I understand replacing the relay when the AC dies completely, but I just had a new evaporator coil installed in mine and the AC only works for about the first half hour it is running, then it gradually warms up, what's causing this to happen?
My starter we caught fire at home Depot in my 05. Nose cone broke off and jammed the fly wheel. Mechanic tried to tell I needed a new engine. Checked and replaced starter myself and low and behold engine isn't siezed. $80 buck fix.
Wow lol. What was the major issues you has with it? I'm thinking of getting one with 167k miles as my second car. Made the mistake on purchasing a jeep
I've got the '06 2WD V6 with 180K. Frame is good for now. The transmission hunts at 35-40 mph, between 3rd and 4th. Has that ever been an issue for you?
@@XxAlex530xX lol I had the same situation, bought a jeep that just ate my money for 2.5 years so I pulled the trigger bought a 4Runner with 150k miles on it today. Hoping it turns out to be a better investment
@@BenAlfredo7 hey I forgot to reply but I got a 2017 4Runner with 50k miles. Love it so far! I’ve been driving a lot! Yes! I loved the design of the Jeep and driving it was nice but it was a money pit for sure.
273k on my 2004 4runner, no cracked manifold, no AC problems, no head gasket leak, no starter issue. Only have the frame rot which I'm cutting out the rust and repairing. Toyota won't replace 4runner frames because they sold a lot of 4runners than Tacomas. It would be an expensive mistake to fix on their end
If anyone is curious about why the 4Runners were not included in the frame recall; The 4th gen 4Runner frame is actually not the same one as in the Tacoma, but from the Land Cruiser Prado. As it's a different frame, and was manufactured in Japan instead of the US, Toyota claimed that it didn't have the same problem. Obviously they share a similar design, and I can't imagine the construction method & coating would be much different, but those technicalities let Toyota get away with not having to cover the 4Runner. Mine isn't perfect, but I've always tried to clean it up well and repaint it before winter to forestall corrosion. Preventative maintenance is worth it if you want to keep your 4Runner going for the hundreds of thousands of miles that the engine and transmission have no problem doing.
I looked for three weeks to find a 4th gen 4Runner with a nearly new frame - essentially no corrosion. 168K miles and $10K on the road. The 2005 4Runner Limited needs a paint job and some upholstery work, but that's manageable. Frame corrosion is car cancer. I just buried the 4WD Tacoma that I bought new. The frame rusted through at 90K miles and completely rusted in half at 139K miles. I'll religiously Fluid Film the 4Runner frame and undercarriage annually.
Definitely want more videos with THIS LADY ! ! . . . CLEAR . . CONCISE. . ON POINT ! ! . . no wasted time with B.S. . . . You ROCK Maam ! ! ! . . . AWESOME JOB
Prevent frame corrosion. Spray the entire undercarriage (not brake rotors/pads or exhaust) with Surface Shield or a similar lanolin based anti-corrosion coating. Spray inside and outside of the box frame to prevent it from rotting from the inside out. Reapply next year and touch it up every other year after that. Surface Shield doesn't dry or harden so it can always flow to cover the frame, but it does thicken to make a coating that doesn't chip away and water can't get under it unlike paint, epoxy or rubber coatings.
I just traded in my 2007 4Runner and traded up for a new 2023 4Runner limited because my last 4Runner was a reliable car. Of course at being 16 yrs old with 172,000 miles, the only major issue I had with it was a rusty back hatch. My new 4Runner has been rust proofed and will be updated with rust proofing yearly to protect my investment. Love the 4Runners for all season and all terrain driving.
She was really good. I understood everything she said and she explained everything perfectly. Can you do one for the 3rd gen 4Runners please? Thanks! Well done
I’ve had 2 4th gens, one to 150k and my current one at 160k. V6 model. Never had any one of these issues. Not saying they don’t happen but if you’re watching don’t let it discourage you if you’re thinking about buying one, they are amazing vehicles and will drive this one until the wheels fall off. I live in Florida so don’t have to worry about rust, but that definitely happens 😅
Thanks for the warnings! Just had the head gasket fixed on my 2004 4.0 Sport at 183k miles. Asked the service advisor what I should watch out for next and he immediately mentioned the frame.
I had one of these and absolutely loved it!!! The only issue I had was the head gasket. Everything she explained was correct especially the water gurgling. Even then it ran great. Ran it for 240K miles until I traded it in.
@@SKRIBBLESHEET how expensive can this stuff get because im in college right now and my lexus transmission isnt working so now im going to get a 2006 4runner
I've got an 06 sr5 v6 4x4 with 284,000 miles and I'm 2nd owner. I've replaced almost everything. I bought it with 180,000 miles 1st owner definitely got his $ worth but its a dam good running clean vehicle i probably got at least $5,OOO in repairs and a few small upgrades
Early v6 models had head gasket issues, but not all of them. V8 models had exhaust manifold issues. Rust issues are a problem, particularly because of their fully boxed frame - that vehicle obviously lives in a harsh environment, what isn't corroded on that thing? One thing that seems to plague both the v8 and v6 variants is the transfer case leaking from the actuator, which you have to split the case to fix. I've got 276k miles on my 03 V6, It doesn't burn or use oil, best vehicle I've ever owned.
This just happened to me (transfer case) after already a expensive line replacement it’s not my transfer module case(???). It’s just so annoying man idk what I’m supposed to do I’ve been plagued with bad luck.
05 Toyota 4 Runner SR5 4.7 V8 285,674 miles. Daily driver and I have never had any problems! As good today as the day I bought it New and drove it home!!
My '03 V8 just turned138K miles. The AC relay did fail on me in 2020. Started as an strange intermittent for 2-3 times, then quit completely. Thanks to the mobile network, I went online and found a quick fix (just swap the relay) so I could drive home in 100 degree weather. Other than that, it has been rock solid. I don't have rust issue here in AZ. I will keep this truck to tow my camper until I can't drive anymore, then I will buy a car that can drive by itself.
Yep I have seen that. Toyotas are such garbage. So sick of people coming to me being like "oh I bought this toyota cause I heard on the internet they are reliable". And so they go out and spend WAY too much money on a 10 year old tacoma or 4runner, usually upwards of 15k. And then they are so surprised to learn that the head gasket is leaking, and the frame is rotted and the car is ready for the junk yard. 15k right down the drain.
Do you recommend flushing and replacing trans fluid? I have 06 with 276k and no problems. Just wondering if that would be a good idea for preventative maintenance. Thanks!
I bought mine with the AC not working and flashing light. I gambled that i could fix it with the relay.... The "sun load sensor" wasn't letting power get to the compressor. Once that was fixed the actual problem was revealed. A new compressor, condenser, and fan clutch. $$$$ So was told that the bad fan clutch caused the compressor to fail. I now have the coldest AC on Earth though. So that's good. And someone tricked me into believing it was undercoated. But someone sprayed black paint everywhere i could see from the ground. I'm stuck with it now. I love everything about my V8 4Runner besides the rust. Not sure what I'll do about it. We don't deal with salty roads much here in GA so idk
I found an 07 with 178k miles and it drives and runs better than my 2017 corolla. Corolla had a cvt that failed at 127k. These 4runners are still incredible and will be remembered in auto history. I keep my frame sprayed with fluid film. It looks like it rolled out of the factory yesterday. Granted, she does need a good bit of maintenance. She's at 186k now so she has a right to fuss a little.
I got one with 144k and now I’ve got 225k. Other than maintenance in that time I’ve replaced the valve cover gaskets, tensioner pulley, idler pulleys, Lower control arms, wheel bearing. A huge issue is seized calipers. I’ve had to replace all those. Frame has almost no rust for me thankfully. But I need a new power steering rack (replaced by previous owner at 120k) struts, shocks and upper/lower ball joints, new rear calipers.
Yes, you can tell she's genuine, and enjoys what she does, unlike most women, who are just trying hard to prove to everyone that they can do what boys do.
Same here, '07 SR5 4WD but it's only got abut 107K on it and it's been my baby for 8 years. Every couple of years I spray the frame inside and out with 'fluidfilm' to help resist the framerot, jic.
Had 2 4runners had head gaskets go bad within 2 months of each other. One was a 2004 and other was a 2005. Replaced both and they're still going strong. No head gasket problems for 2006 and newer, which is also when they changed the HG design. Strange thing is, very rare for Tacomas of the same years to have a bed HG, just the 4runners. Maybe had something to do with the Tacoma being made in the US and the 4runner in Japan. I talked to Toyota corporate about the problems and they said they had no plans to do a recall on them. I've not heard of anyone having an issue for a 2006 or newer but I'm guessing there's some out there that didn't get the new HG. If I were buying a 4th Gen today, it would be one with the 4.7 V8, best engine Toyota ever built, several 1 million mile 4.7s out there in Tundra's, 4Runners, and 100 series Land Cruisers.
I have a 2004 that the head gaskets just went bad. Did you replace the headgaskets or the whole engine? Ive got estimates ranging $4-6K to replace headgaskets. 2 mechanics said it may be easier to replace the whole engine.
Great video. 2003 -2005 was the best model year. You also dont have that fan that heats up the cats on start up. I gave my relay a couple of love taps and it started working again. I'm currently doing a icon stage 7 setup on mine.
I have a 05 that we bought brand new from the dealer. It’s got 216k on it and it’s never had any of these issues or any major issues. I live in SoCal so the great weather is also a good thing on my toyota.
Have a 2005 and the only one out of these I've had was the head gasket. If I were to add any, the tailgate without spoiler is prone to rust, think that's more common than any of the others. Tailgate lock and window regulator also rusts out, think due to weatherstrip on bottom of window. Frame has been rust protected annually so no problems there. Seized front calipers is another. If has XREAS that will only last maybe 20 years if lucky.
A lot of the rust problems are due to road salt. The HG issue is not a problem on all 4th Gens and the AC issue is because of a bad relay switch which Toyota has known about. My 2003 V6 4wd has 281k miles and the only issue I’ve had was the bad relay switch. Of course I live in California and I don’t have to worry about road salt.
Some of these were only for the V6. Should, or could have talked about the difference between the V6 or V8 problems.. Missed the "Sticking" brake calipers as well.
I’ve owned my 03 since new and have 281k miles and I’ve only replaced one brake caliper. I think the issue is road salt, mud, and dirt getting stuck inside the calipers.
Mine is a Tennessee resident. A 2004 SR5. No frame or manifold rust, only have 93,000 on it. Dashboard recall, Toyota begrudgingly agreed to issue a recall after user groups and complaints kept rolling in. Yet Toyota half assed it sent out a first notification stating inventory would take time, then totally went silent. So the deadline passed and I missed the cutoff. Will have to order a dash shell as the cracks are becoming larger. Toyota whiffed on this dash material huge. Inner 12V 120W charge port also will burn out, it is about $1,000 fix apparently
Thanks for this video! I would like to say that actually there are 3 fusez that are related to the AC AG1 15, which is in the driver seat area and two more. Thanks for the advice as none of the mehanics knew about it. I advice to read the manual and change the blown fuzes that related to the Ac
Japan is in the ocean , salt air . Corrosion began there. Why weren’t they covered by the Toyota Corporation ? We buy these cars through them and financed from same corporation. !
You are absolutely right. And Rich Ward, unfortunately that recall ended many years ago. Luckily for me, the previous owner had it done on my 04 SR5 that currently has 133k miles one. Dash looks brand new.
Info on approx miles/time these items tend to show up would be most helpful. Most seem to be from Max Corrosion Enviroments , generally a 5 year plus time , unless you leave it submerged on Texas Gulf coast. But then it's a total insurance write off. I did have replace a leaky AC Evap core in one @ 260,000 mi. 10+ hr job , less with previous experience. Many concerns rate these vehicles as the most dependable of anything currently still in production. Most of todays stuff doesn't last long enuf to to have these type problems.
I boight a used 2004 v6 and the head gasket gave out. The previous owner said nothing about the car and it's head gasket problem. Cost me 700 bucks to fix, did it myself with a buddy.
I purchased my 2006 Toyota forerunner in 2009 it had 35,000 miles on it. now it has 262,580 miles on it and I live in Oregon and my forerunner is running very well at this time. The frame on my forerunner is not rusted. The exhaust manifold is not resting, and the starter connections on mine are not rusted. It must be because my vehicle is operated in a state where they do not salt the roads.
You guys are usually pretty good at what you say and point out but as a Toyota drivability Diagnostics technician for many years and have owned 27 4Runners the head gasket stuff is not true on the four rows or the coolant or the gurgling there's so many different things that cause that and a lot of times it's normal on which state you're in and other issues you pointed out are issues that more or less happen in other states where rust is present
Now I'm really confused about the gurgling noise. I've read air in the heating core before. Solutions could be running the car for a few minutes with the radiator cap off to adjusting a servo behind the glovebox, to bars leak to help with a head gasket leak. This video scared me a bit, I think because of the lack of hesitation to call it a blown head gasket, so what's up with that?
Thanks for the excellent video. I’m so glad I live in the south so I don’t have to worry about the rust. But I’ll keep my eyes open for the rest. I’m at 120,000 now with no problems yet. From what I understand Toyota doesn’t undercoat.
V6 Timing Belt gasket leak… ugh! And 2003-2010 4Low engagement hardware as an oil leak develops on that transfer case that leaks through to the electronics! We own a 2003 V8 and 2006 V6 with 200k on either. Love them! They’ll last longer than the frame!
How much did you spend, I’m in the market for one of these and I’m trying to see what jobs I can’t do myself, Iv done a good amount of work on other cars. But never a rear differential
I believe so. My 4th gen has lived it's whole life in a snow free zone and away from the coast. Besides dirt and clay my frame looks brand new and doesn't have the slightest hint of rust. Only place with rust on the vehicle, is a little bit under the battery tray. One thing I noticed though is the ac drain line drips onto the frame, I ran an extension hose so it drains below the vehicle since I live in a hot humid climate it puts out a lot of water.
I have a 2004 4Runner 4.7L V8 with 374K miles. All original no major work and runs great. I live in California so rust is not an issue and I have none of those problem except my heater. It has been a while since I ran but I think it made the sound she describes. Only cool air flows out of the passenger side. Not sure what the problem is.
What was the engine that failed. Is the V-6 engine OK. Any of these problems can be fixed before it gets to that point where they don’t work or they’re bad.
You are exactly right the frames are the same only thing is rear coil on 4Runner leaf on the trucks and the body mounts added for 4Runner also back bumper area is part of the frame on the runner it’s under the plastic bumper cover I think the wheel base might be a little different cause that rear bumper frame sticks out so the spare can go in then there is the 3-4 inch deep rease hitch receiver I’ve had to drill another hole in them and cut off 3-5 inches so they would be close to the rear bumper
I have an 03 with 221,000 miles.. Watch out for ABS pump going out. Abs and brake light come on with constant alarm sound. Not to mention pedal hard as a rock. Luckily it was parked and did this right when i started it. I disconnected the battery for 10 min or so and its fine now.. But will happen again unless replaced
Can't tell you how glad I am to read this. My dad told me $1,000 for ABS system that is next to impossible to find. Can you please tell me what disconnecting the battery does?
Got scammed and bought a 2004 sr5 v6 with 230k miles for $5k few years back. Ended up finding that it ate a cup of coolant every few weeks(even a trained mechanic would have trouble finding this leak). One night accidentally didn't tighten radiator cap enough from refill and wife drove it till it overheated the next day, would barely even turn over now. Well, ended up doing the job myself in a week in the yard, milled heads to .003 and oem gasket set. 700$. I also did an entire valve train job for bucket clearance which I probably saved 2k on just doing myself(not for the impatient). I thought the HG was a rare occurrence but the more I go online I see more and more instances. Car has 270k now and haven't lost 1 drop of coolant, no oil consumption. I wouldnt have done this type of thing with any other car though, I did my research and found the HG issue wasn't detrimental in early stages with this engine. Dont buy the v6 with more than 200k if you don't want to deal with it. Even so, its not like its even a 10%chance so do what you feel 😁
We had a 03, 4 runner, the frame rusted away, other than the rust , never had any problems ,247,208 miles when we had to let it go, it was like going through a death in the Family. Will not buy a new Toyota Vehicle again.......Toyota left us behind. How much more would it have cost to paint the frame Properly?????????????????????
My frame is identical to the one in this video.... A sixth problem, internal rust on the rear hatch specifically around the perimeter of the rear window. I blamed that liquid salt brine they use on the roads here in New England for the rust, no amount of car washing will get it off. I've also got a blown head gasket, about 120k miles ago... It's now my official car to park at the commuter lot and weekend dump runs. It's worth nothing but the truck is like one of my pets, I won't put it down until it kicks the bucket on it's own.
Yep same here I had to replace my back door cause of the rust and then my new doors electronics shit the bed a half a year in :( I’m so sad plus now I’m having my transfer case leak for the second time
My GF has a 2001 4Runner. Many mechanics keep asking her if she wants to sell it. I bought a boat with a frame that had rust just like that example. I think the thick paint was the only thing holding it together! I ended up buy a brand new galvanized trailer for the boat.
Had my 2007 Limited 4.7L V8 4Runner since new. 220K on it so far. This video is spot on though I believe it conflates some of the common issues on the V8 with the V6's. Issues I've had: Cracked manifolds - Oh yeah. Had the first ones welded up but the passenger side only lasted about a year. Bought new factory right and left to replace them this time, just haven't gotten around to it yet. AC relay - Definitely. Have had to replace it twice so far. I keep a new extra on hand. When the AC light starts blinking it's a 2 minute fix. Rust isn't really such an issue since I live in Central US and I always treat the entire undercarriage to the occasional dousing with Fluid Film. And no issues with any leaks anywhere, yet. Not any issue with the starter either but on the 4.7L the starter is on top buried under the intake manifold where terminals/wires won't rust/corrode so easy but will be a pretty major job to replace. If you have a 4.7L like me make sure you replace that timing belt every 100K since unlike the V6 it's an interference engine. If you don't and it slips/breaks bye bye engine. Best to only use the oem AISIN parts and get the kit to do the water pump while you're in there.
Thanks man. Has your transmission leaked at all? That’s what I’m dealing with right now for the second time after having already replaced the transmission fuel lines
I just got my mom's car that she got recently but really doesn't drive it so I'm taking it over for me and my family and it's completely stock and it has 199,230 miles and it runs like jts brand new everything is factory but I'll be giving her a tune up and a little touch up to give it a nice look. It does have the 3rd row seatting. I'm going to turn it into a daily/ overlanding semi off road vehicle but it is the V6 4.0 2wd I'll be putting a portable 180 psi air compresser in the back and putting the nitto ridge grapplers on it once the Hankook Dyanapro at2 wear down and putting the bug shield on and some rain guards
Glad I live in west Texas so I don't have to worry about corrosion like that. Even when I lived in Seattle, cars/trucks didn't look like that. Salt kills. Kinda feel sorry for folks who live in the rust belt and work on their own vehicles.
If the 4Runner turns over but doesn't start, it may be the transponder in the key stopped communicating. That doesn't happen often with genuine Toyota keys, but it happened to me after a month with a key that I bought on Amazon. It gradually stopped working. Probably frequency drift in the transponder that knocked it off frequency.
Had an 04 4runner got scammed guy knew it had a head gasket leak had it for almost 2 months before i realized it had the issue. Spent 3600 getting it fixed. New head gaskets new timing chain old one was stretched out... less the 4k miles later engine blew up on me...
I had a similar issue , bought an 03 runner back in september. id like to believe that the people who bought it from the auction didn’t know about the problem the motor had. after two months of owning it it started throwing blue smoke on the start up. took it to a mechanic turns out the piston rings were fried. 5k later on just the motor alone it’s still throwing smoke
Corrosion arround small deck coolant transfer holes between block's cylinders is often misdiagnosed as gasket vs maintaince issue. New gaskets seem to solve the problem , but often fail to seal after minimal use. Sum times slight deck resurface can fix or a steel tube fitted ,then machined level to deck. Either case requires complete removal and taredown. A Pricey Project to say the least.
Life time Toyota owner. I’ve had everyone of those problems on different trucks, some exact problems namely the air relay on my 4th Gen at 230k/kms. Also have no Trac control I think that is also a huge issue.
√ *Watch the Video*
√ *Buy The Part at 1A Auto* 1aau.to/m/Visit-1AAuto
√ *Do it Yourself*
√ *Save Money*
I understand replacing the relay when the AC dies completely, but I just had a new evaporator coil installed in mine and the AC only works for about the first half hour it is running, then it gradually warms up, what's causing this to happen?
Number 3 wrong i have my 4runner for like 10 year 350,000 miles And still Run like a champ
My starter we caught fire at home Depot in my 05. Nose cone broke off and jammed the fly wheel. Mechanic tried to tell I needed a new engine. Checked and replaced starter myself and low and behold engine isn't siezed. $80 buck fix.
I got a 2006 4Runner v6 with almost 477k still runs like a champ, I’m the first owner and my ac still works lol
Wow lol. What was the major issues you has with it? I'm thinking of getting one with 167k miles as my second car. Made the mistake on purchasing a jeep
I've got the '06 2WD V6 with 180K. Frame is good for now. The transmission hunts at 35-40 mph, between 3rd and 4th. Has that ever been an issue for you?
Woooooow. You give me hope!! I have an 06 sr5 v6 4x4. 190k.
@@XxAlex530xX lol I had the same situation, bought a jeep that just ate my money for 2.5 years so I pulled the trigger bought a 4Runner with 150k miles on it today. Hoping it turns out to be a better investment
@@BenAlfredo7 hey I forgot to reply but I got a 2017 4Runner with 50k miles. Love it so far! I’ve been driving a lot! Yes! I loved the design of the Jeep and driving it was nice but it was a money pit for sure.
I have a 2004 4runner with 377k, bought used with 160k. Best car I've ever purchased
Based off of what Scott Kilmer says i don't think any one toyota could have 5 problems 😆 .
You're right, they max out at 4 problems.
After 20 to 30 years there mite be sum
Oh your in for a beating
You’re absolutely right. Toyota lover and Tesla hater that’s Scotty
273k on my 2004 4runner, no cracked manifold, no AC problems, no head gasket leak, no starter issue. Only have the frame rot which I'm cutting out the rust and repairing. Toyota won't replace 4runner frames because they sold a lot of 4runners than Tacomas. It would be an expensive mistake to fix on their end
If anyone is curious about why the 4Runners were not included in the frame recall; The 4th gen 4Runner frame is actually not the same one as in the Tacoma, but from the Land Cruiser Prado. As it's a different frame, and was manufactured in Japan instead of the US, Toyota claimed that it didn't have the same problem. Obviously they share a similar design, and I can't imagine the construction method & coating would be much different, but those technicalities let Toyota get away with not having to cover the 4Runner.
Mine isn't perfect, but I've always tried to clean it up well and repaint it before winter to forestall corrosion. Preventative maintenance is worth it if you want to keep your 4Runner going for the hundreds of thousands of miles that the engine and transmission have no problem doing.
Salt on the roads is what eats the cars
If you live in the Salt Belt, rustproofing is BASIC maintenance.
I looked for three weeks to find a 4th gen 4Runner with a nearly new frame - essentially no corrosion. 168K miles and $10K on the road. The 2005 4Runner Limited needs a paint job and some upholstery work, but that's manageable. Frame corrosion is car cancer. I just buried the 4WD Tacoma that I bought new. The frame rusted through at 90K miles and completely rusted in half at 139K miles. I'll religiously Fluid Film the 4Runner frame and undercarriage annually.
Legendary 4RUNNER!!!! Only problem: it rusts like crazy
Not if you live in the South.
Or west coast
Even on the west coast in the mountains because of salt... I guess thats not technically the coast but you know what I mean
@@oliverdavidson100 cars in the bay rust more than you expect too
I have one of the last 2nd gen tacomas to get a free frame right before the recall expired. Lucky me on my dclb sport.
Definitely want more videos with THIS LADY ! ! . . . CLEAR . . CONCISE. . ON POINT ! ! . . no wasted time with B.S. . . . You ROCK Maam ! ! ! . . . AWESOME JOB
The v8 models crack at the manifolds not the v6s
That was a v6
My 04 is still immaculate
@@Anactualrealperson Hey Josh, I'm looking at a 2004 V-6 with 132,000 miles. How is yours doing? Thanks
@@keithclark8030 get it I just got one 3 months ago I love it. Love it so so my
@@Anactualrealperson You must live near Scotty...
Prevent frame corrosion. Spray the entire undercarriage (not brake rotors/pads or exhaust) with Surface Shield or a similar lanolin based anti-corrosion coating. Spray inside and outside of the box frame to prevent it from rotting from the inside out. Reapply next year and touch it up every other year after that. Surface Shield doesn't dry or harden so it can always flow to cover the frame, but it does thicken to make a coating that doesn't chip away and water can't get under it unlike paint, epoxy or rubber coatings.
I just traded in my 2007 4Runner and traded up for a new 2023 4Runner limited because my last 4Runner was a reliable car. Of course at being 16 yrs old with 172,000 miles, the only major issue I had with it was a rusty back hatch. My new 4Runner has been rust proofed and will be updated with rust proofing yearly to protect my investment. Love the 4Runners for all season and all terrain driving.
Indeed. Tacoma and Sequoia had frames recalled. 4Runners should have had the same benefit.
They just started a class action lawsuits, Google it and get in on it soon!
@@mattdsmith777 I already had to pay to install mine. I wonder if they’d reimburse me.
@@Theyralltakenfu How much did that run you ? And it’s 7 months later, did you hear back on getting reimbursed ?
She was really good. I understood everything she said and she explained everything perfectly. Can you do one for the 3rd gen 4Runners please? Thanks! Well done
I’ve had 2 4th gens, one to 150k and my current one at 160k. V6 model. Never had any one of these issues. Not saying they don’t happen but if you’re watching don’t let it discourage you if you’re thinking about buying one, they are amazing vehicles and will drive this one until the wheels fall off.
I live in Florida so don’t have to worry about rust, but that definitely happens 😅
I’m surprised she said a gasket issue. I’ve read where the 4.0 doesn’t have this issue.
Buying one Friday. Sport Edition. Wish me luck.
Thanks for the warnings! Just had the head gasket fixed on my 2004 4.0 Sport at 183k miles. Asked the service advisor what I should watch out for next and he immediately mentioned the frame.
@@Seba-lk4hp how did it go? Did you buy it and any issues?
only time my ac went out was having the a/c button off.
+XxMetalGorxX Thanks for the feedback!
😂
I had one of these and absolutely loved it!!! The only issue I had was the head gasket. Everything she explained was correct especially the water gurgling. Even then it ran great. Ran it for 240K miles until I traded it in.
So weird haha same with me. My buddy put a new one in and voila. Fixed two problems at once.
@@SKRIBBLESHEET how expensive can this stuff get because im in college right now and my lexus transmission isnt working so now im going to get a 2006 4runner
I've got an 06 sr5 v6 4x4 with 284,000 miles and I'm 2nd owner. I've replaced almost everything. I bought it with 180,000 miles 1st owner definitely got his $ worth but its a dam good running clean vehicle i probably got at least $5,OOO in repairs and a few small upgrades
Early v6 models had head gasket issues, but not all of them. V8 models had exhaust manifold issues. Rust issues are a problem, particularly because of their fully boxed frame - that vehicle obviously lives in a harsh environment, what isn't corroded on that thing? One thing that seems to plague both the v8 and v6 variants is the transfer case leaking from the actuator, which you have to split the case to fix. I've got 276k miles on my 03 V6, It doesn't burn or use oil, best vehicle I've ever owned.
So how is the head gasket on yours?
This just happened to me (transfer case) after already a expensive line replacement it’s not my transfer module case(???). It’s just so annoying man idk what I’m supposed to do I’ve been plagued with bad luck.
05 Toyota 4 Runner SR5 4.7 V8 285,674 miles. Daily driver and I have never had any problems! As good today as the day I bought it New and drove it home!!
I had the A/C issue. Fixed it exactly as you said after researching many years back and found a TSB telling how to fix.
I'm looking at one tomorrow morning.. wish me luck! Thank you so much for your advice
Did you find one?
My '03 V8 just turned138K miles. The AC relay did fail on me in 2020. Started as an strange intermittent for 2-3 times, then quit completely. Thanks to the mobile network, I went online and found a quick fix (just swap the relay) so I could drive home in 100 degree weather. Other than that, it has been rock solid. I don't have rust issue here in AZ. I will keep this truck to tow my camper until I can't drive anymore, then I will buy a car that can drive by itself.
Lost my baby to head gasket. Still miss her everyday
Evaporator cores leak freon. Pretty common on these. Good amount of work to get to them too. I've replaced more evaporator cores than relays.
Yep I have seen that. Toyotas are such garbage. So sick of people coming to me being like "oh I bought this toyota cause I heard on the internet they are reliable". And so they go out and spend WAY too much money on a 10 year old tacoma or 4runner, usually upwards of 15k. And then they are so surprised to learn that the head gasket is leaking, and the frame is rotted and the car is ready for the junk yard. 15k right down the drain.
Do you recommend flushing and replacing trans fluid? I have 06 with 276k and no problems. Just wondering if that would be a good idea for preventative maintenance. Thanks!
Thank you very much, it is obvious how knowledgeable you are. Keep up the good work!
I bought mine with the AC not working and flashing light. I gambled that i could fix it with the relay.... The "sun load sensor" wasn't letting power get to the compressor. Once that was fixed the actual problem was revealed. A new compressor, condenser, and fan clutch. $$$$ So was told that the bad fan clutch caused the compressor to fail.
I now have the coldest AC on Earth though. So that's good.
And someone tricked me into believing it was undercoated. But someone sprayed black paint everywhere i could see from the ground. I'm stuck with it now. I love everything about my V8 4Runner besides the rust. Not sure what I'll do about it. We don't deal with salty roads much here in GA so idk
Keep those 4th gen 4RUNNER videos coming please 👍🏼👍🏼
+Sonic Cruz Thanks for the feedback!
I found an 07 with 178k miles and it drives and runs better than my 2017 corolla. Corolla had a cvt that failed at 127k. These 4runners are still incredible and will be remembered in auto history. I keep my frame sprayed with fluid film. It looks like it rolled out of the factory yesterday. Granted, she does need a good bit of maintenance. She's at 186k now so she has a right to fuss a little.
I really like this lady, could do more videos with her. She explains everything well and somehow fun
I got one with 144k and now I’ve got 225k. Other than maintenance in that time I’ve replaced the valve cover gaskets, tensioner pulley, idler pulleys, Lower control arms, wheel bearing. A huge issue is seized calipers. I’ve had to replace all those. Frame has almost no rust for me thankfully. But I need a new power steering rack (replaced by previous owner at 120k) struts, shocks and upper/lower ball joints, new rear calipers.
Why can't we have a recall on frame rust on the 03 4Runner v8 4.7 ! Can we get any help with this matter !
Nope, Toyota could care less about the 4Runner.
Look it up, there is a class action law layout on it, owners are pushing NHTSA to get Toyota into opening a recall on them
@@fasteddie0318 any updates Eddie? Genuinely curious pls get back to me :(
Good stuff I'd like to see more ladies that can do mechanical work.. your a great inspiration to girls everywhere
Yes, you can tell she's genuine, and enjoys what she does, unlike most women, who are just trying hard to prove to everyone that they can do what boys do.
I own one. Things I will keep an eye on. Thanks for the great videos!
+Frank Spirk Thanks for checking us out! 1aau.to/m/Shop-1AAuto-c
06-09 fixed a few of these problems.
I’m so glad my 4Runner is lived in Colorado all of its life before I purchased it. There’s very little rust underneath and none in the engine bay
I bought a used 2007 SR5 with 51k miles, now is 176k...and guess what... Never had any one of these issues
Same here, '07 SR5 4WD but it's only got abut 107K on it and it's been my baby for 8 years. Every couple of years I spray the frame inside and out with 'fluidfilm' to help resist the framerot, jic.
182,000 . Only the rust at the rear hatch top but there isn’t any salt used on roads here and we’re in the mountains not by the sea
Had 2 4runners had head gaskets go bad within 2 months of each other. One was a 2004 and other was a 2005. Replaced both and they're still going strong. No head gasket problems for 2006 and newer, which is also when they changed the HG design. Strange thing is, very rare for Tacomas of the same years to have a bed HG, just the 4runners. Maybe had something to do with the Tacoma being made in the US and the 4runner in Japan. I talked to Toyota corporate about the problems and they said they had no plans to do a recall on them. I've not heard of anyone having an issue for a 2006 or newer but I'm guessing there's some out there that didn't get the new HG. If I were buying a 4th Gen today, it would be one with the 4.7 V8, best engine Toyota ever built, several 1 million mile 4.7s out there in Tundra's, 4Runners, and 100 series Land Cruisers.
I have a 2004 that the head gaskets just went bad. Did you replace the headgaskets or the whole engine? Ive got estimates ranging $4-6K to replace headgaskets. 2 mechanics said it may be easier to replace the whole engine.
Great video. 2003 -2005 was the best model year. You also dont have that fan that heats up the cats on start up. I gave my relay a couple of love taps and it started working again. I'm currently doing a icon stage 7 setup on mine.
I have a 05 that we bought brand new from the dealer. It’s got 216k on it and it’s never had any of these issues or any major issues. I live in SoCal so the great weather is also a good thing on my toyota.
Have a 2005 and the only one out of these I've had was the head gasket. If I were to add any, the tailgate without spoiler is prone to rust, think that's more common than any of the others. Tailgate lock and window regulator also rusts out, think due to weatherstrip on bottom of window. Frame has been rust protected annually so no problems there. Seized front calipers is another. If has XREAS that will only last maybe 20 years if lucky.
A lot of the rust problems are due to road salt. The HG issue is not a problem on all 4th Gens and the AC issue is because of a bad relay switch which Toyota has known about. My 2003 V6 4wd has 281k miles and the only issue I’ve had was the bad relay switch. Of course I live in California and I don’t have to worry about road salt.
Some of these were only for the V6. Should, or could have talked about the difference between the V6 or V8 problems.. Missed the "Sticking" brake calipers as well.
I just had to replace the sticking brake calipers today. They were warping the rotors
I’ve owned my 03 since new and have 281k miles and I’ve only replaced one brake caliper. I think the issue is road salt, mud, and dirt getting stuck inside the calipers.
I'd like to see you guys do a video on the 96-02 4Runner (3rd Generation!)
There isn’t video cause there are no problems 😜
Mine is a Tennessee resident. A 2004 SR5. No frame or manifold rust, only have 93,000 on it.
Dashboard recall, Toyota begrudgingly agreed to issue a recall after user groups and complaints kept rolling in. Yet Toyota half assed it sent out a first notification stating inventory would take time, then totally went silent. So the deadline passed and I missed the cutoff. Will have to order a dash shell as the cracks are becoming larger. Toyota whiffed on this dash material huge.
Inner 12V 120W charge port also will burn out, it is about $1,000 fix apparently
My 07 has 183k on the clock so far no sign of the problems mentioned in the video. Feeling lucky🤞
I have a 2005 5.3 Tahoe with 330k been very lucky
Spray the bottom if you don’t live in the south
Thanks for this video!
I would like to say that actually there are 3 fusez that are related to the AC
AG1 15, which is in the driver seat area and two more. Thanks for the advice as none of the mehanics knew about it. I advice to read the manual and change the blown fuzes that related to the Ac
God created rust to stop Toyotas from taking over the world
I live in SoCal and we bought a brand new 4runner in 05 and don’t have any of these issues but then again we have great weather over here.
Congrats
Same here in Nor Cal with my 03 with 281k miles.
Besides rusting these vehicles are pretty bulletproof
How long does it take to for rust to affect performance? I do alot of driving so I'll probably go through 200k miles in 4 years
Japan is in the ocean , salt air . Corrosion began there. Why weren’t they covered by the Toyota Corporation ? We buy these cars through them and financed from same corporation. !
Cracked dashboard!
That's every car or truck lmao
There is/was a recall for this. I had mine replaced several years ago, no charge. Check with your dealership
@@richward2288 man I can't find anything about that.
You are absolutely right. And Rich Ward, unfortunately that recall ended many years ago. Luckily for me, the previous owner had it done on my 04 SR5 that currently has 133k miles one. Dash looks brand new.
2003 with 260k miles, no oil leaks no issues!
top 5 problem on Toyota i own for 22 years
1 add gas
2 oil change
3 tire change
4 keep it clean
5 Runs for 600k miles
Thank you for the information! We're about to buy one of these so it's good to know what to look for.
Wow that was mind blowing. Looks like the former owner kept it really salted and that rotted frame is sad.
Info on approx miles/time these items tend to show up would be most helpful. Most seem to be from Max Corrosion Enviroments , generally a 5 year plus time , unless you leave it submerged on Texas Gulf coast. But then it's a total insurance write off. I did have replace a leaky AC Evap core in one @ 260,000 mi. 10+ hr job , less with previous experience. Many concerns rate these vehicles as the most dependable of anything currently still in production. Most of todays stuff doesn't last long enuf to to have these type problems.
I boight a used 2004 v6 and the head gasket gave out. The previous owner said nothing about the car and it's head gasket problem. Cost me 700 bucks to fix, did it myself with a buddy.
change my turn signal switch on my 04 4runner v6 and dash lights it comes on now and then. what else to look for?
We have a 2007 toyota 4 runner and yesterday I had smoke coming inside vehicle. It smells like electric, does anyone have suggestions what it could be
I purchased my 2006 Toyota forerunner in 2009 it had 35,000 miles on it. now it has 262,580 miles on it and I live in Oregon and my forerunner is running very well at this time. The frame on my forerunner is not rusted. The exhaust manifold is not resting, and the starter connections on mine are not rusted. It must be because my vehicle is operated in a state where they do not salt the roads.
Tell me about the p0420 code and is it worth the risk ?
You guys are usually pretty good at what you say and point out but as a Toyota drivability Diagnostics technician for many years and have owned 27 4Runners the head gasket stuff is not true on the four rows or the coolant or the gurgling there's so many different things that cause that and a lot of times it's normal on which state you're in and other issues you pointed out are issues that more or less happen in other states where rust is present
+J T4R Thanks for the tip! We'll pass this info along to our production team.
Now I'm really confused about the gurgling noise. I've read air in the heating core before. Solutions could be running the car for a few minutes with the radiator cap off to adjusting a servo behind the glovebox, to bars leak to help with a head gasket leak. This video scared me a bit, I think because of the lack of hesitation to call it a blown head gasket, so what's up with that?
Thanks for the excellent video. I’m so glad I live in the south so I don’t have to worry about the rust. But I’ll keep my eyes open for the rest. I’m at 120,000 now with no problems yet. From what I understand Toyota doesn’t undercoat.
V6 Timing Belt gasket leak… ugh! And 2003-2010 4Low engagement hardware as an oil leak develops on that transfer case that leaks through to the electronics!
We own a 2003 V8 and 2006 V6 with 200k on either. Love them! They’ll last longer than the frame!
+StriderFilms 12:29 Thanks for the feedback!
'07 sr5 4wd, had to replace the rear diff at about 220k. no other issues outside of that so far, thank god. 250k on it now. still purrin
How much did you spend, I’m in the market for one of these and I’m trying to see what jobs I can’t do myself, Iv done a good amount of work on other cars. But never a rear differential
06 4Runner sr5. engine check on, air and fuel mixture too lean on bank2 p0174. Not sure what to do next
This 4Runner looks like it’s lived halfway in a lake for years my 4Runner still looks brand new
Yeah cause you don’t live in an area where they spread salt everywhere in the winter lol 😂
Now, is this rust issue only for places where cars usually rust??
I believe so. My 4th gen has lived it's whole life in a snow free zone and away from the coast. Besides dirt and clay my frame looks brand new and doesn't have the slightest hint of rust. Only place with rust on the vehicle, is a little bit under the battery tray. One thing I noticed though is the ac drain line drips onto the frame, I ran an extension hose so it drains below the vehicle since I live in a hot humid climate it puts out a lot of water.
Yep
Looking forward to the video series of this 4Runner(oil change, diff fluid change, brakes, clean maf sensor, shock replacement, etc, etc)
😁
I have a 2004 4Runner 4.7L V8 with 374K miles. All original no major work and runs great. I live in California so rust is not an issue and I have none of those problem except my heater. It has been a while since I ran but I think it made the sound she describes. Only cool air flows out of the passenger side. Not sure what the problem is.
What was the engine that failed. Is the V-6 engine OK. Any of these problems can be fixed before it gets to that point where they don’t work or they’re bad.
I own a V6 2005 Toyota 4Runner with 147,000 miles. Just replaced the head gasket and both manifolds.
What part of the country? Rust caused by winter salted roads?
Keep your truck clean and make sure you use fluid film or krown to preserve the frame and other oarts
Thanks for your videos 👍
You are exactly right the frames are the same only thing is rear coil on 4Runner leaf on the trucks and the body mounts added for 4Runner also back bumper area is part of the frame on the runner it’s under the plastic bumper cover I think the wheel base might be a little different cause that rear bumper frame sticks out so the spare can go in then there is the 3-4 inch deep rease hitch receiver I’ve had to drill another hole in them and cut off 3-5 inches so they would be close to the rear bumper
If my frame is as rotted as that one is it already too late to put spray coating on to slow it down? Great video love the northeast accent ❤
+@cotterpolt5309 Thanks for checking us out! 1aau.to/m/Shop-1AAuto-c
I have an 03 with 221,000 miles.. Watch out for ABS pump going out. Abs and brake light come on with constant alarm sound. Not to mention pedal hard as a rock. Luckily it was parked and did this right when i started it. I disconnected the battery for 10 min or so and its fine now.. But will happen again unless replaced
Can't tell you how glad I am to read this. My dad told me $1,000 for ABS system that is next to impossible to find. Can you please tell me what disconnecting the battery does?
Got scammed and bought a 2004 sr5 v6 with 230k miles for $5k few years back. Ended up finding that it ate a cup of coolant every few weeks(even a trained mechanic would have trouble finding this leak). One night accidentally didn't tighten radiator cap enough from refill and wife drove it till it overheated the next day, would barely even turn over now. Well, ended up doing the job myself in a week in the yard, milled heads to .003 and oem gasket set. 700$. I also did an entire valve train job for bucket clearance which I probably saved 2k on just doing myself(not for the impatient). I thought the HG was a rare occurrence but the more I go online I see more and more instances. Car has 270k now and haven't lost 1 drop of coolant, no oil consumption. I wouldnt have done this type of thing with any other car though, I did my research and found the HG issue wasn't detrimental in early stages with this engine. Dont buy the v6 with more than 200k if you don't want to deal with it. Even so, its not like its even a 10%chance so do what you feel 😁
+bulbous Thanks for the feedback!
We had a 03, 4 runner, the frame rusted away, other than the rust , never had any problems ,247,208 miles when we had to let it go, it was like going through a death in the Family. Will not buy a new Toyota Vehicle again.......Toyota left us behind. How much more would it have cost to paint the frame Properly?????????????????????
128,800 miles on my 09 Tacoma. I've replaced things and all. Even the frame. Only things now I can really do is the air filter and a wheel bearing
I live in new york and I own one limited 2003 got it new. I never had any of those problem except the rust and the frame is not as bad as thta one.
Loved this video. Great choice of host!
Love these people! Always great info
My frame is identical to the one in this video.... A sixth problem, internal rust on the rear hatch specifically around the perimeter of the rear window. I blamed that liquid salt brine they use on the roads here in New England for the rust, no amount of car washing will get it off. I've also got a blown head gasket, about 120k miles ago... It's now my official car to park at the commuter lot and weekend dump runs. It's worth nothing but the truck is like one of my pets, I won't put it down until it kicks the bucket on it's own.
Yep same here I had to replace my back door cause of the rust and then my new doors electronics shit the bed a half a year in :( I’m so sad plus now I’m having my transfer case leak for the second time
This was a damn good video - thank you!!
My GF has a 2001 4Runner. Many mechanics keep asking her if she wants to sell it.
I bought a boat with a frame that had rust just like that example. I think the thick paint was the only thing holding it together! I ended up buy a brand new galvanized trailer for the boat.
Had my 2007 Limited 4.7L V8 4Runner since new. 220K on it so far. This video is spot on though I believe it conflates some of the common issues on the V8 with the V6's.
Issues I've had:
Cracked manifolds - Oh yeah. Had the first ones welded up but the passenger side only lasted about a year. Bought new factory right and left to replace them this time, just haven't gotten around to it yet.
AC relay - Definitely. Have had to replace it twice so far. I keep a new extra on hand. When the AC light starts blinking it's a 2 minute fix.
Rust isn't really such an issue since I live in Central US and I always treat the entire undercarriage to the occasional dousing with Fluid Film. And no issues with any leaks anywhere, yet.
Not any issue with the starter either but on the 4.7L the starter is on top buried under the intake manifold where terminals/wires won't rust/corrode so easy but will be a pretty major job to replace.
If you have a 4.7L like me make sure you replace that timing belt every 100K since unlike the V6 it's an interference engine. If you don't and it slips/breaks bye bye engine. Best to only use the oem AISIN parts and get the kit to do the water pump while you're in there.
Thanks man. Has your transmission leaked at all? That’s what I’m dealing with right now for the second time after having already replaced the transmission fuel lines
09 V6 4runner getting a lot of oil in the intake and smoking... now it's in limp mode what could that be?
so, if there is frame rust and holes like that, what can be done?
Drive until it falls through hehe
Anyone had their manifold crack on the b8? Wondering if this is the smell that comes when I gas it a little on the highway
I just got my mom's car that she got recently but really doesn't drive it so I'm taking it over for me and my family and it's completely stock and it has 199,230 miles and it runs like jts brand new everything is factory but I'll be giving her a tune up and a little touch up to give it a nice look. It does have the 3rd row seatting. I'm going to turn it into a daily/ overlanding semi off road vehicle but it is the V6 4.0 2wd I'll be putting a portable 180 psi air compresser in the back and putting the nitto ridge grapplers on it once the Hankook Dyanapro at2 wear down and putting the bug shield on and some rain guards
Hi can you please say something about highlandercars my is 2003 y I’m very happy good car so far ❤
Good point! “Why not the 4Runner?”
I have an 04 4.0 4Runner never had any of these problems has 242k no frame rot at all don’t know we’re they found this 4Runner
Glad I live in west Texas so I don't have to worry about corrosion like that. Even when I lived in Seattle, cars/trucks didn't look like that. Salt kills. Kinda feel sorry for folks who live in the rust belt and work on their own vehicles.
I don't have any of these issues. No rust at all. Maybe because I'm in Socal.
If the 4Runner turns over but doesn't start, it may be the transponder in the key stopped communicating. That doesn't happen often with genuine Toyota keys, but it happened to me after a month with a key that I bought on Amazon. It gradually stopped working. Probably frequency drift in the transponder that knocked it off frequency.
Had an 04 4runner got scammed guy knew it had a head gasket leak had it for almost 2 months before i realized it had the issue. Spent 3600 getting it fixed. New head gaskets new timing chain old one was stretched out... less the 4k miles later engine blew up on me...
I had a similar issue , bought an 03 runner back in september. id like to believe that the people who bought it from the auction didn’t know about the problem the motor had. after two months of owning it it started throwing blue smoke on the start up. took it to a mechanic turns out the piston rings were fried. 5k later on just the motor alone it’s still throwing smoke
Corrosion arround small deck coolant transfer holes between block's cylinders is often misdiagnosed as gasket vs maintaince issue. New gaskets seem to solve the problem , but often fail to seal after minimal use. Sum times slight deck resurface can fix or a steel tube fitted ,then machined level to deck. Either case requires complete removal and taredown. A Pricey Project to say the least.
Life time Toyota owner. I’ve had everyone of those problems on different trucks, some exact problems namely the air relay on my 4th Gen at 230k/kms. Also have no Trac control I think that is also a huge issue.
Have you ever had the transfer module case leak? How did you handle it?
very useful information
Thanks