Things I hate about my 4runner

[RamThis]

Thats what I thought, Someone before in the forum was talking about that theirs was not and it confused me. They just said all their drinks always spilled when they would take a turn

I wonder if maybe their cupholder's adjustable arms and center section were just missing? You can pull that piece straight up and out real easy for cleaning under there. Perhaps if he bought the truck new it got left out somehow or if he bought it used the previous owner took it out and forgot to put it back in before trading it in?

Im sure it wouldnt cost more than 25 bucks at the Toyota dealership to replace it.

I will say that the detent points are too far apart, and alot of times either it will have the arm too loose, or not quite open enough, to hold a drink securely. My Ram's cupholders just have a friction hold to them but the 4Runner's are individual detent points, like the roller and detent on alot of car doors. It either holds the door open too far by a few inches and will rub against another door in a parking lot, or wont hold it open enough, so you end up having to just hold the door between detents by hand and try to remove whatever it is you are removing with one hand so you dont scratch up someone's car door or the edge of your own for that matter lol.

 

[pipspeak]

My gripes are mainly related to the areas that Toyota cheaped out:
-- total lack of lighting on nearly every switch that needs it
-- auto only on driver's side window
-- poor quality plastic trim in various places resulting in too many squeaks and rattles
-- crummy sunroof design, which rattles like crazy and needs regular lubing to prevent it jamming

There are also a few unique ones:
-- position of cup holders right under cubby, making them useless for tall containers
-- excessive length of vehicle compared to wheelbase thanks to bulbous front bumper (could easily lose 4+ inches on the front IMO)
-- annoying throttle lag, which makes the vehicle seem unresponsive. Mash the gas and you have to wait a split second for anything to happen. So much for drive-by-wire!
-- Rediculous HVAC controls that require far too much time and attention to adjust. Rotary controls were invented for a reason - they're quick and easy and foolproof.

Overall I think the 4runner is decent value for money and a decent vehicle but there seem to be so many minor issues that really could have been done right with very little extra expense.

 

[snowbizx]

although all my documents say my car is white, the bumpers and grill are yellow. really, really yellow.

 

[jstutz101]

My famly just took our first short "road trip" yesterday since we got our '03 4Runner. I went to install the video screens (remember back when we didn't need those?) and looked to plug in the power. Our old Explorer seemed to have 12v sockets everywhere! Unless I am missing something there isn't one for the back seat. Had to plug it in the front. We had three kids in the back so the middle one dosen't get a cup holder. The outside ones must use the door, which actually worked out alright. I still love the car, but it's funny the little things you don't realize are important till you need them.

 

[andyman32392]

Some of my similar and different complaints on my 05:
- Driver/pass seat uncomfortable

Thats completely opposite on the new ones. Mine has nice leather with gel under it and everybody who sits in my car said it was the most comfortably seat/car that they have ever sat in.:biggrin2: :bigok:

although all my documents say my car is white, the bumpers and grill are yellow. really, really yellow.

Show some pictures that sounds weird.

 

[bigt2148]

I have always heard about how everyone says the interior doesnt rattle. My passenger door knocks every time it goes over a bump. The truck feels solid. Would you guys take it and have them work on it? It is kinds small but it can drive me crazy!

Also something I dont like is it only has one cig lighter adapter!

I really love this truck though! I came from a Hummer H2!

Would you guys take the 4 runner back if the door pops when I go over a big bump or is that just a car for ya?

 

[CJ3Flyr]

I don't have many... Hindsight being 20/20 I might have been better off in a mid-trim GX470 w/ a V6 if there was such a beast in this country. I know that's called a Prado elsewhere.
1) The headroom is just barely adequate
2) As others have mentioned the tailgate grocery thing; again a GX470 gate may be better but I love the wuindow so I'm torn...

My other complaints are similar to others listed...
1) Remote window up and down for the auto windows (rear & drivers) would be so easy.
2) Lack of customizable BCM settings. GM's, Ford's and Jeep's all allow you to easily set prefereneces for door locks, lights and other things (horn chirps etc). In this day and age it's inexcusable.
3) More/better interior lights
4) More 12v outlets


:cheers:

 

[Atlanta_man]

Need to add just one more:
The computer detects when you are making a panic stop and "helps". Actually it is a jolt when you are in hard but controlled braking on a dry road and the thing goes into full hard stop.

 

[2k54RUNNIN]

They are all the same 03-09, SR5 to limited. They all are adjustable from redbull to biggulp!!!

Yes mine is a 06. I do have the divider with that adjustable thing, but when I put a can of pop it still slide a little bit, and the redbull can is even smaller. Maybe I need to check if it extends out further to hold a small can.

 

[leftyguns21]

Yes mine is a 06. I do have the divider with that adjustable thing, but when I put a can of pop it still slide a little bit, and the redbull can is even smaller. Maybe I need to check if it extends out further to hold a small can.

i may be telling you something you already know but i wasnt sure so...you do know that the middle arm thing can be pulled out and moved over right? to make the side smaller then use the arm to extend and trap that smaller can? i do this for my cell phone i have the middle piece moved all the way to the left side and the arm brought in to hold my phone it its place

 

[ShipOfFools]

4) More 12v outlets


:cheers:

That is the most annoying mistake Toyota made with this car. Not only are there not enough outlets, but the positioning of the one outlet is horrible. Why not have it where it is in the new Tacomas - under the radio and HVAC controls like a normal car?

 

[4boer]

-yep, lighted buttons.

-real storage in the real for jumper cables and a small toolbox.

-a foldable lip so my mellons don't roll out of the rear. My daughter closed the hatch with the cargo net in the latch. PITA.

-better gauges! Geez my 93 Buick blows the T4R away in this area! Temp guage almost useless w/o more markings (in the buick I know EXACTLY when temp is normal). Same with gas guage needing more markings. Where is the voltmeter and oil pressure? Trans temp would be nice also as I tow.

 

[bigt2148]

You know you can go to the dollar store and get that cup holder that hangs from the window edge!

Thats makes my 4 runner sexy!

 

[rwilson]

My vote is for the climate control in my '04.
It has a mind of it's own.
Sometimes it spews out hot or cold regardless of the temperature.
The recirculate function almost always goes on. What I'd like is to be able to control the temperature myself.

The other issue is seats are not as comfortable, if I don't get the seat exactly right it's major back pain. I'm in the car about 2-3 hours a day.

_________________

On the good side I've got close to 115 K of hard driving and no major issues at all.
Drive train is strong and solid.

 

[NCSCOTT]

Climate control?????

I just don't understand so many peoples issues with the climate control???

I take the KISS approach. (Keep It Simple Stupid) leave in in auto, adjust the temp up or down, let the A/C stay on year round, in the winter it will keep the windows from fogging up. The unmeasurable decrease in mileage is no reason to turn the A/C switch off. I even noticed when it was in the teens almost single digits here a week ago it automaticly turned the air-flow to the mix of defrost and feet to keep the windshield from icing up. If you need defrost and it is on your feet select feet/defrost and it will even maintain the set temp for you.(granted the auto light will go out but it is still maintaining the temp.) I love the fact that if it is in auto it will not blow cold air around. It waits for the engine to warmup enough to provide heat and slowly turns the fan up as the engine heat increases. It took me a year to convince my wife to just leave it alone and let it do its job. She always want to get in a cold vehicle and turn the blower on high and blow nothing but cold air around. It takes even longer to heat up like that. :bash:

It is called a CLIMATE CONTROL for a reason. let it do what it is designed for.:soapbox:

My only nitpicking items are:
Unlighted switches
No rear window roll up from remote (although someone here has a mod for that.)
Sh!ty, Oh did I say Sh!ty stock tires (dunflops) Would love to have had the Michelins!!!! 3rd rate tires on a 1st rate SUV!!!!

 

[ELonGrad97]

Oh those d@mn cupholders! What sizes do drinks come in over in Japan?? Although I might have a solution and will to post what it is soon.

Seriously, you'd love them if your other truck was an '07 Dodge Ram 1500. Those cup holders have tossed more than one coffee (hazelnut and cappuccino no less) onto the floor. Of course, I'm a chick with a lead foot and just can't help myself in the Hemi. But my V8 4R has passed all coffee tests on more than one occasion, so I'm thrilled! Despite professional detailing (twice), we will NEVER get that sweet hazelnut smell out of that Ram on a hot day. Yuck.

 

[andyman32392]

The *UGLY* chrome grilles on the sport edition. That looks so terrible. For they sport the should color code it like they do on other vehicles in the toyota lines.
Also the gauges are so boring. They have never changed in the 4th gen. They need to put some new electronic gauges that look a whole lot better.

 

[andyman32392]

My vote is for the climate control in my '04.
It has a mind of it's own.
Sometimes it spews out hot or cold regardless of the temperature.
The recirculate function almost always goes on. What I'd like is to be able to control the temperature myself.

So do it if you dont want it on auto dont put it on auto you can change it yourself.:bash:

 

[TC3racerM11]

2 things here only. The handle strap for the rear hatch door. Maybe some other concept can be done. The other is when you use your other hand to assist in closing the hatch. You'll always get some sort of scratch there due to hands always being there. (you know when chicks close it and their fingernail marks are all over that) There oughta be some sort of rubberized non slip sticker there on the outside lower center part of that paint job so you get a firm grip when closing that hatch. My girl had a couple close calls on the hatch smacking her on her chin when her tiny fingers slipped and hatch came back up.

 

[Will816]

I'm going to make the things I hate things that no one has posted yet. Who wants to read about the same stuff over and over again?

1. Learning curve on the engine (most new cars have this, minus Ford Rangers)- I've been doing a lot of electrical mods (switches, dual battery, etc) and have to disconnect the battery a lot. When I reconnect, the V8 is reset to a more economical fuel map and I need around 100 miles to get it back. At least it's not as bad as resetting the 2.7L in my 98, it needed every ft-lb it could muster.

2. Short front springs- I don't like the nose low look, and an extra inch or two under the skid plate would be appreciated (as much as people talk about leveling kits on these boards, not many people complained about it).

3. I do love the X-REAS, but I hate that it is there instead of the KDSS in the GX and the new Land Cruiser. KDSS does more or less the same thing as X-REAS on road, but also disconnects the stabilizer bars offroad, and it does this all without you even noticing.

4. I wish it had a lower low-range. 3:1 maybe? 4:1 would be sexy

5. 2WD 4Runners (not applicable to mine). Might as well just call it a 2Runner

6. I want diesel! One that performed like the V10 diesel in the VW Toureg (310HP, 550FT-LB, 0-60 in 7.3) but had the build quality of a Toyota. Doesn't Toyota own a portion of Isuzu? Isuzu did design the GM Duramax...

But over-all, I think the 4Runner is the ultimate SUV, nothing beats it for my lifestyle. The only thing I could ever run into is if I needed something bigger, but the Land Cruiser exists for that (I don't like the Sequoia with its independent rear suspension, yuck)