Complaints
168
Crashes
9
Fires
2
Injuries
1
Fatalities
1
Recalls
0
Worst 1998 Toyota 4Runner Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#146 complaints
Body Structure
Avg mileage:168,762 mi
#235 complaints
Suspension Failures
Avg mileage:195,392 mi
Crash-related:1
#319 complaints
Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields
Avg mileage:206,857 mi
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1998 Toyota 4Runner.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Body Structure | 46 | — | — | 168,762 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 35 | 1 | — | 195,392 mi | |
| Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields | 19 | — | — | 206,857 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 6 | 2 | — | 162,045 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 3 | 2 | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Rear | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Airbags | 2 | 2 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Other Equipment | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Electrical System:Starter Assembly:Solenoid | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Parking-Brake Issues | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Driveline | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Rear/Other | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Brakes | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Bumpers | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Arm | 1 | — | — | — |
Body Structure
46
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
168,762
Suspension Failures
35
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
195,392
Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields
19
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
206,857
Steering Defects
6
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
162,045
Transmission / Drivetrain
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Hydraulic Brakes
3
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structural Problems
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Frame And Members
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Rear
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Airbags
2
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical Faults
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Other Equipment
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat-Related Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wheel Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Starter Assembly:Solenoid
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine & Cooling
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Headlight/Taillight Failures
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Gasoline Fuel System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Parking-Brake Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Driveline
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belt Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Rear/Other
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Brakes
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Bumpers
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Arm
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1998 Toyota 4Runner. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Toyota 4Runner Years
1998 Toyota 4Runner — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1998 Toyota 4Runner reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 1998 Toyota 4Runner has 168 NHTSA complaints, 9 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Body Structure with 46 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1998 Toyota 4Runner?
Top reported problems: Body Structure (46 complaints, avg 168,762 mi); Suspension Failures (35 complaints, avg 195,392 mi); Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields (19 complaints, avg 206,857 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1998 Toyota 4Runner?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 184,003 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1998 Toyota 4Runner?
NHTSA complaints for the 1998 Toyota 4Runner include 9 crash-related reports, 2 fire reports, 1 injuries, and 1 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1998 Toyota 4Runner have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1998 Toyota 4Runner as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1998 Toyota 4Runner?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Toyota 4Runner reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1998 Toyota 4Runner
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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