1997 Toyota 4Runner

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What changed

No changes recorded for this year.

What it came with

2.7L four-cylinder 3RZ-FE^1,2,3

150 hp · 1996–2000
3.4L V6 5VZ-FE^1,2

183 hp · 1996–2002

Transmissions: 5-speed manual (1996–2000)^3,2, 4-speed automatic (1996–2002)^3,2
Drivetrains: 2WD (1996–2002)^4,3, 4WD (1996–2002)^1,5
Trims: Base (1996–2000)^1,5,3, SR5 (1996–2002)^1,5,3, Limited (1996–2002)^1,5,3
Packages: Factory rear locker (1996–2000)^1,3,6

Fuel economy

4Runner 2WD 4 cyl, 2.7 L, Automatic 4-spd, Rear-Wheel Drive 18 city, 22 highway, 19 combined MPG
4Runner 2WD 4 cyl, 2.7 L, Manual 5-spd, Rear-Wheel Drive 17 city, 22 highway, 18 combined MPG
4Runner 2WD 6 cyl, 3.4 L, Automatic 4-spd, Rear-Wheel Drive 15 city, 19 highway, 17 combined MPG
4Runner 4WD 4 cyl, 2.7 L, Automatic 4-spd, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive 16 city, 20 highway, 18 combined MPG
4Runner 4WD 4 cyl, 2.7 L, Manual 5-spd, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive 15 city, 20 highway, 17 combined MPG
4Runner 4WD 6 cyl, 3.4 L, Automatic 4-spd, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive 15 city, 18 highway, 16 combined MPG
4Runner 4WD 6 cyl, 3.4 L, Manual 5-spd, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive 15 city, 17 highway, 16 combined MPG

The EPA's ratings, copied from fueleconomy.gov on 23 October 2026. The EPA restated its figures for 1984 to 2007, so that years compare.

Compare with another year

Buy

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: Inspect the rear axle area and the full length of the frame.

Sources ^7,2
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 ⁸
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 ⁹

Recalls

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.¹⁰

Checked against NHTSA records on 21 October 2026.

Complaints

Owners filed 264 complaints about the 1997 with NHTSA.

35 said there had been a crash and 2 a fire.

The parts named most

Suspension 95
Structure 75
Service brakes, hydraulic 28
Power train 25
Unknown or other 21

and 18 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

1997 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.

What buyers say

Reputation: what owners and the press report

Sought after: 4WD All years One source so far

The 4x4 models are the ones in demand.⁴
Sought after: 5-speed manual 1996–2000

The last 4Runner offered with a manual, and rare today.^4,3
Sought after: Low miles, factory-original All years One source so far

One article describes low-mile, factory-original trucks as the top of the market, not a typical truck.¹¹
Avoid: Frame rust All years Walk away

Both generations rust at the frame, worst where roads are salted, and rust can leave a frame unsafe. Toyota's frame rust program for its trucks did not include the 4Runner.^2,7,12,13,14
Avoid: 2WD All years Less sought after One source so far

Demand sits with the 4x4 models.⁴
Avoid: Lifts and modifications All years Less sought after

Factory originality is called rare on these trucks.^7,11

Before you pay

Open the buyer's checklist

Every warning and recall for this generation, with a box to tick.