Any Catastrophic Mechanical Failures in High Mileage Trucks?

[BTO]

These are solid trucks. My 2007 Tacoma, which is similar has been about flawless through 158k miles. All I ever have to do is standard maintenance and tires every 75k or so. Hell, it still has the original brakes!

 

[Ryan1975]

What do you mean? Are other people having issues with this too?

Very very curious now.

Yup. It has something to do with Proximity sensors.

 

[catrains]

you toyota guys talk really nickel dime failure stuff..

GM sells trucks with motors that blow up 35K-110K miles..

one guy had a new 2017 GM truck 492 miles on it .. some Mexican left a bolt in the oil pan.. took GM 3 weeks to replace the engine ... then GM did not want to use a carrier to bring it back to his home... he went on a 400 mile trip ..

how would you like that deal ..? not rare with GM trucks .

the dealership cost $8600................USD.

 

[Beaumont67]

Excellent thread on Toyota Longevity, from a problem-free drive train / for the most part.
- informative read to see in print
- and the Big3 horror stories, are so typical

The sad thing for me was I had found a certified 92 Tacoma pickup for $12k when shopping for my first car. My Dad thought it made more sense to buy a cheaper domestic and bought me the ranger for $6k. After two years of ownership we spent almost $6k in repairs before selling it for scrap the tranny went out the second time. The worst part is I didn't have use of my vehicle for close to 1/3 of the time I owned it as it was in the shop. The only good thing that came from the Ranger is I learned a valuable lesson. A Toyota in the driveway is worth far more than a Ford in the shop.

:bounce:^^ A Toyota Bird in the Hand, is Worth Big3 in the Bush !!...:bounce::bounce::bounce:

Ryan1975 - your 2016 has 75K while my 2000 SR5 has 85,700 miles.
- and the first major repair besides routine or preventive maintenance, was $1,000 repair
- AC lost Freon charge (last year) & heater control fan box vent flap stuck...work that required dash and console, to be removed
- while the original AC pump, still works fine / not bad for an 18 y/o vehicle

 

[1engineer]

Ryan, I've read most threads here for seven years and, while there have been sporadic catastrophic failures there has never been a pattern or any quantity of those. My .02.

 

[Antman]

What do you mean? Are other people having issues with this too?

Very very curious now.

He probably napped with his foot on the brake pedal.

 

[mybabydaddy]

OP - I feel ya... (tho I already know the answer to the question)... I generally have a 75K(ish) rule that means its time to trade in or start shopping. But something this time is gnawing at me not to. Maybe I’m just old and hate spending money these days... Regardless, I too, think I may just drive this one into the ground for another 4-5 years. Why not? It’s literally the perfect vehicle to do it in.


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[STX4Runner]

OP - I feel ya... (tho I already know the answer to the question)... I generally have a 75K(ish) rule that means its time to trade in or start shopping. But something this time is gnawing at me not to. Maybe I’m just old and hate spending money these days... Regardless, I too, think I may just drive this one into the ground for another 4-5 years. Why not? It’s literally the perfect vehicle to do it in.


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Except that, unless you totally abuse it and don't maintain it, in 4 or 5 years it won't be driven into the ground.

 

[keph13]

My rearview camera very very randomly (and seldomly) doesn't work in reverse. Just a black screen. Haven't been able to recreate it.

A few days ago, I parked my 4runner to nap in it. Woke up an hour later and the battery was dead / the car wouldn't turn to start the engine. Had to jump it with my jump kit. Strangest thing. Nothing was on or plugged in, keys were out of ignition. Never happened again, and is fully charged, holding a healthy charge.

I've noticed that the headlight timer doesn't seem to start until you open the door, even with the keys out. Depending on time of day etc, is it possible you didn't notice the headlights stayed on?

 

[DannyLlama]

I have 142,000 miles on my 2010 SR5 and nothing too catastrophic so far. I did have the front diff replaced under warranty at the dealership because of the growling problem. Thanks to this forum I found the TSB that convinced the service guy to cover it.

Mind sharing the TSB?

 

[Knight-Errant]

The only catastrophic failure I've experienced was not having an awesome 4Runner in my life sooner.

 

[MossJenks]

OP - I feel ya... (tho I already know the answer to the question)... I generally have a 75K(ish) rule that means its time to trade in or start shopping. But something this time is gnawing at me not to. Maybe I’m just old and hate spending money these days... Regardless, I too, think I may just drive this one into the ground for another 4-5 years. Why not? It’s literally the perfect vehicle to do it in.

It'll take a LOT longer than that to drive it into the ground if my past 4Runner experiences are any indications. 75k isn't even broken in yet. I BUY these things with twice that mileage on them. My 5th gen is the newest I've ever owned with 115k miles on it. Don't know what became of my 1st gen and 3rd gen but a buddy of mine has my 2nd gen with over 4 times your sell mileage on it - 320k or so. It had the head gaskets done under warranty before I bought it, then I borked the brake master cylinder at about 200k miles and a couple of years ago my buddy put a new clutch in at about 280k miles. That's it. A few minor little things here and there and of course regular maintenance. That old truck positively thrives on abuse. I see people around here worry about revving the motor high - I used to push that 3.slow to the redline all the time in the mountains.

A catastrophic failure, by definition, is a complete failure of a major mechanical unit that essentially totals the vehicle. I can't think of anything outside of a blown motor or transmission that would fit that definition.

 

[Muddy Duck]

Traded in my 3rd gen in 2010 at 225k miles only because I found a 5th gen with 8k miles for a steal. Now have 150k miles of severe abuse (although meticulously maintained abuse) and I think she’s just getting broken in. Only issue I’ve run into (besides that one deer) was the front wheel bearings. Driver’s side went out at 135k and I replaced both sides. Unless something goes terribly sideways, I’m shooting for at least 300k.


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[Intruder]

Didn't [MENTION=66300]Intruder[/MENTION] have a rear main seal problem? I don't remember and he hasn't been around in a while.

I did what? Think I had a weeping rear diff seal once and I replaced the steering rack. Other than that I'm at 190,000 km and still running fine.

 

[LandCruiser]

85k now

HVAC fan died around 60k
Driver's side door actuator keeps breaking, all of them have had problems working 100%
Driver's seat keeps reclining back
Port installed (SE Toyota shit) security system has gremlins
I have the burning rubber smell from the passenger rear wheel well for years now
Everything squeaks and rattles

 

[philsey]

85k now

HVAC fan died around 60k
Driver's side door actuator keeps breaking, all of them have had problems working 100%
Driver's seat keeps reclining back
Port installed (SE Toyota shit) security system has gremlins
I have the burning rubber smell from the passenger rear wheel well for years now
Everything squeaks and rattles

Just as another POV, my experience with my 2010, traded in December at 90,000, was as follows:

HVAC fan died around 60k never had a problem.
Driver's side door actuator keeps breaking, all of them have had problems working 100% never had a problem with any of them.
Driver's seat keeps reclining back has always worked fine.
Port installed (SE Toyota shit) security system has gremlins - N/A
I have the burning rubber smell from the passenger rear wheel well for years now (never had this either).
Everything Nothing squeaks and rattles (ever, most solid/quiet car at 90K I ever owned)

Not trying to mess with you [MENTION=92049]LandCruiser[/MENTION] it just struck me another experience was relevant. TBH it was strictly a DD. Although I like having a new car, I honestly regret trading it ... it was not money I needed to spend ... but my very clever salesman gave me 10% off the '18, and a shit-ton for my '10. I'm a weak man.

 

[LandCruiser]

Just as another POV, my experience with my 2010, traded in December at 90,000, was as follows:

HVAC fan died around 60k never had a problem.
Driver's side door actuator keeps breaking, all of them have had problems working 100% never had a problem with any of them.
Driver's seat keeps reclining back has always worked fine.
Port installed (SE Toyota shit) security system has gremlins - N/A
I have the burning rubber smell from the passenger rear wheel well for years now (never had this either).
Everything Nothing squeaks and rattles (ever, most solid/quiet car at 90K I ever owned)

Not trying to mess with you [MENTION=92049]LandCruiser[/MENTION] it just struck me another experience was relevant. TBF it was strictly a DD. Although I like having a new car, I honestly regret trading it ... it was not money I needed to spend ... but my very clever salesman gave me 10% off the '18, and a shit-ton for my '10. I'm a weak man.

I drive mine like the Blues Brothers, beat it up on fire roads in WY to get to my mountain chalet half-abandoned trailer and weigh as much as John Belushi.

I managed to kill an FJ Cruiser at 60k, so this is actually pretty impressive for me.

 

[STX4Runner]

I did what? Think I had a weeping rear diff seal once and I replaced the steering rack. Other than that I'm at 190,000 km and still running fine.

That's good news. I thought I remembered you having some big problem that required engine removal. Glad you didn't.

 

[KP Texan]

I drive mine like the Blues Brothers, beat it up on fire roads in WY to get to my mountain chalet half-abandoned trailer and weigh as much as John Belushi.

I managed to kill an FJ Cruiser at 60k, so this is actually pretty impressive for me.

Haha, I was about to say you must be incredibly hard on your vehicles. My wife is pretty darn hard on things and still not a single issue at 67K with her '12 Limited. That's one thing that prompted me to buy an '18!

 

[Toffees]

Stupid question of the day.

My ‘16 is about to pass 70k miles next week or so. I pass extended warranty at 75k. On my previous two 4Runners I traded or sold them at 66k / 56k miles respectively.

I follow this board and all 4Runner groups religiously and honestly I’ve never really heard of a catostrophic mechanical failure (engine transmission) in a 5th Gen. I’m in multiple car groups on FB as I try to increase exposure on a side project and it’s amazing how many people in brand new vehicles (Colorado’s and Duramax) have nearly vehicle life ending failures of engines and transmissions. Of course The occurance is rare and not indicative of the Model as a whole but I honestly can’t remember ANY similar events with the 4Runner.

As I approach my normal tolerance limit for daily commuter I’m tempted for once in my life to show restraint and see how long this truck can go. Should I pop for another extended warranty and buy something out to 150,000 miles? Anyone here sell those?

Pic for attn

Do what you want, but if this guy is still driving, you can eke out a few more miles

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/234493-got-sand-my-engine.html