CarBrief

NHTSA has 330 owner complaints on file for the 1999 4Runner and no recalls for this model year[1][2]. The biggest complaint group is structure, with 112 complaints, and the owner texts we read describe rust on the frame and nearby parts[3].

330owner complaints[1]
16–19MPG combined (EPA)[4]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 330 owner complaints for this model year[1]. Of those, 30 mention a crash, 5 a fire and 19 injuries[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one component.

Component group Complaints
Structure[3] 112
Suspension[5] 66
Unknown or other[6] 36
Tires[7] 28
Brakes[8] 26
Power train[9] 23
Fuel system, gasoline[10] 21
Engine[11] 18

Structure. Median mileage at failure is 173,500, with 1 injury and no crashes or fires reported[3]. In the sample of 12 complaints we read, 11 describe[3] rust or rot on the frame, the rear end or nearby parts. Some describe holes in the frame or the rear axle area coming loose from it[3].

Suspension. Median mileage at failure is 181,800[5]. Complaints in this group include 5 crashes and 4 injuries[5]. In a sample of 12 complaints we read, 5[5] describe rust on the rear axle, differential housing, brackets or frame. Another 3 describe vibration or veering at highway speed that an alignment did not fix[5].

Tires. Owners filed 28 complaints[7]. In a sample of 12 we read, 7 describe blowouts or tread and sidewall separation[7].

Brakes. The median mileage at failure is 97,000, much lower than structure or suspension[8]. In a sample of 12 we read, 7[8] describe shaking when braking, sometimes with warped front rotors. Some of those texts are repeat submissions, so the real number of separate reports is smaller[8].

Power train, fuel system and engine complaints are fewer, at 23, 21 and 18[9][10][11]. Their median mileages at failure are 161,500, 95,000 and 121,500[9][10][11].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 1999 Toyota 4Runner[2]. That does not mean nothing ever went wrong. It means no recall campaign is on file for this model year.

Fuel economy

EPA lists seven versions. Ratings are in miles per gallon, and all use regular fuel. Annual fuel cost is an EPA estimate based on EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the truck was new.

Version City / Highway / Combined Est. annual fuel cost
2WD, 2.7L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd[4] 18 / 22 / 19 $3,550
2WD, 2.7L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd[12] 16 / 21 / 18 $3,700
2WD, 3.4L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd[13] 16 / 19 / 17 $3,950
4WD, 2.7L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd[14] 16 / 19 / 17 $3,950
4WD, 2.7L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd[15] 15 / 19 / 17 $3,950
4WD, 3.4L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd[16] 15 / 18 / 16 $4,200
4WD, 3.4L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd[17] 15 / 18 / 16 $4,200

The best rating is 19 combined, for the 2WD 2.7L automatic[4]. The lowest is 16 combined, for the 4WD 3.4L 6-cyl in either transmission[16][17].

Safety ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings list this truck as not rated[18]. That means there is no star score to compare with other vehicles.

Engine and size

These dimensions are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so U.S. trucks can differ slightly. They cover three 4WD variants[19][20][21].

Variant Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
4DR SUV 4WD LTD V6[19] 179 in 71 in 69 in 106 in 3,975 lb
4DR SUV 4WD SR5[20] 179 in 67 in 68 in 106 in 3,726 lb
4DR SUV 4WD SR5 V6[21] 179 in 68 in 69 in 106 in 3,885 lb

How 1999 compares with other years

1995: 172 complaints, 1 recalls19951996: 161 complaints, 2 recalls1997: 261 complaints, 1 recalls1998: 250 complaints, 1 recalls1999: 330 complaints, 0 recalls33019992000: 483 complaints, 0 recalls2001: 185 complaints, 1 recalls2002: 225 complaints, 1 recalls2003: 696 complaints, 3 recalls20032004: 678 complaints, 2 recalls2005: 425 complaints, 5 recalls2006: 381 complaints, 5 recalls2007: 154 complaints, 5 recalls20072008: 96 complaints, 5 recalls2009: 22 complaints, 6 recalls2010: 147 complaints, 12 recalls2011: 163 complaints, 10 recalls20112012: 96 complaints, 8 recalls2013: 36 complaints, 6 recalls2014: 77 complaints, 7 recalls2015: 87 complaints, 9 recalls20152016: 80 complaints, 8 recalls2017: 36 complaints, 5 recalls2018: 59 complaints, 5 recalls2019: 65 complaints, 4 recalls20192020: 33 complaints, 1 recalls2021: 36 complaints, 1 recalls2022: 39 complaints, 3 recalls2023: 33 complaints, 1 recalls20232024: 9 complaints, 1 recalls2025: 62 complaints, 1 recalls2026: 7 complaints, 2 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each 4Runner model year. The 1999 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19951721
19961612
19972611
19982501
19993300
20004830
20011851
20022251
20036963
20046782
20054255
20063815
20071545
2008965
2009226
201014712
201116310
2012968
2013366
2014777
2015879
2016808
2017365
2018595
2019654
2020331
2021361
2022393
2023331
202491
2025621
202672

NHTSA's count for 1999 is 330 complaints and 0 recalls[2]. Five other model years have more complaints: 2000 with 483, 2003 with 696, 2004 with 678, 2005 with 425 and 2006 with 381[2]. Every other year listed has fewer than 330[2].

Among the earlier years, 1995 to 1998 have 172, 161, 261 and 250 complaints[2]. 1999 and 2000 are the only years with 0 recalls[2]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many trucks were sold, so treat the comparison as a rough guide.

Should you buy a used 1999 4Runner?

The record has two sides. No recalls are on file, and the fuel economy figures are modest, from 16 to 19 mpg combined[2][4][16]. On the other side, structure is the largest complaint group at 112, and the owner texts we read describe frame and underbody rust[3]. Suspension adds 66 complaints, including 5 crashes[5].

The complaint data does not tell you how any single truck has aged. If you are considering one, a careful look at the frame and rear axle area by a mechanic you trust is a sensible step, given what owners describe[3][5].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with a 1999 Toyota 4Runner?
Structure has the most NHTSA complaints at 112, followed by suspension at 66[3][5]. In the samples we read, owners describe rust on the frame and nearby parts[3][5].
Has the 1999 Toyota 4Runner been recalled?
NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 1999 model year[2].
What is the gas mileage of a 1999 Toyota 4Runner?
EPA ratings run from 18 city, 22 highway and 19 combined for the 2WD 2.7L automatic[4] to 15 city, 18 highway and 16 combined for the 4WD 3.4L 6-cyl[16][17].
Is the 1999 Toyota 4Runner safe?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings list it as not rated[18]. NHTSA has 330 owner complaints for this model year, with 30 mentioning a crash[1].
Is 1999 a good model year for the 4Runner?
It has 330 complaints, and five model years have more: 2000, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006[2]. It also has 0 recalls, as does 2000[2].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 330 owner complaints on file for the 1999 Toyota 4Runner (30 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 19 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Toyota 4Runner model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. 112 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 173,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. EPA rating for 4Runner 2WD, 2.7L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 22 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. 66 complaints name the suspension component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 181,800). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 36 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 173,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 28 complaints name the tires component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 26 complaints name the brakes component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 97,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 23 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 161,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 21 complaints name the fuel system, gasoline component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 95,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 18 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 121,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. EPA rating for 4Runner 2WD, 2.7L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 21 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  13. EPA rating for 4Runner 2WD, 3.4L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 19 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  14. EPA rating for 4Runner 4WD, 2.7L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 19 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  15. EPA rating for 4Runner 4WD, 2.7L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 19 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. EPA rating for 4Runner 4WD, 3.4L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 18 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for 4Runner 4WD, 3.4L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 18 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  19. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, 4RUNNER 4DR SUV 4WD LTD V6: length 179 in, width 71 in, height 69 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 3,975 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  20. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, 4RUNNER 4DR SUV 4WD SR5: length 179 in, width 67 in, height 68 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 3,726 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  21. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, 4RUNNER 4DR SUV 4WD SR5 V6: length 179 in, width 68 in, height 69 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 3,885 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.