Comments: 1-15, 16-22
Brakes.
Wheel bearings.
Paint.
Transmission didn't like to shift from park.
When my 1988 Buick LeSabre was stolen, my parents insisted on buying me a Toyota 4Runner. I was totally against it because the old versions were slow and clumsy. They bought it anyways and it turned out to be a big mistake. We would have been better off keeping their 1991 Plymouth Voyager.
The reason you got such bad gas was because you had a automatic they suck up more gas and have less take off than standards.
Occasionally a lemon may roll off the production line, this is a unfortunate truth of mass production. But I've got to say that your comments are totally unfounded. These are some of the most reliable vehicles out there, and with regular maintenance and care they will run forever. You can't compare a car to a truck, that should be obvious. Of course it is heavy and clumsy, it's a truck. But will your old Buick get you to the top of a mountain? Will it get you through a snow storm safely?
Yeah I have a 1990 4runner and what a piece of CRAP it is.!!!
I have done the heads twice by Toyota. and it looks like another major engine problem on the horizon now. I can't even give it away for $7500 Canadian and it only has 175000kms.
Nothing but junk and a gas eater with a Gas tank made for a Chevy sprint.
Crap Crap Crap.
Completely agree with review. Got 9 miles/gallon, slow vehicle, very overrated. Plus is that chicks dig it -- when they don't have to own it.
I work for toyota and from my experience my 90 4 runner is a great under powered vehicle, but I love it.
Rich.
Hey, People... I think we should have some reservations here if you don't have experience with toyota trucks. I owned a T100 toyota '93 3.0ltr 2WD for 7 years never had any problems. I changed the transmition once. Due to fiancial dificulties, I sold it. Four months later I got a 1990 4Runner - engine same as '93 T100 truck - 3.0ltr, automatic transmition, 4WD and... loaded. I have a lot of respect for the truck. I never had any problems since I got it - it has power and runs great. Gas milleage is greate $5.0 takes you to SF to and fro. I replaced the front brakes recently, but these trucks last forever if you maintain it well.
People, lets compare apples to apples. If you want good fuel
economy buy a firefly. Toyota has never claimed great fuel
economy with these vehicles. I own a 1990 Toyota 4-runner,
3.0L 4x4 and it is a fantastic vehicle. Its looks good, and drives great. I am a head technician at an import dealer and I can only say that if you don't like this vehicle there is not much out there that will satisfy you. Possibly
your vehicle, like so many others has been neglected and
is in dire need of repair. If you maintain these vehicles
they will last for along time. I suggested to my wife that
we trade up for a newer one, but she just won't part with it.
Not everyones experiences are all the same so if your
looking for power maybe you drive the the snot out of your vehicle. next time spend a little extra and buy a tank, its
the next best thing.
I owned a 1992 4 runner, and not own a Land Cruiser. The 4 runner was the most reliable car I have ever owned! I lived in Cal, went to Mexico with it. later moved to the Uk, and had it shipped. I drove all over the Uk, even, spain and france! We shipped it back, moved to the south and drove it across the US more than a few times, even went to Canada. Sure, I maintained the car. When I sold it the she had some 165,000 miles on it. Fixes? An AC compressor, 2 sets of plugs and wires. Nothing else, ever. I love them and would (and have) hight recommended them to any and all. In fact I have a number of friends that have Toyotas and never hear a bad word about them. Now, US made ford or chevy, well that is another matter. (junk)
We have a 1990 4Runner. In 1987 our head gaskets were repaired under the recall at no charge to us. October 7,2002 they needed replacing again at our expense ($1525.25). Two days later the bad head gaskets replaced on 10-7-02 caused the motor to over-heat and that caused head and block damage, another $3,000.00 to $4,000.00 at our expense. Toyota will not stand behind the second repair. If you think this is a nightmare, just check the internet and see how many 4Runners are having this problem. You will be shocked. I have found an attorney in Idaho who has a class action lawsuit against Toyota for this problem. Please people if you have a 4Runner between 1988 & 2000 & you have this problem, please seek out this attorney. Amarolaw@msn.com
We also do not get good gas mileage, we have replaced the transmission,& also have invested approx. $6,000.00 in misc.
Repairs. Good luck to you if you don't have problems.
I have a 1990 4runner myself. It looks brand new and run great. I had the recall fixed on it and have not had any other problems out of it. I get about 16 miles to the gallon. Which isn't bad for a 4X4.
I just want to know if anyone else has problems getting the recall fixed. I went to the dealership and they told me that my VIN # was no longer on the list able to get these repairs taken care. Luckily I have mechanic friends to help so it will only set me back in parts, but I am just curious as to how long recalls last. Obviously the previous owner neglected the vehicle, but she's still got plenty of power and handles tremendously off-road. I wouldn't part with her unless someone offered my one in much better condition.
I have a 1993 4-runner 4wd. Had the head gasket replaced
once when the truck had 56k miles under warranty and then
again at 186k mikes under the recall. did a full tune up with all toyota parts, installed a new k&n air filter. Getting crappy gas mileage. Checked it for the last four tanks and getting 11.5 to 12.6, that's about 198 miles per
tank. on't have any idea why the mileage is sooooo crappy.
Cars, and trucks break. Some more than others. I have owned roughly 24 vehicles in the last 18 years, and The 4runner is by far the most reliable, except for my 81 celica which the engine out lived the frame at 300,000 miles, and engine would still not dies, hence the reason I purchased the 4runner. Mine is an 88', and get decent mileage for a v6 with 4x4. I got worse mileage out of my nissan 4x4 4 cyl.
Bottom line. If you buy a vehicle that has not been maintained it WILL have problems. With toyoya (only the 3.0, and 22R) they take abuse, and still have very little problems. On a 10 scale Toy's rate an 8 for reliability. Second being Volvo.
I have 4Runner 1991. It runs great and still in excelence condition. I never have problem with the engine. The nagative of this truck is easy to get rusty. I have to replace gas line two seperate place due to rusty. Now it is 170k miles and I still likes it.
I recently bought a well maintained 1990 4-Runner, with about 210,000 miles (300,000 Kilometers, here in Canada). Nothing has gone wrong except that in very cold weather (minus 20 Celsius, or about minus 4 Fahrenheit) the engine has trouble starting. I think it is a partially frozen gas-line, but I am not sure. Does anyone have any information about this problem? I know it is not the battery!!!