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1.2

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
144,640 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 miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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1998 Toyota 4Runner Owner Comments

problem #14

Jun 022019

4Runner

  • 227,912 miles

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

I was on my way to the store with my wife and all of a sudden the truck started to sway wildly, good thing there was no oncoming traffic at the time since the truck swerved into the opposing lane, I pulled over and thought at first the lug nuts came lose but when I crawled under the truck I had found that the frame is rotted away, apparently Toyota has an issues with there frames and I was asked by people online if I got a recall notice which I did not, I had bought the truck used from a used car dealer so im not sure if it was in the system, in any event I would like to know what are my options on this, the rest of the truck is in great shape and runs fine, I should not have to ensue a financial lose if this was a known issue, thank you

- Toms River, NJ, USA

problem #13

Dec 062018

4Runner

  • 95,000 miles
The frame is rusting terribly despite all efforts to curb it.

- Kingston, NY, USA

problem #12

Nov 012017

4Runner

  • 240,000 miles
My 1998 Toyota 4runner frame is comprised and deemed unsafe and undrivable due to severe frame rust. I had to remove it from the road since the body rocks on the frame and is unsafe to drive.

- Woodstock, MD, USA

problem #11

Aug 292017

4Runner

  • miles

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

When to get inspection sticker and fail because frame had holes on undercarriage and also on the chassis

- Middleboro, MA, USA

problem #10

Jan 011999

4Runner

  • miles
Severe frame rust prematurely. Frame integrity rapidly dissolving. Pieces of frame falling off. Unsafe to drive.

- Midland, TX, USA

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problem #9

Feb 272017

4Runner

  • 160,000 miles
Hello, was driving 4runner under normal conditions. Ran over a slight bump in road and back end of vehicle got loose. Was able to get vechicle back home and inspected. Found one major rust out of frame under drivers side of unit. But major problem was that the left rear axle drag link broke from frame. The frame material is very thin and cannot be repaired. Please advise if possible.

- Hartland, WI, USA

problem #8

Sep 072016

4Runner

  • 240,000 miles

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

The frame on my Toyota 4runner has severe rusting. Right now the car cannot be driven. The mount on the chassis that holds the rear lower control arm has completely broken off the frame. Looks just like many others who have had this same problem. Now I don't know what to do. I'm without a car and was lucky that I was not in a serious accident. I understand a new frame could cost $10,000 and a new car could cost $47,000. My Toyota has 240,000 miles and otherwise runs great. I do live in the northeast and have lived in Vermont during the winters. I try to wash my car and chassis often due to the salt. Many people ask if my car is for sale because I keep it in such good shape but I have no control over the rusting chassis problem. I have no idea what to do next, help

- Garden City, NY, USA

problem #7

Sep 012010

4Runner

  • miles
The frame has become severely rusted and has become unsafe to operate

- Madison Heights, VA, USA

problem #6

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 #5

Oct 082015

4Runner

  • 205,000 miles
While having repairs made to differential housing for a rust hole, mechanic pointed out rust holes though frame on both sides of vehicle about mid vehicle. Mechanic cautioned that vehicle will soon be unsafe to drive. Vehicle is otherwise in good condition and well maintained.

- Latrobe, PA, USA

problem #4

Aug 232015

4Runner

  • 270,395 miles

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

Frame is rotting away on right side of vehicle. I have noticed this on multiple Toyota 4runners of this era. This makes it impossible to service the vehicle as well since it is no longer safe to raise with a vehicle lift that lifts at the frame. When accelerating to 20-25 mph and letting off the rear of the vehicle sways tremendously and is greatly amplified when trying to accelerate back up to speed.

- Hilliard, OH, USA

problem #3

Jul 042015

4Runner

  • 217,476 miles
Frame rot/rust and mechanic won't work on it to remove, rebalance tires. Under frame is rusted out. Not safe.

- Saint Paul, MN, USA

problem #2

May 142015

4Runner

  • 189,175 miles
Rusted frame multiple areas. Rear stabilizer bar rusted off while pulling out into traffic leaving my place of employment. I heard a noise, pulled over and looked but didnt see the problem. While home I looked again and found the stabilizer bar hanging rusted off of the frame. I had someone look further and they found multiple areas with rust including the opposite side looks ready to do exact thing and lose the stablizer bar to rust

- Springfield, MA, USA

problem #1

Jul 202012

4Runner

  • 180,000 miles
I was getting off 385 onto woodruff road. I needed to get over into the other lane because I was going to turn down ordhird park road and there is only one lane that allows you too. I put on my blinker and got over. Once I had gotten over this man started to honk his horn and drove up to the rear of my car and a very fast pace. He kept honking so I pulled into the shopping center right beside the kangaroo gas station. I was then about to turn onto orchird park when the white Chrysler came by and stopped in front of me and started honking and flicking me off. He finally got out of the way and so I pulled onto orchird park. He then proceeded to stick his fingers out of the window and flick me off and keep slamming on his brakes. He was and older white male. He should be taken off the road for this type of behavior. In no way did I cut him off. At all times I followed the road safety rules. The vehicle was a white Chrysler 300 with chrome all around the trim. Then man had some type of bandage on his hand. And her wore glasses.

- Greenville, SC, USA

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