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1993 Toyota 4RUNNERProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 51 owner complaints about the 1993 Toyota 4RUNNER, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

64
CarFlaw IndexSolid year44% below the 4RUNNER median · #29 of 35 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints5110 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage150kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 5, 2018. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1993 Toyota 4RUNNER has problems

51 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 cooling200
Service brakes, hydraulic70
Steering62
Electrical system52
Power train31
Tires31
Visibility21
Fuel system, gasoline21
Suspension22
5 other systems50

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

1 recall

1993 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

1993 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

1993 Toyota 4RUNNER safety ratings

1993 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
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1993 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.

I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR LESS THEN A MONTH AGO. IT HAS NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. NOW WHEN YOU START DRIVING IT WILL SHUT OFF AFTER 10 MINUTES. I WAS TOLD ITS EITHER A FLY WHEEL OR THE ENGINE HAS SEIZED. I PAID CASH AND HAVE NO MONEY TO PAY FOR ANY REPAIRS. IM 5.5 MONTHS PREGNANT TOO. *TR
Complaint 10340576 · Jun 29, 2010
MY 1993 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER HAS GONE THROUGH FOUR HEAD GASKETS IN THE LAST SEVEN YEARS. AND NOW IT NEEDS A FIFTH! TOYOTA ACTUALLY REPLACED THE FIRST TWO AT NO COST. TOYOTA HAD ISSUED A RECALL ON THE HEAD GASKET (THOUGH I RECEIVED NO NOTIFICATION OF THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW…
Complaint 10250008 · Nov 27, 2008 · 127,381 miles
93 4RUNNER HEAD GASKET BLOWN AGAIN. THEY REPLACED IT THE FIRST TIME IN 2001, BUT THE DESIGN OF THE GASKET WAS STILL FLAWED. TOYOTA SHOULD HAVE TO REPAIR ALL DEFECTIVE PARTS. IF A PART IS RECALLED, "FIXED", AND THEN CONTINUES TO BE DEFECTIVE THEN TOYOTA HAS NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM. THEY SHOULD BE HELD…
Complaint 10216729 · Feb 1, 2008 · 187,000 miles

Own a 1993 4RUNNER?

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