1990 Toyota 4RUNNER: fire, smoke or burning smell

7 of the 77 complaints about the 1990 Toyota 4RUNNER describe fire, smoke or burning smell.

owner complaints: 7
of this car's complaints: 9%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 3 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Fire, smoke or burning smell by model year

2025
2
2023
1
2022
1
2021
1
2019
1
2018
1
2017
1
2012
1
2011
3
2009
1
2008
2
2007
3
2006
9
2005
3
2004
3
2003
3
2002
1
2001
1
2000
1
1999
4
1998
3
1997
3
1996
1
1995
4
1994
1
1993
3
1992
1
1990
7

What owners say

Filed Apr 12, 2016 · Engine · 148,000 miles · OK

This specific toyota forerunner model had a recall for gasket failure. We had it replaced at appx 74,000 miles done by toyota as a courtesy recall. This truck currently has very low mileage considering the age of the truck, about 148,000 miles. It recently almost caught fire overheating after another gasket failure. We feel that either the original repair was not properly completed or another faulty gasket was installed. It's amazing that both times the gasket failed at around the same mileage, 75,000. This car has been extremely well maintained and garaged with a single owner.

Filed Sep 13, 2002 · Engine · WA · fire

While traveling on the highway without prior warning. The vehicle caught on fire underneath hood. The dealership is aware of the problem. Nlm

Filed Dec 3, 2001 · Engine · PA · fire

Vehicle was in for oil change 4 weeks prior to incident. Engine began to make a loud banging noise. Stopped at a jiffylube, and found oil very low. Filled with oil and was told that it sounds like I threw a rod, but it should be okay to get me where I was going (about 5 miles up the road). Approximately 2 miles later, white smoke began coming out the back of the vehicle, and the banging stopped. The smoke became very bad, and I was about to pull into a gas station when someone pulling out yelled to me that it was on fire (in the engine compartment). I got me and my 2 small boys out, and came home that same night to the head gasket recall notice in the mail. I immediately called toyota, who sent someone out to investigate, but they said that the investigation concluded that the cause was not known, and it was not their responsibility. I was reading more horror stories about this on your site. What can be done? My vehicle was paid for and my insurance did not cover fire. Why did it take them so long to get the head gasket recall notice to me? It appears that this was an issue for several years. I basically dropped the issue for several years figuring I was fighting a losing battle, until I discovered this site. Thanks.

Filed May 15, 2000 · Engine · CA

When trying to start vehicle after it has been running roughly, white smoke came out of engine. A technician had informed consumer that vehicle had a blown head gasket.

Filed Dec 11, 1998 · Engine · WA · fire

The consumer was driving truck, and she noticed that there was no pressure when she hit the gas pedal and she smelled fuel. Also she had a new engine put in july, the mileage was 75000 on the truck. The short block was replaced . Then the truck burst into flames. The car wa stowed to the dealer for further investigation.

Filed Feb 28, 1997 · Engine · CA · fire

Engine compartment fire, consumer was driving under normal conditons and noticed lck of resistance from the hydraulic clucth and the vehicle caught on fire in the engine compartment, the fire department was unable to find the cause of the fire.

Filed Jan 11, 1996 · Fuel system · VT · fire

Truck went up in flames for no reason. Please describe. Tt