Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 1998 Toyota 4Runner
NHTSA data on file today
The 1998 Toyota 4Runner has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 130 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #09E012000 FMVSS 108/AFTERMARKET COMBINATION LAMPS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06E049000 FMVSS 108/AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06E026000 FMVSS 108/AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #02V021000 TOYOTA/REAR SUSPENSION NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Structure 72 complaints
- Suspension 43 complaints
- Unknown or Other 14 complaints
- Steering 6 complaints
- Power Train 5 complaints
- Electrical System 4 complaints
Of the 130 complaints on file, 6 report a crash and 2 a fire; across all 130 complaints, owners report 1 injury and 1 death (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $4,500–$7,500AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 1998 Toyota 4Runner has an average reliability rating due to moderate issues related to the suspension and occasional structural complaints. While these problems are notable, they are not excessively prevalent, and recall data shows no significant safety issues.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| suspension | 80,000–120,000 miles | $600–$1,000 | common |
| structure | 70,000–110,000 miles | $500–$900 | common |
| steering | 100,000–140,000 miles | $300–$700 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Brake pad and rotor inspection
- Transmission fluid replacement
- Spark plug replacement
- Coolant system check
- Belt and hose inspection
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Grinding noises while steering
- Uneven tire wear
- Sagging rear suspension
- Leaking oil or coolant
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 1998 Toyota 4Runner at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.