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1992 Toyota 4RUNNERProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 53 owner complaints about the 1992 Toyota 4RUNNER, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

62
CarFlaw IndexSolid year38% below the 4RUNNER median · #27 of 35 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints5313 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage139kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 23, 2016. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1992 Toyota 4RUNNER has problems

53 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 cooling180
Service brakes, hydraulic120
Electrical system62
Vehicle speed control64
Visibility40
Power train41
Tires30
Service brakes, air20
Steering21
4 other systems51

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

1 recall

1992 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

1992 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
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1992 Toyota 4RUNNER, and the recalls they led to.

  1. REAR SEAT BELT ROUTINGDP02002 · closed Aug 26, 2002
    No recall
  2. 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.

MYSTERIOUS COOLANT LOSS, PRESSURIZED SYSTEM FOUND NO EXTERNAL LEAKS. WATCHED PROBLEM FOR ABOUT A MONTH, KEPT TOPPING UP COOLANT. DRIVING HOME LAST NIGHT SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER ON FREE WAY TEMPERATURE SPIKE, ALMOST CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT GETTING OFF FREEWAY. HEAD GASKET FAILURE. TOWED. CAMPAIGN HAS…
Complaint 10249070 · Nov 18, 2008 · 213,000 miles
I HAVE A 1992 4 RUNNER. I PURCHASED IT IN 1997. I TOOK IT IN FOR THE RECALL ON THE HEAD WHEN I BOUGHT IT. I NOW HAS ANOTHER PROBLEM, ON OF THE CYLINDER IS ONLY PRODUCING 20% COMPRESSION. MY MECHANIC SAID THAT IT HAS TO DO WITH A PROBLEM WITH THE HEAD. IS THIS COVERED UNDER THE RECALL ALSO? *NM
Complaint 10180829 · Jan 26, 2007
1992 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER, 3.0 LITER, V-6, 4 WD TRUCK IN SHOP FOR BLOWN HEAD GASKET & POSSIBLE CRACKED BLOCK. I UNDERSTAND THIS VEHICLE HAS A DESIGN FLAW WHICH CAUSES HEAD GASKETS TO BLOW OVER AND OVER IN SPITE OF SO-CALLED GASKET "FIX" BY TOYOTA WHICH I HAD AFTER 50,000 MILES. TOYOTA SHOULD MAKE IT…
Complaint 10135700 · Sep 7, 2005 · 145,000 miles

Own a 1992 4RUNNER?

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