1997 Model Year

Toyota 4Runner

NHTSA Complaints & Reliability Data

Compare
Complaints
261
Recalls
0
Crashes
35
Severe
57

Recent Complaints

Latest owner reports

Suspension
May 2023

I have had this vehicle since 12/1997 and it had always been garaged. The body is in very good condition. I live in northern Wisconsin and road salt i...

SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN
Sep 2020

PURCHASED A USED 1997 4-RUNNER WITH CA. 258000 MILES EARLY IN 2020. ENGINE AND WHOLE BODY WAS GOOD. HOWEVER, 6 MONTH LATER THE CAR STARTED TO SHAKE V...

TIRES,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,AIR BAGS Crash
Jul 2020

MY FIANCE AND I WERW DRIVING A BORROWERED 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WE WERE DRIVING AT 65 M AND ALL I REMEMBER JUST GETTIN ON THE FREEWAY.AND BLANKING OUT...

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Crash
Jun 2020

TL* THE CONTACT WAS LOANED A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THE VEHICLE WAS LOANED FROM A USED DEALER (MCFARLAND AUTO SALES LOCATED AT 231...

Suspension
Jan 2020

REAR FRAM STABILIZER BRACE RUSTED OUT AND BROKE AWAY FROM FRAME, SO AXLE TO FRAME STALIZER DOES NOT STABILIZE REAR AXLE

SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Jul 2019

VERY RUSTED OUT UNDERCARRIAGE. MY OTHER IS ONLY 3 YEARS NEWER AND HAS NOTHING LIKE THIS ON IT. I WAS ADVISED TO SELL IT BY A SUSPENSION SHOP THAT NOTE...

SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE
May 2019

FRAME RUST MAKES VEHICLE DANGEROUS WHILE DRIVING.

STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Apr 2019

HEY I HAVE A 1997 4 RUNNER I HAVE A PROBLEM OF THE FRAME GETTING RUSTED OUT. IT IS ON THE 4 LINK WHERE IT HOOKS TO THE AXLE IT COULD HAVE KILLED ME MY...

Structure
Apr 2019

THE FRAME SNAPPED FROM RUST AS I WAS DRIVING

SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE
Jan 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE SWAYED BACK AND FORTH. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS I...

VS

Vehicle Safety Research Team

Automotive Data Analysts

Independent researchers analyzing NHTSA data to help consumers make informed vehicle decisions.

Data updated: March 4, 2026

Summary

The 1997 Toyota 4Runner has 261 complaints and 0 recalls on record. The most commonly reported issue is Suspension. 35 crash-related incidents have been reported.

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