1997 Toyota 4Runner
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Suspension, Wheels & Tires
Suspension, Wheels & Tires leads by volume: 118 of 261 complaints (45%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (8) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 161 in 1996 to 261 in 1997.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | vs. 1997 Special Purpose Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,450–4,800 | 3,100–3,900 | 3,300–3,900 | 3,300–3,900 | 3,300–3,900 | |
| Combined MPG | 13–18 | 16–20 | 16–19 | 16–19 | 16–19 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 12–17 / 15–20 | 15–18 / 18–23 | 15–18 / 17–22 | 15–18 / 18–22 | 15–18 / 18–22 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 494–684 | 444–555 | 468–555 | 468–555 | 468–555 | |
| Complaints filed | 172 | 161 | 261 | 250 | 330 | |
| Recalls issued | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 14 | 17 | 35 | 18 | 30 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 5 | |
| Injuries reported | 17 | 16 | 21 | 21 | 19 | |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1997 Toyota 4Runner have?
4 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1997 Toyota 4Runner?
Suspension, Wheels & Tires: 118 of 261 NHTSA complaints (45%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1997 Toyota 4Runner get?
EPA rates it 16–19 MPG combined across 7 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1997 Toyota 4Runner?
EPA estimates $3,300–$3,900 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (7)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.7L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Special Purpose Vehicles | 18 mpg (high) | 22 mpg (high) | 19 mpg (high) | $3,300 (low) | 468 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.7L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Special Purpose Vehicles | 17 mpg | 22 mpg (high) | 18 mpg | $3,450 | 494 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.4L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Special Purpose Vehicles | 15 mpg (low) | 19 mpg | 17 mpg | $3,650 | 523 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.7L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Special Purpose Vehicles | 16 mpg | 20 mpg | 18 mpg | $3,450 | 494 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.7L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Special Purpose Vehicles | 15 mpg (low) | 20 mpg | 17 mpg | $3,650 | 523 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.4L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Special Purpose Vehicles | 15 mpg (low) | 18 mpg | 16 mpg (low) | $3,900 (high) | 555 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 7 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 3.4L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Special Purpose Vehicles | 15 mpg (low) | 17 mpg (low) | 16 mpg (low) | $3,900 (high) | 555 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 14 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 25 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 7 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| Brakes | 30 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 14 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 118 | 14 | 0 | 6 | 3 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 13 | 10 | 0 | 8 | 3 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 11 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 81 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 28 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (4)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING · Campaign 09E012000 · Apr 7, 2009
Defect: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING · Campaign 06E049000 · Jun 5, 2006
Defect: 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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING · Campaign 06E026000 · Mar 23, 2006
Defect: 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.
SUSPENSION · Campaign 02V021000 · Jan 26, 2002
Defect: ON CERTAIN 2-WHEEL-DRIVE (2WD) AND 4-WHEEL-DRIVE (4WD) 4RUNNER SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, A COMBINATION OF HEAVY LOADING (SIMULTANEOUS LOADING TO REAR GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATING AND GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING) AND SEVERE STEERING MANEUVERS COULD CAUSE THE 2WD 4RUNNER TO LOSE DIRECTIONAL STABILITY.
Consequence: THIS MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE REAR SUSPENSION PARTS. ALTHOUGH THE 4WD 4RUNNERS DO NOT EXHIBIT THE HANDLING CONDITION, TOYOTA WILL RECALL THESE VEHICLES TO AVOID ANY PUBLIC CONFUSION AS TO WHICH VEHICLES SHOULD RECEIVE THE REPLACEMENT PARTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 28, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.