1999 Toyota 4runner problems

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The Toyota 4Runner is an SUV manufactured by the Japanese automaker Toyota and marketed globally since 1984, across five generations. In Japan, it was marketed as the Toyota Hilux Surf (Japanese: トヨタ・ハイラックスサーフ, Hepburn: Toyota Hairakkususāfu) and was withdrawn from the market in 2009. The original 4Runner was a compact SUV and little more than a Toyota Hilux pickup truck with a fiberglass shell over the bed, but the model has since undergone significant independent development into a cross between a compact and a mid-size SUV. All 4Runners have been built in Japan at Toyota's plant in Tahara, Aichi, or at the Hino Motors (a Toyota subsidiary) plant in Hamura.

The name "4Runner" was created by copywriter Robert Nathan with the Saatchi & Saatchi advertising company as a play on the term "forerunner". The agency held contests to invent new names for Toyota's forthcoming vehicles. According to Toyota, the "4" described the vehicle's 4-wheel drive system while "Runner" was a reference to its all-terrain capabilities and how it could "run" off-road.

For some markets, the Hilux Surf was replaced in 2005 by the similar Fortuner, which is based on the Hilux platform.

As of 2021, the 4Runner is marketed in the Bahamas, Bolivia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Panama, Peru, the United States and Venezuela. Many markets that did not receive the 4Runner, such as Europe and the Middle East, instead received the similarly designed Land Cruiser Prado, another SUV that shared many of the same components.

The 4Runner came in at number five in a 2019 study by iSeeCars.com ranking the longest-lasting vehicles in the US. The 4Runner had 3.9 percent of vehicles over 200,000 miles (320,000 km), according to the study.

1999 Toyota 4runner

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Common 1999 Toyota 4runner problems

The Toyota 4Runner is known for its reliability, but like any vehicle, it has certain problems that are worth considering. For the 1999 Toyota 4Runner, the primary issues reported by owners are related to rust, corrosion, and body paint problems.

Excessive Rust/Corrosion: The most common problem reported by 2003 Toyota 4Runner owners is excessive rust and corrosion, which can be costly to repair. The average cost to fix this issue is around $1,400, and it typically occurs at an average mileage of 153,000 miles. For the 1999 Toyota 4Runner, it is crucial to inspect the frame and other areas prone to rust, especially if the vehicle is from a region with heavy salt usage on roads during winter. Preventive measures, such as undercoating the frame and regular washing, can help extend the life of the vehicle and prevent rust-related issues.

Undercarriage Rusting: Similar to excessive rust and corrosion, undercarriage rusting is another common problem for the 2005 Toyota 4Runner. The average cost to fix this issue is around $2,000, and it typically occurs at an average mileage of 140,000 miles. This issue is also relevant to the 1999 Toyota 4Runner, and regular inspections and preventive maintenance can help mitigate the risks associated with undercarriage rusting.

Airbag Failed to Deploy in Accident: Although not directly related to the 1999 Toyota 4Runner, it is worth noting that the 2015 model year had issues with airbag deployment. Toyota recalled over 900,000 vehicles in 2019, including the 2015 4Runner, due to potentially defective front airbag inflators. These inflators may explode or fail to deploy during an accident, which can cause serious injury. If you are considering a 2015 4Runner, ensure that this issue has been resolved before purchasing.

In summary, the 1999 Toyota 4Runner is known for its reliability, but rust, corrosion, and body paint problems are common issues that owners should be aware of. Regular inspections and preventive maintenance, especially focused on the frame and undercarriage, can help extend the life of the vehicle and mitigate the risks associated with these problems.

1999 Toyota 4runner engine

How many miles will a 1999 Toyota 4Runner last?

Expect a 4Runner to Last Close to 200,000 Miles, with 4.1% of the SUVs Reported to Reach the Mileage Milestone. Toyotas are known for their reliability, and the 4Runner is no exception. The Toyota 4Runner is one of the brand's most reliable vehicles, with many 4Runners living to see as many as 300,000 miles.

What is the most common problem with a Toyota 4Runner?

6 Common Toyota 4Runner Problems

  • Bluetooth Echos During Calls. What's the point of hands-free calling if you can't have a conversation without an annoying echo getting in the way? ...
  • Toyota Truck Frame Rust. ...
  • Musty and Moldy A/C. ...
  • Rodents Chew Soy-Coated Wires. ...
  • Toyota Vehicles with Recalled Takata Airbags. ...
  • Melting Dashboards.

What year 4Runner has the best reliability?

Here are the most reliable years for the Toyota 4Runner: 2017-Present Fifth Generation 4Runner. 2008-2009 Fourth Generation 4Runner. 1999-2000 Third Generation 4Runner.

Are 4Runners cheap to fix?

The annual maintenance cost of a Toyota 4Runner is $514. Repair and maintenance costs vary depending on age, mileage, location and shop.

What is the most common problem with a Toyota 4Runner?

6 Common Toyota 4Runner Problems

  • Bluetooth Echos During Calls. What's the point of hands-free calling if you can't have a conversation without an annoying echo getting in the way? ...
  • Toyota Truck Frame Rust. ...
  • Musty and Moldy A/C. ...
  • Rodents Chew Soy-Coated Wires. ...
  • Toyota Vehicles with Recalled Takata Airbags. ...
  • Melting Dashboards.

How many miles will a 99 4Runner last?

Expect a 4Runner to Last Close to 200,000 Miles, with 4.1% of the SUVs Reported to Reach the Mileage Milestone. Toyotas are known for their reliability, and the 4Runner is no exception. The Toyota 4Runner is one of the brand's most reliable vehicles, with many 4Runners living to see as many as 300,000 miles.

Is Toyota 4Runner high maintenance?

So, is a Toyota 4Runner expensive to maintain? According to CarEdge, a Toyota 4Runner will cost about $5,825 for maintenance and repairs during its first ten years of service, beating the industry average for popular SUVs by a whopping $3,308.

Are old Toyota 4Runners reliable?

A: Historically, the Toyota 4Runner models from the years 1999-2000, 2008-2009, and 2017 to the current fifth generation have been praised for their reliability.

1999 Toyota 4runner car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Toyota 4runner problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

  • Structure problems
  • Suspension problems
  • Unknown or other problems
  • Fuel system problems
  • Tires problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1999 Toyota 4runner vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

Latest 25 complaints 1999 Toyota 4runner

The NHTSA has received 335 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1999 Toyota 4runner. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 1999 Toyota 4runner vehicles.

2023-06-25

SUSPENSION PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2023-06-25
  • VIN: JT3HN87R0X0
  • Components: SUSPENSION
  • Summary: The frame above the RT rear tire has rusted completely through. It's where the rear end bolts to the frame, at a wedge welded to the frame with bolt holes in it. It's like it wants to flip over and darts left or right every time there's a dip or rough spot in the road. I chained it and put a tow strap around everything I could to keep the rear end from coming out & killing me or someone behind me
2022-09-30

SUSPENSION PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2022-09-09
  • VIN: JT3HN86R6X0
  • Components: SUSPENSION
  • Summary: The contact's wife owns a 1999 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at a slow speed, the back end of the vehicle began to wobble. The contact stated that his daughter pulled the vehicle into a parking lot and had the vehicle towed to the contact's home. The vehicle was inspected and severe corrosion was discovered on the driver's side rear lower control arm mount. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed him that there are no recalls on the vehicle. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and the contact was given the same information as the dealer. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 240,000.
2021-10-18

STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1999-06-01
  • VIN: JT3GM84R6X0
  • Components: STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
  • Summary: The component that is failing is the frame. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The safety of myself and others is at risk due to the frame falling apart due to the lack of integrity. The lack of integrity and strength is from oxidation or major rust. The vehicle has not been inspection by a 3rd party. The rust is a common issue in this year/model from other owners and has appeared to be a manufacturing error.
2021-06-14

STEERING,SUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2021-06-14
  • VIN: JT3HN86R8X0
  • Components: STEERING,SUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES
  • Summary: Over the years of ownership, my vehicle has been overwhelmed with rust issues. All four axles are rusted to include the brake components. I didn't realize how bad the rusting was until I heard "popping" noise when making turns The rear suspension sway bar link was rusted so bad, it broke free. I had the rack and pinion replaced in August of 2020 because rust ate through the lines. The frame appears to have separations due to rust as well.
2021-05-12

SUSPENSION PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2021-04-05
  • VIN: JT3HN86R3X0
  • Components: SUSPENSION
  • Summary: RIGHT REAR CHASSIS RUSTED OUT
2021-04-05

SEATS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2021-02-18
  • Crash: 1
  • VIN: JT3HN86R5X0
  • Components: SEATS
  • Summary: DRIVING EASTBOUND INTO PORTLAND (OR) ON HWY.26 (SUNSET HWY.), THREE LANES INBOUND. THREE LANES INBOUND, I WAS IN THE RIGHT LANE.AS WE NEARED THE TUNNELS, TRAFFIC STOPPED BUMPER-TO-BUMPER, AS IT OFTEN DOES. I STOPPED, LEAVING A SMALL BUFFER BETWEEN MY VEHICLE AND THE ONE AHEAD OF ME, AND WATCHED THE RED MAZDA CX-5 APPROACHING BEHIND, NOT SLOWING, AND BRACED FOR THE BUMP. BAM! IT WAS A SERIOUS JOLT. WE PULLED OFF ONTO THE SHOULDER. TRAFFIC WAS BUSY, SO IT TOOK A WHILE TO GET OUT TO INSPECT DAMAGE. I WAS EXPECTING MORE THAN I FOUND, AND ACTUALLY NOTICED NO DAMAGE AT THE TIME. THE MAZDA THAT HAD REAR-ENDED ME SUSTAINED SOME SERIOUS COSMETIC DAMAGE, BUT WAS STILL DRIVEABLE. WE TRADED INFO, AND I HEADED ON TO MT.HOOD TO SKI. A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER, I NOTICED THAT MY DRIVERS SEAT WAS A BIT WOBBLY. WHEN I GOT A CHANCE TO CHECK THE CAUSE,I FOUND THAT THE FRONT LEFT BOLT HOLDING THE SEAT WAS LOOSE.I TIGHTENED IT BACK DOWN.,BUT IT CAME LOOSE AGAIN AFTER THE EMBEDDED NUT CAME LOOSE FROM THE FRAME. A GOOGLE SEARCH REVEALED A PLEATHORA OF 4RUNNER AND TACOMA OWNERS ENCOUNTERING SIMILAR FAILURES.TO FIX, I DRILLED A 1/2" HOLE THROUGH THE BOLT HOLE AND THROUGH THE BOTTOM OF THE FRAME CHAMBER, RAN A 4"X1/2" STEEL BOLT THROUGH THE HOLE, FASTENED WITH A LARGE WASHER, LOCK WASHER, AND NUT, SOME THREAD-LOCK, AND SLATHERED ON THE BLACK SILICONE RTV. ALL DONE. SEEMS JUST FINE, NOW. CBS NEWS DID A STORY ON THEIR MORNING SHOW LAST THURSDAY, REGARDING DANGERS OF SIMILAR SEAT FAILURES IN HONDAS, I BELIEVE. I'M SURPRISED THAT THESE COMPANIES HAVE NOT DONE RECALLS ON THESE DESIGN FAILURES,ALREADY.
2021-02-17

UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2015-01-21
  • VIN: JT3HN86R3X0
  • Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
  • Summary: THE FRAME IS RUSTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT
2021-02-14

STRUCTURE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2021-02-14
  • VIN: JT3HN86R5X0
  • Components: STRUCTURE
  • Summary: MY FRAME IS RUSTED ALMOST TO PIECES. I KNOW THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 4RUNNER OF THE SAME YEAR MODELS. AND I HOPE TO GET A RECALL BECAUSE IT'S PUTTING ME AND OTHERS AT RISK OF WRECKING THE CAR AND POSSIBLE INJURIES.
2020-10-28

SEATS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2019-10-01
  • VIN: JT3HN87R52X
  • Components: SEATS
  • Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT SEAT ADJUSTER LEVER WAS FRACTURED. NEITHER THE LOCAL DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED OR INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
2020-10-17

SUSPENSION PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2020-08-03
  • VIN: JT3HN86R2X0
  • Components: SUSPENSION
  • Summary: MY VEHICLE IS VERY CLEAN AND WELL MAINTAINED AND HAD NO INDICATION OF TROUBLE OR HANDLING ISSUES. A REPAIR SHOP WAS TAKING IT BACK TO FIX AN EXHAUST PROBLEM WHEN HE NEARLY LOST CONTROL. I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT WHEN HE NOTIFIED ME IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE, BUT FOUND OUT THAT ONE SECTION OF THE FRAME HAD TOTALLY RUSTED THROUGH WHERE THE AXLE LINK MOUNTS TO THE FRAME. IT COULD HAVE TORN THE AXLE OUT FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE WITH NO PREVIOUS WARNING. I HAD BEEN DRIVING ON 4 LANE INTERSTATE AT 70 JUST DAYS BEFORE WITH NO HANDLING ISSUES AT ALL. I PERSONALLY HAVE CHANGED THE OIL AND GREASED THE DRIVE TRAIN ALL BUT ONCE OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS AND NOT NOTICED THIS SMALL AREA OF SEVERE RUST THROUGH. I HAVE ALSO SPENT OVER $3000 ON EXHAUST, TIRES, AND MAINTENANCE REPAIR OVER THE PAST YEAR BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT WAS WORTHY OF 5-10 MORE YEARS AND 100,000 MORE MILES. MY 2001 CAMRY IS DRIVEN BY MY SON NOW AND HAS APPROXIMATELY 390,000 MILES ON IT. I JUST SOLD MY 1994 JEEP CHEROKEE WITH OVER 300,000 MILES ON IT AND THIS 4RUNNER BODY IS IN MUCH BETTER CONDITION THAN THOSE AND THAT WAS WHY I EXPECTED THIS WOULD TOO. THIS IS DEFINITELY A WEAK SPOT HARD TO DETECT BECAUSE MYSELF AND 3 OTHER MECHANIC PLACES HAD NOT SEEN IT WHEN SERVICING IT BUT YET IT IS ALSO A VERY CRITICAL FUNCTION THAT CAN CAUSE COMPLETE LOSS OF CONTROL WHEN THE LEFT SIDE OF THE AXLE IS TORN LOOSE AND OUT FROM THE VEHICLE. HEAD-ON COLLISIONS, ROLLOVERS, ETC ARE VERY LIKELY. THEREFORE, I BELIEVE THAT THIS WARNING MUST BE MADE KNOWN TO OTHER DRIVERS OF THESE 4RUNNERS AND A RECALL TO REPLACE THE FRAME AS NEEDED JUST LIKE TOYOTA HAS DONE FOR OTHER TRUCKS OF THEIRS, I.E. TUNDRA, SEQUOIA, TACOMA WITH FULL FRAME LIKE THIS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION OF THIS FOR PROTECTION OF OUR PUBLIC.I HAVE PLENTY MORE PHOTOS OF THE VEHICLE THAT I CAN SHARE TO SUBSTANTIATE THE SOUNDNESS OF THE REST OF THE VEHICLE OR BAD SPOT RUSTING.
2020-10-04

SUSPENSION,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2019-02-15
  • VIN: JT3HN87R0X0
  • Components: SUSPENSION,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
  • Summary: VEHICLE FRAME IS ROTTED
2020-08-02

STEERING,SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2020-08-02
  • VIN: JT3HN86R4X0
  • Components: STEERING,SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE
  • Summary: I HEARD RUBBING NOISES FROM MY LEFT FRONT WHEEL.I THOUGHT BRAKES BUT WHEN I INSPECTED THE UNDERSIDE OF MY VEHICLE I NOTICED THAT THE RUBBING WAS COMING FROM A RUSTED AND BROKEN OFF BRAKE SHIELD.I AM OLDER WITH BACK ISSUES SO GETTING UNDER THE CAR FOR A GOOD LOOK M IS TOUGH AT BEST.WHAT I COULD SEE USING A RIGID SEESNAKE BOROSCOPE WAS EXTENSIVE RUST .RUST ALL OVER KEY STRUCTURAL FRAME COMPONENTS FROM MOTOR MOUNTS TO STEERING LINKAGE THE CHASSIS IN SOME AREAS HAS COMPLETELY DISAPPEARED.LOOKING AT THE BODY YOU WOULD THINK THE CAR WAS IN REALLY GOOD SHAPE BUT NOT UNDERNEATH.TOYOTA DIDN'T HAVE 4RUNNERS AS PART OF THEIR RECALL BUT THEY SHOULD HAVE AS THE 4RUNNER USES THE SAME TRUCK CHASSIS AS THE TACOMAS .I NEED THIS TRUCK AND I NEED IT TO BE SAFE.THANKS FOR LISTENING
2020-06-20

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2020-06-20
  • VIN: JT3HN86R2X0
  • Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
  • Summary: THE VEHICLE READS EMPTY WHEN FULL AND FULL WHEN EMPTY SOMETIMES. CONSTANTLY CHANGING NEVER ABLE TO KNOW IF THE TANK IS FULL AND RAN OUT OF GAS SINCE IT WASN'T READING THE CORRECT AMOUNT CAR WAS NOT IN MOTION WHEN I RAN OUT FORTUNATELY. *TR
2020-05-28

ENGINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2020-05-20
  • VIN: JT3GN86R4X0
  • Components: ENGINE
  • Summary: VALVE COVER GASKET FAILED HEAD GASKET FAILED, 3RD CYL AFFECTED. *TR
2020-04-19

SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2004-04-22
  • VIN: JT3HN86R7X0
  • Components: SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
  • Summary: FRAME ROTTED OUT PREMATURELY
2020-03-20

STRUCTURE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2020-01-06
  • VIN: JT3HN86R5X0
  • Components: STRUCTURE
  • Summary: OUR 4RUNNER WENT IN FOR SHOCKS AND WE WERE TOLD WE HAVE A RUSTED FRAME. WE ONLY HAVE 89,000 MILES ON IT AND WE HAVE KEPT UP WITH ALL MAINTENANCE. THIS VEHICLE STILL HAS LOTS OF LIFE LEFT IN IT AND DISAPPOINTED ABOUT THE FRAME. I HAVE SEEN OTHER REPORTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM WITH 4RUNNERS.
2020-01-20

STRUCTURE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2019-12-06
  • VIN: JT3HN86R5X0
  • Components: STRUCTURE
  • Summary: MY 1999 4-RUNNER WITH ONLY 89,000 MILES HAS A RUSTED FRAME. IT NEEDS REPAIR OR IT WILL NOT BE DRIVEABLE. I HAVE TAKEN GREAT CARE OF THIS VEHICLE. WENT IN FOR SHOCKS, AND WAS TOLD BY DEALERSHIP THAT THE FRAME HAS RUSTED.
2020-01-14

SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2019-01-01
  • VIN: JT3HN86R9X0
  • Components: SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
  • Summary: FRAME RUSTED FALLING APART. SO SOFT I CAN STICK MY FINGERS THROUGH IT.
2020-01-12

STRUCTURE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2019-11-11
  • VIN: JT3HN86R7X0
  • Components: STRUCTURE
  • Summary: I WAS DRIVING MY 4 RUNNER AND IT STARTED TO LIKE IT WAS 'FLOATING' AND 'SWAYING' FRONT TO BACK. I WASN'T FAR FROM HOME SO I PARKED HER. THE NEXT DAY I WAS TAKING MY SON TO SCHOOL AND IT FELT LIKE THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR DIPPED DOWN. WE WERE MAYBE 20 YDS FROM THE HOUSE SO I PARKED IT. MY HUSBAND DROVE IT TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG AND HE RAN OFF THE ROAD AND ALMOST ROLLED THE TRUCK. I CALLED OUR MECHANIC AND HE CALLED A ROLL BACK TO PICK IT UP. THE OWNER DROVE IT AND HE RAN OFF THE ROAD AND ALMOST CRASHED. HE LOOKED AT IT AND SAW THE FRAME HAS RUSTED IN HALF.
2019-12-30

STRUCTURE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2016-08-19
  • VIN: JT3HN86R0X0
  • Components: STRUCTURE
  • Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE DEALER (TARBOX TOYOTA LOCATED AT 3671 QUAKER LANE, NORTH KINGSTOWN, RI 02852). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. *DT*JB
2019-12-15

STRUCTURE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2019-12-09
  • VIN: JT3HN87R5X0
  • Components: STRUCTURE
  • Summary: I RECENTLY TOOK MY 1999 4RUNNER FOR A NEW ALTERNATOR AND POWER STEERING BELTS. THE MECHANIC NOTED SEVERE FRAME RUST, MAKING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE. THERE ARE ACTUALLY HOLES IN THE FRAME. THE FRAME IS WORST NEAR WHERE THE CROSS MEMBERS CONNECT. THERE IS NO BODY RUST. I WILL NOT CONTINUE TO ALLOW MY SON OR ANYBODY ELSE TO DRIVE IT, AS IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. DESPITE THE NARRATIVE TO THE CONTRARY, THE MECHANIC DID NOT ACTUALLY POINT THE RUST OUT TO ME. I NOTICED IT ON THE BILL WHEN SUBMITTING TO INSURANCE FOR TOWING. I THEN INSPECTED THE VEHICLE MYSELF.
2019-07-15

SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2019-07-06
  • VIN: JT3HN86R9X0
  • Components: SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE
  • Summary: REAR SUSPENSION MOUNT SEPARATED FROM FRAME AT WELD, VEHICLE WAS RUSTPROOFED WHEN NEW.
2019-06-15

SUSPENSION PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2019-06-15
  • VIN: JT3HN86R2X0
  • Components: SUSPENSION
  • Summary: FRAME IS ALL RUSTED AND CORRODED.
2019-05-12

SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2019-03-14
  • VIN: JT3HN86R3X0
  • Components: SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE
  • Summary: THE MOUNT FOR THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM HAS RUSTED OFF. THIS IS CAUSING THE CAR TO VIOLENTLY ROCK BACK AND FOURTH AFTER HITTING A POT HOLE AND CONTINUE FOR A FEW SECONDS AFTER. IT IS VERY UNNERVING AND OBVIOUSLY A MATER SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE ALSO SEEN SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON WEBSITES SUCH AS T4R.ORG. PLEASE GIVE ME A CALL [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
2019-04-15

WHEELS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2015-01-02
  • Crash: 1
  • VIN: JT3HN86R3X0
  • Components: WHEELS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES
  • Summary: I DO NOT KNOW IF THE STOPPING PROBLEM IS THE BRAKES, TIRES, BOTH, OR SOMETHING ELSE. AT ONE POINT I GOT NEW TIRES AND THE STOPPING PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED. MY FAMILY HAS BEEN IN 3 ACCIDENTS WITH OTHER CARS AND MANY MORE INCIDENTS BY THE CAR ITSELF. WHEN BRAKING IN RAIN/SNOW/ICE AND EVEN SLIGHT DAMP ROADS THE CAR SKIDS FORWARD. WE HAVE TO KEEP EXTRA DISTANCE IN FRONT OF NOW COMPARED TO OTHER CARS WE DRIVE. ALSO DURING ACCELERATION ON RWD FROM A STOPLIGHT EVEN DURING DRY CONDITIONS SOMETIMES THE REAR TIRES SPIN OUT/BURN OUT/ HAVE NO TRACTION.

1999 Toyota 4runner recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 2 recalls for different components of the 1999 Toyota 4runner.

2006-05-24
  • Manufacturer: CK MOTORSPORT, INC.
  • Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
  • Summary: CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
  • Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
  • Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
2006-03-23
  • Manufacturer: PRO-A MOTORS, INC.
  • Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
  • Summary: CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
  • Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
  • Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Negative 1999 Toyota 4runner car reviews

  1. Coleman Rolfson 2025-01-05

    My 4Runner has 79K mi. on it and while it has been somewhat reliable, it hasn't quite met my expectations for a Japanese vehicle. Unfortunately, I had to replace the MAF sensor at 65K and the front brake rotors have warped several times. The seats are not very comfortable for long road trips as they lack thigh support. Additionally, the rear suspension is too soft and it tends to wallow and pitch with even just one person in the back seat. However, I did find that replacing the springs/shocks with an aftermarket set greatly improved the handling and ride. The acceleration is decent, but highway passing could be better. On the bright side, the ground clearance and 31

  2. Casimir Kohler 2024-11-23

    I love this car, but it's important to be cautious in wintery, icy, and wet conditions. If the car is not in 4WD, it may not perform as well as other cars on the road. I've had a couple of accidents - one where I slid on ice while driving slowly on the highway, and another where someone slid into me on snowy roads (ironically, it was a 99 4-Runner). In normal conditions and straight snow, it performs great, but in other conditions, it may slide around a bit.

  3. Zion O'Reilly 2024-11-12

    This is a beautiful machine. It's very reliable.

  4. Richmond Hills 2024-09-12

    This is actually the second 4Runner I've purchased in the last decade. The first one, a '96 base 4x4 model, turned out to be a bit of a lemon. It had all sorts of issues, including a faulty clutch that had to be replaced four times before it even hit 30,000 miles. After that, I switched to a Tahoe, which I loved, but it was too big for my wife to drive comfortably. So, I sold it and bought this '99 4Runner Limited 4x4 with 60,000 miles on it. Unfortunately, it's been giving me some trouble, such as the emergency brake light flashing, the truck not idling properly in the cold, smoking, the transmission jerking when put in gear, and bad brakes. I wouldn't consider buying another one unless it was one of the new 4Runners with the V8s.

  5. Austen Hermiston 2024-07-28

    The 4runner is a great SUV overall, but may not have the necessary performance for certain situations. If you're considering adding an SUV to your line-up, it's important to keep in mind the needs of those who use it primarily for highway driving. In other words, it may benefit from more power.

Positive 1999 Toyota 4runner car reviews

  1. Arne Schneider 2024-11-17

    Hi there! I hope you're doing well. I just wanted to say that I read your review from last November and it's great to hear that you're still loving your 4Runner! It's amazing how well-made those vehicles are, isn't it? I'm so glad that you were able to get such a good deal on it too. I'm sure you'll be able to find another great Toyota in the future. Thanks for sharing your experience!

  2. Obie Funk 2024-11-10

    I've had my 4runner for almost 4 years and I absolutely love it! It's a classy SUV with the ruggedness that most SUVs lack. This has been the most reliable vehicle I've ever owned. It was definitely the best $38k I've ever spent on a vehicle.

  3. Adalberto Herman 2024-10-23

    I purchased this SUV 7 years ago with 118k miles from a wholesaler and it has been a reliable vehicle ever since. Despite the mileage increasing to 172k, it still drives almost as good as new. I did have to replace the air conditioner at around 150k miles for $1,000 and the power antenna stopped working, which was a $150 fix. However, the paint is still in great condition and the cloth interior is very durable. I have never experienced any leaks of any kind. I paid $9,500 for it 7 years ago and it's still worth $6-7k. When I detail it, it looks brand new. It also has decent gas mileage for an SUV, getting 17 hwy. Overall, I believe this is the best SUV ever built and it still has at least another 100k miles left in it.

  4. Reyes Brakus 2024-09-18

    I've been the proud owner of this vehicle for over a year and a half now, and overall it's been a very safe, reliable, and dependable ride. While it may not have the quickest acceleration, it's still a great car to drive. Unfortunately, I've had to replace the rotors twice now and I'm currently working on the third replacement. Additionally, I've noticed some strange wear on the tires that were put on just 9 months ago, and it looks like I'll need to replace both the tires and rotors again to feel completely stable. However, I can attest to the fact that this car is incredibly safe - I was in an accident and it protected me very well. It's also a great car to drive in the winter.

  5. Braxton Farrell 2024-07-12

    It's great that you're doing your research before making a purchase! I've found that consumer reviews on the Internet are the best source of information. After reading them, it's clear that Toyota beats ANY American car in quality and reliability. When it comes to SUVs, most of them are just minivans now, but not Toyota. My 4Runner has a simple interior, but it's very comfortable. The engine runs perfectly and I haven't had any problems. The 4X4 runs great and you can choose from 2WD, 4WD High for a rainy day, 4WD Low for serious off-roading, and hub locking for special situations. The mileage is just as specified (16/19 mpg), which is good enough for its class.

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Additional sources

More sources of information about 1999 Toyota 4runner problems:

Common Problems - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum
Common Problems - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum
https://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/60032-common-problems.html

Jan 16, 2010 ... The only real common issue is rear axle seals which tend to go around 100k miles and really has become more of a maintenance item as most ...

1999 Toyota 4Runner Problems and Complaints - 19 Issues
1999 Toyota 4Runner Problems and Complaints - 19 Issues
https://repairpal.com/1999-toyota-4runner/problems

Top 1999 Toyota 4Runner Problems · Automatic Transmission May Not Shift Correctly at High Mileages · EVAP System Fault Due to Failed Charcoal Canister · Car Won ...

3rd Gen with 200,000+ Miles. Any issues or major problems ...
3rd Gen with 200,000+ Miles. Any issues or major problems ...
https://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/214555-3rd-gen-200-000-miles-any-issues-major-problems.html

Feb 16, 2016 ... You risk the same issues a 4Runner with 100k has. Btw my 01 just passed 210k... Dan 1996 Toyota Rav4 (SCRAPPED), 199? Olds Alero GLS ( ...

Issues with 3rd gen 4runners? : r/4Runner
Issues with 3rd gen 4runners? : r/4Runner
https://www.reddit.com/r/4Runner/comments/n6qelt/issues_with_3rd_gen_4runners/

May 7, 2021 ... Hey, y'all I've been a Toyota owner for a while owning a 99 Tacoma and a 03 Tacoma. I am most likely buying a 02 4runner (v6 165k auto).

Problems with the 3rd Generation 4Runner? - Toyota 4Runner ...
Problems with the 3rd Generation 4Runner? - Toyota 4Runner ...
https://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/1301-problems-3rd-generation-4runner.html

Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum > ... I was wondering if there are any known problems for these years of 4Runners? ... 1999 4Runner, 1998 4Runner, 1997 ...

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