Model Year Problem Record

Toyota 4RUNNER 1998 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 1998 Toyota 4RUNNER: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

249Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints

1Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls

0Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations

31Complaints 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.

Vehicle Structure78

Suspension64

Tires29

Engine16

Brakes16

Vehicle Speed Control8

Latches, Locks and Linkages2

Visibility1

Fuel and Propulsion System1

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.

Vehicle Structure78 complaints

78 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension64 complaints

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

Tires29 complaints

29 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Engine16 complaints

16 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes16 complaints

16 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other15 complaints

15 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train12 complaints

12 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering12 complaints

12 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility1 complaints

1 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.

19971

19986

199922

200028

200112

200221

20039

200412

20056

20063

20079

20083

20092

20106

201111

201210

201310

20146

201519

201616

20178

201812

20199

20205

20222

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.