1998 Toyota 4 Runner Recalls, Complaints & Specs
No safety recalls list the 1998 Toyota 4 Runner, and owners have filed 120 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
No safety recalls on record
NHTSA's recall database lists no safety campaigns that include the 1998 Toyota 4 Runner. That is good news, with two caveats: recalls can be issued at any time (this page refreshes daily), and a recall filed under a related model name may not appear here. The VIN check above queries NHTSA directly for your exact vehicle.
120 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1998 Toyota 4 Runner have filed 120 complaints with NHTSA; 12 describe a crash and 3 describe a fire. Reports cite 20 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 66,476 miles. Complaints peaked in 2000 with 28 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“Within year rotors had to be replaced, under warranty. Was told by service manager at dealership was due to braking excessively during rain on long downhill run. Suggested to gear down which i now do.”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, August 5, 2006 · Service brakes, hydraulic
“Re: campaign number 02v021000 component: suspension i was told by jay at toyota (800 3314331 ext 5)that this recall does not apply to my 1998 toyota 4runner sr5. Please research & report. I was given”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, June 7, 2006 · Suspension
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 1998 Toyota 4Runner (4Runner 2WD, 4Runner 4WD). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 16–19 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 15–18 / 18–22 |
| Fuel | Regular |
| EPA class | Special Purpose Vehicle 2WD, Special Purpose Vehicle 4WD |
| Engine | 4/6 cyl, 2.7/3.4 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd; Manual 5-spd |
Compare Toyota 4 Runner model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Toyota 4 Runner model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 Toyota 4 Runner | 0 | 52 |
| 1995 Toyota 4 Runner | 0 | 125 |
| 1996 Toyota 4 Runner | 0 | 89 |
| 1997 Toyota 4 Runner | 0 | 122 |
| 1998 Toyota 4 Runner | 0 | 120 |
| 1999 Toyota 4 Runner | 0 | 110 |
| 2000 Toyota 4 Runner | 0 | 104 |
| 2001 Toyota 4 Runner | 0 | 31 |
| 2002 Toyota 4 Runner | 0 | 32 |
| 2003 Toyota 4 Runner | 0 | 168 |
| 2004 Toyota 4 Runner | 0 | 66 |
| 2005 Toyota 4 Runner | 0 | 15 |
Checking a specific 1998 Toyota 4 Runner
How do I know if my 1998 Toyota 4 Runner has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Toyota dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number.
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Toyota models
- Camry18,189 complaints
- Prius12,516 complaints
- Corolla11,739 complaints
- RAV49,385 complaints
- Sienna8,549 complaints
- Tacoma8,440 complaints
- Tundra6,922 complaints
- Highlander5,745 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.