1998 Toyota 4RUNNER Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 3%of 250 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 69,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the air bags of the 1998 Toyota 4RUNNER, 3% of the 250 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 69,000 miles. 7 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.
“While driving 45 MPH down a city road in va. Beach a car on our right hand side entered the intersection making a left hand turn. The car entered the intersection approx. 20-25 feet ahead of us. I immediatley hit the brakes and turned the car to the left as to try and avoid a collision. We ended up t-boning the oncoming vehicle. Our 4-runner was claimed a total lose due to a bend frame. The front end damage was estimated at 4-6 thousand dollars. The full front end and passenger fender were destroyed. Neither airbag deployed. I estimate the MPH of impact to be between 35-40 MPH.”
NHTSA complaint #10058959, filed 2004-02, 78,000 miles“I was in an auto accident july 6, 2002. I drove a 98' Toyota 4 RUNNER. There were four persons who sustained minor injuries. The airbag seemed to perform as intended, however, to this date I have horrifying plastic material coming from the inside... And outside of my cheeks. It has caused very visible patterns to protrude from the skin, constant pain, and desperate efforts to get answers. Though I have been to many doctors, I have failed to escape the research evasive realities of my providers. Labs simply fail to identify, and doctors agree this is a real problem... …”
NHTSA complaint #10011092, filed 2003-03, 60,000 miles“On 03'04/02 I was sitting at the traffic light witin on the light to change to green. The light changed to green , then I proceeded into the intersection where I was t-boned on the driver sided. At this time I hear a loud bang then the lower area by the brakes caved in on my left leg, the the doors locked ,then my car alarm sounds off. During this time I can see smoke to my leftt in the door area. So immdiately I try to get out of the vehicle but I had to unlock doors first. …”
NHTSA complaint #759894, filed 2002-03“1998 Toyota 4 RUNNER. Consumer states airbag did not deploy during an accident the consumer loss control of the vehicle, overturned and crashed when he tried to avoid hitting an animal in the road.”
NHTSA complaint #10423455, filed 2011-08“When driving 35-40 MPH vehicle was involved in a head-on collision which caused over $5,300 worth of damage, and neither driver's side or passenger side air bags deployed, resulting in injuries to driver's side occupant. Also, seat belt did not lock in place, forcing driver into the steering wheel. Please provide any further details.”
NHTSA complaint #868659, filed 2000-08Related service bulletins
- 10244113Aug 17, 2023TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most…
- 10190460Mar 17, 2021Toyota Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
- 10132410Jul 20, 2017TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 20, 2017 Rev1: Applicability has been updated to exclude 2007 ? 2017 model year Avanza vehicles. Some hazardous material treatment and handling…
- 10131961Jan 14, 2014Toyota vehicles are equipped with Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS), including various airbags and in some models, seat belt pre-tensioners, to help reduce the risk of injury…
- 10132055Nov 4, 2013Beginning in 1998, Toyota introduced side airbags as optional equipment. Toyota does NOT recommend replacement of original seat covers with non-Toyota leather or other seat cover…
- 10042555Sep 6, 2011Toyota: information provided for replacing the seat covers for vehicles equipped with side airbags.
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 5% |
| 2024 | 2 | 20% |
| 2023 | 2 | 6% |
| 2022 | 6 | 15% |
| 2021 | 1 | 3% |
| 2020 | 5 | 15% |
| 2019 | 5 | 8% |
| 2018 | 8 | 13% |
| 2017 | 3 | 8% |
| 2016 | 10 | 12% |
| 2015 | 17 | 20% |
| 2014 | 8 | 10% |
| 2013 | 9 | 25% |
| 2012 | 70 | 73% |
| 2011 | 112 | 69% |
| 2010 | 92 | 63% |
| 2009 | 2 | 9% |
| 2008 | 4 | 4% |
| 2007 | 6 | 4% |
| 2006 | 24 | 6% |
| 2005 | 19 | 4% |
| 2004 | 37 | 5% |
| 2003 | 12 | 2% |
| 2002 | 9 | 4% |
| 2001 | 6 | 3% |
| 2000 | 13 | 3% |
| 1999 | 13 | 4% |
| 1998 | 7 | 3% |
| 1997 | 9 | 3% |
| 1996 | 9 | 6% |
| 1995 | 2 | 1% |
Other parts of the 1998 Toyota 4RUNNER
78 complaintsSuspension
60 complaintsTires
30 complaintsEngine cooling
16 complaintsOther or unknown
16 complaintsBrakes
13 complaintsSteering
12 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
12 complaintsElectrical system
11 complaintsSeat belts
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaintsExterior lighting
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 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