1984 Toyota 4Runner

Watch out for

Reputation: what owners and the press report. Tap one to see what to check.

• Frame rust All years Walk away if found

  What to check: Tap the inside, outside and bottom of each frame rail with a small hammer. Look hardest above the rear axle by the fuel tank and where the frame bends up.

  Seven members across three threads tell buyers to check the frame closely. A moderator says these frames rust from the inside, so damage shows late, and two members point to the rail near the fuel tank. One says frames are usually sound but must be seen in person.

  Sources ^1,2,3

• Body rust All years

  What to check: Look at the front fenders, inner fender wells, floors, rockers, quarter panels, A-pillars, tailgate and the top's window trim.

  Hagerty says front fenders can be bought new but floors and quarter panels cannot, and Trail4Runner's writer says used panels have to be found. Members call rust on the top's metal trim cosmetic.

  Sources ^1,4,5,2,3

• Head gasket failure V6

  What to check: Look for milky oil under the filler cap and on the dipstick, and for white, sweet-smelling exhaust. Ask whether the gasket was replaced.

  Hagerty ties head gasket trouble to the V6 rather than the four.

  Sources ^6,2,3,7

• Worn timing chain guides Four-cylinder

  What to check: Start it cold and listen for a rattle at the front of the engine. Ask whether metal-backed guides have been fitted.

  Three members in two threads warn that the factory plastic guides wear or break, and the loose chain then rattles and rubs. One of the threads is about a 1990 truck with the same engine.

  Sources ^2,8

• Worn seats and interior All years

  What to check: Look over the seats and upholstery.

  Hagerty says no reproduction seats or upholstery are made, and a specialist it quotes calls good seats hard to find.

  Sources ^4,9

Recalls

Complaints

Owners filed 2 complaints about the 1984 with NHTSA.

2 said there had been a crash.

The parts named most

• Suspension 1
• Tires 1

Counted from NHTSA's complaints on 23 October 2026. These are owners' own reports, counted by the parts they named; one complaint can name several. NHTSA's list

Crash-test stars

NHTSA's ratings online begin with the 1990 model year.

Copied from NHTSA's ratings on 23 October 2026.

Sources

1. Toyota-4Runner.org (1st gen rust)
2. NC4x4 (checking out an 88)
3. IH8MUD (1st gen daily driver)
4. Hagerty (first-gen go-anywhere fun)
5. Trail4Runner (generation history)
6. Hagerty (first-gen Turbo)
7. IH8MUD (1989 4Runner)
8. IH8MUD (4runner questions)
9. Hagerty (rise of the 1984–89 4Runner)