1997 Toyota 4 Runner Recalls

No recalls on record Updated July 2026

No NHTSA recalls on record for the 1997 Toyota 4 Runner. That means NHTSA has no open safety campaign for this vehicle — it does not guarantee the absence of problems. Owners have filed 163 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Complaints by component

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
15
3crashes
SUSPENSION:REAR
12
2crashes1deaths
SUSPENSION
11
3crashes2injuries
TIRES
11
2crashes1injuries
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT:SEAL
10
1crashes
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
6
1crashes1deaths
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
5
5crashes6injuries1deaths
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
5
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
4
1injuries
Total complaints163

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“A) while driving on the highway at approximate speed of 45-55 mph the engine shut itself off without me or any part of my body even touching the key or do anything to provoke such event. B) I was driving along with the flow during rush our when failure occurred. I was in drive the whole time and…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2006-01-30

“Dt: the contact stated the rear bumper rusted and corroded. The rust was completely through the middle section of the bumper. The vehicle has not been inspected to determine the cause of the problem. *ak”

STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS · reported 2005-11-01

“When it rains water comes in the vent on the back of the hood at windshield keeps my carpet soaked how can this be fixed? Also my hood latch is not tight enough my hood goes up 2 inches when im at top speeds (55 or 65). *jb”

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH · reported 2005-10-04

“When it rains water comes in the vent on the back of the hood at windshield keeps my carpet soaked how can this be fixed? Also my hood latch is not tight enough my hood goes up 2 inches when im at top speeds (55 or 65). *jb”

UNKNOWN OR OTHER · reported 2005-10-04

“While pulling away from a stop position at 10 mph right, the side front of the vehicler dropped to the ground. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop, and the mechanic determined that the upper and the lower ball joints needed to be replaced. *ak the ball joint snapped, causing the front end of…”

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT · reported 2005-03-09

“While pulling away from a stop position at 10 mph right, the side front of the vehicler dropped to the ground. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop, and the mechanic determined that the upper and the lower ball joints needed to be replaced. *ak the ball joint snapped, causing the front end of…”

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT · reported 2005-03-09

“Complaint received via email. The brakes failed many times on my car and they were in the repair shop four times. Each time they fixed it temporarily. Also, they indicated that oil or grease was leaking from the differential and coating the brake pads, rendering them ineffective. The symptoms…”

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP · reported 2005-01-01

“Complaint received via email. The brakes failed many times on my car and they were in the repair shop four times. Each time they fixed it temporarily. Also, they indicated that oil or grease was leaking from the differential and coating the brake pads, rendering them ineffective. The symptoms…”

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT · reported 2005-01-01
Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1997 Toyota 4 Runner as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.