1997 Toyota 4RUNNER Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 25about this part
- Share
- 10%of 261 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 131,600miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 25 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1997 Toyota 4RUNNER, 10% of the 261 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 131,600 miles. 4 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.
“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“My friend was driving down the road in the same model car as mine 1997 4RUNNER and his frame snapped from rust. He said he could barely keep it on the road but managed to slowly creep forward until he got home. This story scared me because I have the same exact car, so I go to check my frame and sure enough, it is also quite rusted. I'm afraid that if I keep driving on it that it will snap and could cause injury to myself and others.”
NHTSA complaint #10714741, filed 2015-05, 206,000 miles“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“I have a 1997 4RUNNER that is catastrophically rusted through the frame and has been a danger since purchasing. The amount of rust has completely evaporated my investment.”
NHTSA complaint #10633382, filed 2014-09, 145,528 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 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10109404Oct 16, 2014TSB: The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of the correct torque converter bolts during automatic transmission/transaxle…
- 10109492Sep 30, 2014TSB: The purpose of this bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly to avoid MIL "ON" shifting issues and/or…
- 10132084Oct 1, 2013The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly to avoid MIL ?ON,? shifting issues, and/or…
- 10061578Jun 13, 2011Summary to be provided on a future date.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 43% |
| 2025 | 2 | 3% |
| 2023 | 2 | 6% |
| 2022 | 1 | 3% |
| 2021 | 1 | 3% |
| 2020 | 1 | 3% |
| 2019 | 4 | 6% |
| 2018 | 3 | 5% |
| 2017 | 1 | 3% |
| 2016 | 6 | 7% |
| 2015 | 4 | 5% |
| 2014 | 1 | 1% |
| 2013 | 1 | 3% |
| 2011 | 6 | 4% |
| 2010 | 5 | 3% |
| 2009 | 10 | 45% |
| 2008 | 27 | 28% |
| 2007 | 11 | 7% |
| 2006 | 30 | 8% |
| 2005 | 25 | 6% |
| 2004 | 36 | 5% |
| 2003 | 39 | 6% |
| 2002 | 33 | 15% |
| 2001 | 32 | 17% |
| 2000 | 42 | 9% |
| 1999 | 23 | 7% |
| 1998 | 12 | 5% |
| 1997 | 25 | 10% |
| 1996 | 5 | 3% |
| 1995 | 14 | 8% |
| 1994 | 3 | 5% |
| 1993 | 3 | 6% |
| 1992 | 4 | 8% |
| 1991 | 5 | 12% |
| 1990 | 14 | 18% |
| 1988 | 2 | 22% |
| 1987 | 2 | 40% |
Other parts of the 1997 Toyota 4RUNNER
95 complaintsBody and structure
76 complaintsBrakes
29 complaintsOther or unknown
21 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 30, 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