The 1993 Toyota 4Runner has 3 safety recalls and 51 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (20 complaints).
Recalls3safety recalls
Complaints51filed by owners
Crashes · fires4 · 2reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths6 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Exterior lighting
NHTSA recall 09E012000 · Apr 7, 2009 · 16,270 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (OVSC)
Problem: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Exterior lighting
NHTSA recall 06E049000 · May 24, 2006 · 27,176 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (OVSC)
Problem: CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
Problem: ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, IF THE STEERING WHEEL IS REPEATEDLY TURNED UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS WHERE HIGH STEERING EFFORT AND POWER ASSIST ARE REQUIRED, FOR INSTANCE, WHEN FULLY TURNING THE WHEEL WHILE THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED, A FATIGUE CRACK MAY DEVELOP IN THE STEERING RELAY ROD.
Risk: IF THE VEHICLE IS CONTINUED TO BE OPERATED IN THIS CONDITION, THE RELAY ROD MAY FRACTURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING RELAY ROD. THE RECALL BEGAN OCTOBER 5, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
1993 Toyota 4Runner 4-DR. 4x4
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
4Runner 4WD
18mpg combined
City / highway
17 / 20 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.4 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel
4Runner 2WD
17mpg combined
City / highway
15 / 19 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel
4Runner 4WD
17mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 18 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel
4Runner 4WD
14mpg combined
City / highway
13 / 17 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,800/year to fuel
4Runner 4WD
13mpg combined
City / highway
12 / 15 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $5,150/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Engine and engine cooling Engine; Cooling system › Fan
20
0
0
0
150,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic Foundation components; Foundation components › Disc › Rotor
9
0
0
0
—
Steering Linkages › Rod › Relay › Connecting; Hydraulic power assist system
7
3
0
3
—
Electrical system Instrument cluster/panel; Wiring
Fuel system, gasoline Fuel injection system › Fuel rail
2
0
1
0
—
Equipment Mechanical › Carrier/rack
1
0
0
0
—
Wheels Rim
1
0
0
0
—
Service brakes, air Antilock
1
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Apr 2, 2018 · 200,000 milesFuel/propulsion system FUEL PRESSURE DAMPER FAILED SPILLING FUEL ONTO EXHAUST CROSSOVER. I HAD AN ODOR OF FUEL COMING FROM VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY 1 MONTH. UNABLE TO LOCATE ISSUE. FUEL SMELL WOULD ALSO COME THROUGH THE A/C INTO THE CABIN. UPON RESEARCHING THE ISSUE, I CAME ACROSS MANY FORUM THREADS WITH OWNERS COMPLAINING OF THIS ISSUE. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND MANY FIRES HAVE STARTED DUE TO THIS FAILURE. CLUES TO FAILURE ARE ERRATIC RPM DUE TO LOSS OF FUEL PRESSURE AND STRONG ODOR OF FUEL COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. MANY OWNER COMPLAINTS ON FORUM THREADS. GRANTED IT IS AN OLDER VEHICLE, BUT MANY THREADS ARE FROM OVER 10 YEARS AGO INDICATING THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER VEHICLE WAS 15 YEARS OLD. PART COSTS…
Sep 3, 2007 · 150,000 milesPower train TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, HE WAS UNABLE TO SWITCH GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE METAL BRACKET WHICH HELD THE BRAKE AND CLUTCH PEDAL WAS FRACTURED AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE FAILURE RECURRED. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL IN WHICH THE METAL BRACKET WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. *JB
Jun 21, 2013 · 90,000 milesSeat belts THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT OF MY 1993 TOYOTA PICKUP TRUCK WILL NOT EXTEND. IS IT POSSIBLE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS PART, AND IF SO, WOULD IT STILL BE IN EFFECT? *TR
Apr 17, 2013Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel DESERT TOYOTA IN TUCSON LOCATED AT 7150 E. 22D STREET, TUCSON, AZ 85710 SOLD US THIS CAR AND MALICIOUSLY HID THE TRUE ODOMETER READING... BY 85,000 MILES DIFFERENCE... A MISDEMEANORS. THEY ADMITTED THIS AND AFTER WE RETAINED AN ATTORNEY, THEY UNDID THE DEAL. BIG LIARS, FRAUDS, CHEATS. THE SALESMAN WHO DID THIS, ALONG WITH HIS FRAUDULENT SALES MANAGER, IS NAMED [XXX]. THEY LIED FROM THE START, SAYING "THE CAR IS TOO OLD TO PULL A CARFAX". THE CAR BROKE DOWN WITHIN HOURS OF LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP. IT WOULD NOT GO OVER 35 MILES PER HOUR. OUR ATTORNEY PULLED A CARFAX IMMEDIATELY AND EXPOSED THE ALTERED MILEAGE AS WELL AS A SERIOUS PRIOR COLLISION WHICH DEEMED THE CAR DISABLED. WE HAVE NOTIFIED…
Dec 23, 2010 · 185,000 miles · fireElectrical system AFTER TRAVELING 1/4 MILE, THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO GAS LEAK IN FUEL LINE. BASED ON THE FIRE DAMAGE, THE SOURCE OF THE LEAK IS APPROXIMATELY BEHIND THE FIRE WALL OF THE SPEEDOMETER. *TR
Jun 5, 2010Engine and engine cooling › Engine 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
Jan 17, 2007 · 127,381 milesEngine and engine cooling › Engine 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 FROM THE DEALER). SO THE FIRST HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED AT NO CHARGE, THEN IT FAILED WITHIN NINE MONTHS, SO THEY PAID FOR THE SECOND. BUT THEY HAVE NOT PAID FOR THE THIRD, FORTH, NOR NOW NOT THE FIFTH. *TR
Dec 24, 2007 · 36,000 milesElectrical system › Instrument cluster/panel TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES DISPLAY INACCURATE READINGS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE CIRCUIT BOARD IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MILEAGE WAS RESET; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED ONE YEAR LATER. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER IS UNABLE TO ASSIST. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,203 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
DP02002 · opened Mar 26, 2002 · closed Aug 26, 2002REAR SEAT BELT ROUTING
SQ99003 · opened Jan 27, 1999 · closed Apr 22, 1999CORRODED BRAKE LINES TOYOTA IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL IN CANADA 98-253. CORRODED BRAKE LINES COULD FAIL RESULTING IN A PARTIAL BRAK SYSTEM LOSS AND INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES