1997 Toyota 4RUNNER drivetrain & axles problems
26 complaints about drivetrain & axles have been filed for the 1997 Toyota 4RUNNER, which is 7% of all its NHTSA complaints.
At a glance
- Complaints
- 26 7% of this year's complaints
- Typical mileage
- 125,000 miles 16 complaints with mileage
- Crashes and fires
- 3 and 0
- Injuries and deaths
- 2 and 0
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
When drivetrain & axles problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 1 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 0 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 0 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 5 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 0 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 2 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 2 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 2 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 2 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 2 |
What the data shows
Of the 16 drivetrain & axles complaints that report mileage, the median is about 125,000 miles, and 6% were reported before 60,000 miles.
These complaints mention 3 crashes, 2 injuries.
What owners wrote
My wife was traveling north on I-395, exiting off at d street when the right rear axle broke and the wheel came off the vehicle. The 4-runner bounced off the median guard rail, flipped over on its right side then righted itself then came to a stop. My wife sustained tissue damage, but no broken bones. This vehicle had never been taken off road in any capacity.
My rear axle seal is leaking on the brake shoes. I have already replaced it twice. Once in the winter of 2002 and again in the spring of 2003. The first time it happened I had an accident where my brakes failed and I rear ended somebody. The rear brake shoes were saturated with axle grease. I recently took it to a shop and they need to be replaced again. The mechanic said they wouldn't touch it and I have to take it a dealer.
Other problems reported for the 1997 Toyota 4RUNNER
- Suspension 96 complaints
- Body & structure 77 complaints
- Brakes 33 complaints
- Tires 20 complaints