ShifteratiToyota 4Runner · 3rd gen (1996–2002)
1996 Toyota 4Runner
Watch out for
Reputation: what owners and the press report. Tap one to see what to check.
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Lower ball joints All years. The recall covers 2001–2002 only One source so far
What to check: Raise the front wheel about an inch, pry under the tire and watch the joint for vertical play.
Three members in one thread warn that a failed lower ball joint does wide damage, such as to the fender, tie rod ends and CV axle.
Parts $80 to $150, about 2 hours
Sources 3
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Coolant in the transmission ("pink milkshake") Automatics One source so far
What to check: Look for pink, milky fluid in the coolant and the transmission fluid.
Five owners in one thread report coolant in the transmission on their own trucks, four of them at about 160,000 to 275,000 miles. Others replaced the original radiator early and never saw it.
Radiator about $110. Transmission $2,000 or more
Sources 4
Recalls
- 96V098000 1996
The required label warning about handling can be missing from the driver's sun visor. Dealers replace the visor.5
- 02V021000 1996–1998
Loss of directional stability under heavy load and hard steering. Only 2WD trucks show it, and 4WD trucks are included in the recall. Dealers replace rear suspension parts.5
Checked against NHTSA records on 21 October 2026.
Complaints
Owners filed 165 complaints about the 1996 with NHTSA.
17 said there had been a crash and 1 a fire.
The parts named most
- Structure 42
- Suspension 37
- Engine and engine cooling 23
- Service brakes, hydraulic 15
- Tires 12
and 19 other parts
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
- 1996 Toyota 4Runner 4-DR. 4x4 Front: driver 3, passenger 3.
These stars come from NHTSA's tests before the 2011 model year. NHTSA says never to compare them with stars from its newer tests. Where NHTSA says so
Copied from NHTSA's ratings on 23 October 2026.