1987 Toyota 4Runner

The 1987 Toyota 4Runner sits at the very beginning of the federal complaint record, with no data available for its immediate predecessors or successors in this dataset, making direct year-to-year comparisons impossible. However, the available figures for 1987—just four total complaints, zero recalls, and no investigations—suggest it was a relatively trouble-free entry point for the generation, particularly when contrasted with the sharp rise in complaints beginning in the mid-1990s (peaking at 707 in 2003). The complaints logged in 1987 are minor and isolated, spanning brakes, tires, and equipment, with no reported fire incidents and only three crash-related issues. This low-activity period implies early build quality was stable, though the absence of recalls or investigations may also reflect limited federal scrutiny or lower vehicle population at the time. Given the data’s silence on systemic problems and the 4Runner’s reputation for durability, the 1987 model emerges as a comparatively strong candidate within its generation—assuming a well-documented service history and rust inspection are prioritized.