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1996 Toyota 4Runner Base 4x2

The 1996 Toyota 4Runner Base 4x2 is a 150-hp SUV with a 5-speed manual overdrive; 4-speed electronically controlled automatic overdrive available and rear-wheel drive. It starts at $19,908 MSRP and is rated at 20 mpg combined.

It makes 150 horsepower at 4,800 rpm and 177 lb-ft of torque at 4000 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 18 mpg city and 23 mpg highway (20 mpg combined).

The 4Runner measures 178.7 inches long on a 105.3-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 3,340 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSUV
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$19,908 ($41,237 *)
Engine
Engine Type2.7-liter DOHC 16-valve EFI 4-cylinder, cast iron block with aluminum alloy head
Horsepower150 hp @ 4,800 rpm
Torque177 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
ValvetrainDOHC, 4-valve/cylinder
Bore and Stroke3.74 x 3.74 in.
Compression Ratio9.5:1
Injection TypeEFI
Drivetrain
Drive TypeRear-wheel drive (2WD)
Transmission
Transmission5-speed manual overdrive (standard); 4-speed electronically controlled automatic overdrive (ECT) available
1st Gear3.954
2nd Gear2.141
3rd Gear1.384
4th Gear1
5th Gear0.81
Reverse4.091
Final Drive3.727
Fuel Economy
City18 MPG
Highway23 MPG
Combined20 MPG
Recommended Fuel87-octane unleaded (regular)
Suspension
Front SuspensionIndependent double-wishbone with coil springs, low-pressure gas-filled shocks, and stabilizer bar
Rear Suspension4-link coil spring with low-pressure gas-filled shocks and stabilizer bar
Front Stabilizer Bar1.02 in.
Rear Stabilizer Bar0.75 in.
Brakes
Front Brake DiscVentilated disc, 11.6 in.
Rear Brake DiscDrum, 11.6 in.
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front15 in. (styled steel)
Wheels Rear15 in. (styled steel)
Tires FrontP225/75R15
Tires RearP225/75R15
Dimensions & Weight
Length178.7 in
Width66.5 in
Height66.5 in
Wheelbase105.3 in
Front Track59.3 in
Rear Track58.9 in
Ground Clearance8.5 in
Approach Angle32°
Departure Angle26°
Cargo Volume44.6 ft³
Curb Weight3,340 lbs
Interior
Headroom Front39.2 in
Headroom Rear38.7 in
Legroom Front43.1 in
Legroom Rear34.9 in
Shoulder Room Front53.9 in
Shoulder Room Rear53.9 in
Hip Room Front49.8 in
Hip Room Rear51.4 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall Not rated
Frontal crash Not rated
Frontal – driver ★★★★★
Frontal – passenger ★★★★★
Side crash Not rated
Rollover Not rated
Tested variant: 1996 Toyota 4Runner 4-DR. 4x4

Recalls

5 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1996 Toyota 4RUNNER. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Apr 7, 2009 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

NHTSA campaign 09E012000

May 24, 2006 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

NHTSA campaign 06E049000

Mar 23, 2006 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

NHTSA campaign 06E026000

Jan 18, 2002 · SUSPENSION

ON CERTAIN 2-WHEEL-DRIVE (2WD) AND 4-WHEEL-DRIVE (4WD) 4RUNNER SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, A COMBINATION OF HEAVY LOADING (SIMULTANEOUS LOADING TO REAR GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATING AND GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING) AND SEVERE STEERING MANEUVERS COULD CAUSE THE 2WD 4RUNNER TO LOSE DIRECTIONAL STABILITY.

Consequence: THIS MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE REAR SUSPENSION PARTS. ALTHOUGH THE 4WD 4RUNNERS DO NOT EXHIBIT THE HANDLING CONDITION, TOYOTA WILL RECALL THESE VEHICLES TO AVOID ANY PUBLIC CONFUSION AS TO WHICH VEHICLES SHOULD RECEIVE THE REPLACEMENT PARTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 28, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

NHTSA campaign 02V021000

Jun 12, 1996 · EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

THE STICKER REQUIRED BY PART 575, "CONSUMER INFORMATION REGULATIONS" TO ALERT THE DRIVER OF "THE PARTICULAR HANDLING AND MANEUVERING CHARACTERISTICS OF UTILITY VEHICLES" WAS NOT AFFIXED TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR.

Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: OWNERS MAY NOT BE AWARE OF THE HANDLING AND MANUEVERING CHARACTERISTICS OF THIS VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SUN VISORS ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WITH VISORS CONTAINING THE CORRECT LABELS.

NHTSA campaign 96V098000

165 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1996 Toyota 4RUNNER

Owner Complaints

165 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1996 Toyota 4RUNNER (17 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 10 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Structure42
Suspension38
Engine And Engine Cooling23
Service Brakes17
Hydraulic15
Tires14
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Oct 10, 2021 · Suspension, Wheels
“I have noticed that my vehicle doesn’t seem to be balance and most of the time i am afraid the tires will fall off by the movement of the vehicle. And the metal parts that attachment part it looks…”
Mar 31, 2021 · Visibility
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE SUN ROOF DETACHED AND FLEW OFF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT…”
Jun 11, 2019 · Suspension
“MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN SLIPPING A LOT CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IT'S NOT THE FIRST TIME IT HAS HAPPENED JUST RECENTLY IT HAPPENED AGAIN AND I WAS TOLD TO CHECK IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON…”
Jan 9, 2019 · Suspension
“THE REAR AXLE/SUSPENSION IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. JUST TOOK IT TO MY AUTO SHOP FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND THEY WILL NOT PUT IT UP FOR AN OIL CHANGE BECAUSE THEY ARE AFRAID IT WILL COLLAPSE.”
Jan 5, 2019 · Suspension
“THE AXEL SUPPORT RUSTED OFF CAUSING IT TO SEPARATE FROM THE FRAME. THIS RESULTS IN A DANGEROUS CONDITION”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 1996 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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