NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 165 owner complaints for the 1996 Toyota 4Runner. Most complaints involve structure (42) and suspension (37). The EPA rates it 16–20 mpg combined.
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.
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.
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each 4Runner model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 165 |
| 1997 | 264 |
| 1998 | 264 |
| 1999 | 332 |
| 2000 | 493 |
| 2001 | 190 |
| 2002 | 251 |
| 2003 | 708 |
| 2004 | 678 |
| 2005 | 425 |
| 2006 | 381 |
| 2007 | 154 |
| 2008 | 96 |
| 2009 | 22 |
| 2010 | 147 |
| 2011 | 163 |
| 2012 | 96 |
| 2013 | 36 |
| 2014 | 77 |
| 2015 | 86 |
| 2016 | 81 |
| 2017 | 36 |
| 2018 | 60 |
| 2019 | 65 |
| 2020 | 33 |
| 2021 | 36 |
| 2022 | 39 |
| 2023 | 33 |
| 2024 | 10 |
| 2025 | 60 |
“MY 1996 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SUFFERS FROM EXCESSIVE RUST THAT CAUSED ME TO BE HAVE A HORRIBLE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL DUE TO THE FRAME EXCESSIVELY CRACKING. THE CRACKING WAS DUE TO WHAT AN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH COMPANY STATING THAT THE RIGHT-REAR FRAME RAIL CRACKED AND SEPARATED FROM THE FRAME DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUSTING. THE INDEPENDENT RESEARCH COMPANY POINTED TO NUMEROUS KNOWN REPORTING'S ON THE INTERNET AS A COMMON OCCURRENCE OF THIS VEHICLE. I MADE A PERSONAL CALL TO TOYOTA CUSTOMER CARE AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY LOGGED MY COMPLAINT BUT THAT THEY WOULD NOT COVER ANY CLAIMS HEREIN TO HELP IN FIXING THE ISSUE. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAD APPROXIMATELY 137,000 MILES AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENCE. THE OCCURRENCE HAPPENED WHEN I WAS TRAVELING ON AN INTERSTATE AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MILES PER HOUR. I CROSSED AN AREA THAT HAD STANDING WATER (NOT DEEP BY ANY MEANS MIND YOU) AND THE REAR END COMPLETELY SHIFTED OUT TO THE RIGHT OF ME AND CAUSED ME TO SPIN. THIS WATER WENT ACROSS ALL THREE LANES AND NO ONE ELSE EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE I DID. THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SPUN AROUND AND I ENDED UP IN THE EMERGENCY LANE FACING HEAD ON AT ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I WAS FORTUNATE THAT NO ONE WAS INJURED OR…”
“I have noticed that my vehicle doesn’t seem to be balance and most of the time i am afraid the tires will fall off by the movement of the vehicle. And the metal parts that attachment part it looks very bad on the metal parts like it rusted so bad. I hope they will be able to figure out whats wrong and if i am the only one who is experiencing this issue.”
“OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM. COOLANT IS LEAKING AND OIL SLUDGE IS BUILDING UP WITHIN THE MANIFOLD. IT IS USING 2 TO 3 QUARTS OF OIL ON A MONTHLY BASIS AND SMOKING WILL BADLY WHEN FIRST CRANKED. CAR CHECKED BY TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND SAYS NOTHING IS WRONG WITH CAR. *JB”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4Runner 2WD Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 | 22 | 20 | $3,100 | 444 |
| 4Runner 2WD Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 | 23 | 20 | $3,100 | 444 |
| 4Runner 4WD Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 | 20 | 18 | $3,450 | 494 |
| 4Runner 2WD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 20 | 17 | $3,650 | 523 |
| 4Runner 4WD Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,650 | 523 |
| 4Runner 4WD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 18 | 16 | $3,900 | 555 |
| 4Runner 4WD Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 18 | 16 | $3,900 | 555 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
5 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 165 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are structure (42), suspension (37), engine and engine cooling (23). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 1996 Toyota 4Runner at 16–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (7 versions rated).