[AudiTech]

Hi, I just joined the forum because I'm looking at 2011 4-Runner and I'm trying to do some research on them. I've paged through the forum a bit but I'm looking for info about long term reliability and known/common problems. Any input on what to look out for?

[1engineer]

They only go about 250-300K before you need to do much. Several here already have 100K+ on their 5th gens. Just look at their resale value and that will tell you their reliability and durability. 4Runners and LC's have the highest resale of any SUV. Good luck.

[rigtec]

The only thing often complained about is poor gas mileage, but if fuel consumption is such a concern, why buy a 4800 lb truck; plenty of fuel misers available!

PS: Buy with confidence! cheers

rigtec

[Biggcrisp]

The following is a list of the items you will need to "look out for":

1.

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[Stifler]

they are horrible! thats why we all come together in this forum to cry about them

[IAmTodd]

Originally Posted by Biggcrisp

The following is a list of the items you will need to "look out for":

1.

<

<

1. Front axle groaning in cold weather; TSB for front diff replacement

2. Front seat broken; TSB to replace seatback

3. Hatch rust

The list is hardly long but isn't non-existent.

[nad]

Any hatch back will rust, its the way the exhaust gets caught in the air pocket at the back of the vehicle. My golf did the same thing.

[scanny]

It's been 4 years since I got my 4Runner, but I can't really say much about the issues. Hitch adapter has some rust and I have intermittent issue with driver seat lumbar support "crunching" sound. Oh, and left foot rest is squeaking when it's below zero outside. Not that it bothers me much but that's all my complains so far.

[USKTog]

Originally Posted by AudiTech

Hi, I just joined the forum because I'm looking at 2011 4-Runner and I'm trying to do some research on them. I've paged through the forum a bit but I'm looking for info about long term reliability and known/common problems. Any input on what to look out for?

AudiTech, I can totally relate. That said, I did ~4mos of research to validate my thoughts; fact of the matter is that there are a TON of 4Runners still on the road and while there may be an issue here or there, the Toyota 4Runner is by-far, one of the very best SUV's ever made (again, my opinion).

I chose to purchase mine because they have a reputation of reliability and able to handle quite a bit of punishment stock off the dealer lot! Does this mean there won't be an issue with one? Perhaps, but we all take that risk purchasing any vehicle.

First & foremost, follow the service guidelines (as you probably well know!) and the vehicle will likely last you hundreds of thousands of (s)miles!

[IAmTodd]

Originally Posted by nad

Any hatch back will rust, its the way the exhaust gets caught in the air pocket at the back of the vehicle. My golf did the same thing.

I've owned 5 SUVs in Pennsylvania and never had that issue. The rust is coming from under the paint. It's pretty well documented on the forum.

[Okki]

It's a Body-On-Frame SUV. So you're going to have more creaks/noises than a unibody type SUV like the ones Audi offers (figured I'd pick something close to your handle).

There have been minor things, like some have mentioned, but that's also been mainly the early model years (2010).TSB's are out for those items and can be readily found online (including a sticky here on the forum).

Beyond that, it's a great truck with great capability. Best road trip vehicle I have ever owned.

Okki

[philsey]

2010 SR5, bought early 2010.
Live in rust belt.
46,000 +.
I've had none (zero) of the issues reported in this thread.

The drivetrain (propshaft) clunk is oft-reported (I've had that). A TSB exists, but it's not so much a failure/malfunction as an annoyance.

I often toy with getting a new vehicle (just 'cause it's what I do). I could afford what I want, but after mental masturbation, no other vehicle comes up that I'd rather have. The damned thing just works ... it suits me.

Oh, my hatch struts were replaced under wty.

[DannyLlama]

I came into the elevator today with one of my co-workers, he says "I almost died yesterday on the freeway" I said why.

So he was driving on the free way and his Found On the Road Dead Focus dropped the transmission, jerked back and high rev'd forward and he had a hard time slowing it down and getting off the freeway. 75k miles on it.

This sort of thing will never happen on this truck, Even after you drive it in first to second gear up the mountain and back.

Long answer, but hope it somewhat answers your question!

[Ol'Baditude]

I've had a few small issues:
1. Lift gate struts are starting to go. Just ordered new ones from liftsuportsdepot, so easy and cheap fix.
2. The heater fan started to make some bearing noise.
3. Had a couple of pulleys replaced due to having some play and causing noise.

That's it. At the end of the day, all of this cost less that $500 to fix(less if you do the work yourself), and I even threw an new belt in for good measure. Not bad for a vehicle that I've owned since October 2010, gets stored outside year round(unplugged in winter), has been wheeled quite substantially and gets driven around all winter in salty nastiness.
I bought this vehicle because I had zero issue with my 2003 4Runner, and I have not been dissapointed. It just works the way it's supposed to and never gives me any grief.

[DannyLlama]

Originally Posted by Ol'Baditude

2. The heater fan started to make some bearing noise.

I had the same issue! I couldn't replicate it at the dealer. I forgot about it since we are in summer weather. Is this a noise you heard in the cabin towards the passenger side? How did you fix it?