1998 Toyota 4Runner Toyota 4Runner 1998

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1998 Toyota 4Runner repairs by problem area

Engine (25%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (17%)

Brakes and Traction Control (7%)

Suspension and Steering (20%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (24%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (2%)

Other (5%)

Chart based on 59 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 1998 Toyota 4Runner.

1998 Toyota 4Runner repair cost distribution

$2500+ (0%)

$1000 - $2499 (13%)

$500 - $999 (15%)

$100 - $499 (43%)

< $100 (28%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 53 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

1998 Toyota 4Runner

Engine not specified

Toyota in Massachusetts, United States
Jan 2013 - Apr 2013
Feb 2013

94300 mi

US $250
Replaced starter with fac. rebuilt Denso. Difficult install with 4WD but perfect fit and operation. Replaced all chrome bumpers/face bars/supports that rot every 4 years. This is a maintenance item on Toyotas. 
Toyota in Texas, United States
Mar 2012 - Jun 2012
Apr 2012

110500 mi
Car is lower by 1 inch on the driver's side 
Toyota in Georgia, United States
Nov 2012 - Dec 2012
Dec 2012

209000 mi

US $2400
Replaced transmision mount and gaskets. The speedometer was not working and was replaced. 
Toyota in Texas, United States
Jan 2013 - Apr 2013
Apr 2013

220000 mi

US $70
Battery died. Texas weather is tough on batteries. 
Toyota in Maryland, United States
Feb 2012 - Jul 2013
Sep 2012

189000 mi

US $1000
Front left caliper was locked up and applying excess pressure on the front left rotor. New brake pads, rotors, and calipers for the front were installed. Front brakes and steering work great now. Pivots on the rear emergency brakes needed to be replaced. Front right passenger door lock actuator needed to be replaced. Door lock functioned as intended, but the factory key fob and door lock button on the driver's side door could not activate or deactivate the lock - had to be locked manually. 
Oct 2012

190000 mi

US $100
Power steering fluid line was corroded and leaking fluid from the pump to the power steering rack. 
May 2013

196000 mi

US $675
Crap muffler installed by Meineke crapped out after 20K miles. Had brand new one installed and the 4Runner sounds brand new. 
Toyota in California, United States
Oct 2012 - Nov 2012
Nov 2012

154000 mi

US $163
Bad O2 Mass. Quoted $1500 to fix. Time to sell. 
Toyota in Alaska, United States
Apr 2015 - Jul 2015
Jul 2015

116000 mi

US $250
Batttery dead 
Toyota in Alabama, United States
Sep 2013 - Nov 2013
Sep 2013

142000 mi

US $450
Rear axle seal failure. Both sides 

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1998 Toyota 4Runner 4-door

6-cylinder manual 4WD

Toyota in Virginia, United States
Aug 2009 - Jun 2011
Sep 2009

176000 mi

US $200
antenna motor unplugged, already burned out. 
Toyota in Alberta, Canada
Mar 2011 - Jul 2011
Apr 2011

172980 mi

C $2000
Transfer case needed to be replaced. Mechanic replaced it with a reconditioned unit from a 1999 4-Runner. 
Jun 2011

172980 mi

C $700
Muffler replacement due to a leak 
Toyota in Colorado, United States
Oct 2009 - Jun 2013
Jan 2013

146500 mi

US $100
replace spark plugs and wires 
Toyota in Colorado, United States
Jul 2009 - Jun 2011
Oct 2009

112000 mi

US $1800
Both rear wheel bearings replaced, failed seals and saturated brake shoes. Toyota switched to ball bearings instead of taper bearings in the rear. Very poor design, low reliability. 
Toyota in Kentucky, United States
Sep 2010 - Apr 2012
Nov 2010

149000 mi

US $60
Sway bar attachment broke off. Fixed after cutting rusty bolt off. 
Jun 2011

153000 mi

US $175
Sway bar arm replaced but improper. Refix 
Toyota in Washington, United States
Dec 2009 - Jul 2011
Aug 2010

159000 mi
Rear main seal started leaking again, was 11 months after shop had originally replaced seal, luckily they warrantied their work as they had not seated seal properly during original install. 

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1998 Toyota 4Runner 4-door

6-cylinder automatic AWD

Toyota in Illinois, United States
Aug 2017 - Sep 2018
Mar 2018

235000 mi

US $600
Replace rotors and pads 

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1998 Toyota 4Runner 4-door

6-cylinder automatic 4WD

Toyota in Kentucky, United States
May 2011 - Jun 2018
Oct 2011

265000 mi

US $130
Alternator replacement 
May 2012

268300 mi

US $60
Throttle position sensor replacement 
Nov 2012

271500 mi

US $9
Rear u joint bad 
Apr 2015

288000 mi

US $33
Throttle position sensor needed replacing 
Toyota in Hawaii, United States
Oct 2010 - Aug 2012
Jan 2012

157800 mi
Rack and pinion bushing replacement. 
Apr 2012

160300 mi

US $550
High pitched noise and limited battery recharging. 
Jul 2012

162000 mi
forward internal transmission pump creating high pitched noise when accellerating. 
Aug 2012

162000 mi

US $99
Shop claims a pump in the front of the end of the transmission housing responsible for the noise. Decided to sell vehicle rather than spend $4,000 to replace. 
Toyota in Utah, United States
Dec 2010 - Jun 2013
Nov 2011

101200 mi

US $440
Original rubber drive belts replaced because of cracking. Replaced contacts in starter motor 
May 2012

102900 mi

US $200
Sway bar links were replaced 
Jun 2013

109000 mi

US $1100
Rack and pinion leaking. Replaced entire rack and pinion. 
Toyota in Maine, United States
Jul 2009 - Jun 2011
Aug 2009

155000 mi

US $2200
rear differential was bad. Shop found a used one at a salvage yard, complete with both rear axles, so entire rear end was replaced 
Toyota in British Columbia, Canada
Jul 2009 - Jun 2022
Jul 2013

187240 mi

C $960
Bad fuel pump Timing belt and water pump 
Mar 2018

265360 mi

C $225
Replaced original alternator 
Jun 2021

300700 mi

C $450
Replaced axle seals 
Dec 2021

306280 mi

C $250
Replace alternator 
Jun 2022

311240 mi

C $1000
Rear axle seals 
Toyota in Alabama, United States
Dec 2009 - Jun 2018
Sep 2010

188000 mi

US $300
Vibration at highway speeds. Replaced steering rack bushings and left front tie rod end. 
Jul 2011

210000 mi

US $176
Right Front outer tie rod end was replaced due to wear. 
Oct 2015

258250 mi

US $180
Replaced radiator and thermostat 
Toyota in Wisconsin, United States
Sep 2010 - Sep 2012
Oct 2010

163000 mi

US $50
Fuel injector #3 was replaced. 
Feb 2011

168000 mi

US $650
Steering rack and inner tie rods were worn. Steering rack, inner tie rods, and tie rod ends were replaced and vehicle aligned. 
Jul 2012

190300 mi

US $50
Replaced steering column intermediate unit and bushing in steering column sleeve. 
Toyota in California, United States
Dec 2010 - Mar 2013
Jan 2013

US $247
Engine missing, replaced spark plugs. 

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1998 Toyota 4Runner 4-door

6-cylinder automatic 2WD

Toyota in Louisiana, United States
Aug 2009 - Dec 2009
Sep 2009

178000 mi

US $10
headlight relay stuck, lights wouldn't turn off. replaced relay 

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1998 Toyota 4Runner 4-door

4-cylinder manual 4WD

Toyota in Alberta, Canada
Aug 2009 - Nov 2011
Jun 2010

120900 mi

C $150
towing package fault causing short in brake lights 
Oct 2010

124000 mi

C $250
drivetrain leak requiring seal 
Jul 2011

128960 mi

C $150
seized rear E-brake 

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1998 Toyota 4Runner 4-door

4-cylinder automatic 4WD

Toyota in Hawaii, United States
Aug 2009 - Jul 2018
Dec 2009

210000 mi

US $745
Replaced Starter motor Replaced catalytic converter 
Oct 2010

224000 mi

US $93
Ignition lock cylinder failed due to wear, worsened by previous owners' overly heavy keychains. New lock cylinder purchased at parts counter of local Toyota dealership and successfully installed in around 30 minutes. 
Dec 2010

226000 mi

US $150
Water pump bearings failed; replaced pump and belt. While I was messing with it, also replaced fuel filter. Installed keyless entry/remote start unit to circumvent need to replace failing drivers door lock cylinder. 
Mar 2012

245000 mi
RF Passenger door window switch "down" function ceased. Swapped with un-used LR Passenger door switch. 

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See TrueDelta's information for all Toyota models.

1998 Toyota 4Runner Repair Histories

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 1998 Toyota 4Runner problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.