Model year record

1996 Toyota 4Runner recalls & problems

The 1996 Toyota 4Runner has 5 safety recalls and 161 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is structure (43 complaints).

Recalls5safety recalls

Complaints161filed by owners

Crashes · fires17 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths16 · 2reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009

Exterior lighting

Recall 09E01200016,270 vehiclesopened 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 lightingMay 24, 2006

Exterior lighting

Recall 06E04900027,176 vehiclesopened 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.

Exterior lightingMar 23, 2006

Exterior lighting

Recall 06E02600061,944 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN 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: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

SuspensionJan 18, 2002

Suspension

Recall 02V021000273,743 vehicles

Problem: ON CERTAIN 2-WHEEL-DRIVE (2WD) AND 4-WHEEL-DRIVE (4WD) 4RUNNER SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, A COMBINATION OF HEAVY LOADING (SIMULTANEOUS LOADING TO REAR GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATING AND GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING) AND SEVERE STEERING MANEUVERS COULD CAUSE THE 2WD 4RUNNER TO LOSE DIRECTIONAL STABILITY.
Risk: THIS MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE REAR SUSPENSION PARTS. ALTHOUGH THE 4WD 4RUNNERS DO NOT EXHIBIT THE HANDLING CONDITION, TOYOTA WILL RECALL THESE VEHICLES TO AVOID ANY PUBLIC CONFUSION AS TO WHICH VEHICLES SHOULD RECEIVE THE REPLACEMENT PARTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 28, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

EquipmentJun 12, 1996

Other › Labels

Recall 96V09800015,707 vehicles

Problem: THE STICKER REQUIRED BY PART 575, "CONSUMER INFORMATION REGULATIONS" TO ALERT THE DRIVER OF "THE PARTICULAR HANDLING AND MANEUVERING CHARACTERISTICS OF UTILITY VEHICLES" WAS NOT AFFIXED TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR.
Risk: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: OWNERS MAY NOT BE AWARE OF THE HANDLING AND MANUEVERING CHARACTERISTICS OF THIS VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SUN VISORS ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WITH VISORS CONTAINING THE CORRECT LABELS.

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

1996 Toyota 4Runner 4-DR. 4x4

OverallNot 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 2WD

20mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.7 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

4Runner 2WD

20mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.7 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

4Runner 4WD

18mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 20 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.7 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

4Runner 2WD

17mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 20 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.4 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

4Runner 4WD

17mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 20 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.7 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

4Runner 4WD

16mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 18 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.4 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

4Runner 4WD

16mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 18 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.4 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/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*
StructureBody; Frame and members	43	2	0	7	185,000 mi
SuspensionRear; Front	39	3	1	4	184,000 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Engine › Gasoline	26	0	0	0	113,413 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components	19	3	0	1	—
TiresTread/belt; Sidewall	16	3	0	3	162,600 mi
Unknown or other	11	0	0	0	202,500 mi
Air bagsFrontal	10	5	0	3	—
VisibilityWindshield; Defroster/defogger/hvac system	6	0	0	0	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Clutch assembly › Pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)	5	0	0	0	—
Vehicle speed control	5	2	0	0	90,000 mi
WheelsLugs/nuts/bolts/studs	4	1	0	0	—
Electrical systemIgnition › Module; 12v/24v/48v battery	3	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Wheels
I have noticed that my vehicle doesnât seem to be balance and most of the time i am afraid the tires will fall off by the movement of the vehicle. And the metal parts that attachment part it looks very bad on the metal parts like it rusted so bad. I hope they will be able to figure out whats wrong and if i am the only one who is experiencing this issue.
Sep 1, 2021
Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE SUN ROOF DETACHED AND FLEW OFF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT SHE WOULD RECEIVE A CALLBACK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 256,000.
Mar 21, 2021 · 256,000 miles
Suspension
MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN SLIPPING A LOT CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IT'S NOT THE FIRST TIME IT HAS HAPPENED JUST RECENTLY IT HAPPENED AGAIN AND I WAS TOLD TO CHECK IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE BUT THERE WASN'T BUT AFTER RESEARCHING MY 4RUNNER I'VE READ THERE WAS SOME RECALLS ON THE CAR ABOUT THE REAR SUSPENSION.
May 22, 2019 · 171,253 miles
Suspension
THE REAR AXLE/SUSPENSION IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. JUST TOOK IT TO MY AUTO SHOP FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND THEY WILL NOT PUT IT UP FOR AN OIL CHANGE BECAUSE THEY ARE AFRAID IT WILL COLLAPSE.
Jan 9, 2019
Suspension
THE AXEL SUPPORT RUSTED OFF CAUSING IT TO SEPARATE FROM THE FRAME. THIS RESULTS IN A DANGEROUS CONDITION
Dec 22, 2018 · 192,000 miles
Unknown or other
AXEL SUPPORTS RUSTED OFF THE FRAME MAKING IT DANGEROUS TO DRIVE
Dec 1, 2018 · 192,000 miles
Structure › Body
FRAME IS RUSTING VARY BADLY, IN TWO YEARS THE FRAME THAT IS THE DRIVE TRAIN WILL BE ALL GONE RUST! AND AUTO WILL NOT BE DRIVABLE THEN
May 19, 2010 · 200,000 miles
Unknown or other
1996 TOYOTA 4RUNNER, THE FRAME IS RUSTTING OUT TOTALLY. THE TOTAL FRAME IS RUST OR GONE. THIS 4RUNNER WAS ZEBARTED WHEN NEW. I HAVE BOUGHT THIS 4RUNNER NEW FROM SUNSHINE TOYOTA BATTLE CREEK,MI
Nov 4, 2014 · 205,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.