Wrench.Pro

1995 Toyota 4Runner Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 1995 Toyota 4Runner has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Tire tread separation and blowouts.” Toyota's owner's manual splits service into Schedule 1 (severe) and Schedule 2 (normal). Most US drivers fall under Schedule 1 because it covers short trips, extreme temperatures, dusty roads, or heavy idling. The intervals below reflect Schedule 1 — the schedule Toyota recommends for typical real-world use.

Save this car as:

No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 1995 Toyota 4Runner.

Reported to NHTSA

Tire tread separation and blowouts

TIRES

11 NHTSA complaints · 2000-06 → 2009-11

“WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH AND WITH NO WARNING RIGHT FRONT TIRE TREAD SEPARATED, CONSUMER HAD TO PULL OVER. THIS CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. FIRESTONE, SIZE# UNKNOWN DOT# UNKNOWN.. DEALER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10040274
“ARMSTRONG DESSERT DOG, 31X1.5R15 DOTCH60GP4208. THE CONSUMER STATED THE LEFT REAR TIRE VIBRATED WHILE DRIVING. THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER, AND NOTICED A 8 INCH LONG BULGE IN TIRE. TOOK TO AAA, AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT "THE BONDING OF THE TIRE CAME LOOSE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10024954
“I HAD 2 BLOWOUTS WITH THESE TIRES WITHIN 5 DAYS. ONE CENTER TREAD AND ONE SIDEWALL BLOW OUT. THE TIRES HAVE ONLY ABOUT 25,000 MILES ON THEM. THEY WERE BOTH REAR TIRES AND I FEEL LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. I HAVE REPLACED ALL 4 TIRES TO BE SAFE. THANKS!*AK( DOT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #724551

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Head gasket failure on 3.0L V6 engine

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

95 NHTSA complaints · 1999-04 → 2021-10

“VEHICLE WITH 3.0L V6 HAS BLOWN TWO HEAD GASKETS IN 135,000 MILES. VIN IS JUST OUTSIDE OF THE "SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN". GASKET FAILED (AGAIN) WITH NO WARNING, VEHICLE STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, DRIVER LOST CONTROL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10380814
“ENGINE EXHAUST SMOKY. COOLANT LEVEL DROPS. STEAM AND WATER EMITTED FROM EXHAUST PIPE. CAUSE SEEMS TO BE DUE TO A FAILED HEAD GASKET(S) OR FAILURE OF ALUMINUM CYLINDER HEADS TO MATE TO CAST IRON ENGINE BLOCK. OTHER POSSIBILITY IS CRACKING IN WATER JACKET OF”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10670513
“I'VE TALKED WITH TOYOTA ABOUT THE HEAD GASKET RECALL ON THIS 4RUNNER , AND I'VE BEEN TOLD YES THEY WILL FIX THE HEAD GASKET BUT ONLY IF I PAY FOR ANY OTHER REPAIRS TO THE ENGINE AND THEY TELL ME THEY WILL ONLY DO IT UNDER THESE CONDITIONS. IS THIS TRUE OR ARE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10376138

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Rear axle shaft breakage and seal leaks

POWER TRAIN

4 NHTSA complaints · 1997-08 → 2004-12

“AS I WAS DRIVING UP THE ROAD, MY RIGHT REAR WHEEL CAME OFF. THE AXLE BROKE JUST INSIDE THE WHEEL.*AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10104286
“DRIVING AT 30MPH THE REAR AXLE BROKE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *AK VEHICLE SWERVED OFF THE ROAD TOWARDS THE RIGHT THEN BACK ONTO THE ROAD, VEHICLE HIT THE CENTER MEDIAN AND FLIPPED OVER THREE TIMES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #815843
“WHILE DRIVING THE REAR AXLE SEALS LEAKED OIL. THIS WAS A RECURRING PROBLEM. *AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10087500

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Transmission failure while driving

POWER TRAIN

5 NHTSA complaints · 2003-04 → 2004-04

“WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. *NLM WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. CONSUMERS TWO SONS REMOVED TRANSMISSION. CONSUMER HAS TRANSMISSION IN STORAGE. *MR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10017168
“WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING TRANSMISSION SHUT DOWN. *AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10031890
“A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IS LOOKING TO REPLACE A COMPLETE TRANSMISSION ON MY DAUGHTER'S 1995 4RUNNER. THE TRUCK HAS 80000 MILES-THAT IS ONLY 10000 MILES PER YEAR AND THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE MILES ARE HIGHWAY MILES. IT HAS NEVER GONE OFF ROAD.*AK THE TRUCK HAS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10025745

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Steering relay rod failure and recall repair

STEERING

5 NHTSA complaints · 2006-01 → 2007-04

“I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE SSC 50N STEERING RELAY ROD REPLACEMENT FOR MY 1995 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SEVERAL MONTHS AGO. AS OF THIS DATE, THERE ARE NO PARTS AVAILABLE, ACCORDING TO SEVERAL TOYOTA DEALERS, TO MAKE THE REPAIR. DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE PART”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10159116
“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED ON MARCH 6, 2004 AS THE DRIVER WAS TRYING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WENT OUT CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WENT THROUGH SOME PINE TREES AND LANDED UPON A POWER LINE POLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10155372
“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE IS A RECALL, #05V389000 CONCERNING THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL BUT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO A”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10148777

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

ABS brake lockup and fishtailing

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

6 NHTSA complaints · 1995-09 → 2003-10

“I PULLED OUT TO PASS SOMEONE, HIT THE BRAKES (WHICH WERE SUPPOSED TO BE ABS) AND THE TIRES LOCKED UP AND THE CAR BEGAN TO FISH TAIL AND SKID OUT OF CONTROL, THEN ROLLED THREE OR FOUR TIMES. *LA”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10041576
“DURING PANIC STOP, ABS EQUIPPED, REAR END FISHTAILS AS THOUGH ONE SIDES LOCKING. *AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #985231
“WHILE DRIVING ON WET PAVEMENT, EXPERIENCED BRAKE FAILURE, WHEN REAR WHEELS LOCKED UP, CAUSING TO VEHICLE TO SKID, NO PRIOR WARNING. *AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #982825

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine shutdown while driving

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

6 NHTSA complaints · 1999-02 → 2001-08

“ENGINE SHUTS DOWN WHEN A SINGLE ELECTRICAL COMPONENT IS TURNED ON (LIGHTS/AC/WWIPERS/ETC.) THE POWER BRAKES AND STEERING GO OUT, EMERGENCY LIGHTS ARE INOPERABLE, AND CAR OFTEN TAKES MINUTES TO RESTART. TOYOTA SAYS "NO KNOWN REPAIR...DUE TO SHORT DISTANCE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #749929
“AT 70 MPH CPU RESET,HEADLIGHTS CAME ON AND OFF, ENGINE SHUT OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED 10- 15 TIMES SO FAR. *AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #878689
“WHEN CONSUMER RUNS THE AIR CONDITIONER OR TURNS ON THE HEATER/ FAN, CAR SHUTS OFF AUTOMATICALLY. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, NO FURTHER INFORMATION BY THE DEALERSHIP. *AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #847260

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 5,000 mi

Replace 0W-20 full-synthetic oil and filter every 5,000 miles under Schedule 1, or 10,000 miles under Schedule 2. Toyota covers the first 2 oil changes through ToyotaCare.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 5,000 mi

Rotate tires every 5,000 miles. Toyota recommends rotation at every oil change to maximize tire life on FWD and AWD models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 5,000 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake every 5,000 miles. Toyota recommends measuring pad thickness at each service.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 36 months. Critical for the integrity of the ABS, VSC, and brake assist systems.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace the engine air filter every 30,000 miles. Earlier under Schedule 1 if driven on unpaved roads.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Toyota labels ATF as 'lifetime fill' on most automatics, but recommends inspection and replacement every 60,000 miles under severe service. Use Toyota WS or Type-IV — no substitutes.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 120,000 mi

Toyota iridium-tipped spark plugs are rated for 120,000 miles. Earlier replacement reduces fuel economy and can cause misfires on direct-injection engines.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Super Long Life Coolant (SLLC)

Every 50,000 mi

Toyota SLLC (pink): first change at 100,000 miles, then every 50,000 miles. Do not substitute green or orange coolant — it will damage the cooling system seals.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace the cabin air filter every 30,000 miles, sooner in dusty climates. Located behind the glove box on most Toyota and Lexus models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Serpentine / Drive Belt Inspection

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect the serpentine belt and tensioner every 60,000 miles. Toyota uses long-life EPDM belts that rarely fail before 100,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Timing Chain — No Replacement

On condition / lifetime

Toyota's 2AR-FE, 2GR-FKS, A25A-FKS, and most Toyota engines built since 2010 use a timing chain rated for the life of the engine. No scheduled replacement.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Pro only

Timing chains are normally lifetime. Listen for rattle on cold start — that's the actionable signal. Replacement is major work, quote separately.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

321 crashes 1990–2024

How the 321 occupant deaths break down

206

driver deaths

114

passenger deaths

1

not recorded by seat

321

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 1994 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

15

complaints mentioning a crash

0

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 1995 Toyota 4Runner reflects Toyota's published service intervals and the Maintenance Required Light system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

Check another vehicle →