Toyota Quality

[4RunnerV8]

I haven't posted in a while, but I have a 2004 SE V8 4WD - and my previous vehicle was a 1997 V6 SR5 4WD. I like the power, and the luxury in my 04, but it is no match for the quality of my 97. I just got back from the dealer regarding a leak - gear oil - that appeared right after a transfer case oil change (along with diff's, all done by the dealer)

Looks like there is a failed seal in the transfer case actuator - great, no problem - but the seal is integral to the actuator. And cannot be replaced separately. 1200 for the new actuator (remember, nothing is wrong with the actuator - just the seal) and 1400 for the labor. Thanks, Toyota - a $4 replaceable O-ring would have been the right design. But in the quest for world dominion, it appears that Toyota is forgetting what got them to the pinnacle in the first place. Quality.

Sunroof issues, seat frame replacement, average fit and finish, squeaks, rattles, and I put up with it all, because "it's a Toyota" and it's still better than the competition. But looking at almost 3K to replace a perfectly good actuator because the seal is defective is unbelievable.

I never, repeat, never, had any problems with my 97 - put 209,000 miles on it with nothing more than fluid & filter changes, one CV boot replacement, and timing belts.

Anyone else who has had experience with Gen 3 and Gen 4 have any comments? By quality, I don't mean VSC, 4 wheel discs, nav, etc. I mean that actual quality of the materials and pieces going into the car.

 

[Thai]

I had a 3rd gen (2002 model). I found that the 3rd gen was put together extremely well...top-notch construction. Materials were very good for it's class. When i testdrove the 4th gen (many times), i found that the materials (interior) were slightly below that of the 3rd gen, but found no obvious flaws.

 

[blkexp98]

I know what you mean about the newer cars seeming cheaper quality wise. I have a 07 4 runner and have been pretty happy with it so far other than the bump i feel after stopping. Toyota dealer said yea thats normal for the 4runner to do that. I also had a bad in headrest tv that had to be changed. The drivers side seat heater doesnt seem to get that warm so that may be another part going. So far thats all i have really had an issue with.

Where ive seen the big quality loss was with the fords because i have had one of those for a while. My 98 explorer xlt is a MUCH nicer suv than the current offering from ford. From what i saw everything has been cheapened and basically looks like crap. When i was looking for a new car my first thought was to look into the explorer since i have been happy with my 98. That thought went away as soon as i opened the door. I didnt even bother with a test drive.

I also thought about the expedition since it would give some more room but it was the same thing. I then went to Toyota and looked at the 4runner and Sequoia. Asfter opening the door to the sequoia i started thinking how similar it was to the expedition but was trimmed a little better. I took the Sequoia for a test drive anyway and it didnt take long for me not to like it. The drive was exactly like the older say 2000 expeditions ive driven. The steering had zero feel. The 4Runner turned out to be what i was looking for and offered most of what i wanted. The drive was good and now thats what i have. With that said i still drive my 98 explorer to work to try to take better care of my 4runner. The explorer has been great to me and i wont let it go unless i have to.

Also I looked into chevy/gmc and was dissapointed with the build of tose as well. My dad leased a Escalade to get something nice for himself car wise for once and i have been less than impressed with that as well. I try not to point out all the defects i see since he is pretty happy with it but i wouldnt want one. Some of the trim is coming loose, the electric mirrors dont work right. The passernger side one pops every now and then for who knows what reason. Then there are a few more little problems.

 

[TitaniumToy]

My general thinking is that Toyota quality and durability peaked in the mid 90's and the vehicles released after that have sacrificed quality to meet profit and price point targets. In 1999 when I bought my previous ride I remember looking at the 4Runner in Sr5 trim. I couldn't afford it. When I bought my 2003 4Runner it was no more expensive than the 1999 was, with more features. So how do you think they did that?

Having said that, my 4Runner is still the best built and durable vehicle I have ever owned, and there really is no pattern of part failures yet for this generation.

 

[Ron Helmuth]

ouch

sorry to hear of what is occurring to you 4Runner V8.

What I think of specific to your situation is using an outside vendor to solve the engineering issue you have diagnosed already.

Meaning

I had a 88 Yota "Van" 4wd and they were notorious for power steering pump failures. The seals on the fluid lines running to and from the pump failed due to the way they were crimped. My auto shop Buchtel Motors quite accurately knew of the problem and rather than continue to throw my good money after bad they suggested the use of nearby underemployed aircraft shops who could use their specialty tools and equipment to fix the crimping correctly. It was not cheap but we only had to do it once and it did end up cheaper than the factory stock replacement and less labor blah blah

I realize crimped seals are different than your seal but do not hesitate to think outside the box -you seem to have a solid grasp of what the exact trouble is. It has either been explained to you quite well or you think in that fashion. You are out of warranty sounds like- so the sky is the limit....

this discussion of 4th gen quality diminished over that of the 3rd gen concerns me.

I typically buy my Runners at 5 years old and Yota has lost my newer Runner business due to this and lack of offering a manual transmission.

While I do agree with Titanium Toy in that there are not too many specific systematic part failures yet detected in the 4th gen-the sheer number of casual anecdotal evidence on the newer vehicles is staggering.

Perhaps at least some portion of this is the better communication we all enjoy this way on the Internet. 10 years ago when buying my first 4WD-I lacked the resources now in front of me.

Leaning the FJ way... maybe even slip into a 'Coma.

Best of luck Mr V8 and I would like to hear more about how this pans out for you.

 

[MikesToy]

i think Toyota has a cheap paint job.