CarComplaints.com Notes: Although it has a stellar record in terms of vehicle problems, initially the 4th generation (2003 - 2009) 4Runner didn't earn our top "Seal of Awesome" rating because it received poor crash test ratings for rear impacts. However it's proven to have one of the lowest driver death rates out of all vehicles (not just SUVs), so we've bumped it back up to our top award.
8.0
pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$2,220
Average Mileage:
159,100 miles
Total Complaints:
3 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
replace gasket and machine cylinder heads (2 reports)
Seems that Toyota knows that there is a problem since they redesigned the head gasket to fix the issue. Most reported problems on Toyota bulletin boards are for failures at cylinder 6. At a minimum, Toyota ought to offer discounted repairs as it is a manufacturing defect.
I really loved my 2005 4Runner Sport, which was a very low-maintenance vehicle, until this terrible problem. I got on forums and found that it has been a huge problem with this particular year and engine. Tons of people have complained to dealerships (which turn a blind eye) and to Toyota, which says they don't see it as a problem. How this has not become a class action lawsuit is beyond me.
I had the same problem as everyone: I noticed a liquid rushing sound when I would start the engine cold. I could smell antifreeze. And then I got the check-engine light and very rough idle. I kept thinking I must need to replace my spark plugs (which were relatively new), and cleaned the MAF sensor, throttle body, etc. Nothing cured the problem.
I was sure I would take it to the mechanic and it would be a one-hour fix. Imagine my shock when he said it would be $3,500!!! I called everywhere and his price was actually quite good.
So, instead of buying a new vehicle, I opted to pay for this insane repair. I like my 4Runner a lot, but this is a massive problem and a huge blow to anyone's budget.
Check engine light came on and engine ran rough for a few seconds. Had it checked at Auto Zone and told mis fire on no. six cylinder. Went to a local garage and told them of problem. They checked it again for cost of sixty bucks and told the same thing. Had them put new plugs and coil pack in and problem came back the same day.After checking on this problem on the internet. seems that this is a problem with the 4.0 engine. Told it would be around two thousand dollars to repair. Asked mechanic if maybe head gasket sealer would work and said let's try it. Put it in and that was the end of the problem. I think that if a person catches this quick, before gasket gets a change to get worse, this can buy you some time and a lot of $$$$
Update from Jun 5, 2016: In my post about my Toyota 4 runner I said that the head gasket was blown. I meant to say the intake manifold gasket had started leaking around the no. six cylinder and that when I had a mechanic put intake sealer in and run for about twenty minutes then flush and set for a few hrs. that ended the leaking of antifreeze into the sylinder. This is my mistake for saying head gasket instead of intake manifold gasket. Sorry
- nelson.497,
MONTAGUE, MI, US
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Seems that Toyota knows that there is a problem since they redesigned the head gasket to fix the issue. Most reported problems on Toyota bulletin boards are for failures at cylinder 6. At a minimum, Toyota ought to offer discounted repairs as it is a manufacturing defect.
- Steven N., Westminster, MD, US