1986 Toyota 4RUNNER Problems
- Complaints
- 8filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 284,000miles, 2 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 18 mpgcombined, 2.4L 4-cyl 4WD/AWD · 17 city / 20 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1986 Toyota 4RUNNER (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 1986 Toyota 4RUNNER. The part named most often is brakes, with 2 complaints (25% of the total), followed by engine cooling (2) and tires (2). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 284,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 1 an injury, 1 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 17 technical service bulletins for this model year.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Brakes2 25%
- Engine cooling2 25%
- Tires2 25%
- Equipment1 13%
- Seat belts1 13%
Example complaints
Brakes: “On 1986 Toyota 4 runners the hand brake is solely relied on to adjust the back brakes. The problem appears to be the bell crank boot does not sufficiently prevent corrosion between the bell crank and its frame at the backing plate. This causes the adjusting screw to not engage and therefore the back brakes do not function properly. With less force on the back brakes than the front brakes the front brakes tend to lock up. Steering control is then lost.”
NHTSA complaint #10049623, filed 2003-12, 268,000 milesTires: “Pe00-00; consumer was traveling about 45mph on the highway and left rear tire went flat. Then consumer changed the tires, and noticed that tread and wires separated from tires.”
NHTSA complaint #866639, filed 2000-08Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 268,000 and 300,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1986 Toyota 4RUNNER version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4Runner 4WD | 2.4L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 22 | 19 | $3,550 |
| 4Runner 4WD | 2.4L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 17 | 20 | 18 | $3,700 |
| 4Runner 4WD | 2.4L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 17 | 16 | $4,200 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1986 Toyota 4RUNNER in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 17 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10244113Aug 17, 2023Equipment, Vehicle speed control, Air bags. TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ? 2023 model year…
- 10207946Jan 12, 2022Equipment, Wheels, Tires. POL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground and spare tires currently in use by Toyota. This information must be kept near the point of…
- 10188913Feb 3, 2021Equipment. TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ? 2021 model year…
- 10174891Apr 7, 2020Equipment. TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE April 07, 2020: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0032-20. Replacement Certification Labels and VIN Plates
- 10174890Apr 6, 2020Equipment. TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin Nos. PG021-88, PG015-89, PG0015-90, PG002-91, PG002-93, PG005-97, PG007-01, PG007-07, PG006-01…
- 10145749Aug 31, 2018Equipment. Technical Service Bulletin: OBSOLETE NOTICE: July 31, 2018: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0304-17.
- 10145748Aug 31, 2018Equipment. Technical Service Bulletin: OBSOLETE NOTICE: July 31, 2018: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0304-17.
- 10143953Jul 31, 2018Equipment. TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 31, 2018 Rev2: ? The Supersession Notice has been updated. January 11, 2018 Rev1: ? The Supersession Notice has been updated. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin…
- 10131713Jan 11, 2018Equipment. TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin Nos. PG021-88, PG015-89, PG0015-90, PG002-91, PG002-93, PG005-97, PG007-01, PG007-07, and…
- 10123420Oct 27, 2017Body and structure. TSB: Vehicle replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) may be available from Toyota, provided…
Other model years of the Toyota 4RUNNER
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7 | 300 | 2 | 4 | 22 | — | Too new |
| 2025 | 60 | 925 | 1 | 4 | 22 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2024 | 10 | 2,038 | 1 | 4 | 17 | — | Too new |
| 2023 | 33 | 9,500 | 1 | 4 | 17 | 30 · Fewer | Too new |
| 2022 | 39 | 23,600 | 3 | 4 | 17 | 50 · Typical | Rising |
| 2021 | 36 | 637 | 1 | 4 | 17 | 27 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2020 | 33 | 9,000 | 1 | 4 | 17 | 28 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2019 | 65 | 13,074 | 4 | 4 | 18 | 64 · Typical | Falling |
| 2018 | 60 | 20,500 | 5 | 4 | 18 | 62 · Typical | Falling |
| 2017 | 36 | 12,890 | 5 | 4 | 18 | 40 · Typical | Falling |
| 2016 | 81 | 25,000 | 8 | 4 | 19 | 66 · More | Falling |
| 2015 | 87 | 38,977 | 9 | 4 | 19 | 61 · Typical | Falling |
| 2014 | 77 | 40,000 | 7 | 4 | 19 | 39 · Typical | Falling |
| 2013 | 36 | 72,450 | 6 | 4 | 19 | 0 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2012 | 96 | 45,144 | 8 | 4 | 19 | 41 · Typical | Falling |
| 2011 | 163 | 41,320 | 10 | — | 19 | 65 · More | Stable |
| 2010 | 147 | 58,000 | 12 | — | 20 | 63 · Typical | Falling |
| 2009 | 22 | 21,500 | 6 | — | 18 | — | Falling |
| 2008 | 96 | 53,000 | 5 | — | 18 | 57 · Typical | Falling |
| 2007 | 154 | 69,824 | 5 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 381 | 100,762 | 5 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 425 | 104,850 | 5 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 678 | 115,978 | 2 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 696 | 106,000 | 3 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 225 | 120,000 | 1 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 185 | 122,000 | 1 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 483 | 143,464 | 0 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1999 | 330 | 155,000 | 0 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 250 | 157,500 | 1 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1997 | 261 | 167,600 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1996 | 161 | 175,000 | 2 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1995 | 172 | 110,000 | 1 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1994 | 64 | 115,000 | 1 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1993 | 51 | 150,000 | 1 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 53 | 141,000 | 1 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 43 | 170,000 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 78 | 150,000 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 6 | — | 1 | — | 17 | — | Not enough data |
| 1988 | 9 | — | 1 | — | 16 | — | Not enough data |
| 1987 | 5 | 72,391 | 0 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 1986 | 8 | 284,000 | 0 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
All Toyota 4RUNNER model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1986 Toyota 4RUNNER have?
NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 1986 Toyota 4RUNNER as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1986 Toyota 4RUNNER is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 2 complaints (25% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 2.
Has the 1986 Toyota 4RUNNER been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1986 Toyota 4RUNNER get?
The EPA rates the 1986 Toyota 4RUNNER (4Runner 4WD, 2.4L 4-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 17 city and 20 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1986 Toyota 4RUNNER reported?
Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 284,000 miles and the middle half falls between 268,000 and 300,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.