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CarsLore / Toyota / 4Runner / 1997

1997 Toyota 4Runner

139 owner complaints — #12 of 43 4Runner model years, 2.3× the typical year. 1 recall, 25 service bulletins.

139complaints · 12 crashes, 2 fires
1recalls
25manufacturer bulletins
175,000 mimedian mileage at failure

Problems owners report

Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1997 Toyota 4Runner, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.

  • Structure69
  • Suspension65
  • Unknown or other17
  • Power train11
  • Steering10
  • Vehicle speed control7
  • Service brakes, hydraulic6
  • Tires3
  • Engine and engine cooling3
  • Electronic stability control (esc)2

NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 8 injuries and 2 deaths reported

Compared with other years

’84’87’90’93’96’97’99’02’05’08’11’14’17’20’23’26139’84’87’90’93’96’97’99’02’05’08’11’14’17’20’23’26139
198819891990199119921993199419951996199719981999200020012002200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023202420252026

NHTSA ODI complaints by model year

New York safety inspections

At its first New York inspection the 1997 Toyota 4Runner failed the safety check 1.55% of the time — 3% less often than the average 1997 passenger car (1.60%). Median odometer at inspection: 207,200 miles.

2,708first inspections
1.55%failed on safety
207,200 mimedian odometer
0.0%1.3%2.7%’86’88’90’92’94’96’97’98’00’02’04’06’08’10’12’14’16’18’20’22’24’261.6%0.0%1.3%2.7%’86’89’92’95’97’98’01’04’07’10’13’16’19’22’25’261.6%

NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count

Fuel consumption

Official Canadian test results for 4 variants: combined 13.4–14.9 L/100 km (about 16–18 mpg US), CO₂ 308–343 g/km.

VariantEngineTransmissionCityHighwayCombinedCO₂ g/km
4Runner 4X4 · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline2.7 L, 4 cyl.A414.412.213.4308
4Runner 4X4 · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline2.7 L, 4 cyl.M516.412.314.6336
4Runner 4X4 · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline3.4 L, 6 cyl.M516.112.814.6336
4Runner 4X4 · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline3.4 L, 6 cyl.A416.113.514.9343

Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada

Recalls

02V021000 · Suspension18 Jan 2002 · 273,743 vehicles

ON CERTAIN 2-WHEEL-DRIVE (2WD) AND 4-WHEEL-DRIVE (4WD) 4RUNNER SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, A COMBINATION OF HEAVY LOADING (SIMULTANEOUS LOADING TO REAR GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATING AND GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING) AND SEVERE STEERING MANEUVERS COULD CAUSE THE 2WD 4RUNNER TO LOSE DIRECTIONAL STABILITY.

Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words

Service bulletins

What Toyota told its dealers about the 1997 Toyota 4Runner: known faults, fixes and updates.

BulletinSummary
10244113TSB: 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 1979 ? 2023 model year vehicles may be available provided the requests meet the criteria listed in this Service Bulletin. Follow the Procurement Procedure in this bulletin to request a replacement certification label or VIN plate.
10214323TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions
10207946POL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground and spare tires currently in use by Toyota. This information must be kept near the point of vehicle sale and be available to any customer that requests it. Customers can find this information on the Owner?s section of Toyota.com. Dealers can locate a copy of this guide on the Claims Processing & Resource Center in Dealer Daily as well.
10197476Replacement vin plates.
10197473Product general information.
10190460Toyota Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
10190453TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
10188913TSB: 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 1979 ? 2021 model year vehicles may be available provided the requests meet the criteria listed in this Service Bulletin. Follow the Procurement Procedure in this bulletin to request a replacement certification label or VIN plate.
10187241TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
10186195TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
10174891TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE April 07, 2020: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0032-20. Replacement Certification Labels and VIN Plates
10174890TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin Nos. PG021-88, PG015-89, PG0015-90, PG002-91, PG002-93, PG005-97, PG007-01, PG007-07, PG006-01, PG004-97, T-SB-0144-08, and T-SB-0304-17. The aforementioned bulletins are obsolete, and any printed versions should be discarded. 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 1979 ? 2020 model year vehicles may be available provided the requests meet the criteria listed in thi
10152205TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes SB No. T-SB-0101-11. Applicability has been updated to include 2016 ? 2017 model year vehicles. Service Bulletin No. T-SB-0101-11 is Obsolete and any printed versions should be discarded. Be sure to review the entire content of this bulletin before proceeding. When servicing interior electrical switches and components, please note the precautions in this bulletin to avoid damaging electrical components and switches. Many lubricants, cleaners, and automotive chemicals contain silicone or other compounds that may
10145776Update on Technician Certification Requirements.
10145749Technical Service Bulletin: OBSOLETE NOTICE: July 31, 2018: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0304-17.
10145748Technical Service Bulletin: OBSOLETE NOTICE: July 31, 2018: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0304-17.
10143953TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 31, 2018 Rev2: ? The Supersession Notice has been updated. January 11, 2018 Rev1: ? The Supersession Notice has been updated. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin should be discarded. SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin Nos. PG021-88, PG015-89, PG0015-90, PG002-91, PG002-93, PG005-97, PG007-01, PG007-07, PG006-01, PG004-97, and T-SB-0144-08. Service Bulletin Nos. PG021-88, PG015-89, PG0015-90, PG002-91, PG002-93, PG005-97, PG007-01, PG007-07, PG006-01, PG004-97, and T-SB-0144-08 are obsolete and any prin
10133649TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE November 21, 2017: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0304-17.
10132812Tech Tip: Low battery voltage can contribute to a MIL "ON" condition for P0335 (Crankshaft Position Sensor Circuit) and/or P0340 (Camshaft Position Sensor Circuit) due to inconsistent rotational speed of the engine's crankshaft.
10132295This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0054-13.
10132287California (CA), Federal (FED), and 50 State Certified emission control underhood labels (emission labels) may be obtained through your dealership?s Parts Department utilizing standard replacement parts ordering procedures. Follow the guidelines outlined in this bulletin to ensure proper label application.
10132084The 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 transmission damage. Use the information in this bulletin when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly
10131993This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0185-13.
10131988The following procedures are recommended during routine maintenance or in the event of a customer concern for wiper performance.
10131984A new Special Service Tool (SST 09709-00002) has been introduced to aid in the inspection procedure for certain vehicles equipped with a floor pedal-type parking brake system. This bulletin references the correct method for installing the Brake Pedal Force Gauge. Refer to the appropriate Repair Manual for parking brake pedal travel inspection and adjustment specification.

NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)