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Toyota 4RUNNERModel year report

1997 Toyota 4RUNNER Problems

Complaints
261filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
167,600miles, 139 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
18 mpgcombined, 2.7L 4-cyl RWD · 17 city / 22 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1997 Toyota 4RUNNER (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe rust-related problems, particularly frame corrosion around the rear suspension mounts, which many say was discovered during routine service or after the vehicle began to sway. Complaints cluster at higher mileages, usually well past 130,000, though some owners report the vehicle otherwise drove and ran well. Brake, transmission, and rear differential concerns appear less often.

  1. Body and structure

    Rear frame rust around suspension mounts

    • 97 complaints (37%)
    • median 177,000 mi at 17.6 yrs old (89 state mileage)
    • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2002–2023

    Owners describe the frame rusting through where the rear control arm and stabilizer brackets are welded, sometimes with visible holes or a bracket separating from the rail. Many say they learned of it after hearing a pop or crack, or after the rear of the vehicle began to sway or wander at speed. Dealers are often reported as saying the vehicle is not covered by any warranty or recall and that the frame is not repairable. Mostly reported between roughly 130,000 and 210,000 miles, frequently noted during unrelated service or inspection.

    What to check: Inspect the frame rails and the rear control arm and stabilizer brackets closely, ideally on a lift and with a probe or light hammer, looking for flaking or holes. Ask whether the frame has been inspected or repaired and whether any Toyota frame-related campaign applied.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Hey I have a 1997 4 runner I have a problem of the frame getting rusted out. It is on the 4 link where it hooks to the axle it could have killed me my rear axle about came off and it almost got me into a reck. All I done is hit the brakes then hurt pop and rear end went crazy. I was on a busy city steet when it happened”

    NHTSA complaint #11184202, filed 2019-03, 285,200 miles

    “Driving on highway close to home when vehicle suddenly started swaying. Pulled over and began to drive slowly on side of road, no traffic, til I got home. Shop owner said frame broke on the rear driver side. Truck in great shape, nobody ever gave me an indication something was wrong underneath the vehicle. I could have possibly crashed if going faster and more traffic, I was very lucky.”

    NHTSA complaint #10557339, filed 2013-12, 173,000 miles
  2. Suspension

    Rear swaying or loss of control from rusted mounts

    • 48 complaints (18%)
    • median 189,500 mi at 17.5 yrs old (35 state mileage)
    • 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 1999–2020

    Complaints describe the rear end swaying, shimmying, or feeling like it is on ice, sometimes after a noise from underneath. Owners who inspected found the rear trailing arm or control arm mount had rusted away from the frame, allowing the axle to move. Dealers and shops are reported as deeming the vehicle not safe to drive or saying it was outside any recall. Typically reported from about 140,000 miles upward, often on highways or after bumps.

    Recall 02V021000

    What to check: Test drive at highway speed and over uneven surfaces, listening for clunks and watching for rear-end wander. Have the rear suspension attachment points inspected before purchase.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I was driving down the road at approximately 50 MPH and my 4RUNNER started to sway and rock violently. I felt it veer in the opposite direction of the way I was driving and braked fearing that I was going to flip my vehicle. I was driving down a smooth straight road in great weather. I braked to slow down tapping them about five times. This is the second time that this incident occurred. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10779182, filed 2015-10, 200,700 miles

    “My wife was driving the vehicle when she heard a sound and the vehicle swerved, and then continued to be difficult to control the remainder of the ride home. While I was trying to take her description and begin troubleshooting what could be wrong, I noticed the vehicle felt like it was on ice. It felt like the rear was trying to come around, a very weird feeling in the summer. Trying to figure why, and several minutes of laying under this vehicle in my driveway I finally figured it out. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10423985, filed 2011-09, 150,000 miles
  3. Other or unknown

    Rusted rear axle differential housing leaks

    Mentioned in 5 of 60 sampled complaints

    Owners report the rear differential housing rusting through and leaking gear oil, with pinholes or flaking metal on the top or below the fill plug. Complaints note the cover is welded to the axle and cannot be replaced separately, so the reported repair is a full differential replacement. Reported from roughly 119,000 to 202,000 miles.

    What to check: Look for oil weeping or wet rust around the rear differential and check the fluid level; ask whether the housing has been replaced or repaired.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “No crash or injury,but 1997 Toyota 4RUNNER differential is completely rusted through and leaks oil through numerous pinholes. It can't be patched and replacement is in the $1500 range. I can't take the vehicle on trips. I have found many instances of people complaining about this on the web - it seems to be a common problem.”

    NHTSA complaint #10284120, filed 2009-09, 170,000 miles

    “1997 Toyota 4RUNNER rear differential rust through. I have just noticed that my 1997 4RUNNER is leaking differential oil and am concerned that rust or foreign debris will get into the differential and cause a catastrophic failure. I have removed the 4RUNNER from operation until the defect is corrected. The rust is on the rear top of the differential. There are very large flakes of rust on the differential and the oil is leaking through some of the rust holes. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10354052, filed 2010-09, 141,944 miles

Buying note. Give any example of this model year a thorough frame and underbody inspection before buying, since rust is the concern owners raise most and it can sit behind otherwise clean bodywork. Service records for suspension, brakes, and differential work are worth asking about.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 261 consumer complaints for the 1997 Toyota 4RUNNER. 139 of the complaints include a mileage, and 4% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 167,600 miles. Of all complaints, 35 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 21 an injury, 5 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 36 technical service bulletins for this model year.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

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.

Also reported: Equipment (7), Electrical system (6), Seat belts (5), Wheels (5), Exterior lighting (3), Latches, locks and linkages (3), Seats (3), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (3), Electronic stability control (2), Fuel system (1), Interior lighting (1).

Example complaints

Suspension: “Very rusted out undercarriage. My other is only 3 years newer and has nothing like this on it. I was advised to sell it by a suspension shop that noted my broken, rusted out undercarriage, bad shock and the condition of the rear of the truck's frame in general. There is nothing wrong with the truck other than this rust.”

NHTSA complaint #11235080, filed 2019-07, 350,000 miles

Body and structure: “The frame on my 4RUNNER is rusting along the rear axle control arm mount (the piece welded to the frame that you can see when crouched down looking under the rear doors). This separates and causes the rear axle to float around which may cause a very serious accident. I have seen countless other incidents where people have had this separate completely while on the highway and they were barely able to maintain control of the vehicle.”

NHTSA complaint #11150888, filed 2018-11, 337,000 miles

Brakes: “I am the only owner of a 1997 Toyota 4runner sr5 4x4, which I purchased new in1997. Within in weeks of owning and driving the vehicle, while braking as I drove over irregular road, I noticed that the brakes were not grabbing, l and the ABS braking system was activated, but the vehicle was not stopping, commensurate with the demand that I was putting on the brake pedal. I was very concerned that I was going to hit the vehicle in front of me! …”

NHTSA complaint #10320119, filed 2010-03, 1,000 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “Purchased a used 1997 4-runner with ca. 258000 miles early in 2020. Engine and whole body was good. However, 6 month later the car started to shake violently in the rear at highway speeds swinging like a boat, which I though was due to a broken shock, springs were newly installed in 2020. I noticed that rear stabilizer arm on passenger side had broken off due to rust. When driving to repair shop the car rear axle broke loose, shifted, and the rear drive shaft fell out - I could pull over in 4 wheel drive mode. …”

NHTSA complaint #11360061, filed 2020-09, 260,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

4% of the 139 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 129,000 and 200,000 miles.

1%0–102%10–251%25–505%50–754%75–10024%100–15063%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (139 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 167,600 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

’97’0020’03’06’09’12’15’18’23
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1997 Toyota 4RUNNER. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
4RUNNER · sedan not rated3 / 3———

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1997 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).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
4Runner 2WD2.7L 4-cyl4-speed automatic182219$3,550
4Runner 2WD2.7L 4-cyl5-speed manual172218$3,700
4Runner 2WD3.4L 6-cyl4-speed automatic151917$3,950
4Runner 4WD2.7L 4-cyl4-speed automatic162018$3,700
4Runner 4WD2.7L 4-cyl5-speed manual152017$3,950
4Runner 4WD3.4L 6-cyl4-speed automatic151816$4,200
4Runner 4WD3.4L 6-cyl5-speed manual151716$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

Recall details for the 1997 Toyota 4RUNNER → · Check a 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. 36 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 36 bulletins →

Other model years of the Toyota 4RUNNER

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
202673002422—Too new
2025609251422Too new to compareToo new
2024102,0381417—Too new
2023339,500141730 · FewerToo new
20223923,600341750 · TypicalRising
202136637141727 · FewerFalling
2020339,000141728 · FewerFalling
20196513,074441864 · TypicalFalling
20185920,500541862 · TypicalFalling
20173612,890541840 · TypicalFalling
20168025,000841966 · MoreFalling
20158738,977941961 · TypicalFalling
20147740,000741939 · TypicalFalling
20133672,45064190 · FewerFalling
20129645,144841941 · TypicalFalling
201116341,32010—1965 · MoreStable
201014758,00012—2063 · TypicalFalling
20092221,5006—18—Falling
20089653,0005—1857 · TypicalFalling
200715469,8245—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
2006381100,7625—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
2005425104,8505—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
2004678115,9782—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
2003696106,0003—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
2002225120,0001—16Not compared (before 2008)Falling
2001185122,0001—17Not compared (before 2008)Falling
2000483143,4640—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
1999330155,0000—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
1998250157,5001—19Not compared (before 2008)Falling
1997261167,6001—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
1996161175,0002—20Not compared (before 2008)Falling
1995172110,0001—17Not compared (before 2008)Falling
199464115,0001—17Not compared (before 2008)Falling
199351150,0001—17Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199253141,0001—17Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199143170,0001—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199078150,0001—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19896—1—17—Not enough data
19889—1—16—Not enough data
1987572,3910—18—Not enough data
19868284,0000—18—Not enough data

All Toyota 4RUNNER model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Toyota 4RUNNER?

Owners of this model year most often describe rust-related problems, particularly frame corrosion around the rear suspension mounts, which many say was discovered during routine service or after the vehicle began to sway. The issues reported most often: Rear frame rust around suspension mounts; Rear swaying or loss of control from rusted mounts; Rusted rear axle differential housing leaks.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1997 Toyota 4RUNNER have?

NHTSA recorded 261 consumer complaints for the 1997 Toyota 4RUNNER as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1997 Toyota 4RUNNER is reported most often?

Suspension is named most often, in 95 complaints (36% of the total), followed by body and structure with 76.

Has the 1997 Toyota 4RUNNER been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1997 Toyota 4RUNNER get?

The EPA rates the 1997 Toyota 4RUNNER (4Runner 2WD, 2.7L 4-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 17 city and 22 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 1997 Toyota 4RUNNER reported?

Among the 139 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 167,600 miles and the middle half falls between 129,000 and 200,000 miles; 4% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. 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.