1996 Toyota 4RUNNER problems
The 1996 Toyota 4RUNNER has 203 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (21%) concerns body & structure. Next are suspension (19%) and engine (12%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 203 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Body & structure 21% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 21 and 1
- Injuries and deaths
- 18 and 2
- Typical mileage
- 175,000 miles 83 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 2 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 0 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 2 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 0 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 5 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 4 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 11 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 7 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 14 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 10 |
| 200k+ miles | 28 |
What the data shows
Of the 83 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 175,000 miles. For body & structure specifically, the median reported mileage is about 185,000 miles (32 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 21 complaints mention a crash; 1 complaint mentions a fire; 18 injuries reported; 2 deaths reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1996 ranks 16th most-complained-about out of 35 model years of the Toyota 4RUNNER with enough data (70 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 2 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
I see that you guys have ordered a recall on 2001-2002 toyota 4runner for the lower ball joint failing. The part number for the lower ball joint is the same for years 1996-2002 and there are numerous posts of people having their ball joint fail on years prior to 2001. Can you please explain why only years 2001-2002 are covered? This is a liability and toyota should know that the same part number is covered for all 3rd generation toyota 4runners and it is failing on all 3rd generation 4runners.
This accident has been referred to a lawyer and an engineering expert to determine whether the axle failed due to a mechanical defect. On witness following the vehicle said the vehicle dropped.
Consumer was involved in a vehicle collision in which the driver's and passenger's air bags deployed, causing the windshield to shatter. For some unknown reason the automatic locks would not disengage. Please give further details.
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 5 MPH, there was a loud abnormal noise. The contact discovered that the main frame in front of the left rear wheel fractured. The contact also stated that the rear suspension had corrosion build up. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who discovered that the frame was destroyed beyond repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure was 195,000.
Frame broke due to rust by the lower control arm going straight down the road doing about 30MPH almost causing me to go off the road. Had it towed to a local garage to find out it was rusted through in several places and the mechanic told me it was a common problem with this year of 4runner. If this had happened going down the highway it could of costed me my life or someone else's and being as common of a problem as it is I feel it should be addressed there's no reason a frame should rust as bad and as quick as…