1998 Toyota 4RUNNER Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 5%of 250 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 190,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1998 Toyota 4RUNNER, 5% of the 250 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 190,000 miles.
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.
“Driving on freeway 5 at san diego, california from the surface street at 35 MPH, I heard a thump and the 4 RUNNER slowed to a stop. The traffic was held to a screetching halt as the car will not move. I manage to push it to the emergency side parking. It was towed to frank Toyota of national city san diego, ca. There it was diagnosed that the rear end axle gear has been stripped. I just arrived today survive a third tour of iraq and this happened. This nearly cost me my life and possibly a lot more people.”
NHTSA complaint #10104202, filed 2004-12, 70,000 miles“1998 Toyota 4runner sr5. The read differential housing has rusted out so bad that it has to be replaced. Multiple mechanics have stated they've never seen such a thing. No accidents or anything that could have added to the deterioration of this. This 4runner has never gone off road and 90% of is highway miles.”
NHTSA complaint #10350341, filed 2010-08, 255,000 miles“Rear differential housing is leaking fluid as a result of rust. Local Toyota dealership says the entire rear axle needs to be replaced (it is all one piece) to the tune of $3000. An online search of a diy repair shows this problem (google: rear differential rust) shows this problem is unique to Toyota 3rd generation 4runners. This amount of rust on an integral part is extreme and unacceptable that Toyota has not done a recall, even though they did one for virtually same vehicle in the tacoma for frame rust.”
NHTSA complaint #10473849, filed 2012-09, 190,000 miles“Gear shifter locks up when placed in park (p) position resulting in key not being able to be removed from ignition. This caused the push-button control handle to become completely detached from the gear shifter arm and servered the wire for the push-button overdrive control. The screws became stipped and the housing inside the rubber cover were cracked. I have not contacted the dealership were I purchased the vehicle due to past problems I've had when reporting defects to them.”
NHTSA complaint #734982, filed 2000-10“The cruise control system malfunctioned, causing vehicle to kick into high gear, coming out of the overdrive and revs up to 3500 MPH which almost caused an accident. Cause unknown.”
NHTSA complaint #828267, filed 1997-09Related 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 1998 Toyota 4RUNNER
78 complaintsSuspension
60 complaintsTires
30 complaintsEngine cooling
16 complaintsOther or unknown
16 complaintsBrakes
13 complaintsSteering
12 complaintsElectrical system
11 complaintsSeat belts
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaintsAir bags
7 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 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