I wanted more up-to-date auto reliability information that included actual repair rates. So in late 2005 I started getting people together to make this possible. TrueDelta now reports absolute repair rates that make the differences between vehicle models much clearer. Results are updated four times a year, so it's possible to track cars closely as they age.

We've had very good participation by owners of 4th generation 4Runners, so we're already providing results for every year from 2003 through 2008. We'd like to do the same with the 3rd generation--but this depends on how many owners can participate.

Participants simply report repairs the month after they occur on a one-page survey. When there are no repairs, they simply report an approximate odometer reading four times a year, at the end of each quarter.

To encourage participation, participants receive full access to all results, not just those for the 4Runner, free of charge.

For the details, and to sign up to help out:

Car reliability research

We've added the 1997 to the survey--it's right at the minimum--and other years are now close. Thanks, guys. 426 4Runners now signed up for all years. A good start, but more remain needed.

Car reliability research

Looks like a cool site you guys have, I just signed up with an 01 4runner, 04 sequoia, 04 tundra, 05 tundra and an 08 tundra so you should be getting some good info from me

Thanks, I really appreciate your help. I personally put a huge amount of time and effort into the site, but it's only as good as the number of people who join and participate.

I've started compiling the November results, and it looks like we need more participants to provide some for the 3rd-gen 4Runner. I'm doing all I can to provide these results. Providing the data on the vehicles is the one thing I cannot do myself.

Help get your year included:

Car reliability research

i signed up like 12 hours ago

Thanks, I appreciate it.

Updated 4th gen results soon. Really hoping to have the 3rd gen in future updates. Just a matter of getting enough owners involved.

Vehicle reliability research

i did sign up but the chart is confusing as hell, maybe just me

Specific feedback helps. At least I assume it does--I get hardly any of it.

When you look at the reliability stats, what do you find confusing?

What do you have trouble figuring out what it means?

when it says trips per year, is it trips to the shop?? Maybe there just isnt enough info to register but it also mentions that if you click on the particular yr model it gives owner's responses to repairs, didnt find any of that but again could be lack of data. What exactly are "successful repairs?" Is an oil change in that category?

My opinion, the per 100 cars is confusing to me It would make more sense if it showed the average repairs per year and model. Ive never had a vehicle i had to repair more than once or twice a year no matter what the make so just trying to understand. I know its a lot of work to put this together so please dont think im knocking it in anyway

Not at all. This is the best feedback I've had in a long time.

Looking back at the page with it, I can see where some additional explanation would be helpful. For example, it should note that routine maintenance like fluid and filter changes does not count.

For the average per car, just divide the numbers by 100. As you suspect, the results are usually between 0.2 and 1.5 per car. Only for old unreliable models is it near or over 2.

Back in the beginning I posted results in terms of "per car," but many people told me it would be less confusing to post them in terms of "per 100 cars," because this would eliminate the decimal. I'd personally prefer to use "per car," but try to go with what works best for the most people.

Clicking on "4Runner" in the results table should take you to a page the includes all repair descriptions submitted for the 4Runner. Maybe you clicked on something else?

That's a cool thing you have done there , I think I was one of the very first people to sign on and still fill out the surveys when you send them . Only issue is Ive never had a repair yet on my T4R . Sorry about that

Your member number will indicate how close to the start you signed up.

One thing that can be counterintuitive is that it's just as important to know when a car requires no repairs. If everyone only participated when they had a repair to report, every car would look extremely unreliable.

As it is, we have some models where hardly any owners have reported a repair. Which is useful knowledge.

Hate to say it, but we didn't end up with enough responses to have results for the 3rd gen. Updated results for 2003-2008 have been posted, though.

Help get your year into the next update, in February:

Car reliability research

We're not going to have enough data for 3rd gen stats in February, either. May, on the other hand, looks likely for at least two model years.

Help get your year included:

Car reliability research