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1994 Toyota 4RUNNERProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 64 owner complaints about the 1994 Toyota 4RUNNER, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

55
CarFlaw IndexSolid year17% below the 4RUNNER median · #22 of 35 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints6421 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage99kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 28, 2021. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1994 Toyota 4RUNNER has problems

64 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 cooling263
Steering86
Service brakes, hydraulic61
Structure61
Wheels52
Tires40
Power train30
Vehicle speed control31
Visibility20
3 other systems31

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

1 recall

1994 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

1994 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

1994 Toyota 4RUNNER safety ratings

1994 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 1994 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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING SOUND FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED AN ABNORMAL ODOR OF OIL. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND UPON EXITING, NOTICED A FLAME UNDER THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED…
Complaint 10452644 · Mar 22, 2012 · 100,000 miles
THIS IS A FAILURE THAT HAS NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO IT. I OWN A 1994 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER WITH 4 WHEEL DRIVE. THE HARMONIC BALANCER HAS BROKEN MORE THAN 3 TIMES ON THIS VEHICLE. IT SEEMS THAT THE KEY THAT FITS INTO THE SLOT ON THE CRANK SHAFT IS TOO SHORT. THE KEY THAT FITS INTO THE SLOT ALSO KEEPS THE…
Complaint 10324604 · Apr 8, 2010 · 173,000 miles
ENGINE BLOWN HEAD GASKET CAUSED WATER TO LEAK INTO ENGINE CAUSING ENGINE FAILURE. TOYOTA REPAIRED UNDER RECALL SEVERAL YEARS AGO. NOW THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED AND NOW IT WILL COST ME $1,900.00 TO REPAIR THEIR POOR QUALITY, OR CRAFTSMANSHIP. WHY CAN'T WE GET TOYOTA TO WARRANTY THIS PROBLEM FOR THE…
Complaint 10318293 · Mar 9, 2010 · 115,000 miles

Own a 1994 4RUNNER?

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