What are the 5th gen weak spots?

[2021nightshade4x4]

I just hit 200k and the only things I've found so far (which may have been addressed in later years):

Valve cover gaskets (pretty normal).

Alternator didn't last as long as I would expect. I think the splash apron doesn't protect it enough from the elements maybe.

Timing chain cover gasket seapage typical with 1GR-FE causing gunk build up around the PS pump. I think it was fixed in recent years. It's not pressurized so you can live with it. Also the timing chain inspection gasket leaks too.

Some of them have a transmission whine which Toyota says is normal. I've heard it on other Toyotas. I think it comes from the front pump.

The front windshield should have been better in my opinion.

I don't like the "tinny" sounding doors compared to the 3rd gen. In fact the whole body and hood has a "tinny" less substantial feel compared to the 3rd gen, not sure how to explain it.

I don't like the placement of the transfer case shifter it is awkward to grab compared to the 3rd gen.

Visibility is much better in 3rd gen. Feel like a tank driver in the 5th gen.

No driver grab handle (can be fixed with some hassle). Not a fan of the pedal style parking brake, give me the HAND BRAKE. The non-locking fuel filler door weirds me out although I can understand it is one less thing to potentially fail.

Turning radius is much better on the 3rd gen but you know, it's smaller.

People say the front wheel bearings but I havent had a problem and they are fairly easy to replace.

Front diff needle bearing problems when lifted. Easily fixed with the ECGS teflon bushing.

Secondary air pump on later years. Dont have to deal with it on my 2011 though.

I really cant think of much to be honest. The build quality is fantastic and I'm always on the creeper poking around when I get bored. Thoroughly impressed with how the interior has held up too.

Have to agree:

- Alternator splash apron? Does this cause more heat to build up?

- Windshield is pure dog shit.

- Toyota and Lexus are both guilty of tinny doors. Even the doors on the LX570 sound like a tuna can.

Also to add:

- Not too much power

- Can’t seem to get enough positive caster on stock UCA’s (even with stock wheels and tires)

- Heard many accounts of X-REAS leaking early


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[jdm-v35]

Have to agree:

- Alternator splash apron? Does this cause more heat to build up?

- Windshield is pure dog shit.

- Toyota and Lexus are both guilty of tinny doors. Even the doors on the LX570 sound like a tuna can.

Also to add:

- Not too much power

- Can’t seem to get enough positive caster on stock UCA’s (even with stock wheels and tires)

- Heard many accounts of X-REAS leaking early


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Now that I think about it the windshield is defiinitely an issue with chipping. Not sure if its the glass thats bad or the angle that makes it more prone to chips.

Toyota's OEM specs for caster are also pretty low though so it seems to meet their adjustment specs.

 

[2021nightshade4x4]

Now that I think about it the windshield is defiinitely an issue with chipping. Not sure if its the glass thats bad or the angle that makes it more prone to chips.

Toyota's OEM specs for caster are also pretty low though so it seems to meet their adjustment specs.

Unfortunately “meeting OEM spec” isn’t sufficient to convince a customer that their car drives well.

A Volkswagen (or Ford) can burn 3 quarts of oil in 5000 miles and meet OEM spec.


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[jdm-v35]

Unfortunately “meeting OEM spec” isn’t sufficient to convince a customer that their car drives well.

A Volkswagen (or Ford) can burn 3 quarts of oil in 5000 miles and meet OEM spec.


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I agree, I think they just don't care as long as it falls within their margin of safety.

 

[GreenMountainOwl]

There’s an ongoing joke that guys get cars to impress ladies but the only attention they get is from guys.

If you want to impress women, get a 4Runner / Wrangler / Bronco or a big diesel truck. That’s the key.


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It’s true. My 4Runner is obviously more than just a driver as it has ham and CB radio antennae and a rotating selection of “stuff” on the roof. Outdoorsy men take an interest.

My not-even-restored but decent 1985 K5 Blazer is what gets the attention of women.

The most attention-getting car I’ve driven was when I grew up with two Deloreans in the family. My dad and my uncle knew John DeLorean so they bought the cars. The only thing positive to say about them was that they looked unique and “cool” for those of us who grew up in the 80s. It was literally so bad that I had to get gas in the middle of the night and I couldn’t even stop at a convenience store for a drink, lest the car be immediately surrounded by curious people. That was 30+ years ago so it would probably be worse today with even less of those cars around.

 

[RobS10]

The 4Runner has very short windows due to a low roof in relation to the seating. This helps in the bright sun as it’s kind of like always having a “hat” on, the roof is your visor.

The drawback to all this is if you’re a long waisted person and over 6’ tall your head will touch the headliner. I have heard on this forum that the models with a sunroof add extra thickness to the roof, and that thickness all comes out of the cabin space. So 2” less headroom on those models.


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The sunroof definitely drops the roof down, and had the headroom problem in the first couple 2022s we sat in that had the sunroof. I played around with the seat adjustment on the second one but it didn't seem to help enough. Was about to look at 4Runners without a sunroof until we hopped in a Limited. The seat had already been adjusted by a tall person, and had no problem with hitting our heads (my wife is also tall). I figured that meant it WAS possible to adjust the seat for a sunroof, we just hadn't figured it out yet.
We picked up our 2022 ORP with a sunroof in March. Got the seats adjusted just right, and can even wear a baseball cap now without touching the roof.

I have probably opened the sunroof a half a dozen times in 2,000 miles, and could live without it. But the times I have used it, I'm really glad we have one.

 

[RobS10]

I just hit 200k and the only things I've found so far (which may have been addressed in later years):

Valve cover gaskets (pretty normal).

Alternator didn't last as long as I would expect. I think the splash apron doesn't protect it enough from the elements maybe.

Timing chain cover gasket seapage typical with 1GR-FE causing gunk build up around the PS pump. I think it was fixed in recent years. It's not pressurized so you can live with it. Also the timing chain inspection gasket leaks too.

Some of them have a transmission whine which Toyota says is normal. I've heard it on other Toyotas. I think it comes from the front pump.

The front windshield should have been better in my opinion.

I don't like the "tinny" sounding doors compared to the 3rd gen. In fact the whole body and hood has a "tinny" less substantial feel compared to the 3rd gen, not sure how to explain it.

I don't like the placement of the transfer case shifter it is awkward to grab compared to the 3rd gen.

Visibility is much better in 3rd gen. Feel like a tank driver in the 5th gen.

No driver grab handle (can be fixed with some hassle). Not a fan of the pedal style parking brake, give me the HAND BRAKE. The non-locking fuel filler door weirds me out although I can understand it is one less thing to potentially fail.

Turning radius is much better on the 3rd gen but you know, it's smaller.

People say the front wheel bearings but I havent had a problem and they are fairly easy to replace.

Front diff needle bearing problems when lifted. Easily fixed with the ECGS teflon bushing.

Secondary air pump on later years. Dont have to deal with it on my 2011 though.

I really cant think of much to be honest. The build quality is fantastic and I'm always on the creeper poking around when I get bored. Thoroughly impressed with how the interior has held up too.

Been driving a '99 SR5 since 2004, now with over 200K. Agree with you on some of your observations comparing the 3rd Gen with the 5th. Turning radius sucks on the 5th Gen compared to the3rd, and feels a lot "boatier" to drive, though KDSS is nice in the turns . WTF did Totota get rid of the locking gas door? Lame money saver? Hate the foot parking brake. Transfer case shifter isn't as handy, but at least it's still a manual shifter on our ORP instead of the electronic actuator dial. The 3rd Gen's narrower size is better for tight trails or parking spots.
But don't think the doors sound "tinny" at all on our 2022 ORP.
But things I like better about our '22:
Power feels better with the 4.0L than on our gutless 3.4L in our '99
Window tint is darker
Quieter. Window glass being thicker might be helping, as well as sound deadening coating in fender wells.
Smoother feeling
All Auto-Up/Down power windows, including rear hatch window
AC in the back seat
Rear seats recline
110V in back
Roomier, more comfy seats
Hood struts

 

[Xtremluck]

I'm surprised folks havent mentioned these two off-road related weaknesses for the Prado platform that are pretty universal:

1. Steering Racks that fail prematurely from offroad use

2. Coke Can Thin Fender Sheetmetal that cracks

 

[mnofpeace]

Lies, I see lots of chicks driving them :bluejump:

No, i meant in relation to wanting ME when i drive minez...:lol:

 

[kags1969]

I've had my 2016 Trail Premium since new. My only complaint was the lack of power at times. I just installed a Magnuson so hopefully that complaint will go away. It is the best vehicle that I have ever owned. First Toyota, but will not be my last.

 

[Waldorf]

Bought my 2010 SR5 as a Toyota Certified used vehicle in 2012, it had 46K miles. A decade later and now at 134K miles it still runs and drives well, no mechanical issues whatsoever. I've replaced nothing other than tires, brakes, oil, and the rear diff fluid about 10K miles ago.

Agree with some of the weaknesses mentioned though:

1) fuel economy
2) some of the interior trim pieces can be easily broken, such as the plastic trim where seats bolt to floor
3) rear A/C blows kind of weak and is almost non-existent if you are in the 3rd row
4) rear doors and hatch seals can stretch and come off - easy to put back

 

[RichinRidgewood]

2+ years and 30K miles, mostly highway, live near the city dump and follow lots of dump trucks on the highways near our house, and no cracked windshields.



At last count, I've touched up 5 chips after 2 years. Definitely far better than most cars I've owned.



True. I added stronger halogens for $30.



No frame rust after three salty winters in Kansas City. We haven't treated the frame either. There is some rust on the cast iron suspension components though, but that's to be expected.



True. ~17mpg in the city and 19-20mpg on the highway. Worse if it's windy and hilly.

Fanboys LOL

 

[RichinRidgewood]

Have to agree:

- ….

- Windshield is pure dog shit.

- …..

I would agree.

 

[2021nightshade4x4]

I would agree.

Not sure what the other guy is talking about being able to repair chips. The precise problem with the glass is that there’s no such thing as a repairable chip on these.

The crack will spread to the other side of the windshield before you even get home. Other windshields don’t let cracks spread so far like this one.

Invest in a glass repair kit (the full $800 ones, half the price of a windshield) so you can pull over immediately and drill out a hole ahead of the crack as soon as it happens [emoji23]


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[H20ratt]

way to many warning buzzers

 

[5thToy]

way to many warning buzzers

Carista is your friend. I made every one of them STFU within the first few months of ownership and never looked back.

 

[CutthroatSlam]

clearly youve never owned anything built by a german automaker in the past 35 years lol. Modern doesn't correlate to ridiculous as well as german engineering correlates to ridiculousness.

We've owned a Mercedes SLK. It required a Phd to reset dash maintenance light. Fund to drive in dry weather, but very impractical. The stealerships will gouge you until they've bankrupted you.

 

[Humble Leader]

I think with the current model years of 4 runner there are too many trims. SR5, SR5P, TRD PRO, TRDOR, TRDORP, limited, TRD sport.

also no damn storage. the centre console is really all you have and the glove box. how can there be so little interior storage space in such a large vehicle. if you have a console safe you basically have zero interior storage left