The 1989 Toyota 4runner has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 977,839 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 7 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
STEERING05V3890002005-09-06977,839 affected
Defect
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, IF THE STEERING WHEEL IS REPEATEDLY TURNED UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS WHERE HIGH STEERING EFFORT AND POWER ASSIST ARE REQUIRED, FOR INSTANCE, WHEN FULLY TURNING THE WHEEL WHILE THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED, A FATIGUE CRACK MAY DEVELOP IN THE STEERING RELAY ROD.
Consequence
IF THE VEHICLE IS CONTINUED TO BE OPERATED IN THIS CONDITION, THE RELAY ROD MAY FRACTURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING RELAY ROD. THE RECALL BEGAN OCTOBER 5, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Complaints by component
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
2
TIRES
2
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
1
SEAT BELTS
1
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
1
Total complaints7
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Last year I replaced a firestone atx tire because it started separating. Firestone reimbursement policy doesn't include this tire because it was replaced before jan. 2000. Had the tire not separated, it would still be on my vehicle and be included in the recall. I didn't know who to contact but I…”
“Last year I replaced a firestone atx tire because it started separating. Firestone reimbursement policy doesn't include this tire because it was replaced before jan. 2000. Had the tire not separated, it would still be on my vehicle and be included in the recall. I didn't know who to contact but I…”
“Head gasket failed, recall on component however no notification sent to owner, recall denied due to expiration. Mjs”
“Frame:left uppper control arm mount torn out of frame, frame cracked. *ak *nlm”
“Experiencing head gasket failure. Vehicle was riding rough. Tt”
“The anchor that supports the passenger's side shoulder harness popped out. Will be taken to dealer to correct. *ak”
“The brake light bulbs burn out often (several times a year.) the lenses are extremely faded.”
Defect investigations
InvestigationSQ99003 Opened 1999-01-27 · closed 1999-04-22
CORRODED BRAKE LINES
TOYOTA IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL IN CANADA 98-253. CORRODED BRAKE LINES COULD FAIL RESULTING IN A PARTIAL BRAK SYSTEM LOSS AND INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1989 Toyota 4runner as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.