Actual Reliability Data

oblivionis

oblivionis

New member
Like most Toyota owners, I bought my 4Runner for it's reliability. While it has been very good it has not been perfect or even near it. So I thought lets start a thread where owners will post the issues they had with their 4Gen 4Runners. This will give prospective owners an idea of what might go wrong and what to watch out for. Please only post here if you have had your 4Runner for at least 2 years or 24,000 miles. Only list actual problems and not maintenance items. If you had no problems, great, state that too. Data only, no discussion please. Lets keep it in the following format:

2004 Toyota 4Runner SR5:
Bought at 22,000 miles in Dec. 2004. Current mileage = 109K miles.
Issue: Approx. Mileage: Cost to fix:
TPMS sensor bad 23,000 $0 (warranty)
Oxygen sensor bad 36,000 $0 (warranty)
Serpentine belt bearing bad 40,000 $0 (warranty)
Front rotors warped* 55,000 $180 (DIY)
Rear gate latch bad 70,000 $200 (DIY)
Left CV joint leaking 90,000 $180 (ind. mechanic)
Catalytic converter bad 98,000 $1200 (dealer)


*I don't consider warped rotors @ 55K a maintenance item.

Comments:
The back light on the right side of the info screen flickers when it's cold outside but it hasn't stopped working yet. The OEM Dunlop tires were crap and I replaced them at 40K miles.
 
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Cool, ive had mine for 2.5 years and 30k miles: 1997 3.4l 5 speed 4x4 147k miles when purchased, current 177k miles.

Rear Diff replaced (used, DIY) $225
Rear Bumper Rusted (Used, DIY) $100
Front sway bar links broken ($50 used, DIY)
Muffler+Tailpipe rotted out ($200, DIY)
Bad U joint: $10 DIY
My rotors are warped but they have 65k on them but here is the cost: premium wagner rotors + pads $115 shipped, lifetime warrenty, DIY
 
I have 175k miles on my 05 4runner.

Only NON normal PM items (oil changes, tune-up, brakes...etc) is my OD reset. It just reset and been running fine since. No other issues what-so-ever.
 
2007 4Runner SE, V6
Bought it at 44k.
Final mileage: 68k
Not a single issue in the 2 years I owned it
Totaled it about a month (not my fault) - just bought another exactly like it, we'll see how this one goes.
 
My 2008 sport has had two door lock actuators fail on the driver door. Both times Toyota fixed it as a curtesy! Total would have been 600 bucks.
 
about 110,000 miles, highway, towing, off road, you name it.

Other than normal maintenace,
We've had a Seized Caliper, common, known problem... and that's it.



Other "common" problems noted on this forum have not proved to be an issue:
XREAS? still fine,
A/C relay? still fine,
sunroof rattle? never happened,
Exhaust "tick"? Not yet,
Lift gate issues? Nope,
4WD Low actuator... rarely used, tested last month... Works perfectly.
Loose Seat? nope seats fine.

At least as reliable as my 3rd Gen... Though the gas mileage sucks.

Oh ya, my drive shaft clunks. Its like belonging to a club ;)
 
'08 4Runner Limited 4WD V6 Limited w/33,500 miles: not a single problem. Not even the infamous drive shaft thump, but those zerks are well greased.
 
2004 Toyota 4Runner SR5:
Bought Bought New April 2004. Current mileage = 62K miles.
0 issues to date. Only regular maintenance has been performed.
No offroad driving but pulled boat to the lake in summer time for the first two years.
 
121k 05 sport. Only problem I have is my door lock on rear driver side gets a signal but won't actually lock or unlock. dealer wants 300. I said I'll do it by hand.

Other than that, nothing.
 
04 Limited V8, 213,000 kms mostly city driving and visiting job sites. This is my work vehicle, owned since new and has been amazingly reliable.

Only issue has been driveshaft thump which has been addressed. My mechanic pulled the driveshaft and lubed the splines and put it back in.
 
97K
thankful for the extended warranty (now expired)
it fixed all four $300 each door lock solenoids
and sunroof

warranty fix on brakes / rotors and new exhaust system (sulfur smell tsb)

needs a new front shock and a couple (more) A/C instrument panel bulbs
front leather seat needs a major repair (split on the side where nothing touches it)
seat belt retractor is getting tired
 
2004 SR5 4x4 V8 - Purchased new in 2004. 45k miles.

1. Rotten Egg exhaust smell - WARRANTY
2. Hood struts - $100 (DIY)
3. A/C Clutch Relay - $60 (DIY)
4. Accelerator chop - RECALL/WARRANTY
5. Routine Maintenance - Tires, front brakes, fluids, turn signal bulb ...
 
Fixin

I've had mine now for about 2 1/2 years and have put on around 30,000 miles in that time. Currently at 80,000 miles...

Repairs

  • Replaced brake pads and rotors front and rear (work done by myself)
  • Drain and fill transmission fluid several times which solved rumble when trans was shifting into 5th gear(work done by myself)
  • New windshield due to crack (Safelite installed)
  • New left back seat window shattered for no apparent reason (replaced myself)
Next up:

  • Diff and transfer case fluid change (will change myself)

Issues I have not done anything about yet:
  • Exhaust tick, I believe I have a cracked exhau$t manifold.

Overall its been a pretty decent truck although not quite as 'bulletproof' as I had originally though when I was researching 4Runners.
 
2008 Urban Runner 4x4, bought certified used @9K Miles in Jan 2010, currently has 29K miles:
Damn Seat Creak/POP noise in both front seats - http://www.toyota-4runner.org/problems-warranty-issues/52353-damn-seat-creak-pop-back-again-5.html

2008 Urban Runner 4x2 bought brand new in January 2009, currently has 38K miles:
Rear Hatch Opener Melted - http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/70414-rear-hatch-opener-melted.html (This T4R is outside during the day, while the 4x4 is in a garage)
Also has the Damn Seat Creak/POP noise in both front seats


Other than regular maintenance, there have been no issues with either 4th Gen T4R.

Our 1996 3rd gen T4R, has 180K and is still running strong. Other than the gear shift lever being loose, some faded center caps, and regular maintenance all it has required so far is a new starter. However, it is going to need some front end work in the near future. Oh, both key fobs broke, and the black plastic master key broke (part that holds it on the keyring) so we have to use the all metal key. Not bad for a 16 year old vehicle.
 
2004 Toyota 4Runner Sport V8 4x4
Bought at 65,000 kms in July 2008. Current mileage = 123K km's.
CPO from Toyota Dealer.

Issues......? Nope, none here.

Part of the driveshaft clunk club though :banana:
 
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