1990 Toyota 4RUNNER Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 12%of 78 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 212,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the brakes of the 1990 Toyota 4RUNNER, 12% of the 78 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 212,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Clutch/brake pedal bracket broke/cracked after pressing the clutch pedal. Was originally diagnosed as a bad clutch and almost pulled the plug to get the clutch replaced. Would have been a load of wasted money on a poor diagnosis. Pedal bracket cracked with clutch pedal was pressed to start the car. Heard lour crack, car started, but would not go into gear.”
NHTSA complaint #11090284, filed 2018-04, 215,000 miles“Total loss of braking function. Wife and grand daughter in car. No accident occurred. Emnergency brake still functioned. Root cause was due to long-term wear on left rear metal brake line by anit-lock-brakes control arm. This action resulted in the metal brake line integrity failure.”
NHTSA complaint #10043743, filed 2003-10, 212,000 miles“The contact owns a 1990 Toyota 4RUNNER. The contact stated that the bracket sub-assembly that held the clutch and brake pedal was fractured. As a result, the contact was unable to depress the brake pedal or the clutch. The dealer repaired the failure at least three times in less than one year. The manufacturer was notified of the issue who offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 150,000. ..updated 11/14/12 updated 11/14/12”
NHTSA complaint #10478472, filed 2012-10, 150,000 miles“While driving the vehicle about 20 MPH and appyling brake pressure 2 out of 3 brake lines broke, causing no braking ability. Driver was able to avoid a crash. The brake lines have been replaced by dealership.”
NHTSA complaint #821094, filed 1998-02“Driver hit the brakes and ABS brakes failed Toyota truck, 4-runner lost control/rolled over, a baby and adult driver fell out of the car, resulting in 2 injuries and a fatality.”
NHTSA complaint #811923, filed 1997-06Related service bulletins
- 10131984Sep 9, 2013A new Special Service Tool (SST 09709-00002) has been introduced to aid in the inspection procedure for certain vehicles equipped with a floor pedal-type parking brake system…
- 10061620Sep 9, 2013Summary to be provided on a future date.
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 26 | 43% |
| 2024 | 2 | 20% |
| 2023 | 2 | 6% |
| 2022 | 5 | 13% |
| 2021 | 6 | 17% |
| 2020 | 5 | 15% |
| 2019 | 5 | 8% |
| 2018 | 7 | 12% |
| 2017 | 9 | 25% |
| 2016 | 5 | 6% |
| 2015 | 4 | 5% |
| 2014 | 5 | 6% |
| 2013 | 5 | 14% |
| 2012 | 7 | 7% |
| 2011 | 8 | 5% |
| 2010 | 11 | 7% |
| 2008 | 15 | 16% |
| 2007 | 29 | 19% |
| 2006 | 34 | 9% |
| 2005 | 32 | 8% |
| 2004 | 82 | 12% |
| 2003 | 74 | 11% |
| 2002 | 21 | 9% |
| 2001 | 9 | 5% |
| 2000 | 33 | 7% |
| 1999 | 26 | 8% |
| 1998 | 13 | 5% |
| 1997 | 29 | 11% |
| 1996 | 18 | 11% |
| 1995 | 6 | 3% |
| 1994 | 6 | 9% |
| 1993 | 8 | 16% |
| 1992 | 12 | 23% |
| 1991 | 6 | 14% |
| 1990 | 9 | 12% |
| 1987 | 2 | 40% |
| 1986 | 2 | 25% |
Other parts of the 1990 Toyota 4RUNNER
38 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
14 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsTires
2 complaintsElectrical system
1 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1990 Toyota 4RUNNER
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology