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1990 Toyota 4RUNNERProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 78 owner complaints about the 1990 Toyota 4RUNNER, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

51
CarFlaw IndexSolid year4% below the 4RUNNER median · #19 of 35 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints7822 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage115kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 26, 2018. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1990 Toyota 4RUNNER has problems

78 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling385
Power train144
Structure80
Service brakes, hydraulic72
Vehicle speed control53
Service brakes20
Steering22
Latches/locks/linkages20
Tires20
6 other systems63

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

1990 Toyota 4RUNNER recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Relay: connecting

Recall 05V-389 · Sep 6, 2005 · 977,839 vehicles

Risk. IF THE VEHICLE IS CONTINUED TO BE OPERATED IN THIS CONDITION, THE RELAY ROD MAY FRACTURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Toyota.

Best & worst years

1990 vs. every other 4RUNNER year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the 4RUNNER median. How we score

'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1990 Toyota 4RUNNER safety ratings

1990 Toyota 4Runner 4-DR. 4x4 in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
4 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1990 Toyota 4RUNNER, and the recalls they led to.

  1. REAR SEAT BELT ROUTINGDP02002 · closed Aug 26, 2002
    No recall
  2. LOSS OF BRK EFFECTIVENESSEA92011 · closed Jan 21, 1993
    No recall
  3. LOSS OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENESPE91147 · closed Mar 24, 1992
    No recall
  4. CORRODED BRAKE LINESSQ99003 · closed Apr 22, 1999
    No recall
In owners' words

What 4RUNNER owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

I BROUGHT MY TOYOTA TO THE REPAIR SHOP,THE REPAIRMAN TOLD ME MY CAR HAS A DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET AND TOLD ME TO CALL THE TOYOTA DEALER FOR REPAIR. I CALLED THE DEALER THEY TOLD ME THAT THE HEAD GASKET HAD BEEN REPAIRED. THEY WILL NOT PAY FOR IT AGAIN. I THINK THAT IS NOT FAIR FOR A CONSUMER TO PAY…
Complaint 10153566 · Mar 23, 2006 · 91,012 miles
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONSUMER NOTICED FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR AN INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
Complaint 10096606 · Oct 12, 2004
I PURCHASED MY 4RUNNER USED IN 1998. THE MILEAGE AT PURCHASE WAS ONLY 30K, AS IT HAD BEEN USED PRIMARILY FOR DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. THE ORIGINAL OWNER INFORMED ME THAT A NOTICE HAD BEEN SENT BY TOYOTA REGARDING HEAD GASKET FAILURES (TSB #97121797017), AND THAT TOYOTA WOULD HONOR THE REPAIRS…
Complaint 10069821 · Jan 15, 2004

Own a 1990 4RUNNER?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.