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Toyota 4-Runner VIN Check

NHTSA holds 768 owner complaints on the Toyota 4-Runner from 448 production runs; the worst run has 10, the typical one 1.7.

NHTSA complaint records · 768 complaints · 448 runs · 1994–2005 · Updated Nov 4, 2026
Quick answer

The most-reported 4-Runner run is JT3HN86R5Y0 (2000 builds) with 10 complaints, 5.9× the typical run. Engine and engine cooling problems make up 28% of reports; 1995 is the worst model year at 2.4 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 48 recall campaigns for 4-Runner model years 1988–2026.

Which build runs owners report most

A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Toyota 4-Runner has 448 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 5% of every 4-Runner complaint on file.

FIG.01·Toyota 4-Runner — complaints by production run
Production run (VIN 1–11)YearComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
JT3HN86R5Y0••••••2000104—
JT3HN86R2X0••••••19998—2
JT3VN29V3S0••••••19957——
JT3HN86RXV0••••••199771—
JT3HN86R1V0••••••199772—
JT3VN39W8S0••••••199571—
JT3VN39W7S0••••••199571—
JTEBT14R030••••••20036——
JT3HN87R8V0••••••19976——
JT3HN86R6T0••••••199652—
JT3HN86R5V0••••••199752—
JT3GN86R1W0••••••199851—
ROWS 12·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records, grouped by VIN prefix

Each of the other 436 4-Runner runs has 5 complaints or fewer.

Which model years to check twice

Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Toyota 4-Runner the gap between build years is 2.2×: a 1995 car draws 2.4 complaints per run, a 2005 one 1.1.

FIG.02·Toyota 4-Runner — complaint rate by model year
YearPer runComplaintsRunsCrashes
20051.11413—
20041.344354
20031.5110751
20021.223204
20011.221182
20002784016
19991.8884913
19981.888509
19971.9924916
19961.9733812
19952.499418
19941.538265
ROWS 12·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Heaviest year here is 1995 at 2.4 complaints per run; lightest is 2005 at 1.1.

What to inspect on this car

One system accounts for 28% of everything Toyota 4-Runner owners report: Engine And Engine Cooling, 198 of 768 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.

FIG.03·Toyota 4-Runner — most-reported systems
SystemComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
Engine And Engine Cooling198—1
Service Brakes10117—
Hydraulic9916—
Tires906—
Power Train746—
Suspension7116—
Fuel System38——
Air Bags3531—
ROWS 8·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Recalls to check against your VIN

NHTSA has 48 recall campaigns on the Toyota 4-Runner; the 6 below cover build years 1990 to 2016. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.

FIG.04·Toyota 4-Runner — recall campaigns
CampaignComponentModel years
06E049000Exterior Lighting1990–2002
06E026000Exterior Lighting1994–2002
19V741000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module2010–2016
19V005000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module2010–2016
16V396000Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler2005–2011
11V113000Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal2003–2009
ROWS 6·SOURCE NHTSA recall campaigns

The 4-Runner against its rivals

The 4-Runner draws 1.7 complaints per production run; the Chevrolet Blazer 3.6. That is the lowest rate of the 2.

FIG.05·Toyota 4-Runner VIN check vs rivals
ModelComplaintsRunsPer runInvolved a crash
Toyota 4-Runner7684481.711.7%
Chevrolet Blazer6,3881,7613.610.6%
ROWS 2·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

How serious were they

Of the 768 reports on the Toyota 4-Runner, 11.7% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.

FIG.06·Toyota 4-Runner — complaint severity
OutcomeToyota 4-RunnerAll vehicles
Complaints filed7681,116,631
Involved a crash90 (11.7%)64,221 (5.8%)
Involved a fire6 (0.8%)26,977 (2.4%)
Injuries reported10358,047
Deaths reported52,728
ROWS 5·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Crash-related reports run 102% above the all-vehicle rate.

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How this check works

The file behind this page holds 1,116,631 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 299,142 production runs. The Toyota 4-Runner share of that is 768 complaints over 448 runs, 0.07% of everything on record.

Everything on the Toyota 4-Runner
Recalls171 campaignsFuel economy23 mpg bestReliability4.0/5Common problems6,063 complaintsDimensionsSize, weight, generationsUsed prices6,868 listingsWhat yours is worthValue by year & mileageInsurance costEstimated per yearWindow stickerOriginal Monroney labelDecode a VINWhat each character meansAbout this car1984–2026

Frequently asked questions

How do I check a Toyota 4-Runner VIN for free?

Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 768 NHTSA complaints from 448 4-Runner runs and 48 recall campaigns. No account, no card.

Which 4-Runner production run has the most complaints?

JT3HN86R5Y0, a 2000 build, with 10 complaints, 4 of them after a crash. The typical 4-Runner run has 1.7.

Which 4-Runner years have the most complaints?

Per production run, 1995 is heaviest at 2.4 complaints per run and 2005 lightest at 1.1.

Does the 4-Runner get more complaints than the Chevrolet Blazer?

No: 1.7 complaints per production run for the 4-Runner against 3.6 for the Chevrolet Blazer.

How many 4-Runner complaints involve a crash?

11.7% of 768 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 6 involved a fire.

Complaint and recall records from NHTSA, grouped by VIN production run (characters 1–11). Per-run rates computed by ForCar. Federal data covers safety only — title, odometer and insurance history are not included. Last updated Nov 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by , founder of ForCar.
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