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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 1
Average Mileage:
108,030 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 steering problems

steering problem

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1998 Toyota 4Runner Owner Comments

problem #6

Oct 082022

4Runner

  • miles

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

The drivers side front lower ball joint completely sheared off at around 15 miles an hour. The wheel and tire separated from the vehicle.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #5

Jan 082018

4Runner

  • 343,500 miles
I was driving home from work and I was pulling into my home driveway traveling about 5 mph. The right lower ball joint failed and separated from the steering knuckle. The initial noise I heard sounded like I had driven over a metal trash can which made me suddenly stop my vehicle. When I got out and looked to see what had happened, the attached picture is what I saw. I am so thankful that I was not driving on the highway!

- Louisville, CO, USA

problem #4

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

problem #3

Jun 132013

4Runner

  • miles

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

Two weeks ago I was driving down a flat paved road and my lower ball joint (atm 1012460) came off for no reason causing me to skid to a halt. My tire was sideways and pushed into my fender causing damage to the wheel well and other parts. This part (lower ball joint) was replaced 8 months prior along with tie rods, axle, control arm, upper ball joint and a number of other items in that area. Riebes auto parts replaced the faulty ball joint, tire, fender, and other parts that were damaged. I just got it back last night and my wife stated it felt like it was pulling to the left. I drove it to my mechanic and on the way the other side popped of going 15 mph on a flat road. So all the same damage again. This is a serious issue because Y wife and kids were just in the car a few hours before this happened. If it would have occurred on the freeway it would have resulted in rolling. Altrom lower ball joint for a 1998 Toyota 4runner was the part.

- Alta, CA, USA

problem #2

Nov 162012

4Runner 6-cyl

  • 83,680 miles
Vehicle started shaking and clunking. I was near home and able to get it back to my driveway. Upon towing to the mechanic, it was discovered that the rear control arm had rusted out and detached from the frame. Frame rot was discovered on the side rails. Car is considered undriveable and should be totaled.

- Glenview, IL, USA

problem #1

Mar 242002

4Runner

  • 60,000 miles
The contact previously owned a 1998 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that his son was drving the vehicle 55 mph and the vehicle suddenly loss control and rolled over into the median. The accident was fatal and the driver died. A police report was filed. The vehicle was completely destroyed. The failure and current mileages were 60,000.

- Lithonia, GA, USA

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