10+ Toyota 4Runner Years To Avoid If You Want An Off-Road Car

You’re in the market seeking a reliable car that can accompany you in all terrain, and you’re eyeing the Toyota 4Runner. That’s a good starting point! But there is more to consider than just the off-road capabilities. Some 4Runner models are subpar, evident in numerous owner complaints and recalls. So, steer clear of these model years before sealing a deal!

What Year 4Runner To Avoid

If you want to buy a Toyota 4Runner, avoid the first generation, as they are too old to perform well on the road. Other less reliable models include 2000-2002, 2003-2005, 2013, 2016, and 2023 4Runners. Common issues are related to frame rust, airbag systems, head gaskets, and more.

A Heads-up On The First Generation (1984-1989)

Let’s be real; it isn’t an easy feat to lay your hands on a brand-new first-gen 4Runner in the market. So, we don’t think we have to dive deeper into these models. Even if you’re looking for a used car, getting an over-30-year-old one is still out of the question. A once-reliable vehicle still degrades significantly after such a long time.

If you really want to add an old first-gen 4Runner to your car collection, avoid the years 1988 and 1989. The 3L models are notorious for their engine problems, which lead to head gasket problems. You’d better stick with the 2L engine models.

Toyota 4Runner 2000-2002 Models

Later models in the third generation, from 2000 to 2002 4Runners, appear to lag behind their predecessors. 

The 2000 models were plagued with a widespread rust issue. As of this writing, 494 complaints and 2 recalls have been issued for this model, according to the NHTSA. Among them, over 170 complaints were about the corrosion of frames. Another notable problem is the poor build quality of frames, which contributed to 5 vehicle crashes. During our testing, the SUV exhibited rust on the bumper after reaching 140k miles, which cost over $1,000 for repair.

The 2001 might be the “best” among this problematic trio, with only 188 complaints on the NHTSA. The rusted frame issue still haunted this model, but fewer cases were reported. We still give our thumbs up for its robust V6 engine that strikes a balance between power and efficiency.

The 2001 and 2002 4Runners marked the debut of automatic transmission in these SUVs. However, this upgrade seemed to take away from their off-road capabilities. 

More transmission issues reared their ugly head in the 2002 4Runners. Cases in point are transmission slips, bad head gaskets, defective throttle position sensors, and failing shift solenoids. Of course, rusted frames are still a noticeable issue with this model. These costly problems led to 250 complaints in the NHTSA.

Toyota 4Runner 2003-2005 Models

Contrary to the first generation, earlier models in the third generation of Toyota 4Runner fall short of its successors. The 2003, 2004, and 2005 Toyota 4Runners witnessed the most problems, with 702, 668, and 416 complaints on NHTSA, respectively.

The biggest pet peeve is still corrosion, which can wreak havoc on the frame over time. These models also share other electronic and mechanical issues, including malfunctioning evaporative emission systems, failing charcoal canister purge control solenoid valves, canister failure, and broken brake master cylinders. Many users reported that they had to replace the brake master cylinder after clocking in around 125k to 150k miles.

The 2003 4Runners also faced issues with the head gasket. Meanwhile, the 2004 and 2005 models received poor ratings in the rear impact test. Despite having a low driver death rate, the 2005 Toyota 4Runners still disappointed drivers with subpar scores in the seats and head restraints category. Additionally, occasional dashboard cracks and defective ABS in 2004 4Runners raised concerns among owners. 

We’ve tested with a used 2005 4Runner and noticed that electrical issues, such as the rear latch and rear wiper, were the top concern (Note: Due to the limited duration of our testing, we were unable to assess potential rust and corrosion, but this remains a known issue). The AC also occasionally below only hot air and ceased working at times, and we had to pay $1,500 to fix it.

Toyota 4Runner 2013 Models

The 2013 Toyota 4Runner is one of the most problematic models in the 5th generation. Up to now, the NHTSA has recorded 6 recalls and 33 complaints about this SUV (both 2WD and 4WD). Most of the recalls are related to detached hood scoops and exploding airbag inflators. An inflator explosion might send sharp metal fragments into the cabin, potentially hitting and injuring the driver and passengers.

On car forums, drivers are also concerned about defective braking systems and high maintenance costs due to excessive oil consumption. We’ve tested a 4WD 2013 Toyota 4Runner multiple times, and the poor gas mileage remains a notable issue. 

It hovered around 13-15 mpg in winter and increased to only 17-19 mpg in summer. We assume this lackluster fuel efficiency greatly contributes to its hefty maintenance costs. At around 38,000 miles, we had to replace the brake pads, which was just so-so.

Problems related to the paint job are also worth considering. Drivers complained that the paint was easy to scratch and started to peel or fade after a short time, diminishing the car’s aesthetics and resale value. Some reported the paint falling off after 30,000 miles or even after 4-5 months of driving. 

Fortunately, Toyota has responded to this defect by extending the paint warranty to 14 years. This ensures that all pain-related problems during almost its entire lifetime will be covered.

Toyota 4Runner 2016 Models

Eight recalls have been issued for the 2016 Toyota 4Runners for a variety of problems, three of which are related to the airbag. Like the 2013 4Runners, these models have their fair share of exploding frontal airbag inflators on both the driver and passenger side. 

Another noticeable problem stems from the hood, contributing to two recalls. In some models, the U-nut securing the overlay can crack, making it fall off and posing a road hazard. In some cases, the weakened adhesive at the hood scoop may cause it to detach from the car, posing a risk of a crash.

There are two recalls due to incorrect labels on tires, which might lead to overloaded cars and go against the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard. The last recall is related to the roof rack, affecting 1019 vehicles. Particularly, the fasteners can loosen, allowing the roof rack to fall off and become a road hazard.

Toyota 4Runner 2023 Models

Honestly, the 2023 4Runner has been around for just under 2 years, so we don’t have enough time to test it thoroughly over time. However, the car has gathered 20 complaints in such a short time, enough to stand on this list. Worst yet, it has been recalled once because of the inaccurate labels on tires. This issue is the formula for overloading the car. 

Its driving experience only receives a 77 out of 100 on J.D. Power, which makes us question a lot about its comfort. After our test drive, it turned out that the score was fair enough. The seats were tough, with very little cushioning, and we could feel every bump clearly. The road and wind noise sneaked into the cabin easily, making the entire drive anything but comfortable.

Also, the 2023 Toyota 4Runner is a true gas-guzzler. Toyota claims that its gas mileage is 16 MPG on city roads and 19 MPG on highways. But we found it only hovered around 14 to 15 MPG for city driving. It did improve a bit on long highway trips, but fuel efficiency was still its weakness.

9 Common Toyota 4Runner Problems To Be Aware Of

Some 4Runners share the same problems, while some models experience different issues. Below are some of the biggest issues to take note of:

• Rust and corrosion: Rust is a major issue for many 4Runner models, especially from 2003–2005 and 2001–2002, often affecting the undercarriage and frame, leading to costly repairs and potential safety concerns.
• Head gasket failures: Models equipped with the 3.0-liter V6 engine, particularly from 1990–1995 and 1988–1989, are notorious for head gasket failures that can recur even after repairs due to fundamental engine design flaws.
• Dashboard cracking and melting: The 2004 model year is especially prone to dashboard cracks and melting under sunlight, which not only looks unsightly but may also interfere with airbag deployment.
• Brake system issues: From 2013 to 2017, many owners reported brake-related problems such as premature rotor wear, master cylinder faults, and ABS malfunctions, all of which can compromise braking performance.
• Transmission problems: Between 1990 and 2016, various 4Runner models experienced rough shifting, delayed gear engagement, or transmission failure, often linked to faulty solenoids or throttle position sensors.
• Airbag deployment failures: Airbag issues, especially in 2010–2013 models, involved failure to deploy or persistent warning lights, although most were eventually recalled and fixed by Toyota.
• Suspension sagging: Older 4Runners, particularly those from the early 1990s, often suffer from suspension sagging, which affects ride height and off-road capability.
• Power steering leaks: High-mileage vehicles from earlier generations frequently develop power steering leaks, leading to reduced steering responsiveness and potential failure if left unaddressed.

Door lock actuator failures: 2014–2016 models have been reported to experience premature failure of door lock actuators, which is a minor but inconvenient problem requiring replacement.