1997 Toyota 4RUNNER Other or unknown Problems
- Complaints
- 21about this part
- Share
- 8%of 261 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 179,106miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 21 complaints about the other or unknown of the 1997 Toyota 4RUNNER, 8% of the 261 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 179,106 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“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“I have a 1997 Toyota 4RUNNER. I was driving down the road and my frame suddenly broke. This caused me to loose control and crash into a ditch line. I've contacted Toyota and they are not wiling to help me with a replacment frame. This frame is rusted to the point of no repair. Something needs done about this”
NHTSA complaint #10723341, filed 2015-06, 163,211 miles“While sitting at a stop sign, I was hit from behind and the driver took off. Having insurance coverage on my 1997, I took it to 2 garages for repair. The frame was bent at the back wheel, both garages said there is no way this car can be repaired due to the rusted and almost non existent frame. If the body shop were to cut off the bent part of the frame, the remainder of the frame is so bad, there is nothing to weld the new part to. …”
NHTSA complaint #10671914, filed 2015-01, 158,400 miles“Sway bar broke off from chasis. Upon examination from our mechanic, it is determined that the whole chasis is rusted. It is not repairable and I had to sell to the junk yard. Couldn't believe Toyota would use such a chasis on a 30k SUV.”
NHTSA complaint #10629946, filed 2014-09, 126,000 milesOther or unknown: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 29% |
| 2025 | 9 | 15% |
| 2024 | 2 | 20% |
| 2023 | 12 | 36% |
| 2022 | 8 | 21% |
| 2021 | 2 | 6% |
| 2020 | 9 | 27% |
| 2019 | 12 | 18% |
| 2018 | 9 | 15% |
| 2017 | 14 | 39% |
| 2016 | 18 | 22% |
| 2015 | 14 | 16% |
| 2014 | 11 | 14% |
| 2013 | 10 | 28% |
| 2012 | 6 | 6% |
| 2011 | 9 | 6% |
| 2010 | 8 | 5% |
| 2009 | 2 | 9% |
| 2008 | 12 | 13% |
| 2007 | 21 | 14% |
| 2006 | 78 | 20% |
| 2005 | 68 | 16% |
| 2004 | 121 | 18% |
| 2003 | 111 | 16% |
| 2002 | 32 | 14% |
| 2001 | 25 | 14% |
| 2000 | 60 | 12% |
| 1999 | 37 | 11% |
| 1998 | 16 | 6% |
| 1997 | 21 | 8% |
| 1996 | 12 | 7% |
| 1995 | 9 | 5% |
| 1994 | 4 | 6% |
| 1990 | 2 | 3% |
| 1988 | 1 | 11% |
Other parts of the 1997 Toyota 4RUNNER
95 complaintsBody and structure
76 complaintsBrakes
29 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
25 complaintsTires
18 complaintsEngine cooling
14 complaintsSteering
14 complaintsVehicle speed control
11 complaintsAir bags
9 complaintsEquipment
7 complaintsElectrical system
6 complaintsSeat belts
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Toyota 4RUNNER
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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