Like the title says, is it reliable?? Do they tend to see high mileage with minimal problems?? Already have a deposit down on a limited V8 71k miles and before I buy Im just trying to reassure myself. I need this truck to last me 5years, until my kids are in kindegarden and my wife goes back to work. Thanks in advance.
Is the 2003 v8 reliable?????
- Thread starter magneeto
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Put it this way, toyotas in general are very reliable. I assume you know Toyotas are known for reliability.
Specifically is your 2003 reliable. Yes but it depends also if the previous owner maintained it well. Did he do a lot of towing. Abused the tranny, drove like a race car driver, etc. provided it was reasonably maintained I don't think you have anything to worry about besides what else would be more reliable in that price range and age.
This is well put. If it was reasonably well taken care of you should be good. And you're buying it from a dealer who just did all these I would get a clean start with new fluids all around - oil, transmission, transfer case/differential and maybe coolant and brake fluid depending on how they look.
stanleybb50
New member
I plan on going past 150k easy on my '06. Your motor is basically the same minus vvt.
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I already worked out in the contract that the 90k service be done at cost by the dealer. I had a 99 camry that ran like a top with 170k on it. I put off the timing belt and it snapped ruining the top end of the motor. My fault. I want a toyota because they are reliable, just not that educated on this particular model year v8.
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borgzman
New member
2003? and only 71K miles? good decision despite of high the gas prices.
My 2003 V8 runs like new. Never have a problem. And if we talk about kids and safety, my 4Runner got rear ended by a chevy truck,..he has more damage than mine. I don't even have rear air bags, but I feel safer in the 4Runner than my other crossover vehicle with airbags and side curtains front and rear.
V8? ya its fast an smooth...i can safely insert in traffic gap like its a bimmer and likaa riding in an airplane in the freeway.
My 2003 V8 runs like new. Never have a problem. And if we talk about kids and safety, my 4Runner got rear ended by a chevy truck,..he has more damage than mine. I don't even have rear air bags, but I feel safer in the 4Runner than my other crossover vehicle with airbags and side curtains front and rear.
V8? ya its fast an smooth...i can safely insert in traffic gap like its a bimmer and likaa riding in an airplane in the freeway.
03_4x4Runner
Senior Member
My 03 V8 only has 66K miles. Only problem so far is the transfer case leaks at the actuator. A common problem. I did the timing belt myself despite the low miles. On an 03 they are supposed to be changed at I think 6 years, so it is due. Mine still runs/drives like when it was new.
SOme one else mentioned to look out for that leak, where is the actuator and how serious of a problem is that?
zerowkul98
New member
I gotta chime in here, cuz i think the OP NEEDS TO KNOW that just cuz a brand is well-known for being "reliable" does NOT mean you can drive it forever without more than oil changes.
Any mechanic will tell you, "vehicles get to the shop 1 of 2 ways....on their own, or on a flatbed".
I own 2 of the SE V8's and I am very particular about keeping them well-maintained. People on this forum board range in terms of DIY capabilities and those who depend on dealership shops for regular service. Just make sure you more than just the Jiffy Lube visits every 5k (and by the way, those chains suck a big bag of a$$).
Quick story along those lines: I was at my dealership shop, getting a 3rd set of calipers for my 03 V8 and in the shop was a 2005 Tundra V8. The entire cab was suspended from the ceiling above, and the engine was GONE. When i inquired as to what he deal was, the shop mgr. told me the guy blew the motor. A Toyota 4.7L V8 is a TOUGH ENGINE to push a rod through. Long story short, the owner thought that "Toyota reliability" = "i dont have to do any reg. maintenance, ever!" Dont confuse "reliable" as something more than that.
If you maintain the vehicle, you'll have a truck that'll have a long life.
Any mechanic will tell you, "vehicles get to the shop 1 of 2 ways....on their own, or on a flatbed".
I own 2 of the SE V8's and I am very particular about keeping them well-maintained. People on this forum board range in terms of DIY capabilities and those who depend on dealership shops for regular service. Just make sure you more than just the Jiffy Lube visits every 5k (and by the way, those chains suck a big bag of a$$).
Quick story along those lines: I was at my dealership shop, getting a 3rd set of calipers for my 03 V8 and in the shop was a 2005 Tundra V8. The entire cab was suspended from the ceiling above, and the engine was GONE. When i inquired as to what he deal was, the shop mgr. told me the guy blew the motor. A Toyota 4.7L V8 is a TOUGH ENGINE to push a rod through. Long story short, the owner thought that "Toyota reliability" = "i dont have to do any reg. maintenance, ever!" Dont confuse "reliable" as something more than that.
If you maintain the vehicle, you'll have a truck that'll have a long life.
Threev8s
New member
I have put lots of miles on several vehicles, including body-on-frame SUVs, sports cars, and even sedans. I've never posted here before since I mainly use this site to reference information about my vehicle, but I wanted to add my $.02. Without a doubt, the engine in my '03 V8 Sport Edition (with 117K miles) is the most satisfying and reliable engine I've ever had. I am probably repeating the many praises on this forum, but you can pull onto a highway briskly without going past 2100 RPM, and the passing power is flat out impressive. The engine does what you want it to do effortlessly for routine driving, so gas mileage is really not that bad. Along the same lines as previous posts, there is always the possibility that any vehicle can have a failure, especially if it was abused or poorly maintained, but I think it's fairly rare to see abuse with 4th gen 4Runners.
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Hapeacres
New member
I was worried about the same thing a month ago when I purchased a 2004 with V8. That truck had 147K on it but was dealer serviced from day one. I posted the same question and the general responses were not to worry about the mileage as long as it was maintained. I never thought in a million years I would buy a truck with that many miles on it but in this case I made the exception. Make sure you look at the actuator to see if it has any evidence of oil seepage. Its the little black box next to the transfer case. A three dollar o ring but a grand in labor to replace! That was smart to get them to replace the timing belt as this is about a 750 dollar costs as well. Let us know how you made out. Good Luck!
progress4m
Member
x2! That sums it up!
Stuffman
New member
Same here. I bought my 2005 V8 a little over a year ago. The first thing I did was change all the fluids (Trans, diffy, bleed the brakes lines out, some steering), changed the brakes pads and check the calipers (had one piston stuck), not too long after had a full tune up (plugs, belts, radiator fluid) done. I also use a bigger oil filter and add some synthetic oil to the mix. Works out pretty good.
Zuke
Member
The actuator leak is a design flaw seen in both V8 and V6 models. Audi also uses a similar designed T-case and the leak has shown up there as well.
Ducman
New member
Are they relliable?
Are they relliable?
In general... yes.
The brake calipers are an item that many v6 and v8 4Runner owners have had issues with (mine have been trouble free).
The main quirks with the V8 are the headers that crack (mine are currently cracked and make a neat ticking noise for the first 5 minutes after startup) and the fact that the timing belt needs to be changed every 90,000 miles.
Very smooth engine and has tons of torque. Very fun trucks.
Are they relliable?
In general... yes.
The brake calipers are an item that many v6 and v8 4Runner owners have had issues with (mine have been trouble free).
The main quirks with the V8 are the headers that crack (mine are currently cracked and make a neat ticking noise for the first 5 minutes after startup) and the fact that the timing belt needs to be changed every 90,000 miles.
Very smooth engine and has tons of torque. Very fun trucks.
