Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
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).
2009 Michelin latitude tour all season luxury tires p265/70r16 were purchased at costco 12/16/09. We went to our mechanic on 2/17/15 for a vibration problem on front end of our 1998 Toyota 4-runner. After inspection he informed us that our tires were cracked on side wall. In addition the road force balance test shows severe runout on front tires and we should replace all 4 tires. We have only put 18,000 miles on these tires. My tires don't fall under the recalls but this doesn't seem right for that kind of failure to occur with such low milage.
4 dunlop radial rovers 235/75 r15 installed 2 or 3 years and 30,000 miles ago on my 1998 Toyota 4runner. I always maintained recommended pressures and just rotated them myself last week after our previous las vegas trip. On our way back from las vegas July 19, 2004 2 pm near fontana the car began to shake progressively until it was undriveable above 45 MPH so I pulled over to a small turnout. I changed the left rear tire that I found had a major bulge (3 inch diameter bubble on sidewall which continued another 3 inches into the tread.) changed it to the spare and car still shook when driven. Found out the front right tire was worse, about 1/3 the circumference was bubbled making the tire look egg shaped from the side. Looks like more than tread separation, possibly broken belts since the bubbles had air pressure. …
Frame is rusted out around rear control arm brackets. Numerous rust holes in frame. This vehicle is unsafe to drive in this condition and Toyota does not want to do anything about it. I have seen hundreds of the same model vehicle online with this same issue. This needs to be a recall, just like the tacoma frames. Vehicle is in excellent condition and has been well maintained. It is a shame this 4runner is unsafe to drive. Beautiful truck, unsafe frame.
Both failures were blowouts while traveling on interstate highways at approx. 75 miles per hour. The first failure in 1998 was in the early evening on interstate 45 in houston texas. The left tire blew with no warning. The tread seperated and the tire was totally destroyed. A new tire was installed. The second failure was on interstate 285 in atlanta ga. Again the tire failed instantaneously and had to be replaced. The two remaining tires are in need of replacement with 49000 + miles. One of the two tires that were installed are still on the car. It is on the front. Ever since they were installed the vehicle has had a vibration. One of the original tires is still on the vehicle and the spare is in use. I will have to replace the original soon. If you have any desire to see it you must respond soon.( dot number: tire size: p265/70r16 )
The tire tread peeled off the tire. I have had blow outs before, but have never seen anything like this. Firestone did not hesitate to replace it. They did so under their road hazard claim. The tread on the tire was excellent, was properly inflated and maintained. I did not hit any objects on the highway and Firestone found no foreign objects inside the tire when they broke it down. I can't and won't wait for any settlements as tire safety is more important then the engine under the hood. I will have these replaced but not with Firestone tires. Can you offer me any advice as how to proceed? I have also reported this to Toyota through their customer relations assistance line. Thanks.( dot number: tire size: p225/75r15 )
Tires have been rotated and balanced as manufacturer suggested. Inside of tires have shown signifigant wear and at the time of recall we had tires checked only to find that there was steel showing on one tire and that tire was changed out with the spare. Other 3 tires are showing signs of extreme wear and we were told that because the tires were not made in decatour, il there was nothing that could be done beyond purchasing new tires. There are only 40000 miles on the vehicle at this time and the tires are warrentied at 50000. Our concern is that the tires are a hazard because of the wear and this vehicle is primarily used for the family.( dot number: w2hh awb25 tire size: p225/75r15 )
All four tires were replaced with wilderness at III 31x10.50r-15 tires which have the same rough ride as the original equipment 265/75r-15 wilderness tires. The Firestone dealer rep said that it was normal for those tires to ride that rough. They ride as if the tires have bulges on them yet they do not. I have owned other brands of off road tires with simular designed tread and they did not ride near as rough as these do.I am concerned as to whether these tires May also be defective as are the others that have been in the news lately. The dot numbers are as follows vd60 aw4. Thank you for attention.( dot number: not avail. Tire size: 265/75-15 )
Upon switching my Firestone tires to another brand, I noticed that one of the tires removed from my vehicle had a definite crack between the tread. It was an older tire, 2 years, 40K miles, but the deep crack between the treads concerned me, as I had not seen anything like that before. None of the other 3 tires exhibited this unusual wear characteristic. (dot number: w2hh tiresize: p225/75r15)
Replacement of all five tires as two were already separating,have had trouble with one loosing air since bought,unable to find reason,tires were replaced by Goodyear and Firestone advised can't reemburse because of already taken off,other Firestone said tires are two years old and needed replacing anyway. I spoke with robert oper.50 at NHTSA. (dot number: w2hhawb048 tiresize: p225/75r15)
Pe00 020; vehicle was parked and front right tire blewout. When he changed tires there was one and half inch tear located in the inner side of tire. Tire Firestone wilderness#at, p22575r15. Firestone was notified. One of the two Firestone dealers stated that the tire was damaged due to incorrect pressure used and the second dealer claimed it to be due to road hazard.
Wheel & Tire complaints in other 4Runner years
Frequently asked questions
How common are wheel & tire problems on the 1998 Toyota 4Runner?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the wheels & tires of the 1998 Toyota 4Runner, 14% of the model year's 250 complaints. The component named most often is tread/belt (13 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Toyota 4Runner wheel & tire problems?
No. NHTSA lists no wheels & tires 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 wheel & tire problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 116,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to wheels & tires 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.