1997 Toyota 4Runner Toyota 4Runner 1997

We are 103,000+ car owners sharing real-world car information.

Join Us

1997 Toyota 4Runner repairs by problem area

Engine (31%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (14%)

Brakes and Traction Control (6%)

Suspension and Steering (14%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (33%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (0%)

Other (3%)

Select a problem area

Need advice about a specific Toyota 4Runner problem?

Chart based on 36 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 1997 Toyota 4Runner.

1997 Toyota 4Runner repair cost distribution

$2500+ (0%)

$1000 - $2499 (3%)

$500 - $999 (24%)

$100 - $499 (41%)

< $100 (32%)

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

Chart based on 34 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

1997 Toyota 4Runner

Engine not specified

Toyota in Washington, United States
May 2012 - Jun 2013
Apr 2013

226500 mi

US $600
Radiator died but wife stopped car right away so engine & head gasket survived. Replaced radiator, water pump, timing belt, all accessory belts. 
Toyota in Minnesota, United States
Jun 2011 - Jun 2012
Jun 2012

213000 mi

US $150
Valve cover gaskets replaced 
Toyota in Nevada, United States
Nov 2011 - Jul 2012
Feb 2012

217700 mi

US $100
Rear drum brakes self over-tightening to the point of rubbing(every 1000mi or so), causing a major rumble. This also warped drums. Problem began after rear axle seals were replaced; possible blame on questionable job done by mechanic 
Jul 2012

227000 mi

US $325
Engine wouldn't turn over occasionally. Instead of turning over, would hear single click. Self diagnosed as starter and replaced at dealer. 
Toyota in Arizona, United States
Jul 2010 - Jun 2011
Aug 2010

134000 mi

US $721
Car in for A/C system making a clicking noise. New belts placed on car which caused theh A/C to bind and die. Had been making noise for a few months. 
Mar 2011

138000 mi

US $50
replacement of the valve cover gaskets 
Toyota in Quebec, Canada
Jul 2013 - Aug 2014
Aug 2014

135160 mi
leaking tranny box 
Toyota in South Carolina, United States
Aug 2016 - Nov 2017
Aug 2016

293000 mi

US $400
It needed a new A/C compressor replaced radiator- it was leaking. 
Toyota in North Carolina, United States
Dec 2014 - Jun 2016
Jan 2015

173000 mi

US $250
Replaced fuel injectors 

Return to top

1997 Toyota 4Runner 4-door

supercharged 6-cylinder manual 4WD

Toyota in Colorado, United States
Nov 2009 - Mar 2014
Aug 2010

150000 mi

US $500
Cracked the high pressure line from the Air Conditioner and to the compressor. 
Feb 2012

164400 mi

US $2000
Steering box was leaking aggressively. 

Return to top

1997 Toyota 4Runner 4-door

6-cylinder manual 4WD

Toyota in Colorado, United States
Sep 2010 - Jul 2018
Jul 2011

181000 mi
Power rear window rolled down automatically after switch in rear hatch key/lock developed continuity between the contacts which roll the window down (with the key). With the switch removed & disconnected, the window was able to be closed. 
Sep 2012

191000 mi

US $68
Replace rear axle oil seals & brake shoes (soaked with oil). 
Toyota in California, United States
Oct 2010 - Jan 2011
Jan 2011

179000 mi

US $180
Tie rods had slop, they were replaced (both sides) 
Toyota in Ontario, Canada
Aug 2010 - Nov 2011
Dec 2010

150660 mi

C $300
Clutch master pump failed. 
Apr 2011

152820 mi

C $800
Cracked muffler, entire exhaust system replaced. 
Toyota in Washington, United States
Feb 2010 - Jun 2011
Jun 2010

150000 mi

US $200
poor Acelaration. Cleaned MAF sensor 
Aug 2010

153000 mi

US $400
Would not always start Bad starter contacts. Contacts replaced.  

Return to top

1997 Toyota 4Runner 4-door

6-cylinder automatic 4WD

Toyota in Maine, United States
May 2009 - Mar 2010
Aug 2009

143000 mi

US $400
brakes were becoming increasingly worse; replaced front calipers and rotors and pads all in one trip 
Toyota in Ohio, United States
Apr 2009 - Aug 2009
Aug 2009

184000 mi
Only unrepaired problem I knew of and disclosed to buyer was that the rear hatch window switch on console would put window down, but not up. Dealer wanted $200 to repair. Window still worked by using key in rear hatch, so it wasn’t the motor. 
Toyota in Pennsylvania, United States
May 2009 - Jun 2011
Sep 2009

161000 mi

US $56
Loose steering column. 
Toyota in Tennessee, United States
Jun 2017 - Jun 2018
Jan 2018

287000 mi

US $800
both U joints replaced, Driveshaft bearing replaced, driveshaft rebuilt 
Toyota in New Hampshire, United States
Aug 2009 - Jan 2011
Sep 2009

248000 mi

US $85
car refused to start, then after 3 attempts did start. 
Toyota in Florida, United States
Nov 2009 - Jun 2012
Apr 2010

154000 mi

US $500
Replaced shocks, struts, and springs. 
Feb 2011

160200 mi

US $100
Check engine light came on. Replaced front Oxygen sensor. Reset computer. Check engine light stayed off. 
Toyota in Kansas, United States
Jul 2010 - Jun 2011
Aug 2010

210000 mi
Replaced Valve Cover Gaskets Replaced Passenger Side Rear Axle Seal and Bearing 
Toyota in Utah, United States
Mar 2010 - Aug 2013
May 2011

152500 mi

US $800
Noticed water pump weeping. Water pump replaced along with timing belt and associated bearings. 
Jun 2011

158000 mi
Drivers door would not open from inside or out. Clip inside door broke. I had to remove the interior panel and replace the clip. 
Jan 2012

172000 mi

US $40
Power antenna would not stop running; regardless if the car was on or off, or radio was on or off. Previous owner wired it incorrectly. Mechanic disconnected the power supply. Now antenna remains extended full time. 
Mar 2012

177000 mi

US $336
Had the original starter, contacts were bad, replaced with a rebuilt one. 
Toyota in Maryland, United States
Jun 2011 - Jul 2011
Jul 2011

306000 mi

US $550
alternator went out. Car towed to mechanic and repaired same day. 

Return to top

1997 Toyota 4Runner 4-door

6-cylinder automatic 2WD

Toyota in Georgia, United States
- Jan 2018
Jan 2018

197000 mi

US $2560
tie rod, ball joints new shocks struts and 2 tires 
Toyota in Florida, United States
Oct 2010 - Jul 2012
Sep 2011

198000 mi

US $125
Starter intermittently malfunctioning. Second reman starter since 100,000 miles. 
Toyota in Michigan, United States
Nov 2009 - Mar 2010
Dec 2009

180000 mi

US $100
cracked muffler 

Return to top

See TrueDelta's information for all SUVs
See TrueDelta's information for all Toyota models.

1997 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 1997 Toyota 4Runner problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.