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1997 Toyota 4RUNNERProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 261 owner complaints about the 1997 Toyota 4RUNNER, most often about the suspension. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

26
CarFlaw IndexYear to avoid2.9× the 4RUNNER median · #7 of 35 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints26152 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage169kSuspension, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 25, 2023. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1997 Toyota 4RUNNER has problems

261 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
Suspension9510
Structure764
Service brakes, hydraulic285
Power train254
Tires184
Engine and engine cooling142
Steering142
Vehicle speed control116
Air bags99
13 other systems407

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

1 recall

1997 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.

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.

Mileage at failure

When do suspension problems start?

169kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 59 suspension complaints. 8% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
1under 30k miles5under 100k miles54100k miles or more
Best & worst years

1997 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

1997 Toyota 4RUNNER safety ratings

1997 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
In owners' words

What 4RUNNER owners report

Recent suspension complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

I have had this vehicle since 12/1997 and it had always been garaged. The body is in very good condition. I live in northern Wisconsin and road salt is prevalent during the harsh winters. At the first part od April I was driving on Hwy, 47 toward Minocqua and suddenly the steering felt vague. I…
Complaint 11523903 · May 25, 2023
PURCHASED A USED 1997 4-RUNNER WITH CA. 258000 MILES EARLY IN 2020. ENGINE AND WHOLE BODY WAS GOOD. HOWEVER, 6 MONTH LATER THE CAR STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY IN THE REAR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS SWINGING LIKE A BOAT, WHICH I THOUGH WAS DUE TO A BROKEN SHOCK, SPRINGS WERE NEWLY INSTALLED IN 2020. I NOTICED…
Complaint 11360061 · Sep 20, 2020 · 260,000 miles
VERY RUSTED OUT UNDERCARRIAGE. MY OTHER IS ONLY 3 YEARS NEWER AND HAS NOTHING LIKE THIS ON IT. I WAS ADVISED TO SELL IT BY A SUSPENSION SHOP THAT NOTED MY BROKEN, RUSTED OUT UNDERCARRIAGE, BAD SHOCK AND THE CONDITION OF THE REAR OF THE TRUCK'S FRAME IN GENERAL. THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TRUCK…
Complaint 11235080 · Jul 26, 2019 · 350,000 miles

Own a 1997 4RUNNER?

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