Exterior Lighting
NHTSA campaign 09E012000 · 2009 · reported 04/07/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
1997 Toyota 4RUNNER Problems & Recalls
Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Suspension — runs 5.3× the fleet median for that category across the 964 model-years tracked on this site.
261Complaints
4Recalls
35Crashes
2Fires
21Injured
5Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Suspension (26.1% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
Suspension complaints here are 5.3× the median for that category across the 964 model-years tracked on this site.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 68 · 26.1% | Recalled | Recall 02V021000 |
| Structure:body | 42 · 16.1% | not available | — |
| Suspension:rear | 17 · 6.5% | Recalled | Recall 02V021000 |
| Structure:frame And Members:underbody Shields | 16 · 6.1% | not available | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip | 15 · 5.7% | not available | — |
| Tires | 14 · 5.4% | not available | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Percentages are the share of the 261 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
Recalls — 4 campaigns
Suspension
NHTSA campaign 02V021000 · 2002 · reported 01/18/2002
THIS MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Exterior Lighting
NHTSA campaign 06E049000 · 2006 · reported 05/24/2006
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Exterior Lighting
NHTSA campaign 06E026000 · 2006 · reported 03/23/2006
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“I WAS DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE LOOP AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. AT THE TOP OF THE LOOP, AS I STRAIGHTENED THE WHEEL THE VEHICLE BEGAN…”NHTSA complaint 10121306 — filed 05/18/2005 · SUSPENSION
“CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO GET THE RECALL WORK PERFORMED, THE DEALER STATED TOO MANY PEOPLE DROPPED THEIR VEHICLE'S OFF ON THAT PARTICULAR DAY, EVEN THOUGH…”NHTSA complaint 567401 — filed 03/24/2003 · SUSPENSION
“NAR 3-11-03. WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMERS 4RUNNER SLIPPED OUT OF CONTROL AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. DAMAGES COST APPROX $2000. SOON AFTER A RECALL WAS RELEASED…”NHTSA complaint 10011721 — filed 03/10/2003 · SUSPENSION
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Toyota 4RUNNER?
Suspension issues are the most-reported category, cited in 68 of 261 NHTSA complaints (26.1%), followed by structure:body (42), unspecified/other issues (21), suspension:rear (17). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 1997 Toyota 4RUNNER have?
261 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 35 involved a crash, 2 involved a fire, and 21 reported injuries. 5 deaths were reported.
Does the 1997 Toyota 4RUNNER have any recalls?
Yes — 4 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 09E012000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 1997 Toyota 4RUNNER's reported problems?
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.
