1989 TOYOTA 4RUNNER

1 recalls, 7 complaints - 32 TSBs

STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING

Defect Description

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, IF THE STEERING WHEEL IS REPEATEDLY TURNED UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS WHERE HIGH STEERING EFFORT AND POWER ASSIST ARE REQUIRED, FOR INSTANCE, WHEN FULLY TURNING THE WHEEL WHILE THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED, A FATIGUE CRACK MAY DEVELOP IN THE STEERING RELA... Read more

Consequence

IF THE VEHICLE IS CONTINUED TO BE OPERATED IN THIS CONDITION, THE RELAY ROD MAY FRACTURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING RELAY ROD. THE RECALL BEGAN OCTOBER 5, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

977,839 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Complaint Statistics

7 total complaints

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE	2
TIRES	2
SEAT BELTS	1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS	1
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS	1

Incident date: May 6, 1999

LAST YEAR I REPLACED A FIRESTONE ATX TIRE BECAUSE IT STARTED SEPARATING. FIRESTONE REIMBURSEMENT POLICY DOESN'T INCLUDE THIS TIRE BECAUSE IT WAS REPLACED BEFORE JAN. 2000. HAD THE TIRE NOT SEPARATED, IT WOULD STILL BE ON MY VEHICLE AND BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I DIDN'T KNOW WHO TO CONTACT BUT I F... Read more

Incident date: May 6, 1999

Incident date: Jan 1, 1999

HEAD GASKET FAILED, RECALL ON COMPONENT HOWEVER NO NOTIFICATION SENT TO OWNER, RECALL DENIED DUE TO EXPIRATION. MJS

Incident date: Jun 7, 1997

FRAME:LEFT UPPPER CONTROL ARM MOUNT TORN OUT OF FRAME, FRAME CRACKED. *AK *NLM

THE BRAKE LIGHT BULBS BURN OUT OFTEN (SEVERAL TIMES A YEAR.) THE LENSES ARE EXTREMELY FADED.

THE ANCHOR THAT SUPPORTS THE PASSENGER'S SIDE SHOULDER HARNESS POPPED OUT. WILL BE TAKEN TO DEALER TO CORRECT. *AK

EXPERIENCING HEAD GASKET FAILURE. VEHICLE WAS RIDING ROUGH. TT

Technical Service Bulletins, 1989 TOYOTA 4RUNNER

32 manufacturer communications from 20 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

Component	Bulletins
350000 EQUIPMENT	10
355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL	4
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	3
061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE	2
355100 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS	2
060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	2
180000 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	1
162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR	1

350000 EQUIPMENT

TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ? 2023 model year vehicles may be available provided the re

180000 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

140000 AIR BAGS

355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

POL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground and spare tires currently in use by Toyota. This information must be kept near the point of vehicle sale and be available to any custom

200000 WHEELS

190000 TIRES

350000 EQUIPMENT

TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ? 2021 model year vehicles may be available provided the re

350000 EQUIPMENT

TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE April 07, 2020: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0032-20. Replacement Certification Labels and VIN Plates

350000 EQUIPMENT

TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin Nos. PG021-88, PG015-89, PG0015-90, PG002-91, PG002-93, PG005-97, PG007-01, PG007-07, PG006-01, PG004-97, T-SB-0144-08, and T-SB-0304-17. The a

060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Dealer Package: 12/18/2018 The Program Details section has been updated. SPECIAL POLICY ADJUSTMENT FOR 1988 - EARLY 1990 TRUCK & 4RUNNER WITH 3VZ?E V6 ENGINES AND SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN (V06) FOR 1990 - EARLY 1995 TRUCK, 4RUNNER & T100 WI

060000 ENGINE (PWS)

Dealer Package: 09/24/2018 A watermark has been added to the Dealer Packet to indicate that V06 SSC expired on September 24, 2018. 3VZ?E Head Gasket Special Policy Adjustment. In October 1996, Toyota announced a Special Policy Adjustment th

060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

350000 EQUIPMENT

Technical Service Bulletin: OBSOLETE NOTICE: July 31, 2018: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0304-17.

355100 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Technical Service Bulletin: OBSOLETE NOTICE: July 31, 2018: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0304-17.

350000 EQUIPMENT

Technical Service Bulletin: OBSOLETE NOTICE: July 31, 2018: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0304-17.

355100 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Technical Service Bulletin: OBSOLETE NOTICE: July 31, 2018: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0304-17.

350000 EQUIPMENT

TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 31, 2018 Rev2: ? The Supersession Notice has been updated. January 11, 2018 Rev1: ? The Supersession Notice has been updated. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin should be discarded. SUPERSESSION NOTICE

350000 EQUIPMENT

TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin Nos. PG021-88, PG015-89, PG0015-90, PG002-91, PG002-93, PG005-97, PG007-01, PG007-07, and T-SB-0144-08. Service Bulletin Nos. PG021-88, PG015-89

350000 EQUIPMENT

TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE November 21, 2017: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0304-17.

162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

TSB: Vehicle replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) may be available from Toyota, provided the request meets one of the criteria lis

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes SB No. T-SB-0101-11. Applicability has been updated to include 2016 ? 2017 model year vehicles. Service Bulletin No. T-SB-0101-11 is Obsolete and any printed

350000 EQUIPMENT

Update on Technician Certification Requirements.

355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Update on Technician Certification Requirements.

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TSB: When servicing interior electrical switches and components, please note the precautions in this bulletin to avoid damaging electrical components and switches. Many lubricants, cleaners, and automotive chemicals contain silicone or othe

353000 EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

130000 VISIBILITY/WIPER (PWS)

This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0185-13.

130000 VISIBILITY

The following procedures are recommended during routine maintenance or in the event of a customer concern for wiper performance.

355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Replacement vin plates.

061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

SUBJECT REGARDING CYLINDER HEAD INSTALLATION FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 3VZ V6 ENGINE. *YC

061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

SUBJECT ON SPECIAL POLICY ADJUSTMENT FOR THE HEAD GASKETS. *YC

355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Product general information.

NHTSA Safety Investigations, TOYOTA 4RUNNER

Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.

DP, Closed , Model Year: 2002

Frame corrosion

On August 7, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a defect petition from Mr. Gary Weinreich alleging premature frame corrosion failure in model year (MY) 2002 - 2006 Toyota 4Runner vehicles. The petitioner based his request upon a corrosion-related front suspension failure he exp... erienced in his MY 2005 Toyota 4Runner, a class action lawsuit settlement involving other Toyota products, and other complaints of underbody corrosion in Toyota 4Runner vehicles that he found in NHTSA?s online complaint database. The petitioner submitted a complaint to NHTSA documenting his experience (NHTSA ID 11098055). On August 17, 2018, ODI opened DP18-002 to evaluate the petitioner?s request. ODI?s evaluation included information provided by the petitioner regarding his vehicle, facts related to the class action lawsuit cited by the petitioner, and consumer complaint data received by NHTSA regarding underbody corrosion in third and fourth-generation Toyota 4Runner vehicles.The undercarriage of the petitioner?s vehicle exhibited severe corrosion damage indicative of seawater immersion. The vehicle?s service history shows that concerns with underbody corrosion were first noted by a Toyota dealer in a multi-point vehicle inspection performed on April 28, 2011. The invoice for that inspection noted ?severe and excessive amount of rust on the undercarriage and on the drive shaft transmission.? Two years later, on October 21, 2013, another multi-point inspection by a Toyota dealer observed further progression of underbody corrosion damage, noting: ?rust on shocks/struts and other components,? ?rust on exhaust system,? ?both splash shields severely rusted,? and ?undercarriage very rusty.? On July 17, 2017, approximately 10 months prior to experiencing the suspension failure incident, an independent repair facility performing routine oil change and brake maintenance informed the Petitioner of a concern with ?excessive frame corrosion? on his vehicle. The service history, severe general corrosion damage, failure age, and environment do not support the petitioner?s allegation of premature corrosion failure.ODI?s analysis of NHTSA complaint data identified fifteen incidents of front lower control arm failure in fourth-generation Toyota 4Runner sport utility vehicles. Two of the failures, including the petitioner?s vehicle, involve vehicles operated in ocean front communities with continuous exposure to aerosolized marine salts and potential exposure to seawater immersion. The remaining thirteen failures all involved vehicles owned or previously registered in states with the greatest use of deicing salts to treat road surfaces in winter months (?Salt states?). On average, the front lower control arm failures occurred after 13.1 years in service in highly corrosive environments. The failure ages and environments do not support the petitioner?s allegation of premature corrosion failure. NHTSA is authorized to issue an order requiring notification and remedy of a defect if the Agency?s investigation shows a defect in design, construction, or performance of a motor vehicle that presents an unreasonable risk to safety. 49 U.S.C. ?? 30102(a)(9), 30118. Since the information before the Agency is not indicative of a vehicle-based defect, it is unlikely that any investigation opened because of granting this petition would result in an order concerning the notification and remedy of a safety-related defect. Therefore, upon full consideration of the information presented in the petition and the potential risks to safety, the petition is denied. The denial of this petition does not foreclose the Agency from taking further action if warranted or the pRead more

DP, Closed , Model Year: 1990

REAR SEAT BELT ROUTING

SQ, Closed , Model Year: 1989

CORRODED BRAKE LINES

TOYOTA IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL IN CANADA 98-253. CORRODED BRAKE LINES COULD FAIL RESULTING IN A PARTIAL BRAK SYSTEM LOSS AND INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES

EA, Closed , Model Year: 1990

LOSS OF BRK EFFECTIVENESS

There is no summary currently available

PE, Closed , Model Year: 1990

LOSS OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENES

===

TOYOTA 4RUNNER - All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the TOYOTA 4RUNNER across all model years (1988, 2026).

157 Total Recalls

6,499 Total Complaints

5 Investigations

377 Reported Crashes

72 Reported Fires

112 Reported Deaths

TOYOTA 4RUNNER - Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year	Recalls	Complaints
2026	1	12	View
2025	1	64	View
2024	1	11	View
2023	1	42	View
2022	3	55	View
2021	1	54	View
2020	1	43	View
2019	4	87	View
2018	5	78	View
2017	5	48	View
2016	8	105	View
2015	9	116	View
2014	7	91	View
2013	6	48	View
2012	8	112	View
2011	10	182	View
2010	12	175	View
2009	6	33	View
2008	5	134	View
2007	5	204	View
2006	5	520	View
2005	5	553	View
2004	2	847	View
2003	3	718	View
2002	3	261	View
2001	3	206	View
2000	2	520	View
1999	2	312	View
1998	4	168	View
1997	4	200	View
1996	5	92	View
1995	4	52	View
1994	4	15	View
1993	3	58	View
1992	3	73	View
1991	2	55	View
1990	2	95	View
1989 (current)	1	7
1988	1	12	View
1987	0	7	View
1986	0	13	View
1985	0	2	View
1984	0	2	View

Other TOYOTA Models

Model	Recalls	Complaints
TUNDRA	787	9,074	View
HIGHLANDER	677	6,756	View
RAV4	669	11,842	View
CROWN	548	141	View
TACOMA	406	10,562	View
VENZA	404	969	View
GRAND HIGHLANDER	388	332	View
PRIUS	365	15,456	View

Vehicle Safety

Consumer Safety

Infrastructure

Public Health

1989 TOYOTA 4RUNNER

Complaint Statistics

Top Reported Components

Technical Service Bulletins, 1989 TOYOTA 4RUNNER

Most Affected Components

NHTSA Safety Investigations, TOYOTA 4RUNNER

TOYOTA 4RUNNER - All Years Overview

TOYOTA 4RUNNER - Year by Year

Other TOYOTA Models