1998 Toyota 4runner Transmission Problems
11 owner-reported transmission complaints from NHTSA data
Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
Owner Complaints (11)
THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL IS RUSTING OUT. *TR
REAR DIFFERENTIAL HAS RUSTED THROUGH. CAUSING ALL FLUID TO DRAIN, WHICH IN TURN WOULD CAUSE REAR END TO LOCK UP. *TR
1998 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SR5. THE READ DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING HAS RUSTED OUT SO BAD THAT IT HAS TO BE REPLACED. MULTIPLE MECHANICS HAVE STATED THEY'VE NEVER SEEN SUCH A THING. NO ACCIDENTS OR ANYTHING THAT COULD HAVE ADDED TO THE DETERIORATION OF THIS. THIS 4RUNNER HAS NEVER GONE OFF ROAD AND 90% OF IS HIGHWAY MILES. *TR
DRIVING ON FREEWAY 5 AT SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA FROM THE SURFACE STREET AT 35 MPH, I HEARD A THUMP AND THE 4 RUNNER SLOWED TO A STOP. THE TRAFFIC WAS HELD TO A SCREETCHING HALT AS THE CAR WILL NOT MOVE. I MANAGE TO PUSH IT TO THE EMERGENCY SIDE PARKING. IT WAS TOWED TO FRANK TOYOTA OF NATIONAL CITY SAN DIEGO, CA. THERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR END AXLE GEAR HAS BEEN STRIPPED. I JUST ARRIVED TODAY SURVIVE A THIRD TOUR OF IRAQ AND THIS HAPPENED. THIS NEARLY COST ME MY LIFE AND POSSIBLY A LOT MORE PEOPLE.*AK
GEAR SHIFTER LOCKS UP WHEN PLACED IN "PARK" (P) POSITION RESULTING IN KEY NOT BEING ABLE TO BE REMOVED FROM IGNITION. THIS CAUSED THE PUSH-BUTTON CONTROL HANDLE TO BECOME COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE GEAR SHIFTER ARM AND SERVERED THE WIRE FOR THE PUSH-BUTTON OVERDRIVE CONTROL. THE SCREWS BECAME STIPPED AND THE HOUSING INSIDE THE RUBBER COVER WERE CRACKED. I HAVE NOT CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP WERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE DUE TO PAST PROBLEMS I'VE HAD WHEN REPORTING DEFECTS TO THEM.*AK
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY JUMPS OUT OF GEAR.DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
CLUTCH ASSEMBLY FAILED.
TRANSMISSION FAILED CAUSED GRINDING AND STICKING BETWEEN SHIFTS. YH
TRANSMISSION CLUTCH FAILED. YH
WHEN CRUISE CONTROL IS ON AND GOING UP A HILL, TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTS.
THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO KICK INTO HIGH GEAR, COMING OUT OF THE OVERDRIVE AND REVS UP TO 3500 MPH WHICH ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. CAUSE UNKNOWN.