1997 Toyota 4 Runner suspension problems
30 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the suspension on the 1997 Toyota 4 Runner — 25% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“I was driving on an interstate loop at approximately 30 mph. At the top of the loop, as I straightened the wheel the vehicle began to rock back and forth as though it was going to flip over. The rocking turned into fishtailing, and the steering wheel was forcefully pulled to the left. This caused…”
filed May 18, 2005
“While pulling away from a stop position at 10 mph right, the side front of the vehicler dropped to the ground. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop, and the mechanic determined that the upper and the lower ball joints needed to be replaced. *ak the ball joint snapped, causing the front end of the…”
filed Mar 15, 2005
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
Special service campaign (ssc) - 20a renotification rear suspension modification for owners whose vehicles have not yet had ssc 20a repairs completed. *tt
03019 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 29, 2003Special service campaign 20a regarding renotification of rear suspension modification. *tt
02051 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 16, 2002Information regarding rear suspension modification. *yh
TC02003 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 15, 2002Subject regarding special service campaign to modify the rear suspension. *tt
02006 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 18, 2002
Suspension problems in other 4 Runner years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 4 Runner | 5 | 8% |
| 2003 4 Runner | 5 | 3% |
| 2002 4 Runner | 6 | 19% |
| 2001 4 Runner | 2 | 6% |
| 2000 4 Runner | 5 | 5% |
| 1999 4 Runner | 5 | 5% |
| 1998 4 Runner | 17 | 14% |
| 1996 4 Runner | 16 | 18% |
| 1995 4 Runner | 2 | 2% |
| 1994 4 Runner | 1 | 2% |
Other reported problem areas on the 1997 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.