1999 Toyota 4Runner Toyota 4Runner 1999

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1999 Toyota 4Runner repairs by problem area

Engine (43%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (11%)

Brakes and Traction Control (5%)

Suspension and Steering (18%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (21%)

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

Other (0%)

Chart based on 97 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 1999 Toyota 4Runner.

1999 Toyota 4Runner repair cost distribution

$2500+ (3%)

$1000 - $2499 (15%)

$500 - $999 (20%)

$100 - $499 (42%)

< $100 (20%)

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

Chart based on 79 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

1999 Toyota 4Runner

Engine not specified

Toyota in Georgia, United States
Jun 2011 - Jun 2012
Nov 2011

145000 mi

US $600
replaced spark plug wires and cleaned fuel injection system 
Toyota in Illinois, United States
Jan 2012 - Jun 2013
Feb 2012

158700 mi

US $1000
I just bought this truck which looked good on the dealer lot but was neglected on maint. I've replaced: both rear axle bearing/seals, radiator, spark plugs, wires, lower ball joints / outer tierods, antenna mast. Timing belt & H2O pump next month. 
Mar 2012

159000 mi

US $160
The steering wheel would shake violently when braking because the rotors warped. I understand why now. The rotors are too thin for a truck this heavy. I Replaced the front calipers, rotors and pads and flushed fluid. One day after replacing the fuel filter, #2 fuel injector failed. I ordered 3 reman injectors $40 ea. plenum gaskets and few extra parts. Spent Saturday repairing the engine. Gave me the chance to replace the leaking valve cover gaskets. Battery dying. The transmission was sluggish when first moving because the battery was too weak to move valves as i understand it. Bought a new optima battery $160 
Oct 2012

164300 mi

US $50
Started to feel vibration from the drive line under acceleration and a slight clunk when shifting into gear. U-joints are fairly cheap so I decided to replace it myself. Had a machine shop press the new parts together. did the rest myself 
Dec 2012

166000 mi

US $100
The truck started to take longer to fire-up and worse when the engine had been run and still warm, like running in to the store. As suspected, it was a failing fuel pump. Installed a new Denso fuel pump and it runs like a champ now. 
Apr 2013

167300 mi

US $130
Alternator failed 
Toyota in California, United States
Jul 2011 - Aug 2011
Aug 2011

185000 mi

US $3200
two cracked head gaskets, but car never overheated. First i was told it was going to cost 4500 to fix, I told them I was going to take the car eslewhere for a second opinion, when I show up all of a sudden they could fix for 3200. BS 
Toyota in Ohio, United States
Jun 2011 - Jun 2012
Aug 2011

114400 mi

US $313
Needed new shocks and other suspension work 
Toyota in Texas, United States
Mar 2011 - Jun 2015
Apr 2011

162000 mi

US $2200
Ball joints broke on RH side, causing wheel to fall off. Part of damage covered by insurance. I had dealer also replace ball joints on left side. 
Toyota in Washington, United States
Sep 2011 - Apr 2012
Apr 2012

256000 mi

US $800
rear axle seals 
Toyota in Ontario, Canada
Sep 2011 - Dec 2012
Nov 2012

186080 mi

C $200
Rad transmission line pulled out Catalytic converter failed e test 
Toyota in Massachusetts, United States
May 2011 - Apr 2012
Apr 2012

179000 mi
The car's frame was rusted and had several holes that finger can get through. 
Toyota in North Carolina, United States
Jan 2013 - Mar 2014
Feb 2013

232500 mi

US $300
Replaced muffler. It had a hole in it. Tie-rods worn out. Tires wobbling at 55+mph. Replaced. 
Toyota in Texas, United States
Jun 2012 - Sep 2013
Feb 2013

178000 mi

US $175
Turn Signals ceased operation. Bad Emergency Flasher Switch. 
May 2013

182000 mi

US $600
Replace 2 struts and 2 shocks 
Toyota in Florida, United States
Apr 2013 - Jul 2014
Jun 2013

253000 mi

US $300
Replaced rear main seal 
Toyota in Texas, United States
May 2014 - Jun 2017
Jul 2014

153000 mi
radio power antennae mast cable broke. Replaced mast assy radiator tank cracked. replaced radiator, upper and lower hose 
Toyota in California, United States
Apr 2013 - Jul 2013
Jul 2013

266000 mi

US $75
Replaced CV axle boots on both front axles. 
Toyota in Arkansas, United States
Feb 2014 - Jul 2014
Jul 2014

118000 mi

US $750
New Struts and springs front, new springs and shocks rear. Re-alignment. Brakes and bearings inspected. 
Toyota in Wisconsin, United States
Apr 2010 - Jun 2011
Jun 2010

143000 mi

US $590
steering wheel shake at 60-70mph. Took it in to replace steering rack bushings...but they replaced left inner tie rod end. Problem persists. They also did alignment and tire balance (twice) and rotation. 

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1999 Toyota 4Runner 4-door

6-cylinder manual AWD

Toyota in Alberta, Canada
Apr 2009 - Jul 2018
Nov 2010

58280 mi

C $1050
Water pump leaking, replaced concurrently with timing belt (first timing belt replacement) Torn stabilizer bushings 
Feb 2012

67440 mi

C $600
Engine light, indicated fuel filter; replaced fuel filter (first time for vehicle) and all associated wiring. 
Nov 2012

71800 mi

C $500
Bar broke, replaced Engine warning light on, indicated issue with air fuel mix, replaced fuel and air filters. Light went off, but has come back on. Ignoring for now. 
Mar 2013

73160 mi

C $1000
Engine light check, replaced exhaust system and o2 sensor. First exhaust (muffler) replacement since 1999 purchase. 
May 2013

73360 mi

C $250
Engine light came on; replaced thermostat. 

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1999 Toyota 4Runner 4-door

6-cylinder manual 4WD

Toyota in New York, United States
Oct 2009 - Nov 2012
May 2010

178000 mi

US $150
Clutch would not disengage when depressed. Replaced clutch master and slave cylinders. Rear cover on rear axle housing rusted through and leaking gear oil. Replacment cost over $1500, cleaned off rust and patched with 2 part epoxy, no leaks yet. 
Sep 2010

183000 mi

US $100
Power steering return tube corroded and leaking fluid. First repair shop said that complete power steering rack needed to be replaced. Diagnosis by myself found the problem. 
Jul 2011

190000 mi

US $850
Replace oxygen sensor and reset check engine light. Recharged AC Repaired exhaust system leak, welded in short section of connecting pipe 
Dec 2011

195000 mi

US $120
Brake hydraulic line broke, but found out frame is rusting through, fixed line, but vehicle is on short list for end of life. 
Toyota in Montana, United States
Nov 2010 - Jul 2022
Dec 2011

131000 mi

US $400
R/R rear hatch latch mech. 
Toyota in New York, United States
Feb 2012 - Aug 2020
Apr 2012

207000 mi

US $1800
Steering rack was leaking, fluid, entire unit replaced 
May 2013

221700 mi

US $225
Plug wires bad, had been replaced with poor quality wires one year ago. Vehicle had to be towed. 
Apr 2018

268000 mi

US $250
Cooling system repair, tubes to rear seat heater had rusted and leaked causing vehicle to overheat. Mechanic disconnected heat tubes and left removed from system 
May 2018

270000 mi

US $900
Brakes had been shuddering on hard braking, now were squeeling all the time. Replaced front brake pads, rotors and calipers 

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1999 Toyota 4Runner 4-door

6-cylinder automatic 4WD

Toyota in Colorado, United States
Jun 2017 - Jul 2018
Apr 2018

207000 mi

US $200
Replace brakes, rotors, drums 
Toyota in Colorado, United States
Jun 2017 - Jun 2018
Jul 2017

202000 mi

US $50
Rebuilt starter, replaced contacts and plunger. 
Aug 2017

204000 mi

US $100
Relay for locks went out on body control unit, replaced relay. 
Dec 2017

206000 mi

US $50
Replaced fuel filter and oxygen sensor 
Mar 2018

209000 mi

US $1200
Replaced front lower ball joints, tie rods and front and rear shocks and springs, and front and rear sway bar bushings. 
Toyota in Arizona, United States
Mar 2011 - Sep 2014
May 2013

333200 mi

US $750
Charging system light on, drained battery. Mechanic indicated the battery sent high voltage to alternator and caused failure. 
Toyota in Ohio, United States
Aug 2011 - Feb 2013
Jul 2012

99000 mi

US $150
Intermittent starter engagement. 
Toyota in Michigan, United States
Oct 2009 - Dec 2012
Dec 2009

194000 mi

US $4500
"Strawberry Milkshake" - The portion of the radiator that the tranny fluid runs thru ruptures, mixes with coolant, and cycles thru the tranny. Ruins tranny (and radiator.) New tranny. New radiator. 
Mar 2010

198000 mi

US $400
Spark plug loosened. Exhaust gases melted coil. 
Nov 2010

207500 mi

US $150
Climate control started flaking out. Most buttons not responding. Removed and shipped climate conrol to a repair shop in TN for a refirb. Common problem on 3rd gen 4runner digital climate control systems. 
May 2011

218100 mi

US $950
Steering rack had developed a leak near the driver side of the vehicle. Progressively got worse over a 3 month peroid. Steering rack and tie-rod completely replaced. 
Toyota in Oregon, United States
Nov 2009 - Mar 2011
Aug 2010

170800 mi

US $100
Starter motor failure 
Toyota in Massachusetts, United States
Apr 2009 - Jan 2010
Jun 2009

155000 mi

US $50
slight delay in starting engine due to bad spot on starter motor armature. gasket between catalytic converter and exhaust pipe blown out. Replaced gasket. 
Jul 2009

156000 mi

US $100
inner tie rod on passenger side replaced due to excess wear. 
Dec 2009

158000 mi
Dealer says entire exhaust system and 2 catlytic converters are bad. Replacement estimate is $2,700!!! Rear differential housing is rusting away. Dealer says replace total rear end. Big $$$ I made epoxy repair a year ago to stop small oil leak. Rusting problem is getting worse. In process of submitting complaint to consumer advocacy group. 
Jan 2010

158000 mi
Heater fan/blower under the dash has debris rubbing against housing causing squealing noise or stalled fan at some fan settings. Interference and noise stopped by itself after changing fan speeds and maintaining one mid fan speed. 
Toyota in Alberta, Canada
Mar 2010 - Sep 2011
Oct 2010

107260 mi

C $90
Sway bar end snapped due to rusting out. Could have replaced one side for $45, decided to do both sides instead. 
Toyota in Florida, United States
Dec 2009 - Jun 2014
Nov 2010

155500 mi

US $95
Check engine Light - could be the catalytic converter. 
May 2011

158600 mi

US $1500
Check Engine Light and Catalytic Converter 
Toyota in Ontario, Canada
May 2010 - Jul 2014
Jun 2010

102300 mi

C $350
A/C not cold 
Toyota in Maryland, United States
Mar 2011 - Apr 2014
Dec 2011

163000 mi
It needs a new control panel for heating/air conditioning and the lock control is beginning to fail (the controls which lock and unlock all the door at once). At this point, going to drive the truck until something breaks that sidelines the truck. 
Jul 2013

173000 mi

US $300
Check engine light due to faulty oxygen sensor which was replaced 
Dec 2013

174000 mi

US $1800
Catalytic converters failed and need replacing. Will sell instead. 
Apr 2014

175000 mi
Catalytic converters failed and needed replacing. 
Toyota in Florida, United States
Jun 2010 - Jun 2012
Mar 2011

114000 mi

US $300
Loose steering. Replaced steering rack bushings. Both lower control arm joints, both outside tie rod ends. Both CV axles. 
Aug 2011

116000 mi

US $250
Check engine light. Complete diag. & smoke test of vac. system. Found no leaks. Cleaned throttle body & MAF sensor. Running better & no light after 30 days. 
Oct 2011

117000 mi

US $100
Exhaust rusted off. Replacement from Salvage Yard. 

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1999 Toyota 4Runner 4-door

6-cylinder automatic 2WD

Toyota in Florida, United States
Jun 2017 - Mar 2018
Jun 2017

212000 mi

US $300
Bad fuel injector Brake booster and master cylinder failure 
Toyota in Texas, United States
Jul 2010 - Jun 2014
Dec 2010

581000 mi

US $1450
Engine would not start, had 4 Runner towed to Toyota dealer. Diagnostic run and fuel pump failed. Replaced fuel pump and filter. 4-Runner runs like new. Always said if there is a problem with vehicle best to take it to the dealer for r-and-r. 
Feb 2011

587500 mi

US $285
Replaced starter. 
Jun 2011

605000 mi

US $1400
During routine maintenence found waterpump leaking, cam & crankshaft seals leaking replaced along with timing belt & accessory belts. Replaced spark plugs & wires. Changed oil & filter. 
Aug 2011

614000 mi

US $850
Replaced Air conditioner compressor.  
Sep 2011

620000 mi

US $250
Replaced burnt out dash lights. Some backordered. 
Nov 2011

631800 mi

US $1100
Replaced rear oil seal on engine.  Installed new windshield, and replaced additional burnt out dash bulbs that were back ordered from previous visit. 
Apr 2012

653800 mi
Replaced lower ball joints. 
Toyota in North Carolina, United States
Nov 2009 - Apr 2012
Dec 2011

235000 mi
Fuel level sensor failure; tank reads half full when empty. O2 sensor failure; check engine light Head gasket failure; leaking oil 
Toyota in California, United States
Jul 2009 - Jun 2013
Dec 2009

199000 mi

US $1900
Drive shaft and universal joints replaced.  Water pump replaced w/seals. 
Mar 2010

200000 mi

US $500
IVC (idle control valve) replaced. Car stopped, would start but would not idle so you could shift into gear. 
Jun 2010

205000 mi

US $100
Engine mounts worn and need to be replaced. Cost estimated at $1200.00. 
Sep 2010

236000 mi

US $770
rear axle fluid leaking into rear brake drums, brakes and axle fluid seals needed to be replaced 
Mar 2011

250000 mi

US $700
radiator leaking, replaced 
Dec 2012

270000 mi
ignition coil needs replacement 

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1999 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 1999 Toyota 4Runner problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.