1996 Toyota 4 Runner engine and engine cooling problems
24 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine and engine cooling on the 1996 Toyota 4 Runner — 27% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“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”
filed Feb 13, 2005
“I am the owner of a 1996 toyota 4runner. The 5vz-fe bi-metal engine suffered a catastrophic failure. According to the the authorized dealer (toyota 101 of redwood city), the engine overheated which subsequently led to the aluminum heads to crack around the vales. I am aware that toyota had a…”
filed Apr 22, 2004
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
Subject regarding head gasket replacement. *yd
TC01031 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 19, 2001
Engine and Engine Cooling problems in other 4 Runner years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 4 Runner | 18 | 27% |
| 2003 4 Runner | 75 | 45% |
| 2002 4 Runner | 5 | 16% |
| 2001 4 Runner | 8 | 26% |
| 2000 4 Runner | 6 | 6% |
| 1999 4 Runner | 12 | 11% |
| 1998 4 Runner | 15 | 13% |
| 1997 4 Runner | 11 | 9% |
| 1995 4 Runner | 77 | 62% |
| 1994 4 Runner | 20 | 38% |
Other reported problem areas on the 1996 Toyota 4 Runner
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.