1998 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
135
Owner Complaints
0
Recalls
9
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 1998 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER
The 1998 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER has received a total of 135 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). 9 technical service bulletins have been issued by Toyota Motor Corporation for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Tires (17 complaints), Tirestreadbelt (13 complaints), and Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline (8 complaints).
Recalls for the 1998 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER
There are no recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1998 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. No Active Recalls
Owner Complaints for the 1998 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER
135 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1998 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
WITHIN YEAR ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED, UNDER WARRANTY. WAS TOLD BY SERVICE MANAGER AT DEALERSHIP WAS DUE TO BRAKING EXCESSIVELY DURING RAIN ON LONG DOWNHILL RUN. SUGGESTED TO GEAR DOWN WHICH I NOW DO. SITUATION DID NOT REPEAT EXCEPT THAT I NOW INTERMITTENTLY EXPERIENCE SIMILAR "PULSATING" WHILE BRAKING. WAS TOLD BY ANOTHER REPAIR SERVICE THAT I WOULD EVENTUALLY HAVE TO REPLACE ROTORS. *JB
RE: CAMPAIGN NUMBER 02V021000 COMPONENT: SUSPENSION I WAS TOLD BY JAY AT TOYOTA (800 3314331 EXT 5)THAT THIS RECALL DOES NOT APPLY TO MY 1998 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SR5. PLEASE RESEARCH & REPORT. I WAS GIVEN THIS CAMPAIGN NUMBER BY EFI AUTO SERVICE. MECHANIC STATED THAT HIS WIFE TOOK HER 1998 4 RUNNER SR5 INTO THE DEALER & REPAIRS WERE MADE. WHAT DETERMINES WHICH AUTO WILL BE SERVICED BY THIS RECALL. *NM
1998 TOYOTA 4RUNNER LEFT FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BALL JOINT FAILED CAUSING THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL TO BECOME DISENGAGED, BREAKING THE TIE RODS AND THE FRONT HALF AXLE. ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***.*MR *JB THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THEY REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. *NM
CONSUMER'S CHILD IS NO LONGER ABLE TO FIT IN THE GRACO COMFORT SPORT CHILD SEAT EVEN THOUGH IT IS SUPPOSE TO FIT UP TO 40LBS.*MR *TT THE CONSUMER WISHES TO WITHDRAWAL HIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE HE HAS LEARNED OF A DIFFERENT WAY TO ADJUST THE SEAT. *NM
I WAS DRIVING ON HWY. 45 ABOUT 65 MPH. MY SISTER AND NEPHEW WERE IN THE VEHICLE WITH ME. ALL OF A SUDDEN, WE HEARD A LOUD POP. I FELT THE POWER GO OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND PROCEEDED TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE FREEWAY - ALMOST HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. MY NEPHEW SAID IT SOUNDED LIKE WE GOT A FLAT TIRE. THEN WE NOTICED SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN WE GO TOUT, WE NOTICED OIL ON THE GROUND -UNDER THE VEHICLE. WE LIFTED THE HOOD - AND NOTICED A HOLE IN THE ENGINE BLOCK. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO A GAS STATION, AND THEN PICKED UP THE NEXT DAY BY THE REPAIR SHOP. THE VEHICLE IS UNDER WARRANTY WITH GAP INSURANCE. THE REPAIR SHOP IS TELLING ME THE WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER IT, AND THAT IT IS NOT A MANUFACTURE MALFUNCTION. I ALSO HAD JUST WITHIN LESS THAN A MONTH AGO, HAD TO HAVE THE STARTER REPLACED, PRIOR TO THIS HAPPENING.
Safety Rating for the 1998 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1998 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1998 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER
Toyota Motor Corporation has issued 9 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 1998 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
03019 — SUSPENSION:REAR
SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN (SSC) - 20A RENOTIFICATION REAR SUSPENSION MODIFICATION FOR OWNERS WHOSE VEHICLES HAVE NOT YET HAD SSC 20A REPAIRS COMPLETED. *TT
02051 — SUSPENSION:REAR
SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN 20A REGARDING RENOTIFICATION OF REAR SUSPENSION MODIFICATION. *TT
BR00700 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
SUBJECT REGARDING NEW FRONT BRAKE PAD KITS TO REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF FRONT BRAKE VIBRATION. *TT
BO01199 — SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
THIS BULLETIN INTRODUCES INFORMATION ON THE LOWER FRONT SEAT BELT ANCHOR SHAPE WHICH HAS BEEN CHANGED TO PREVENT STAINS IN THE CARPETING FROM TRANSFERRING ONTO THE SEAT BELT WEBBING FOR VEHICLES BUILT WITHIN CERTAIN VIN RANGES. *TT
EL00499 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CONDITIONS WITH DELAYED UPSHIFT TO OVERDRIVE WITH CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED. *TT
EG00799 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
SOME VEHICLES WITHIN CERTAIN VIN RANGES MAY EXHIBIT VACUUM SWITCHING VALVE (VSV) TICKING NOISE. *TT
010199 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH
SUBJECT REGARDING VEHICLES EXPERIENCING VACUUM SWITCHING VALVE MOUNT TICKING NOISE. *TT
EG01298 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
INFORMATION ON OXYGEN SENSOR IMPROVEMENT. *YC
TC00198 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
SOME AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS MAY PRODUCE A CHATTER NOISE WHEN SHIFTED OUT OT REVERSE INTO EITHER NEUTRAL OR PARK. *YC
NHTSA Investigations for the 1998 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the TOYOTA 4 RUNNER
- 1994 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER — 61 complaints
- 1995 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER — 149 complaints
- 1996 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER — 111 complaints
- 1997 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER — 163 complaints
- 1998 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER (current)
- 1999 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER — 134 complaints
- 2000 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER — 118 complaints
- 2001 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER — 34 complaints
- 2002 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER — 45 complaints
- 2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER — 188 complaints
Other TOYOTA Models
- TOYOTA CAMRY — 23,209 total complaints
- TOYOTA PRIUS — 15,411 total complaints
- TOYOTA COROLLA — 14,342 total complaints
- TOYOTA RAV4 — 11,737 total complaints
- TOYOTA SIENNA — 10,769 total complaints
- TOYOTA TACOMA — 10,512 total complaints
- TOYOTA TUNDRA — 8,997 total complaints
- TOYOTA HIGHLANDER — 6,663 total complaints