Poll: KDSS reliability

[Ski_bum]

Have you had to repair your KDSS? It usually seems like you hear more about problems and it's hard to get real numbers (how often do people write about something that's working as expected. )

I've got a new TP and am debating the extended warranty if the kdss will cost me 1500 in a few years to repair.

 

[The Waco Kid]

Not this again...:behindsofa:

 

[4Rager]

I don't know where all this "KDSS could be unreliable" talk comes from lately. I've been on this forum for about two years and 5th gens have been around for 6 model years now, and the only KDSS failure I've heard of is related to an front end collision. I'm sure there could be others that I've missed or people that haven't spoken up, but if it truly had reliability issues it would be something you hear about more often.

 

[Intruder]

I've got over 130,000km on my 4Runner including lots of off road abuse. It's lifted with lots of extra weight and the only thing I've had to do even remotely related to KDSS is replace the sway bar bushings because they were squeaking.

 

[Phoenix4R]

I don't know where all this "KDSS could be unreliable" talk comes from lately. I've been on this forum for about two years and 5th gens have been around for 6 model years now, and the only KDSS failure I've heard of is related to an front end collision. I'm sure there could be others that I've missed or people that haven't spoken up, but if it truly had reliability issues it would be something you hear about more often.

It's related to the people that wish they had it, but try to justify not having it by making up this nonsense.

It's one of those things you'll only hear on an internet forum.

 

[Omar RVA]

OP I was going to post a link to a prior thread regarding this but that thread turned into a s*** show relatively quickly (search "KDSS Long Term Reliability" in the google custom search bar near the top of your page). This question pops up from time to time which is why you got some of the responses you did; nbd.

Here's the short answer: it's reliable enough to probably never be a concern of yours during the lifetime you own your truck. Most of the KDSS issues that pass through this forum are the ones that are caused by the owner doing something they shouldn't have (e.g. bleeding the system to 'level' after lift).

Some here have an extended warranty. I am not one of them. If you are to get one, however, KDSS issues would be close to the bottom of the short list of things you'd use it on.

OA

 

[Ski_bum]

OP I was going to post a link to a prior thread regarding this but that thread turned into a s*** show relatively quickly (search "KDSS Long Term Reliability" in the google custom search bar near the top of your page). This question pops up from time to time which is why you got some of the responses you did; nbd.

Here's the short answer: it's reliable enough to probably never be a concern of yours during the lifetime you own your truck. Most of the KDSS issues that pass through this forum are the ones that are caused by the owner doing something they shouldn't have (e.g. bleeding the system to 'level' after lift).

Some here have an extended warranty. I am not one of them. If you are to get one, however, KDSS issues would be close to the bottom of the short list of things you'd use it on.

OA

Thanks! I've been digging through the threads but so many of them turn into a: i know a guy or in this forum this lexus.. versus first hand owners. This makes me feel better.

 

[Lexusbstrdchild]

I wouldn't be concerned with it, it's a system that has been around for awhile now, in a few different platforms. People either love it or hate it. Unless you planned on putting on long travel, or major suspension mods where it would just be in the way, I don't know why you wouldn't want less body roll through corners and better handling. But meh, whatever. Shit show in 3...2...1...

 

[mo_mo]

Just reiterating the majority of sentiment of this thread. I've yet to read that KDSS failed without being in an accident of some kind or owner attempted to 'level' the vehicle and messed up the system. There was also a long thread where a guy had bought a used 5th gen lifted by a previous owner and the title of the thread pointed to a KDSS problem. Turned out it was a bad shock from the suspension lift.

One 5th gen with KDSS ran the rubicon, baja 1000 (and rolled), and continued to run two years later (you can see the rear KDSS intact at 1:08)
https://youtu.be/fJwLeYHTwDw

 

[LandCruiser]

It should be fine unless you wreck and it gets nailed directly--but then odds are the truck may be totalled.

 

[Phoenix4R]

I wouldn't be concerned with it, it's a system that has been around for awhile now, in a few different platforms. People either love it or hate it. Unless you planned on putting on long travel, or major suspension mods where it would just be in the way, I don't know why you wouldn't want less body roll through corners and better handling. But meh, whatever. Shit show in 3...2...1...

I didn't want KDSS at first, but apparently it's pretty difficult to get a Trail out here in Arizona without it. The three Trails they had on the lot when I bought mine all had it.

I'm glad I have it now though. It greatly improves the on road handling and does make a difference off road.

 

[Hamburgerpimp]

I was a foreman for Toyota from 2001-2014, we has kdss on the trail and land cruiser. I remember the day we got the service tools for the kdss system. I opened the box saw a pretty impressive looking set of gauges and hoses, i put in in our special tools cabinet and it sat there collecting dust ever since, I never saw a issue with the system while I worked there.

Seems a moot point to worry about the kdss, it's proven to be reliable, sure one may fail here and there but way less other than other components, CV boots, water pump SUNROOFS.

Seems like people are trying to justify with themselves that they were better off not getting kdss.

 

[Diesel_Dog]

Go Bacon!

 

[Speedy Gomez]

Quote:uahogs

Hello, I have a 2013 Trail (custom ordered). I've had this vehicle about 16 months, has around 33k miles and had NO issues until last month. I noticed the back passenger side sat about 1" lower than the rest of the vehicle. So I brought out the handy-dandy measuring tape, sure enough, right rear was an 1" lower. I took vehicle to Toyota and they said it was the rear spring, they replaced it, leveled everything up.

I drove it for a few more days and notice the right rear sitting lower again. I had someone follow me while driving (back roads paved but w/no traffic) and take photos/videos. Clearly you can see the rear right sags while stopped and while being driven. I took it back to Toyota, they inspected and determined it was the KDSS bleeding off somehow and that it wasn't resetting back to level position.

They need to order a part (about a $1,500 tool) but have never seen this problem so it would take a week or longer to repair. No problem, let's just get the part and get it fixed. A few hours later I received a call, the dealership I have used for years heard back from Toyota (who ever that is!) and was told that the right rear suspension sagging is normal. That the dealership is NOT to try and repair the KDSS system as it was set from the factory. I was told, sagging is normal and I just have to live with it. So the vehicle sitting lower to one side is NORMAL?

Has anyone else ever heard of this issue with the KDSS? I also have a 2014 Toyota Land Cruiser (same KDSS as 2013 Trail) but only 10k miles, so far no issues. This is the third 4Runner I've had and never seen anything like this.

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

I told you so!

 

[FrontRange4Runner]

Reliability is really a non issue for the vast majority people. I have been lurking the forum for a long ass time and can remember very few threads on KDSS actually failing. There are more threads about how reliable it is, than actual issues with it. If it meets LC standards, it certainly meets 4Runner standards. If an extended warranty makes you sleep better at night, then just get it. If the thought of spending $1500+ on something that has a very low chance of actually being used, then say F the warranty and live on the out of warranty "edge". Personally I got the 4Runner because it was the most reliable vehicle I could get that was new, and at the price I wanted to pay. I did not get the warranty because, well it's the most reliable vehicle I could get. Had I have purchased a JGC, I would have bought every warranty in the know universe.