1988 Toyota 4runner recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Fuel system
What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. IMPROPER ROUTING OF THE FUEL HOSE COULD CAUSE SOME FUEL HOSES TO HAVE INADEQUATE CLEARANCE TO THE EGR PIPE.
What could happen: HEAT FROM THE EGR COULD CAUSE THE HOSE TO CRACK ANDRESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE.
The fix: REROUTE FUEL HOSE TO ENSURE PROPER CLEARANCE AND REPLACE HOSE, IF NECESSARY.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1988 4RUNNER.
- Book a repair at any authorized Toyota dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 88V019000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Summary: IMPROPER ROUTING OF THE FUEL HOSE COULD CAUSE SOME FUEL HOSES TO HAVE INADEQUATE CLEARANCE TO THE EGR PIPE.
Consequence: HEAT FROM THE EGR COULD CAUSE THE HOSE TO CRACK ANDRESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE.
Remedy: REROUTE FUEL HOSE TO ENSURE PROPER CLEARANCE AND REPLACE HOSE, IF NECESSARY.
Notes: SYSTEM: FUEL HOSEVEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRUCK AND 4 RUNNER MODELS EQUIPPED WITH V6 ENGINES.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Wheels / tires (3), Engine (2), Transmission / drivetrain (2), Lights (1), Seat belts (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
01/09/2002 · Engine
HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING. VEHICLE RAN POORLY, AND THERE WAS LITTLE HESITATION. *AK
11/27/2000 · Lights
WHEN USING HIGH BEAMS OR TURN SIGNALS HEADLIGHTS WILL TURN OFF. CONSUMER MUST WIGGLE/TOGGLE SWITCH FOR HEADLIGHTS TO TURN BACK ON.*AK
09/25/2000 · Wheels / tires
TREAD SEPARATION ON LEFT REAR TIRE. *AK( DOT NUMBER: VOYTAXC124 TIRE SIZE: 3211.5015 )
09/25/2000 · Wheels / tires
TREAD SEPARATION ON LEFT REAR TIRE. *AK( DOT NUMBER: VOYTAXC124 TIRE SIZE: 3211.5015 )
08/17/2000 · Wheels / tires
DRIVING TO WORK ON THE HIGHWAY ABOUT 9 AM, THE TIRE TORE ITSELF OPEN WITHOUT WARNING. I HAD NOTICED THE NIGHT BEFORE THAT IT WAS SLIGHTLY UNDERINFLATED, AS IF FROM A SLOW LEAK -- BUT NOTHING SUBSTANTIAL. WHAT WAS ASTONISHING WAS THE SHEER DEGREE OF DESTRUCTION. IT WAS AS IF SOMEONE HAD INSERTED A SAW AND RIPPED THE SIDEWALL OPEN THROUGH 180 DEGREES OF ARC.…
03/24/1999 · Transmission / drivetrain
NOT SURE I ANSWERED ALL OF YOUR QUESTIONS PROPERLY. SO TO SUMMARIZE, I JUST HAD MY 5TH SPEEDOMETER CABLE INSTALLED IN MY VEHICLE. THEY LAST 2 YEARS (HAVE A 1 YEAR WARRANTY). THIS TIME I ALSO REPLACED THE SPEEDOMETER HEAD. DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT TO ME AND TOYOTA WAS OF NO HELP. *AK
09/02/1998 · Engine
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH, VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER
06/09/1998 · Seat belts
BUMPER IS LOCATED TOO HIGH CAUSING DAMAGE DURING A COLLISION; SEAT BELT UNLATCHED IN ACCIDENT.