Long-term reliability

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ucfhall

New member
Hi all,
I know this is seemingly a silly question, but I've never faced this issue in my limited experience with cars. I have a 2008 SR5 that I leased 4 years ago, and am considering buying. Now I objected to leasing, because I drive the hell out of my car; I now have about 81000 miles on it. I've never owned a car for more than a couple years, but it will more than likely save me money to keep this one, and I LOVE my 4Runner...there really is (IMO) no other vehicle on the road that combines the reliability, performance, style, you name it, as well as it does. The question in my mind, and I'm wondering what everyone has experienced, is how well does the 4Runner hold up with over 150,000 miles on it? I have had only two issues with mine in 4 years, and they have been minor and relatively easy to fix...neither were mechanical. Overall, the 4Runner has been as reliable as it should be, but I just want some other opinions...Thanks all!
 
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My 05 4runner has just over 200k miles. The ONLY problem has been the front calipers. I've replaced them twice. Not a big deal since I do it myself. Just pay for parts.

I plan on keeping this to at least 300k miles. This will be my 3rd vehicle that I've owned past 300k miles. The biggest thing is to keep up with the preventative maintenance. Follow the owners manual recommendations with the exception of tranny fluid. While the WS (World Standard) fluid is a very good fluid it is NOT a life-time fluid. You should still change this every 50k miles.
 
I've got around 153K with no issues whatsoever with mine. Still drives as strong as the day I bought her, as far as I know.

The only mechanical issue I've had, which was very recent, was a wheel bearing. Other issues were as to be expected (timing belt & water pump).

Easily the best car I've owned and I've had some pretty good ones: Subaru (good), Honda Accord (good), Nissan 350Z (not so good IMO). I've put more miles on this car than any other and don't ever see me parting ways with her. I've had several offers from people wanting to buy it, and have declined them all. I love my Runner so much, that I always say, "if I blow an engine tomorrow, I'd just put a new one in it, and keep rollin'"

You'd be smart to just buy it, since you already know that it's a great car.
 
For those with >100K miles on your 4Runner, do you feel the vibration of the engine while driving your vehicle? Does the ride still smooth?
 
ucfhall said:
Hi all,
I know this is seemingly a silly question, but I've never faced this issue in my limited experience with cars. I have a 2008 SR5 that I leased 4 years ago, and am considering buying. Now I objected to leasing, because I drive the hell out of my car; I now have about 81000 miles on it. I've never owned a car for more than a couple years, but it will more than likely save me money to keep this one, and I LOVE my 4Runner...there really is (IMO) no other vehicle on the road that combines the reliability, performance, style, you name it, as well as it does. The question in my mind, and I'm wondering what everyone has experienced, is how well does the 4Runner hold up with over 150,000 miles on it? I have had only two issues with mine in 4 years, and they have been minor and relatively easy to fix...neither were mechanical. Overall, the 4Runner has been as reliable as it should be, but I just want some other opinions...Thanks all!
Click to expand...

I've put 135k miles on my '03 V8 since new. Most of the issues have been pretty well known:

- skid plate rusted to oblivion
- more frame cross-member rust than I think is reasonable
- went through several sets of brakes, including the dreaded front caliper replacement
- replaced the heater fan (frickin' expensive, IIRC)
- may now have the dreaded leaking transfer case actuator
- replaced a front wheel bearing
- replaced part of the exhaust system
- fixed an exhaust heat shield that came loose due to rust.

All in all, my 4Runner has been reliable. But I wouldn't call it inexpensive to maintain.
 
ClockWork said:
V6 or V8?

I've got over 400k combined on 3 Japanese 2UZ-FE's without so much as a CEL.
Click to expand...

Good point clock work. Mine's the 2UZ and I wouldn't have a V6. I'd like to buy another 4th gen in the future... But it's gotta have the V8!

Runner27 said:
For those with >100K miles on your 4Runner, do you feel the vibration of the engine while driving your vehicle? Does the ride still smooth?
Click to expand...

I experienced some vibration in my steering wheel at highway speeds (65-70 mph) recently... feathered tires. Got new tires... Problem solved. But as far as engine vibration, no.
 
Runner27 said:
For those with >100K miles on your 4Runner, do you feel the vibration of the engine while driving your vehicle? Does the ride still smooth?
Click to expand...
I have 116K miles on my V6. No vibrations from engine. Smooth as silk.

The ride - I'm not so sure as I've had it for only a month so far and I got it with 114K miles on it. It appears to be "bouncy", but that could just be me as I have never owned a truck before or it may very well need need new shocks/springs. I'll have my mechanic drive it the next time it requires service and will know for sure if it requires a new set of shocks/springs.

Other minor issues I have - LED's on the HVAC buttons are burned out and the driveline thud that happens a second or two after coming to a full stop when you slam on the brakes hard.
 
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Runner27 said:
For those with >100K miles on your 4Runner, do you feel the vibration of the engine while driving your vehicle? Does the ride still smooth?
Click to expand...

No vibration what-so-ever. In fact sometimes I wonder if the engine is actually running.

The ride is as good as new. I replaced the shocks about 70 miles ago.

If you 4runner isn't running good smooth then something is wrong. Spark-plugs...EGR Valve...Or even a Valve adjustment.

Mines the V6...and it's a very well designed engine. Doesn't burn one drop of oil between changes (5k miles).
 
ucfhall said:
Hi all,
I know this is seemingly a silly question, but I've never faced this issue in my limited experience with cars. I have a 2008 SR5 that I leased 4 years ago, and am considering buying. Now I objected to leasing, because I drive the hell out of my car; I now have about 81000 miles on it. I've never owned a car for more than a couple years, but it will more than likely save me money to keep this one, and I LOVE my 4Runner...there really is (IMO) no other vehicle on the road that combines the reliability, performance, style, you name it, as well as it does. The question in my mind, and I'm wondering what everyone has experienced, is how well does the 4Runner hold up with over 150,000 miles on it? I have had only two issues with mine in 4 years, and they have been minor and relatively easy to fix...neither were mechanical. Overall, the 4Runner has been as reliable as it should be, but I just want some other opinions...Thanks all!
Click to expand...

if it's well maintained, 150K miles is nothing for a Toyota. You owned this since it was new so that's a big advantage over someone buying a used 4runner. You know the full history of the car.
 
128k miles here... no issues at all, well except the body paneling is starting to fade a little but not a big deal imo...

I met a guy the other day with over 300k on his 3rd gen, no plans on getting rid of it he said.
 
I have 166K on my 2004 4runner & it runs GREAT, no issues so far. I bought it at 159K without hesitation being it's a Toyota. It's a daily driver & I could not imagine it being more dependable.
 
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Runner27 said:
For those with >100K miles on your 4Runner, do you feel the vibration of the engine while driving your vehicle? Does the ride still smooth?
Click to expand...

I have 225k on my 05 V6

Normal driving the engine is very smooth.

However I get some vibration under HEAVY acceleration. Like WOT getting onto the highway.
 
I bought my '07 Sport 4WD with 96K miles. Asked my mechanic's opinion, which was, "Ninety-six thousand on a 4Runner? That's just getting warmed up." I've put 21K miles on it in 16 months and it's still rock solid. Couldn't be happier with it.
 
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