Consumer Reports slap on the 4Runner

[Larry]

Have you seen the CR 2005 Buying Guide. They rate the V8 4Runner (p 218) with a 'check' meaning better than average and on the same page rate the V6 as below average. And, they rate the same 4Runner with the V6 and a vehicle to 'avoid' on page192.

CR proudly says that don't take advertising. So, after reading this I wonder what they do take?

 

[sharp4runr]

That below average rating probably stems from the fuel rail TSB on 2003 V6. Toyota proactively fixed the problem and it wasn't considered a "RECALL". The problem has been fixed on subsequent models, but I guess CR holds a grudge.

Can you scan those pages so the other board members can see what they say?

July

 

[dcampen]

Yeah, I don't know what CR's problem is with the V6, very strange.

 

[Larry]

...sorry, no scanner.

Shame on Toyota for fixing a problem without a gun being held to their head.

What exactly was the problem and what was the wording in the TSB? It must have been something serious like tires exploding or front wheels falling off or engine fires.

 

[sharp4runr]

...sorry, no scanner.

Shame on Toyota for fixing a problem without a gun being held to their head.

What exactly was the problem and what was the wording in the TSB? It must have been something serious like tires exploding or front wheels falling off or engine fires.

No worries on the scanner. I'll just stop by the book store and check it out.

At least Toyota fixed it unlike the Dodge Durango....

I guess it was considered a recall. Here is the link: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=381&highlight=Fuel+Rail

 

[Larry]

Let me see if I have this correct. If you own a Toyota and have 1 TSB that is safety related, that takes a half hour to repair you life is over, you've been crushed, ready for the dung heap .....but, if you own a Ford, Dodge or Chevy and you only have 1 TSB that is safety related then you are lucky, you've dodged a bullet, you're one in a million, you get asked to speak at events of great importance, you receive an audience with the Pope, you shake hands with the President in the Oval Office and live happily ever after. Do I have it right? CR must have paid sticker for their 4Runner and they remember that.

Well, at least my wheels don't fall off, my tires don't explode, my transmission shifts and the brakes brake....I'm happy, how 'bout you?

 

[TranceKrayz]

the fuel thing was so minor. i had it done on my truck and it took only half an hour. of course i was still pretty nervus about the competance of the mechanics working on my truck. i think it was considered a recall and not a tsb, because i got a letter stating a recall. the difference between toyota and the other manufacturers is that they discover the problem and then fix it quick before anyone gets hurt. in the recent dodge recall....it took lots of accidents to happen and lives at risk before they recall it.

 

[02SE]

Consumer reports MIGHT be able to accurately evaluate a toaster. Beyond that, I wouldn't put much stock in anything they say.

 

[olliebear]

Consumer Reports????

Isn't that the same outfit that got sued by Izusu for settting up their Trooper to roller over? I've seen the videos Isuzu got from CR and using computer added lines to show and compare the various SUVs sure looked like the yturned the Trooper much sharper than all the others to get it to flip over.

Well they made not take advertising dollars, but creating phony stories may drive more subscriptions.....and just like CNN and Geraldo Rivera, phony stories about another bombing in Iraq sell more than true stories about a day without a bombing.

Isn't that the same magazine that makes asinine remarks about 3/4 ton Suburbans with 8.1 liters of engine as having "bad" gas mileage????? Compared to what?

Isn't that the same magaizine famous for such illuminating remarks as criticizing Corvettes's tight front seats? Well, it wasn't made for tubbos.....

Isn't that the same magazind that recently rated Goodyear Fontera and Dayton tires above Michelin and BFG and Bridgestone? How did they test that?

They really outght to stick to toasters and microwave ovens.

 

[Larry]

CR knows what we want and need. When they get on their high horse, they will test and test until they get things right. They don't take advertising but the act like whores when it comes to selling flash. They made a big deal about the Suzuki that tipped over. Suzuki did not sell very many of these Samuari (spelling) vehicles but they made it a big story. Ford sold a jillion Bronco II's that tipped over like a drunk walking on a spinning log. Acutally we should not fault CR, after all their job is to sell magazines. Maybe Toyota just needed to be taken down a notch. After all who's in charge?

 

[Koz]

A few years back CR gave the Tacoma a bad rating because they felt the ride was to stiff with the TRD off-road package, meanwhile it had the BEST reliability record and was not recommended.

Koz

 

[Larry]

Slap number two. In the New Car Buyer's Guide they state that the V6 is below average (compared to what?). Do they hold Toyota to a higher standard than say,Ford, GM or Chrysler. Serious stuff this Toyota failure on the V6, not like those domestics with their trivial problems, fires, wheels falling off, steering failing and causing a head-on. No sir. This was the real thing in safety failures. If I had the V6 model I'd be driving in a Nomex suit with my fire extinguisher ready and my cell phone pre-dialed to 911 and I would not drive at a speed faster than I'm willing to jump out at. Feel warned if you drive a V6. CR has spoken and they don't take advertising so you know they tell the truth, honest.

 

[riceman]

I was curious about the info in this thread, especially since I own an 04 six, so I logged on to Consumer Reports, a magazine that I have good reason to listen to. This is what they have to say about my car:

The 4Runner is now the top-ranked SUV in its price class that is fit for serious off-roading. It's a big improvement over its predecessor, riding better than some car-based SUVs. Our tested V6 model delivered lively acceleration. Fuel economy was an unimpressive 16 mpg. Handling isn't nimble, but it is sound and secure with standard stability control. The interior feels substantial and well-made. The seats are comfortable and afford a good view out. The power rear window and interior mirrors for reversing are nice touches. A third-row seat is a new option. The V6 gets a five-speed automatic for 2005, and the V8 receives more horsepower.

This paragraph is followed by their rating system, and the 04 six has all red balls--in every catagory. I know that this doesn't mean anything to most of you, but it makes me feel better after reading what you had to say.

John

 

[KyleKai]

This paragraph is followed by their rating system, and the 04 six has all red balls--in every catagory.

Can I assume that "red balls" are good?

 

[sharp4runr]

Can I assume that "red balls" are good?

Sure because everyone knows blue balls are the worst...

Riceman - take all the replies to this thread with a lot of SARCASM. CR DID give the V6 a bad rating initially because of the Fuel Rail recall.

 

[riceman]

Red balls are the very best, unless, of course, they are accompanied by a rash.

 

[Larry]

So, CR is saying that the V8 is excellent, and the same vehicle with a V6 will give you a rash. What whould an Explorer give you....the clap.

 

[ToolmanJohn]

Yeah CR bummed me on that report

I let my subscription run out on their mag because of this. I emailed one of their automotive gurus directly, asking about the poor reliability rating of the V6. There were no reports of fires. The fuel rail was improperly assembled at the factory and needed some part(s) replaced. CR bases their reports on owner responses.

Apparently, because CR received a lot of responses by early release V6 owners who had to get their V6 fuel rails repaired, free of charge, before anyone ever had a problem, this means they are unreliable by CR standards. I bought mine in late August of 2003, so mine was built after the recall.

They will never change that poor reliability rating. It will haunt all the V6 owners who reported the fuel rail recall as a serious problem on the annual CR survey. But it seems to me that if a car is repaired in a diligent manner, and no injuries or failures resulted from the defect, it should be noted in future reports.

So now some people who don't know the whole story, and they way CR compiles data, think there is some kind of huge problem with the V6 engines. There isn't. So now I look at CR reports with a huge amount of skepticism, especially when they claim a "poor" rating with no mention of why.

Seriously, I haven't heard of a single person complaining of a fuel related problem on either the V6 or V8, except for the sulfer smell. Has ANYONE had a failure on the V6, fuel related??

 

[TranceKrayz]

like i said...got mine fixed no problem. as long as my wheels don't fall off years from now, my tires don't explode, my engine doesn't catch fire, and my power steering doesn't fail while i'm on the highway.....consumer report can screw themselves.

 

[ToolmanJohn]

Agreed

like i said...got mine fixed no problem. as long as my wheels don't fall off years from now, my tires don't explode, my engine doesn't catch fire, and my power steering doesn't fail while i'm on the highway.....consumer report can screw themselves.

My sentiments exactly, well put.