1999 Toyota 4RUNNER fuel system problems

Filed Jun 20, 2020 · Fuel system · 199,252 miles · NV

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.

Filed Mar 25, 2016 · Fuel system · 220,000 miles · KY

Low fuel light comes on with around 5-6 gallons of fuel remaining and gas hand goes from full to half after only 70 miles.

Filed Jan 15, 2016 · Driver assistance, Fuel system · 211,750 miles · MD

The gauge reading will gradually change while driving or will show a different reading after cycling the ignition key 'off' and then 'on'. The gauge will come off of 'full' quickly.

Filed Jul 31, 2015 · Fuel system · 180,000 miles · OH

The fuel gauge does not read correctly and will indicate full at times and empty at others leading to risk of running out of fuel. I finally reailzed this and so don't use the gauge anymore. Created risk of running out of gas on the highway if I hadn't seen it.

Filed Jan 25, 2013 · Electrical, Fuel system · 196,001 miles · IA

The fuel gauge is inaccurate readings will vary all over the place ran out of gas several times now. It says 1/2 tank but there was no gas in the tank. I understand it is a know issue toyota should fix.

Filed Nov 27, 2012 · Fuel system · 81,000 miles · CA

I'm the original owner of this 1999 toyota 4runner. Fuel gauge is inaccurate, gives misleading information. According to specification this gas tank can holds 18.5 gallons, but when the gauge said it was empty I filled it all the way up and it only took ~13 gallons. This a faulty design and it needs to be recalled and repaired for customer. I didn't notice this problem until I have a long trip ~ 500 miles away from home.

Filed Nov 12, 2012 · Fuel system · 140,000 miles · CA

The fuel sending units on the '99 and '00 4 runner are defective and cause the fuel gauge to not read properly. I have run out of gas several times while the gauge is reading half full. Toyota has a service bulletin on this but no recall. Bulletin el010-00 and el010-99. It is a definite safety issue as I have run out of gas on a busy highway.

Filed Jun 9, 2012 · Fuel system · 85,000 miles · NJ

The fuel gauge always reads 1/2 full to full. Ran out of gas 6 times due to this problem. Toyota has a tsb (el010-00) out on fuel gauge inaccuracy. After replacing an expensive sending unit, still no help. According to this tsb I do not have to replace the circuit board behind the instrument cluster. This is a factory flaw and toyota should be responsible for this problem. Thanks.

Filed Jan 11, 2011 · Fuel system · 90,000 miles · CO

I purchased a 1999 toyota 4runner 2 years ago after driving it off the lot we noticed within a week that the fuel gauge was not working. They explained that had they knew it was broken, how wouldn't you, they would not have been able to sell it for that price. I paid for the fix and was reassured that this would solve the problem. Well, starting about 1 month ago I am now having the same problem. I contacted toyota goodwill and they told me it was only covered under initial warranty. I have read several forums and columns on this issue and the problem does not occur within the first 36 k miles so alot of good that does. I am still waiting to see if management reviews my case, but I doubt anything will get done unless I continue to call back. I would think that toyota would want to extend some goodwill considering this is not the first time it has happened to me. The safety issue is relevant considering there is no real way to exactly track your miles and becoming stranded on the side of the highway or late at night is certainly not a good thing to have to experience.

Filed Aug 7, 2010 · Fuel system · 110,000 miles · GA

I have a 1999 toyota 4-runner and the fuel gauge has stopped working. It began by showing a quantity of fuel when it really did not have any fuel. This caused me to run out of fuel and almost have a major accident. It now may read full, zero, 1/2 etc. You cannot depend on the accuracy. I contacted dealer who told me they knew it was a toyota defect but that the vehicle was out of warranty and they would do nothing about it but tell me to bring it in and they would fix it for between $500 - $1000!!! Toyota has even issued a service bulletin tsb # el 010-00 to address the problem but not offer repairing the problem. This is a dangerous situation for those unaware and could result in death or serious injury.