1997 Toyota 4Runner SR5 2WD review from North America

Replaced driver side wheel bearing and entire hub assembly. Previous owner welded the old bearing in place and didn't disclose the fact. The repair cost a lot more than just a wheel bearing replacement.

Replaced timing belt, tensioner and water pump - Part of scheduled maintenance.

Replaced battery, spark plugs and wires - Part of maintenance.

Need to replace oxygen sensor - Part of maintenance.

Front brake rotors are warping prematurely. Seems to be a regular problem with these trucks. My previous gen 4Runner had the same problem.

Vibration issues at highway speeds, most likely due to alignment. These trucks need to have an alignment done more frequently than most cars. But then again, they weigh almost twice as much as a regular car, so what can you expect.

The truck has been great overall. Compared to my previous Blazer, it has been very reliable and has never left me stranded.

Most of the repairs that I have had to make so far are part of the scheduled maintenance, many of which the previous owner neglected. One of the main things that I love about my 4Runner is the predictability of maintenance. Compared to the Blazer where various parts would just break randomly.

The cost of parts are little bit more expensive than a domestic vehicle. However, since you can plan for when the repairs need to be made, it's a worthwhile trade off.