CarModelProblems.com

1999 Toyota 4RUNNER Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Structure:body — runs 5.7× the fleet median for that category across the 1175 model-years tracked on this site.
330Complaints
2Recalls
30Crashes
5Fires
19Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Structure:body (22.1% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.

Structure:body complaints here are 5.7× the median for that category across the 1175 model-years tracked on this site.

None of the 6 most-reported categories on this page have a recall or open investigation on file — they rest on unverified owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Structure:body73 · 22.1%No official action
Suspension57 · 17.3%No official action
Structure:frame And Members:underbody Shields22 · 6.7%No official action
Tires18 · 5.5%No official action
Structure:frame And Members16 · 4.8%No official action
Fuel System, Gasoline15 · 4.5%No official action

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

STRUCTURE:BODY73 · 22.1%
SUSPENSION57 · 17.3%
Unspecified / other36 · 10.9%
TIRES18 · 5.5%
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS16 · 4.8%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE15 · 4.5%
STEERING15 · 4.5%
POWER TRAIN13 · 3.9%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM12 · 3.6%

Percentages are the share of the 330 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 2 campaigns

Exterior Lighting

NHTSA campaign 06E049000 · 2006 · reported 05/24/2006

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting

NHTSA campaign 06E026000 · 2006 · reported 03/23/2006

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“DRIVING ON I-79 IN PASSING LANE AT 65 MPH, THE ENGINE QUIT, COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES..RUSH HOUR. MOST DANGEROUS THAT HAS EVER…”NHTSA complaint 10264990 — filed 04/11/2009 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
“FUEL GAUGE BEGAN SHOWING INACCURATE READINGS. USUALLY SHOWED AT OR NEAR FULL REGARDLESS OF ACTUAL FUEL VOLUME IN TANK. AFTER A COUPLE WEEKS IT JUST…”NHTSA complaint 10263245 — filed 03/27/2009 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
“-STARTED THE VEHICLE. -MOVED FORWARD A FEW FEET -STARTED TO TURN STEERING WHEEL LEFT, NOTICED STEERING WAS HEAVIER THAN NORMAL AS WELL AS UNUSUAL NOISE…”NHTSA complaint 10255373 — filed 01/16/2009 · STEERING

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

11200917212011232620133432201533252017191920191892021112023

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1999 Toyota 4RUNNER?

Structure:body issues are the most-reported category, cited in 73 of 330 NHTSA complaints (22.1%), followed by suspension (57), unspecified/other issues (36), structure:frame and members:underbody shields (22). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 1999 Toyota 4RUNNER have?

330 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 30 involved a crash, 5 involved a fire, and 19 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 1999 Toyota 4RUNNER have any recalls?

Yes — 2 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 06E049000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 1999 Toyota 4RUNNER's reported problems?

0 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.