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1998 Toyota 4RUNNER body problems

78 complaints (31% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 170,000. 1 crash reported.

owner complaints
78
of this car's complaints
31%
typical mileage
170,000
crashes
1
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Body
    46
  • Frame and members: underbody shields
    19
  • Frame and members
    4
  • Body: tailgate
    1
  • Body: hatchback/liftgate
    1
  • Body: door
    1
  • Body: bumpers
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Toyota 4RUNNER body problems in other years

19901995200020052010201520202026

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 1998 Toyota 4RUNNER owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Nov 11, 2022 · Body, Suspension · KY

The frame is rusting out and broke while driving. The frame is almost totally destroyed from rust . The rear started swinging violently but luckily got it stop without crashing. The entire frame is a joke. I can't believe it hasn't been recalled STILL. The body is in perfect shape but a frame that can snap at any moment....I thought Toyota put safety first?

Filed Dec 3, 2020 · Body · 305,000 miles · IA

Critical frame rust causing trailing arms to detach under normal use.

Filed Nov 8, 2020 · Body · 101,185 miles · MT

The driver's side rear control arm mounting bracket that is welded to the frame has rusted and completely fractured off of the frame. The failure occurred while I began to accelerate from a stop light on a city street at normal speeds. I felt and heard a loud pop, then had severe rear end instability while driving, requiring me to "limp home" to maintain control of the vehicle.

Filed Jul 12, 2020 · Body · RI

Rusted frame. Hole right through it. Can't sell, register or do anything with it. Car has 188k miles, drives like a tank, and has years left in it, but not with a rusted out frame. No one showed it to me before I tried to sell it. I have owned for 7 years, 2nd owner.

Filed May 5, 2020 · Body, Suspension · 245,000 miles · KY

The frame has rusted out and the swaybar has broke loose from the frame.

Filed Dec 2, 2019 · Body · 68,000 miles · NY

The frame of my vehicle is rusting out to the point of being unsafe. The vehicle only has 68k miles. The rear trailing arm bracket has a hole inside

Filed Jun 14, 2019 · Body, Seat belts · 280,000 miles · IA

Rear passenger side sway bar attachment rusted through and snapped from frame. And on other side sway bar link snapped. In addition the frame near it is rotting away. Noticed it while driving it was swaying badly. In addition the driver side seat belt will unlatch occasionally while driving.

Filed May 28, 2019 · Body · 230,950 miles · PA

Can not get inspection because of frame rusted

Filed Mar 27, 2019 · Body, Suspension · 125,000 miles · VA

While on a city street with a 45mph speed limit, when the accelerator was pressed the back end of the car started to fishtail to the side. The vehicle was taken to a toyota dealership where they discovered the frame of the vehicle had rusted and broke where the rear control arm to the driver side rear axle attached. The vehicle had been well maintained by the only owner and the body is in near excellent condition with no accidents.

Filed Dec 6, 2018 · Body, Suspension · 240,000 miles · MD

My 1998 toyota 4runner frame is comprised and deemed unsafe and undrivable due to severe frame rust. I had to remove it from the road since the body rocks on the frame and is unsafe to drive.

Questions about the 1998 Toyota 4RUNNER body

Does the 1998 Toyota 4RUNNER have body problems?

Owners have filed 78 complaints about the body of the 1998 Toyota 4RUNNER, 31% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 1998 Toyota 4RUNNER body problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 170,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 1998 Toyota 4RUNNER body?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Toyota 4RUNNER have the most body problems?

The Toyota 4RUNNER model years with the most body complaints are 2004 (310 complaints), 2003 (284 complaints) and 2000 (256 complaints).

Other 1998 Toyota 4RUNNER problems

Suspension 60Tires 30Engine 16Brakes 13Steering 12Transmission 12Electrical 11Seat belts 9Acceleration 8Airbags 7Lights 6Wheels 5Locks 2Seats 2Fuel system 1Visibility 1

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