2003 SR5 V6 good or bad??

[phil123]

I'm looking at a 2003 SR5 V6 with 37K miles. I'm always leary of the first year when a manufacturer comes out with a new model. Should I steer clear of 2003 since that was the first model year for this new style? What if anything should I look or listen for? Did they work the kinks out by 2004? Any advice would be appreciated. I've been driving Jeeps for the last 15 years, so I'm not at all familiar with 4runners.

 

[Border411]

Stay away from the 2003. I was talking to a few buddys of mine who work for Toyota, and they stated the V6 in that year had a lot of issues (Reliabilty wise). I would go for a 2004 (Just like me!) I love the V6, and on the open highway I am getting about 21 mpg. That is with a 4wd as well.

By the way, thank god you are seeing the light! Our credo "Friends dont let friends drive jeeps"

 

[sharp4runr]

I wouldn't go as far as saying the 2003 V6 was unreliable but there was Fuel Rail recall for the 2003 Models. Also there are an assortment of TSBs that your 2003 may fall under.

Not all things were fixed on the 2004, and still not on the 2005 so don't feel bad about getting the 2003.

I'd go out on a limb and say the 2003 V6 was as reliable as the 2004, 2005 or 2006 as there have not been any major changes to the engine.

Edit: Link to 2003 TSBS: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=631

 

[Northof49]

I fully agree with sharp

 

[jharris2]

Stay away from the 2003. I was talking to a few buddys of mine who work for Toyota, and they stated the V6 in that year had a lot of issues (Reliabilty wise). I would go for a 2004 (Just like me!) I love the V6, and on the open highway I am getting about 21 mpg. That is with a 4wd as well.

By the way, thank god you are seeing the light! Our credo "Friends dont let friends drive jeeps"

My experience is just the opposite. I have one of the first V6's built for the US and the only issue has been the fuel rail recall. I'd buy it again in a heartbeat.

 

[tkr128]

I have one of the last built 2003's (July 2003) and have absolutely no mechanical flaws to date. Over 40,000 miles and getting 24mpg on the freeway. I have no regrets about my purchase and would do it again if I had to.

I guess most people are turned off on the 03 V6 because of the recall. Toyota fixed it early on, so later-built '03s don't have the problem.

Oh yeah, '03 SR5's have a telescoping steering wheel that Toyota took away on 2004 SR5's. Not really a big deal, but it really helps find a comfortable driving position.

 

[TranceKrayz]

I have an 03 v6 and only had the fuel rail recall issue. so, 03 v6 is still better than any heep on the road......

 

[gonzo]

consumer reports magazine had the reliability of the 2003 V6 4runner listed as "marginal". if you are concerned about reliability, go to your local library and check out one of their magazines. their broad surveys are certain give you much more objective feed back than a few anecdotal testimonies.

one question that you might ask folks here is how did toyota address any reliability problems for that model year - did a couple of quick fixes take care of everything, or are there still lingering problems.

 

[cpayne5]

 

[CVsGX470]

Give me a break...it is a Toyota isn't it. i have a 03 V6 and i have had no problems at all.

CV

 

[phil123]

Drove it last night and bought it. I appreciate all the input. I'm sure I'll be back with many questions going forward.

 

[peter78]

Boy that looks pretty good to me. I did notice in one of the latest Consumer Reports Car issue, it has a list in the back of the magazine called "Used Cars to Avoid". There was only Toyota on the list, the 2003 4Runner V6.

 

[cpayne5]

Here is the list of used cars to avoid. I'm an online subscriber and am getting this off the site.

Audi A4 (4-cyl.)

 

[sharp4runr]

Why would the Lexus GX470 be on the list that cpayne posted? I don't recall anything that would get it on the list. It has the V8, so it wouldn't be the fuel rail...

 

[biglatka]

Why would the Lexus GX470 be on the list that cpayne posted? I don't recall anything that would get it on the list. It has the V8, so it wouldn't be the fuel rail...

Sharp4runr,
Here's what I found in the April 2005 issue: the 2003 GX470 does have a "worse than average reliability" for that year (

 

[peter78]

Here is the list of used cars to avoid. I'm an online subscriber and am getting this off the site.

I stand corrected. The issue I saw the Toyota 4Runner on it was a large car issue they still sell. I saw it in the book store about 3 weeks ago. I am glad the Toyota 4Runner is no longer on the list. The reliability according to their write up looks pretty good.

 

[tcpoob]

Oh yeah, '03 SR5's have a telescoping steering wheel that Toyota took away on 2004 SR5's.

thats interesting to know. thought it's only available for limited and sport trims.

 

[jharris2]

thats interesting to know. thought it's only available for limited and sport trims.

Mine has it, along with lighted vanity mirrors. The official literature only mentioned stuff like this for the Sport and Limited models.

 

[claydoctor]

Don't believe everything you read in Consumer Reports. I just swapped an 04 Explorer for the 06 Sport. The Explorer was the worst car I've had in my 63 years, always in the shop for one TSB related problem or another and I know from the Explorer forums, I wasn't alone. Consumer Reports gives it high marks for reliability.

 

[TranceKrayz]

Don't believe everything you read in Consumer Reports. I just swapped an 04 Explorer for the 06 Sport. The Explorer was the worst car I've had in my 63 years, always in the shop for one TSB related problem or another and I know from the Explorer forums, I wasn't alone. Consumer Reports gives it high marks for reliability.

haha sorry to hear that.....it's a real eye-opener. don't always believe what you read.