1997 Toyota 4RUNNER Electronic stability control Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 1%of 261 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 145,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the electronic stability control of the 1997 Toyota 4RUNNER, 1% of the 261 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 145,000 miles. 1 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.
“I own a 1997 4RUNNER. During my driving the vehicle few weeks ago, the chassis located on the rear passenger side split apart and almost resulted in a fatal accident with my family. This failure, however, is purely an engineering design and manufacturing failures.hence, the vehicle has become un-drivable. When I contacted Toyota and its dealerships, they said to repair the vehicle will cost me $8,100.00. Hence, I feel that, in comparison to other vehicles from different brand of cars companies, therewith, whereby, they are still on some part of the world, are still drivable and useful. …”
NHTSA complaint #10487677, filed 2012-12, 145,000 miles“While driving on the highway at the speed limit (60 MPH), the vehicle surged/jolted forward pulling to the right. I was unable to regain control of vehicle causing me to merge into the direction of a tractor trailer. I tried to turn away from tractor trailer to avoid collision. My vehicle hit the rear tire of the tractor trailer and I began to swerve out of control. My brakes didn't seem to help either, they didn't function. This resulted in the vehicle rolling over 3+ times, the car was totaled. All passengers were hospitalized but no other vehicles or people were hurt from the accident. …”
NHTSA complaint #10276395, filed 2009-07Electronic stability control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 3% |
| 2018 | 2 | 3% |
| 2016 | 1 | 1% |
| 2015 | 3 | 3% |
| 2012 | 1 | 1% |
| 2011 | 1 | 1% |
| 2010 | 6 | 4% |
| 2007 | 1 | 1% |
| 2006 | 4 | 1% |
| 2005 | 3 | 1% |
| 2004 | 15 | 2% |
| 2003 | 6 | 1% |
| 2002 | 4 | 2% |
| 2001 | 3 | 2% |
| 1999 | 2 | 1% |
| 1997 | 2 | 1% |
| 1996 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 1997 Toyota 4RUNNER
95 complaintsBody and structure
76 complaintsBrakes
29 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
25 complaintsOther or unknown
21 complaintsTires
18 complaintsEngine cooling
14 complaintsSteering
14 complaintsVehicle speed control
11 complaintsAir bags
9 complaintsEquipment
7 complaintsElectrical system
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Toyota 4RUNNER
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology