This truck has been reliable up until a few weeks ago when the head gasket blew.
Other than that I have replaced the AC pump and radiator.
Like the review before mine, and almost a perfect ditto:
Apparently there were recalls on 1995 4Runners' head gaskets, so I called the corporate office only to find that my VIN # in particular is not covered.
I have maintained the vehicle regularly. It has a new timing belt.
I have had minor problems that were easily remedied in the past, but now the truck is worth nothing and very expensive to fix.
Toyota is talking 1700.-1800. to have the head gasket replaced.
I just had the Timing Belt, Radiator, AC pump, all belts, hoses, and tune-up done/replaced. I can't afford to have the head gasket replaced right now.
I was really set on trading it in on a new 4Runner until this happened. Now I'm not so sure I'll even consider buying another one, much less another Toyota.
With 4Runners no longer holding their retail value, I knew it was going to be tough to get rid of it anyway; now I'm stuck with a dead truck I still owe money on.
In any other position I would consider this just a fluke, it never overheated before, all of a sudden the head gasket's blown. "Must have been time."
But, after reading reviews on how nearly All 4Runners experience this sooner or later, compared to other cars/trucks "only blowing a head gasket when the engine gets over heated way too badly" I think Toyota stinks for not fixing this for all 4runner owners.
Very bummed, looks like it's back to Nissan's from now on.. No more Toyota's!
It's a shame to hear of your misfortune. Our '95 4Runner has almost 200K (3.0) and not under recall. Read the Consumers Report on the '03 4Runners regarding the 3.4 with disappointing recall issues. The 4.7 is recommended. However the rear bumpers on the new models are so flimsy, the 5 mph rear crash tests caused considerate damage rating the 4Runner as "Unacceptable". The time will come to replacing the wife's 210K Camry and will be a tough choice on next long lasting model/manufacturer. We're leaning to the Nissan Pathfinder, new body design. The repair records seem to be above average for the model with more rigid bumpers than Toyota. Just hope the pricing is within reach.
My '95 4Runner SR5 4X4 V6 did not qualify for the head gasket recall either. The head gasket went at 103,000 miles. At that point, I started researching the issue. The number of vehicles this has happened to is amazing. Makes me question all the Toyota hype!
Very unfortunate that you had this problem. should have done some research before you purchased it. Just to let you know Toyota is now the #1 selling car company right now. Try using a mechanic that uses official Toyota updated head gaskets and you might not keep having this problem.
I also have head gasket problems. I have a 1997 Tacoma with 88031 miles on it and it is in the shop right now. I have every maintenance record and have never missed a single thing. The truck has NEVER overheated, but the head gasket blew anyway. Toyota told me my trucks Vin number did not match the recall so I'm out of luck. The part of the gasket that broke was the same problem that the recall trucks had. It is an after burn leak. In other words it leaks after the piston has fired so the water goes out the exhaust. I'm sure Toyota uses the same gasket no matter where the truck was assembled so why don't they include mine in the recall lot?
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