# 1997 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER — POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT:SEAL
> NHTSA complaint `513392` · 2004-12-22 · Toyota Motor Corporation
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 0
- **Fire:** No
- **Crash:** Yes
- **Police report:** Yes
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** TOYOTA
- **Model:** 4 RUNNER
- **Year:** 1997
- **Manufacturer:** Toyota Motor Corporation
- **Component:** POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT:SEAL
- **Miles at failure:** 75,000
- **Speed:** 15 mph
## Narrative
MY REAR AXLE SEAL IS LEAKING ON THE BRAKE SHOES.  I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED IT TWICE.  ONCE IN THE WINTER OF 2002 AND AGAIN IN THE SPRING OF 2003.  THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I HAD AN ACCIDENT WHERE MY BRAKES FAILED AND I REAR ENDED SOMEBODY.  THE REAR BRAKE SHOES WERE SATURATED WITH AXLE GREASE.   I RECENTLY TOOK IT TO A SHOP AND THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN.  THE MECHANIC SAID THEY WOULDN'T TOUCH IT AND I HAVE TO TAKE IT A DEALER.  THEY THINK I MIGHT HAVE TO GO AS FAR AS REPLACING THE AXLE IN ORDER TO STOP THE PROBLEM FROM RECURRING.  *JB
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*