1996 Toyota 4RUNNER vs 1997 Toyota 4RUNNER
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 1996 Toyota 4RUNNER | 1997 Toyota 4RUNNER |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 72 | 139 |
| Recall campaigns | 1 | 1 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 32 | 36 |
| Investigations | 0 | 0 |
| Crash reports | 5 | 12 |
| Fire reports | 1 | 2 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 16–20 | 16–19 |
| Median reported mileage | 187,000 mi | 175,000 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Toyota 4RUNNER | Toyota 4RUNNER |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | 38 | 69 |
| Suspension | 23 | 65 |
| Power Train | 2 | 11 |
| Steering | 2 | 10 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 | 7 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 0 | 6 |
| Tires | 2 | 3 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 1 | 3 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Rust / corrosion | 48 | 85 |
| Stalling | 0 | 6 |
1996 Toyota 4RUNNER
1997 Toyota 4RUNNER
Compare all Toyota 4RUNNER vs Toyota 4RUNNER years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.