4Runner
- Make
- Toyota
- Segment
- SUV
Our research shows that one of the most common car-related searches is for the best Toyota 4Runner years. Off-roading enthusiasts shopping around in this particular segment want to know what the most common problems are and which 4Runner years to avoid.
We could keep this article short and say that any Toyota 4Runner is a reliable vehicle, and you should buy one according to your budget.
There's a reason the Toyota 4Runner is so revered, why it has excellent resale value, and why so many options are available on the used market today. It may be the best Toyota ever sold in the USA in terms of reliability. Not globally, however. That accolade belongs to the Land Cruiser 70 series, which is virtually unbreakable.
Basically, if you're in the market for a used SUV, you'd struggle to do better than a used 4Runner. Across the three generations our crack team of used car reviewers researched, we found very few problems, and the Toyota 4Runner has always come standard with a smooth ride, exceptional off-road capability, and an impressive list of infotainment and safety features on later models.
Why Is The Toyota 4Runner Such A Reliable Vehicle?
The 4Runner is one of the most reliable midsize SUVs because it has always kept the formula for making one remarkably simple. The less complexity, the fewer reliability issues to complain about. That's why Toyotas, in general, are always highly rated in any study that provides a reliability score. With the proper maintenance, the 4Runner is easily one of the few cars that will last a lifetime.
It has a body-on-frame design, which is already a good starting point. A ladder frame may have its drawbacks, but you can't deny that it's a sturdy construction.
The engines across all generations have generally been equally robust, and the same can be said of the transmission options. Toyota has always offered a choice between an automatic and manual transmission, and while they may not be as refined as those found in other vehicles, you can at least take comfort in the fact that they'll always keep working.
The Best 4Runner Years
As a general rule, you want to miss out on the first few years of production. This is true of every car out there. It usually takes a manufacturer a few years to iron out some teething issues, so the best model years are the later ones. In short, the most reliable 4Runner year is the final year. This is good news for buyers interested in the current fifth-generation model.
The Toyota 4Runner traditionally has a lot in common with the Tacoma. The latest version of the latter was unveiled earlier this year with only turbocharged four-pot options. Rumor has it that a manual transmission will be an option, but likely only on base models.
Sure, the gas mileage will improve, but Toyota loyalists are a loyal bunch and aren't happy that the 1GR-FE 4.0-liter V6 is no longer.
The best used Toyota 4Runner years according to generation are as follows. The fifth-generation Toyota 4Runner received the least complaints from 2017 to 2021. In 2017, the complaints from customers dropped out of the double-digit range, and in 2021, only one complaint was lodged against it. We'll put that into perspective: the Jeep Wrangler JK still received 211 complaints during its final year of production.
According to our used reviews, the best-year fourth-generation 4Runner was the final year Trail Edition. These are tricky to find, however. If you can't find one, you'll be just as happy with a later-year V8 4x4. The fuel economy data differences between the 1GR-FE 4.0-liter V6 and the 2UZ-FE 4.7-liter V8 are negligible, and the V8 was equipped with a permanent four-wheel-drive system as opposed to a part-time 4WD drivetrain.
The best third-generation Toyota 4Runner models are post-2001. Toyota made some updates that fixed all of the earlier reported issues. If you want a four-cylinder, the 2005 in base SR5 with a manual is the best bet.
The second-generation Toyota 4Runner may be one of the earlier models, but it has the least amount of problems. You can buy any example, but make sure you get a car with a comprehensive vehicle history.
For safety reasons, we'd buy one made after 1994. Models made after that were equipped with better brake rotors and standard ABS. Many owners see ABS as another nanny standing between them and a fun time, but it's arguably the most critical safety device developed over the past 50 years.
First-generation models are basically a Hilux with a roof. We'd avoid these unless you aim to build the ultimate off-road crawler. The engines, while reliable, are all a bit pathetic but particularly good at crawling at low speed.
To summarize, all the models are good, but there is a model year here and there that you should avoid.
The only generation we'd avoid completely is the first, and only because it was based on the N60 fourth-generation Hilux, which was still extremely agricultural and built solely as a workhorse.
The Worst Toyota 4Runner Model Years
As mentioned earlier, we'd avoid the first generation because it's only good at going off-road. From the second generation onward, Toyota made the 4Runner more user-friendly. And while it's a longevity icon, there are some worse years to avoid.
As mentioned earlier, the second-generation car represents some of the 4Runner's best years. It's probably the most reliable Toyota 4Runner out there, and the only major issue we could find was a sagging rear suspension.
Toyota made a big deal about the second-gen. It wanted to move away from the Hilux parts-sharing image and spend a fair share of money trying to get the car just right. Unfortunately, it should have spent even more money. The four-link rear coil suspension with staggered gas-filled shock absorbers wasn't tough enough for the additional weight of the SUV body, passengers, and luggage. Toyota remedied the problem with a more robust coilover suspension, but even that wasn't up to the task. Luckily, the problem can be easily fixed with a suspension upgrade.
Body and frame rust problems were common on the 1996-2002 third-generation Toyota 4Runner. Toyota attended to these body rust issues, but there may be a few dodgy models out there who missed out on the fix. This rust was also an issue on the locking rear diff and is worth keeping an eye out for.
Early units of the 5VZ-FE 3.4-liter naturally aspirated V6 also suffered from head gasket failure. Toyota ran a 'Special Service Campaign' and attempted to address this problem for 1996 and 1997 year models. All models built after that are fine, but if you are looking at one of the affected models, check the vehicle's history.
The fourth-generation Toyota 4Runner also suffered from frame and body rust, along with other models, including the Tacoma, Sequoia, and Tundra. Toyota was dragged to court, and it offered to fix or replace these models. We only mention it because there may be some stragglers out there, and it's worth checking for excessive rust.
The other big issue was melting dashboard material, often leading to a cracked dashboard. This problem was limited to 2003-2005 models, and these vehicles were fixed under the warranty. Toyota also sent out a service bulletin to fix the problem, which could have easily led to defective airbags if the cracks ever got large enough.
The final problem is more driver-related. You get the serious off-roading crowd and then the other drivers who want an elevated driving position. These people almost never engage the 4H setting on the part-time 4WD system and then struggle to get it into that mode after months of not using it. If you are into off-roading, we recommend changing the transmission fluid at the recommended intervals. The valve body is made of aluminum, and it wears down faster if the transmission oil isn't changed at the correct intervals.
The Fifth Generation
The current car is better than all the previous models, and it was recently announced that it's sticking around for another year. There are some complaints, but not nearly enough to warrant a serious investigation or recall. We're talking about one complaint about the steering wheel shaking at high speed, which is most likely a wheel alignment or serious suspension issue.
On average, two people a year complain about the infotainment system, and the same is true of Toyota's Safety Sense and adaptive cruise control. The same goes for the automatic high beams, lane departure warning, traction control, and door locks.
According to J.D. Power, the current Toyota 4Runner received 84 out of 100 from its drivers, and they were particularly impressed with the quality, reliability, and resale value.
