Best and Worst Years for Toyota 4Runner

If you’re going to purchase a pre-owned Toyota 4Runner, these are the model years you should avoid:

• 2000

• 2003

• 2004

• 2005

Toyota 4Runner Problems by Model Year

2000 Model

Model year 2000 Toyota 4Runners have issues when off-road, oddly enough. For some reason, Toyota removed the locking rear differential on the 2000 and 2001 4Runner, which is key for off-road enthusiasts. Moreover, the 2020 4Runner has no manual transmission, which could have been used to navigate shortcomings with the lack of a locking rear differential. 

The 2000 Toyota 4Runner also has a serious rusting problem, and lacks a quality paint job. Finding a model year 2000 4Runner without cosmetic problems is rare; if you do spot one, chances are it’s had plenty of work done and has been repainted.

2003 to 2005 Models

The 2003 through 2005 4Runners may be Toyota’s worst. All three model years have serious rusting issues, so much so that many owners report severe rust accumulating on the vehicle’s frame. This generation also had widespread reports of head gaskets leaking or failing, which is an expensive issue for owners. Air injection pump failures, a faulty anti-lock braking system, and glitchy check engine light are also reported. Inside, dash cracking and melting was reported. 

By model year, the 2003 Toyota 4Runner has the most owner complaints, making it the worst 4Runner ever.

The Best Years for the Toyota 4Runner

If you’re looking to buy a reliable, quality pre-owned Toyota 4Runner, these are the model years to look for:

• 1995

• 1996

• 1997

• 1998

• 2001

• 2007

• 2008

• 2009

• 2010

• 2011

• 2012

• 2016

• 2017

• 2020

The Highest Rated Toyota 4Runner Years

Overall, it’s a widely held belief that the 2017 Toyota 4Runner is the best pre-owned 4Runner you can buy.

Typically, Edmunds and Kelley Blue Book score a 4Runner roughly 4.5 / 5 stars, and JD Power hasn’t rated every model year of the 4Runner. Still, some years are rated better than average, with the 2001, 2009, and 2012 ranked among the best model years of the Toyota 4Runner.

• The 2001 model sees a 4.8 / 5 stars, and the 2017 earned 4.6 /5 stars and JD Power’s highest rating for a 4Runner with a score of 87 / 100. 

• The 2009 4Runner did well (4.5 stars from Edmunds, 4.8 stars from Kelley Blue Book, and 84 / 100 from JD Power) as did the 2012 (4.5 stars from Edmunds, 4.6 stars from Kelley Blue Book, and 84 / 100 from JD Power).

The Most Common Toyota 4Runner Issues

Rust

As noted, many model years of the Toyota 4Runner suffer from rust issues, with some model years experiencing rust in the frame and undercarriage. Before you buy a pre-owned 4Runner, be sure you examine the body panels and frame carefully for rust.

Brake issues

Some Toyota 4Runners suffer from brakes that lock up temporarily. This was mostly reported on 2014 4Runners, but was also reported in 2017 models. The brake master cylinder and rotor were to blame, so check to ensure this has been remedied before purchasing a used 4Runner.

Transmission Problems

From 1990 to 2016, 4Runners were prone to transmission issues as a result of bad throttle sensors or faulty solenoids. These are easily remedied.

Other Questions you Might Have

Is the Toyota 4Runner a reliable truck? 

Absolutely. Save for rusting and paint issues, most 4Runner concerns are repairable, and it’s widely viewed as a reliable vehicle.

Are issues easy to fix on a Toyota 4Runner? 

Typically, yes, though newer model years have computer systems and sensors that might be troublesome for at-home garage mechanics.

What should I do before buying a used Toyota 4Runner? 

Always have a used vehicle inspected by a mechanic you trust, and get a vehicle history report from CarFax or another reputable agency.