Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Toyota 4Runner owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The frame is rusting out and broke while driving. The frame is almost totally destroyed from rust . The rear started swinging violently but luckily got it stop without crashing. The entire frame is a joke. I can't believe it hasn't been recalled STILL. The body is in perfect shape but a frame that can snap at any moment....I thought Toyota put safety first?
Was told by local dealer, who has serviced this truck since purchased, in March 2018, that the frame had rust through and was unsafe to drive. This was the first time I had heard of this common problem with our tacoma. The dealer had never presented us with the option of replacing or being bought out or buying an extended warranty on the frame. We understand that this is an old truck, but given the local dealer never told us of any potential problem, we were unaware of any potential safety problems. In fact, just a year earlier the we had the truck in for basic service (oil change), and told the service rep that my wife was planning a 1,000 trip and asked if the truck was okay for the trip, and was told it was fine - how it been fine a year ago, when this year the frame is rusted through. Iplease advise. Thank you for your consideration.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to have the radiator replaced however, while the vehicle was being hoisted on the lift, the sub frame fractured. The contact stated that there was severe frame rust to the sub frame. The contact was informed that the sub frame was compromised and the vehicle was unsafe to repair while on a lift. The radiator was repaired, however the frame rust failure was not repaired. The contact also stated that the passenger's side rear torsion bar also fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 183,000.
I purchased this truck only 20 days ago. I have been loyal to Toyota all my life and my family too. The truck appeared to be in immaculate shape. However after its 3rd drive I noticed a sway when letting off the accelerator. I took it Toyota and they deemed it unsafe to drive. The entire frame is rotted out. I have read online that this is a common issue and is very dangerous causing the frame to break and people wrecked. Toyota needs to recall these 3rd gen 4runners. Seeing as how they recalled every other model for the same issue except the 4runner.
Recently bought this 1998 4runner thinking it was in great condition. After the purchase we brought it to a mechanic to have it checked out and have the back brakes fixed. While he was doing the maintenance he saw that the whole underbody frame of the truck is rusted out and isn't even drivable due to the fact at any moment the whole back of the truck could fall out. I understand that this stuff happens but through my research this is fairly common in the older 4runner models along with the very similar framed tacoma which has the frame recall.
While on a city street with a 45mph speed limit, when the accelerator was pressed the back end of the car started to fishtail to the side. The vehicle was taken to a Toyota dealership where they discovered the frame of the vehicle had rusted and broke where the rear control arm to the driver side rear axle attached. The vehicle had been well maintained by the only owner and the body is in near excellent condition with no accidents.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the trailing arm rear axle of the frame was rusted completely and caused the vehicle to shake. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 34,000. Ma 10/19/15 updated 11/06/2017
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Toyota 4runner. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle veered to the left and right before wobbling violently. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the rear passenger side of the frame was fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 152,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Toyota 4runner. While driving approximately 45 MPH, there was an abnormal noise coming from the steering wheel. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road and noticed that the rear passenger side frame was corroded. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 161,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that there was rust on the rear passenger side of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that there was structural failure of the rear passenger side frame due to rust. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 213,000.
Body complaints in other 4Runner years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 1998 Toyota 4Runner?
NHTSA has 78 complaints about the body & structure of the 1998 Toyota 4Runner, 31% of the model year's 250 complaints. The component named most often is body (46 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Toyota 4Runner body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 1998 Toyota 4Runner, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1998 Toyota 4Runner body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 170,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to body & structure problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.