1994 Toyota 4Runner 6 cylinder from North America

Faults:

I bought the 4Runner in March of 2003 with 125,000 miles on it... in August of same year, the engine blew, so I spent $1800 on a refurbished engine that had 118,000 miles on it...

One year later the water pump went out, so in August had it replaced, then oil pressure kept going low, fixed that.

Went out this a.m. and the engine is over heating again... this is only 4 months after having the water pump replaced... they believe it is a blown head gasket... Why do they do this???

And why on earth does the Kelly Blue Book state a high value? Ripping people off defines high value??? I now question Kelly Blue Book's ulterior motive... Banks go by the Blue Book when lending the money, owners who are trying to sell the 4Runners won't come off of their asking price because of what the Blue Book states... so we finance a 4Runner for 3 years, but CANNOT USE it after the first year... what on earth is going on! I'm basically financing a 4Runner for the body, not to be able to drive it!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 2nd January, 2008

1994 Toyota 4Runner SR5 3.0 from North America

Summary:

Awesome truck, expensive maintenence

Faults:

Bought the car knowing it needed some work.

Needed lower ball joints, idler arm, and front brakes.

Clutch just went at 292KMs.

Has some rust which is hardly unusual.

General Comments:

I really love this truck, but its very hard for a student to afford who can't do any of the work himself.

I needed to get new pads, rotors and calipers. It cost me $700.

The idler arm only costs $20 for the repair kit, but to get it and the lower ball joints cost $400.

Now the clutch is gonna cost me about $1,000, so I might have to sell it, because I don't have any money to fix it.

I have to say that I am very impressed with the performance I got when I was off roading with it. Considering theres no lift, it has great clearance, and I chewed threw mud that my buddies who had way bigger trucks then me got stuck in.

I would definitely recommend this truck, but have it inspected first and be prepared to pay big bucks if it needs work. Definitely good for off road though.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th August, 2007

1994 Toyota 4Runner SR5 V6 from North America

Faults:

I too have had the same problem with my 4Runner. Yes, the head gaskets were replaced some time ago by the previous owner under the recall, however, I have found myself in the same position as the prior. BLOWN AGAIN! I've always been a great supporter of Toyota Vehicles, but I must say, I've lost faith. Now, I am facing roughly $2000.00 to repair the truck and no longer want to keep it. Is there some way that the dealership will cover the costs? Will they fix it a second time. I maintain my 4runner and believe that it is yet again, a manufacturing issue. Any advice?

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 2nd October, 2006

21st Jan 2007, 12:21

I have a friend who was in the exact position you are facing. He bought his '92 4Runner off a guy who had the entire 3.0L motor replaced by ToyMoCo at 250,000KM. 90,000KM later, the HG blew again, and that was not covered by Toyota Canada. Cost him about $3500.

I have an '88 4x4 pickup with the 3.0L (first year of production), and apparently the HG was made from asbestos, so it's supposedly not as prone to failure as the graphite ones in the '89-95 models. I have almost 300,000KM on mine, and it still runs great. If the HG was to go on mine, I would just junk it.

28th Aug 2009, 09:48

Listen, these vehicles are not perfect. If you know that the head gasket that Toy offers has a problem, then get one from someone else, an aftermarket brand like Felpro or TRD.

Also on the point of repair cost, I rebuilt my entire engine out of my 91 for the cost of parts ($700.00) simply because I got a manual and learned to do it myself. The job took as long as it would have if I paid someone to do it for me.

So all I can say is never go to the dealer for repairs, just parts and a service manual ($100-200) well worth the $$ and shut the TV off, get out there and get your hands greasy and then you will know how to help your friend that has the same problem!!!

Happy wrenching to ya!!