Print this page

1.3

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
132,075 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1998 Toyota 4Runner body / paint problems

body / paint problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1998 Toyota 4Runner:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

1998 Toyota 4Runner Owner Comments (Page 2 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #26

Aug 042016

4Runner

  • 81,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Frame is loaded with holes body panels are perfect. Car is unsafe to drive and will not pass safety inspection. With only 80,000 miles

- Auburn, ME, USA

problem #25

May 092017

4Runner

  • 150,000 miles
Badly rusted frame, by mechanic unsafe to drive it. Started making noises under the car reason why I took to the mechanic.

- Naples, FL, USA

problem #24

Dec 292016

4Runner

  • 143,516 miles
After multi-point inspection, dealer informed me that the "frame is very rusted and is rotting out where rear suspension meets frame. Do not recommend to drive."

- Wallingford, CT, USA

problem #23

Jul 012016

4Runner

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Extensive under body frames scaly rust and with specific serious damage to rear struts base. Whole piece supporting strut base broken completely broken around and sunk in creating loud noise with the list impact. I have several pictures as proof.

- Bowie, MD, USA

problem #22

Nov 282015

4Runner

  • 161,000 miles
The contact owns a 1998 Toyota 4runner. While driving approximately 45 mph, there was an abnormal noise coming from the steering wheel. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road and noticed that the rear passenger side frame was corroded. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 161,000.

- Wichita, KS, USA

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

problem #21

Aug 112016

4Runner

  • 152,000 miles
The contact owns a 1998 Toyota 4runner. While driving approximately 60 mph, the vehicle veered to the left and right before wobbling violently. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the rear passenger side of the frame was fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 152,000.

- Lanesboro, IA, USA

problem #20

Jun 172016

4Runner

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The frame or the chassis and all around it are heavily corroded that I was advised by the inspector and the tire place (costco) where I brought the car for tire replacement not to drive it as it is unsafe. I understand that the Toyota Tacoma of the same year with the same kind oh chassis was recalled by Toyota. My question is why not do the same for the 4runner?

- Wesley Hills, NY, USA

problem #19

May 272016

4Runner

  • miles
I own a wonderful 1998 Toyota 4runner ltd sport vehicle. The frame is disappearing due to severe rust. The heat shield has worn away, and now my feet get very hot after just 20 minutes of local driving. Have had it checked by a garage, nothing functionally wrong with my SUV.

- Glen Cove, NY, USA

problem #18

Sep 152015

4Runner

  • 183,000 miles
The contact owns a 1998 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to have the radiator replaced however, while the vehicle was being hoisted on the lift, the sub frame fractured. The contact stated that there was severe frame rust to the sub frame. The contact was informed that the sub frame was compromised and the vehicle was unsafe to repair while on a lift. The radiator was repaired, however the frame rust failure was not repaired. The contact also stated that the passenger's side rear torsion bar also fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 183,000.

- Naperville, IL, USA

problem #17

Jan 252015

4Runner

  • miles
The vehicle in question has serious signs of frame decay that should not be present on a vehicle of this age and use. There are three areas of frame perforation that suggest a defect in the material and/or design of the frame. This issue seems to be prevalent on 1998 models of this same vehicle as I have found numerous complaints of the same nature within the NHTSA site as well as other sites around the internet. I have contacted Toyota corporate and was met with an unwillingness to properly address this issue. I will follow up with photos of the frame perforation to show the extent of the deterioration.

- Alton, IL, USA

problem #16

Feb 072016

4Runner

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Like the overwhelming majority of Toyota complaints, frame rust. Took the 1998 4runner for new tires and alignment. Alignment could not be done because of massive erosion due to rust on the frame connecting rear control arms. 4runner essentially undriveable at this at this point. Contacted Toyota hq and, as everyone else on the NHTSA complaints site says, they would do nothing although they did take care of the Tacoma problem.

- Brookfield, IL, USA

problem #15

Jan 202016

4Runner

  • 211,750 miles
Rusted frame on drivers side rear, holes in frame, which holds the sway bar. Mechanic noticed during oil change. Took to dealer and was told nothing they could do. Very dangerous condition.

- Canton, CT, USA

problem #14

Sep 162015

4Runner

  • 198,000 miles
The contact owns a 1998 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that while changing the oil and fuel filter, it was discovered that the vehicle had severe corrosion to the frame. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 198,000.

- Berwyn, IL, USA

problem #13

Jan 042016

4Runner

  • 157,000 miles
Frame is rotting out by control brackets. I've been told by a mechanic that it will not make it through the winter. Its not safe and will crumple on impact.

- Marquette, MI, USA

problem #12

Jul 152011

4Runner

  • 180,000 miles
Rear frame rusted out where sway bars attach, frame mounts broke while towing a trailer on sr 22 in southern Ohio. Lost control of vehicle crossed two lanes of traffic before gaining control and stopping the 4runner.

- Sugar Grove, OH, USA

problem #11

Jul 012014

4Runner

  • 165,000 miles
Frame rusted through prematurely on my truck. Truck is unsafe to drive and a huge disappointment.

- Schaumburg, IL, USA

problem #10

Jun 242015

4Runner

  • 158,000 miles
Recently bought this 1998 4runner thinking it was in great condition. After the purchase we brought it to a mechanic to have it checked out and have the back brakes fixed. While he was doing the maintenance he saw that the whole underbody frame of the truck is rusted out and isn't even drivable due to the fact at any moment the whole back of the truck could fall out. I understand that this stuff happens but through my research this is fairly common in the older 4runner models along with the very similar framed Tacoma which has the frame recall.

- Grayling , MI, USA

problem #9

Jun 172015

4Runner

  • 213,000 miles
The contact owns a 1998 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that there was rust on the rear passenger side of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that there was structural failure of the rear passenger side frame due to rust. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 213,000.

- Catonsville, MD, USA

problem #8

May 252005

4Runner 6-cyl

  • miles
The frame of the body is rusting from the inside to outside, its a safety issue since it might take a while before one can realize what is going on since the outer part of the vehicle frame somewhat seem to be ok.

- Aurora, IL, USA

problem #7

May 312013

4Runner 6-cyl

  • 230,000 miles
The contact owns a 1998 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 mph, the rear of the vehicle began shaking violently. The contact stopped the vehicle on the shoulder of the road. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnosis. The mechanic stated there was corrosion on the left rear axle trailing arm attachment point. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 230,000.

- Ansted, WV, USA

Read the next 6 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?