RecallMyCar

1996 Toyota 4Runner Recalls, Complaints & Specs

2 safety recalls list the 1996 Toyota 4Runner, and owners have filed 72 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

2
safety recalls
72
owner complaints to NHTSA
5 / 1
complaints citing a crash / fire
16–20
MPG combined (EPA)

2 safety recalls for the 1996 Toyota 4Runner

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Suspension

    NHTSA 02V021000 Reported 273,743 vehicles potentially affected TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.

    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.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace rear suspension parts. Although the 4WD 4runners do not exhibit the handling condition, toyota will recall these vehicles to avoid any public confusion as to which vehicles should receive the…

  2. Labels (equipment)

    NHTSA 96V098000 Reported 15,707 vehicles potentially affected TOYOTA MOTOR CO., LTD.

    The sticker required by part 575, "consumer information regulations" to alert the driver of "the particular handling and maneuvering characteristics of utility vehicles" was not affixed to the driver's side sun visor.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the sun visors on the affected vehicles with visors containing the correct labels.

72 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 1996 Toyota 4Runner have filed 72 complaints with NHTSA; 5 describe a crash and 1 describe a fire. Reports cite 3 injuries and 1 death. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 188,998 miles. Complaints peaked in 2016 with 10 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“I have noticed that my vehicle doesn’t seem to be balance and most of the time i am afraid the tires will fall off by the movement of the vehicle. And the metal parts that attachment part it looks ver”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, October 10, 2021 · Wheels

“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 toyota 4runner. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the sun roof detached and flew off the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer or an independent mecha”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, March 31, 2021 · Visibility

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 1996 Toyota 4Runner (4Runner 2WD, 4Runner 4WD). Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Combined16–20 mpg
City / Highway15–18 / 18–23
FuelRegular
EPA classSpecial Purpose Vehicles
Engine4/6 cyl, 2.7/3.4 L
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd; Manual 5-spd

Compare Toyota 4Runner model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Toyota 4Runner model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1984 Toyota 4Runner02
1985 Toyota 4Runner02
1986 Toyota 4Runner08
1987 Toyota 4Runner05
1988 Toyota 4Runner19
1989 Toyota 4Runner16
1990 Toyota 4Runner178
1991 Toyota 4Runner143
1992 Toyota 4Runner153
1993 Toyota 4Runner151
1994 Toyota 4Runner112
1995 Toyota 4Runner147
1996 Toyota 4Runner272
1997 Toyota 4Runner1139
1998 Toyota 4Runner1130
1999 Toyota 4Runner0220
2000 Toyota 4Runner0379
2001 Toyota 4Runner1154
2002 Toyota 4Runner1192
2003 Toyota 4Runner3527
2004 Toyota 4Runner2612
2005 Toyota 4Runner5410
2006 Toyota 4Runner5381
2007 Toyota 4Runner5154
2008 Toyota 4Runner596
2009 Toyota 4Runner622
2010 Toyota 4Runner12145
2011 Toyota 4Runner10163
2012 Toyota 4Runner896
2013 Toyota 4Runner636
2014 Toyota 4Runner777
2015 Toyota 4Runner986
2016 Toyota 4Runner879
2017 Toyota 4Runner536
2018 Toyota 4Runner558
2019 Toyota 4Runner465
2020 Toyota 4Runner133
2021 Toyota 4Runner136
2022 Toyota 4Runner339
2023 Toyota 4Runner132
2024 Toyota 4Runner19
2025 Toyota 4Runner159
2026 Toyota 4Runner27

Checking a specific 1996 Toyota 4Runner

How do I know if my 1996 Toyota 4Runner 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. 2 campaigns currently list the 1996 Toyota 4Runner; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.

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 (for example 02V021000).

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

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.