Some days I absolutely love my truck, can't stop looking at it, other days I almost regret buying it. I own a 2008 Sr5 4x4, sunroof, leather, put a lift on it, all I need. I found an unacceptable amount of rust on the sunroof, Toyota told me "it's because you don't keep it clean in there" after showing me where the water drains that accumulates in that area? my truck is garaged, and has been in the rain less than 10 times. then my drivers seat rocks in the rails, seems like a stupid problem for such a pricey truck. like I said, some days I enjoy the hell out of it, others I regret trading in my ford. I had an F150 prior, put 137k on the odo, and not 1 time in for service, or repair. changed the oil every 3k. never an issue, no rust, no bad seats, the headlights never even went out on it, not even a fuse.

I know what many will say, but I just had to get that off my chest.

Is the rust in the sunroof channel (where the drains are located) or on the sunroof frame itself? The only reason I ask is because there's a rubber gasket around the glass and I've been wondering if mine has any rust under the gasket.

Good. Now go back to liking it!!

BTW - Had an 06 F150 SCrew, 160k with no issues except the spark plugs. I miss that too!

I haven't had mine that long but I've heard all about Toyota and rust, it's pretty much the only thing I worry about with the 4Runner.

Doc - the rust is on the metal that frames the glass, I've seen pics of other members sunroofs that have same rust in same spot, as I explained to dealer, rep, and toyota, they didn't seem like it was odd to have the sunroof frame flaking apart from so much rust.

Jeff - I wish it was that easy, man I wish I could, I just can't get past all these small annoyances.

Maybe it's time for another F150 then. All new motors in 2011...

I'd have to get a Raptor! haha

I seriously regret trading my 2004 A6 2.7T in for a 2005 T4R Sport V8. Granted it looks nice with the non functional hood scoop. I have found many things that I dislike about this vehicle. Leather seats with no power, or memory. The seat tracks pop or shift. Had the Christmas tree lights because of a bad gas cap. Dealer wanted $125.00 to diagnose, thank you to this forum for the fix. The climate control is terrible. The interior noise is terrible. I am constantly checking to see if a door or window is open. I wonder if Toyota put any insulation in the doors since my left arm freezes when next to the door driving. The roof pops up when you close a door with the sunroof open. I get the popping from the rear end when I stop at a light. Center diff doesn't want to unlock all the time. The switches for the windows have no lights, just one that dimly has auto lit up. Also no light for the door lock switch. Rear window switch has no lights. The interior lights are a joke. The rear wiper is pretty much a waste. The wiper controls front and rear are pretty much backwards.

While this is a 4x4, it was made for the road and not off roading. I have a TJ that will smoke it off road.

A friend asked me if I loved my 4Runner and I told him I loved my Audi and I like my 4Runner.

I know what many will say, but I just had to get that off my chest.

I just got rid of my 06 4runner v8 sport 46k bought new.My complaints ,right front caliper siezed at 40k,very noisey on the highway also rear end whined under light throtel on higway,my dash board was cracking,rear tailgate always leaked water.I bought a 2011 subaru 3.6 r limited very quiet on the highway just as fast,much better on gas.My sunroof was rusting alsoMy frame was rusting also i was constantly steel brushing and spraying rustoleam.

Rust? Its a Toyota....they all do that.



I bought a case of rustoleum undercoating when my T4R & Rav4 were brand new and rust free. Got out the plastic drop cloth and old clothes and went to town under both. I have almost zero rust. Next one goes to Ziebart the day I pick it up. My kids Honda CRV was the same.

but on a sunroof after 2.5 years? it's frigging flaking apart, that is unreal, also the smell of exhaust w/ window down, obvious design flaw, they ask a good deal of money to have so many small problems, and I wouldn't have such an issue with it, if Toyota would admit to it, and make it right with the consumer.

no way to get around the exhaust smell with a back window down regardless of the vehicle barring changing the exhaust exit. Granted, I think they should have put it out the side to begin with, but there are MANY other manufacturers that do this as well (not great justification). Jeep Wranglers are one- they specifically say in their owners manual NOT to leave the back window open and the others closed. it creates a vacuum that shunts the exhaust fumes into the vehicle at speed. It's the way cars and flow works unfortunately...

the rust thing is fricking stupid by the way. that would piss me off good...

I acknowledge now that I too was never in love with my 4Runner. I liked it. I was really happy with the smooth V8 and the great shifting the auto trans gave. The controls were a bad attempt at rugged I think. The headroom started to wear very thin on me. I did like the Sport cloth interior but the rest was just there. After putting a lift, spacers, and bigger tires on, I felt I only got the truck to where it should have been from the factory. The ride was accepable but not fantastic before and after the lift.

Interior lighting was HORRIBLE. Window controls were in a VERY odd place. The exhaust smell I had to eliviate by re-routing the exhaust.

With that rant over, it was still a better vehicle than most I had driven. To keep those two things I liked, I moved into the GX470. All the above concerns were addressed and I LOVE everything about the GX. I still admire the 4Runners I see go by, but I feel like I have a "better" "proper" 4Runner for my needs. It's not for everyone, I admit that.

med4 - hows it? Still ain't seen your truck around?

I could be way way off but I think some of that Toyota quality may have droped off a bit. Are 4runners still made in Japan? Not a dig, just sayin. I also know that every motor co has it's not so perfects out there (Lemon Law is an extreme example).

Now my rig is in much better shape that my Ranger was at 7 years old. Loved that Ford truck at first but everything broke after 100k and 6 or so years???
I don't have any symptoms you listed. I also don't take it on the beach much. I only put 6k on it last year (I ride the bike to work). Other than the frozen calipers I have had zero drama and been very pleased.

Good luck and there is a punch out Raptor parked at the Ford Auto Mall. It's the 1st one I have see all decked out. Trophy truck lookin.

I've had 3 4 runners a 95 a 97 and 08- I Still have the 97 it has 180k and the only thing I've ever done to it was change the oil,battery,and brakes- I loved them all- the only gripe I have about the 08 was room- we had a newborn at the time and could barely get a carseat in the back we opted for a range rover which I regretted dearly no peace of mind- all toyotas rust a lil but in the end its worth it- i also owned a 99 Tacoma- I nerve had a minutes trouble put over 120k in 4 years and a oak tree fell through the middle of it..... Saddest day of my life