Which Years Of Used Toyota 4Runners Are Most Reliable? (2023)

FAQs

Which Years Of Used Toyota 4Runners Are Most Reliable? ›

Here are the most reliable years for the Toyota 4Runner: 2017-Present Fifth Generation 4Runner. 2008-2009 Fourth Generation 4Runner. 1999-2000 Third Generation 4Runner.

The most desirable of the third-gen 4Runners were made between 1996 and 2000, and came with a rear electronic differential locker. Toyota ensured that their 4Runner was a beastly off-roader, and for that, 2001-onwards models got a center differential locker, along with Traction Control.

A Toyota 4Runner can reach 300,000 miles with meticulous maintenance but expect closer to 200,000 miles. The 4Runner is susceptible to Toyota's rust issues. Owners say rust and corrosion are common, and noticeable after only a few years on the road.

According to Tuning Pro, the 2.7-liter inline-four 3RZ-FE engine made the 4Runner particularly reliable because the engine produced very little power compared to the robustness of the components — in short, the engine and drivetrain were overbuilt, and Toyota didn't try to eke out every last drop of power.

For such a hardcore, offroad adventure vehicle, the TRD Pro 4Runner sure makes a great daily driver. It tracks super straight, is easy to drive and park, and is extremely versatile and practical in its applications. It's one of the best all-around vehicles I've ever been in and kind of makes you feel invincible.

Beyond that, which 4Runner you buy should be based primarily on its condition and how you plan to use it. If you're looking for the most capable off-roader, you'll want to stick with the pre-2001 years, which offer an e-locking rear differential as well a manual gearbox.

The iconic Toyota Land Cruiser earns the top spot on the list of longest-lasting vehicles by a wide margin. This classic off-road SUV debuted in the 1950s, and while it isn't sold in high volumes, Toyota's oldest nameplate has amassed a following of loyal enthusiasts who enjoy racking up miles on their Land Cruisers.

According to repairpal.com, the Toyota 4Runner comes in at ⅘ in reliability, making it above average. It ranks 9th out of 26 when compared to other midsize SUVs. The annual repair cost of a Toyota 4Runner is $514, lower than average for an owner.

Your Toyota 4Runner just might last you 300,000-miles

Then you've got some pretty high standards. But in this case? That's actually ok. Because, as it turns out, the 4Runner is made to last for more than 200,000-miles.

Which year is the best 4Runner? ›

The Toyota 4runner is bad on gas because of poor aerodynamics, outdated gearing, disregard for fuel efficiency during the design process, and the additional weight from heavy 4×4 components. Some models and engine configurations are better than others, but in general, 4runners are not fuel efficient.

Some of the main competitors to the Toyota 4Runner include the Jeep Wrangler, Ford Bronco, Jeep Grand Cherokee, and Chevrolet Tahoe.

But above all else, the most severe problems that plague the 2003-2005 4Runner models are head gasket problems. This affects how a vehicle runs, and it is expensive to have them changed. In total, the 2003-2007 model years received over 400 complaints per model year, according to NHTSA.

With this vehicle, you get both off-road prowess and a vehicle that can handle heavy-city traffic in one vehicle. One of the most popular 4Runner trims is the Toyota 4Runner SR5, but not many of our Washington customers know what SR5 means. It stands for Sport Rally 5.

Toyota VINs starting with "1", "4", or "5" represent vehicles assembled in the United States, VINs beginning with "2" indicate vehicles assembled in Canada, and vehicles with VINs beginning with "3" were assembled in Mexico. Vehicles with VINs that start with "J" were produced in Japan.

The 4Runner is a body-on-frame SUV that has proven itself time and again with its capability and dependability. It's available in a host of trims for 2023, with the top TRD Pro offering the most capability — as long as you're willing to pay the price.

The 4th generation 4runner was the first to introduce full-time 4 wheel drive. This was found in every model that was equipped with a V8 engine. V6 models kept the same part-time Multi-Mode system that was found in later 3rd gens.

The 4Runner has an excellent reputation for durability, reliability and longevity. It's a solid machine with impressive off-road chops. As such, even high-mileage models are in high demand, which pushes the price up.

The third-gen Toyota 4Runner is a very reliable vehicle; however, the model is now upwards of 20 years old, and parts are starting to wear out. If you end up looking to buy a 4Runner check the suspension bushings and ball joints. Even a low mileage example can have issues as the rubber is now old.

Why is the 3rd gen 4Runner the best? ›

Thanks to its off-road capability and its proven reliability, the third-gen 4Runner earned many fans, including lots of serious off-roaders who used the third-gen as base for some heavily modified rock crawlers and desert warriors.

Topping that list is the Toyota Sequoia, which has a potential lifespan of 296,509 miles, according to a new study from iSeeCars.com.

Depending on how well you treat your car, you could potentially reach over 500,000 miles. In fact, there's a driver whose car reached even more than that.

The highest mileage car on record is Irv Gordon's 1966 Volvo P1800S, with over 3 million miles. There were even two electric cars in the study. The Tesla Model S has a potential lifespan of 133,998 miles and the Nissan Leaf 98,081.

The Toyota 4Runner is a midsize SUV, so the SUVs that are similar would include the Jeep Wrangler, Ford Bronco, and Kia Telluride.

Toyota Land Cruiser Quality Rating. The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Toyota 4Runner is 8.6 out of 10 while the Toyota Land Cruiser's quality rating is 9.2 out of 10.

The most reliable Toyota SUV is the Toyota Rav4. The 2022 Rav4 received a reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5.0 from RepairPal and *81 out of 100** from J.D. Power. These are both very good ratings and mean that the Rav4 requires fewer trips to the shop than the average SUV.

In 2008 the 4.0 V6 used timing chains. The v6 has used a chain since 2003 when the v6 4.0 came out, replacing the old 3.4 v6 which did use a timing belt. Now the 4.7 V8 in the 4runners uses a timing BELT since 2003 when a v8 was an option in a 4runner.

When to replace the timing belt? Every 60k-90k miles. If an engine is equipped with a timing belt, the timing belt must be replaced at the service interval specified by the vehicle manufacturer regardless of whether or not any problem is visible, typically in the range of 60,000 to 90,000 miles.

How far can a 4runner go on a tank of gas? ›

The 4Runner has more than an estimated 500 miles of maximum range with one full tank of fuel.

Overall Reliability Ratings: Is The Toyota 4runner Reliable? Overall the Toyota 4runner reliability is 84.05 and that makes it very reliable. The chart below illustrates exactly how this ranks compared to some other cars, but the average overall rating is 57 as some comparison.

The best gas to run in your 4runner is whatever your owner's manual recommends. If your specific model calls for premium, that will be the best performing fuel for it. Most 4runners can safely run 87 octane though – they just won't make as much power or be as fuel-efficient.

Oil changes (engine, transmission, differential, transfer case) One of the easiest and most obvious ways to prolong the life of your 4runner is to stay up to date on oil changes. In general, conventional oil should be replaced every 3,000 – 5,000 miles and synthetic can be pushed to 7,500 – 10,000 miles.

Toyota 4-Runner Rollover Accidents

Toyota has even admitted that the 4Runner is prone to rollovers on dry flat surfaces. The 4Runner has been known to rollover at speeds of less than 40 miles per hour during evasive maneuvers.

With supplies low and demand extremely high, time is running out for people to get the 2021 they ordered. Those people who have not had luck finding their 2021 4Runner will more than likely be offered a 2022 4Runner instead. Most dealerships have begun receiving shipments of 2022 models, including 4Runner.

The Toyota 4Runner 2022 blends the comfort and agility of an SUV with the utility and towing capacity of a full-size truck. Even the entry-level trims are capable off-roaders, with features like a part-time 4WD drivetrain and a locking rear differential as standard.

At least that's what it seems like if you've spent any time on the 4runner forums online. The reality is that both the 4.0 V6 and 4.7 V8 are great performing and reliable engines. The V6 is more fuel-efficient and requires slightly less maintenance while the V8 is smoother and offers better performance.

The average cost for a Toyota 4Runner Head Gasket Replacement is between $2,419 and $2,835. Labor costs are estimated between $1,378 and $1,738 while parts are priced between $1,041 and $1,096.

How often do you change the coolant in a 4Runner? ›

Typically, you should have your Toyota 4Runner coolant flush completed every 30,000 miles or every two years.

The TRD Sport boasts more towing power—6,800 pounds compared to 3,500 on the SR5—but the SR5 is capable of carrying more payload, at 1,685 pounds compared to 1,525 pounds on the TRD Sport.

The SR5 however, features only the ATRAC system which is plenty capable off-road. For perspective, the most hard-core builds I have seen in the off-road/overland community have been SR5s! Despite being the base model, SR5 4Runners are still highly capable off-roaders.

What's the difference between SR and SR5? The SR5 takes an SR and simply adds more options and has a starting MSRP of $28,940. You can order it in an access can, or a double cab with a five-foot or six-foot long bed. It comes with either the 159-horsepower four cylinder or the 278-horsepower V6.

A VIN beginning with a 1, 4, or 5 indicates that the vehicle was assembled in the United States; a VIN beginning with a 2 indicates it was assembled in Canada; a VIN beginning with a 3 indicates the vehicle was made in Mexico.

Enter your 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) below to learn more about your vehicle. Your unique VIN will give you information like the year it was built, color, technical specifications, optional equipment installed, and more.

The Toyota 4Runner 2022 blends the comfort and agility of an SUV with the utility and towing capacity of a full-size truck. Even the entry-level trims are capable off-roaders, with features like a part-time 4WD drivetrain and a locking rear differential as standard.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner comes standard with the full-time 4WD that provides optimal traction for every drive. When the road conditions become challenging, this system automatically sends power to the wheels that need it most.

With the SR5 being significantly cheaper compared to other trims, that leaves money left over for additional modifications. Upgraded wheels, tires, suspension, and perhaps an air locker, are all that's needed to make an SR5 unstoppable off-road.

Can you put 4Runner in 4WD while driving? ›

If you purchased a new Toyota 4Runner, there is a good chance that you will want to take it in off-road conditions and use the four wheel drive system. To engage this system, locate the knob next to the shifter. You can engage High 4WD while going under 50 miles per hour.

You should always drive around in 2WD unless you need more traction. For 4runners with Multi-Mode 4WD, that setting is also safe to drive around in although it can cause more wear and tear on the system. 4hi unlocked (Multi-Mode) is great for snow, ice, and loose gravel.

5 Answers. Typically you can shift into 4WD at any time but optimum speeds seem to be less than 35mph. As far as driving in 4WD, highway speeds of 55-65mph typically aren't excessive, unless conditions prohibit safe driving at that speed. 12 people found this helpful.

The Toyota 4Runner has no trouble driving through the snow in four-wheel drive. An unshoveled driveway, an unplowed street, and even a sheet of ice are no match for the well-equipped Toyota SUV.

When is Four-Wheel Drive Better? Four-wheel drive shines in deep snow, mud, rough or rocky terrain as well as sharp inclines or declines. Since 4WD systems tend to be more robust than AWD systems, they can handle more abuse and power.

2022 4Runner Driving Range

The EPA estimates the Toyota 4Runner can get 16 miles per gallon in the city and 19 miles per gallon highway, creating an estimated 17mpg combined driving range on all trims.

With this vehicle, you get both off-road prowess and a vehicle that can handle heavy-city traffic in one vehicle. One of the most popular 4Runner trims is the Toyota 4Runner SR5, but not many of our Washington customers know what SR5 means. It stands for Sport Rally 5.

The 4runner is still very truck-like because of its body on frame design. Most crossovers that are marketed as adventure vehicles nowadays are unibody designs. The 4runner's frame might make it ride rougher and have less headroom, but it also allows it to tow a decent amount of weight quite well.

The TRD Sport boasts more towing power—6,800 pounds compared to 3,500 on the SR5—but the SR5 is capable of carrying more payload, at 1,685 pounds compared to 1,525 pounds on the TRD Sport.