, SWITCHING LANES THE VEHICLE WOBBLED AND SPUN OUT OF CONTROL, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLLOVER, INJURING THE DRIVER. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
PASSENGER'S SIDE EXTERIOR MIRROR WOULD SEVERELY VIBRATE WHEN TRAVELING AT 30MPH OR MORE. THIS CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND WAS UNWILLING TO ASSIST ON THIS MATTER. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS PROBLEM.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
OWNER STATES THAT VEHICLE HAD ROLLED OVER BUT HE WAS ABLE TO EXIT VEHICLE WITHOUT PUSHING THE RELEASE BUTTON, HE IS CONCERNED ABOUT HIS SAFETY. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRUCK WENT UP IN FLAMES FOR NO REASON. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
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 .