1998 Toyota 4runner Lights Problems
6 owner-reported lights complaints from NHTSA data
Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
Lights Recalls (3)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Fix: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Fix: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
Owner Complaints (6)
1998 TOYOTA 2WD 4RUNNER, DRIVER SIDE REAR TAIL LIGHT DOESN'T FUNCTION PROPERLY. LIGHT COMES ON WHEN BRAKING, BUT NOT WHEN RUNNING. INSTALLING NEW BULBS DOESN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM. *TR
I HAVE A 1998 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER AND THE TAIL LIGHTS CONTINUE TO BLOW. ONE OF THE LIGHTS IS CONTINUOUSLY OUT, BUT IT IS USUALLY THE LEFT SIDE MORE THAN THE RIGHT. I HAVE NOTICED THAT SEVERAL OTHER 4RUNNERS ALSO HAVE BLOWN TAIL LIGHTS. IS THIS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT/RECALL? *AK
FREQUENT PROBLEM WITH TAIL LIGHTS ON MY VEHICLE HAVE BURNED OUT. THE "STONE MONTAIN GEORGIA" DEALERSHIP CANNOT LOCATE THE PROBLEM BUT IT SEEMS TO ME TO BE A DEAD SHORT IN THE SYSTEM. THIS PROBLEM HAS CREATED A FIRE IN THE UPPER CENTER REAR BRAKE WARNING LIGHT AND HAS MELTED THE HOUSING THAT IN-CASES THE BULB. THE BRAKE AND TAIL LIGHTS ARE CONSTANTLY BURNING OUT. I HAVE CEASED USE OF THE REMOTE DOOR LOCK AS THE FLASHING OF THE LIGHTS SEAMED TO ONLY MAKE THE PROBLEM WORSE AND BLOW LIGHT BULBS MORE OFTEN. NOT ONLY IS THE PROBLEM A FINACIAL ISSUE WITH ME BUT IT IS ALSO A SAFTY FACTOR ENVOLVED AND I THINK TOYOTA SHOULD TAKE A SERIOUS LOOK AT THIS PROBLEM ON THERE DIME!
THE FREQUENT TAIL LIGHT FAILURES ON MY 4RUNNER IS NOT ONLY A MAJOR NUISANCE BUT ALSO A LATENT SAFETY PROBLEM. MY 1998 4RUNNERS (LEFT OR RIGHT) TAIL LIGHT HAS FAILED TWICE SO FAR AND MY BROTHER'S 1996 4RUNNER HAS HAD AT LEAST 3 FAILURES. I HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER 4RUNNER'S ON THE ROAD WITH SINGLE TAIL LIGHTS OUT. I HAVE MENTIONED IT TO MY DEALER BUT THEY SAY ITS JUST THE BULB. BASED ON MY BROTHER AND MY EXPERIENCE, IT IS USUALLY THE SAME SIDE BULB THAT FAILS SUBSEQUENT TIMES. IT ALSO DOES NOT AFFECT THE BRAKE LIGHTS, ONLY THE REAR RUNNING LIGHTS (LEFT OR RIGHT, NEVER BOTH). I FEEL TOYOTA SHOULD HAVE TO INVESTIGATE THE TAIL LIGHT CIRCUIT AND TAKE CORRECTIVE ACTION. I ALSO BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN UNDERREPORTED BY OWNERS AS THEY JUST GET THE BULB REPLACED AND DO NOT BOTHER TO LOOK INTO IT FURTHER. THIS PROBLEM COULD ALSO POST A DIFFICULT-TO-QUANTIFY SAFETY ISSUE AS MANY 4RUNNER OWNERS DRIVE AROUND MISSING ONE TAIL LIGHT. IT IS ALSO A FINANCIAL ISSUE AS OWNERS NEED TO REPLACE THESE BULBS OFTEN (YEARLY OR LESS) AND CAN BE PULLED OVER BY THE POLICE FOR THIS TRAFFIC VIOLATION (NEW YORK CITY HAS JUST STARTED HEAVILY ENFORCING $20 FINES FOR THIS). IF YOU ARE NOT THE U.S. AGENCY I SHOULD CONTACT WITH THIS PROBLEM, PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHO I SHOULD CONTACT. THANK YOU.*AK
REAR BRAKE LIGHT FAILED. NLM
TAIL LIGHT BULB FAILED. YH