Model Year Problem Record

Toyota 4RUNNER 1997 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 1997 Toyota 4RUNNER: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

261Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints

1Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls

0Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations

57Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Suspension96 complaints

96 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 02V021000.

Vehicle Structure77 complaints

77 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes33 complaints

33 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train26 complaints

26 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other21 complaints

21 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires18 complaints

18 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Engine14 complaints

14 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering14 complaints

14 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

02V021000Reported January 18, 2002 - 273,743 vehicles potentially affected

Suspension. Recall covering the suspension system, reported to NHTSA on January 18, 2002. The campaign covers an estimated 273,743 vehicles across all affected models.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

19951

19977

199817

199919

200013

20019

200220

200316

200413

20056

20062

20078

20084

20095

201018

201110

201210

20139

201416

201516

201611

20178

201813

20195

20204

20231

How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.