2025 4runner reliability

It's overall scores, and CR hates almost everything that isn't a family sedan/CUV... the JL/JT really drags them down.

 

I’ve had a Wrangler in my garage more years than not since high school. I put 115K+ on my JK and then sold it to my nephew who is still driving it today. I haven’t seen it lately but he passed 160K awhile ago and it was running fine. I put about 50K miles on my JL before I got rid of it as the rust situation was a deal breaker for me. Other than a steering stabilizer replaced under warranty, I don’t remember the JL ever being back at the dealer for anything mechanical, just oil changes. My older Jeeps and AMC products had some electrical and vacuum line gremlins, but they served me well. I think the newer models are suffering from issues with technology, and personally Id never buy a hybrid or electric anything from Jeep. OTOH, the new hurricane inline 6 sure sounds promising and might entice me back to a 2 door rubicon if Jeep finally sorts out the rust issues and they actually offer the I6 in a 2 door.

 

Since we're on the reliability topic:

https://youtu.be/EyI4ujjxxuk?si=QrrxaswQ6AxkIxo_

 

Toyotas reliability reputation was so good because they used the same engines for a decade. So of course they became bulletproof. But those engines had issues too when they were new. So now the cycles restarting. They will have issues until they iron them out over the next few years.

 

I'm assuming this was a long time ago. Because newer Jeeps are nothing like old Jeep.

 

I sold my 2018 Tacoma Off-Road last August because I put 93k on it and sold for $2000 less than I paid new. I was planning on buying a 2024 Limited Tacoma but the price was outrageous for a mid size truck. I drove a Frontier Pro 4x, I was impressed, but no power slider, telescoping steering or auto up/down windows. So I drove 2024 and 2023 Tacomas and then for kicks a 4Runner. No comparison, the 4Runner blew them all away. . I am the proud owner of a new TRDPro and don't regret it for a second. There are lots of issues with the 24 Tacoma and I don't see the 2025 4Runner being much better.

 

I haven't heard of anything bad about the turbo I4 in the 4runner/LC250 (apart from people wishing it was a V6), all the focus has been on the turbo V6 which had main bearing issues. Maybe I missed something.

The V6 main bearing issue is supposedly from inadequate cleaning of junk left from casting. What that shows is that the manufacturing process was flawed, it has nothing to do with the engine design. I won't defend it, that is a huge screw up by Toyota.

Is anyone here actually taking their engine apart? Everyone who has their vehicle listed in this thread has a 5th gen, and the 5th gen section has nobody doing advanced work to their engines. It's mostly threads about mods and oil. So I don't think there is much skin in the game. The most I did on mine was a camshaft, and that was for a maintenance item eliminated on the 1GR/2TR. The fuel injectors on the valve cover does suck.

If we get several years into this engine and Toyota still can't put out a trouble free engine, then we can start dooming about reliability. This conversation happens with every new engine, and it probably occurred long before we had the internet to document it. For me, it's still too soon to tell.

 

New owner of a ‘24 4R TRD PRO. Bought it with the thought of not wanting the new technology (‘25) and rather have the last year of the longest lasting generation.

With that said, there was some mention earlier in this thread of quality isssues starting in ‘20. What should I be aware of? Should I get the infamous “extended warranty” on a Toyota?

 

I don't see a reason to buy extended warranty when you don't have XREAS or KDSS. XREAS normally start to leak after warranty expired. KDSS problems like lean, in Lexus world they already have service bulletin to fix it but never seen in 4runner recalls. I've seen KDSS leaks fixed by extended warranty if not it may or may not a hefty bill depending what leaks. TRD Pro is pretty much same as trusty reliable non-KDSS TRD Off-road with added features like automatic lights, climate control, jbl sound, etc.

But for a TRD Pro just pay attention to workmanship of suspension, roof rack, skids, wheels and tires as they are added here in the USA.

Eg-
- If you see the paint marks on the suspension turned, take it to dealership, them might have not torqued to spec.
- If you experience steering vibration take it to dealership. Wheels and tires may not be balanced after they are installed. (I paid my own money to my trusted tire shop as I don't really trust dealership wheel balance)
- If you experience roofrack bolts loose or crossbars loose, take it to dealership. (My crossbars were loose and I tighten myself)

 

Turbos have been around much longer than V-TEC. Toyota has been making hybrids almost 30 years. None of this is new.

Whether or not the new 4Runner will be as reliable as the current generation is definitely questionable, though. As optimistic as I've been, the issues with the tundra and new Tacoma are not very reassuring.

 

I read that there have been some issues with the transmission in the new Tacos. Hopefully this gets worked out quickly.

 

Yes. Honda use to be King for value, reliability, resale etc. but over the years got cheap and cut corners and quality and then declined. I kinda feel like Toyota is on the beginning of this path past few years as well which worries me about their next gen vehicles.

recently rented a 24 Camry, thought I was driving a Carolla compared to my old 07 Camry.

 

yes, obsolescence and seems moving more to try and slip in yearly subscription plans so on vehicles you have to pay if you want to use heaters or windows or gps etc.

 

I think there is some truth to this. There is no incentive to "overbuild" vehicles any longer to compete. Nobody else is. Honda was Toyota's main competition in the reliability/longevity segment and Honda has fallen off.

I see it in other makes. My parent's had 90s Merc C-Class and BMW 3-Series. They replaced them with the equivalent early 2010s and there is a clear downgrade. My 4th Gen 4Runner was built better than my 5th Gen as good as it is.

 

I blame EPA for ruining Honda reliability. Honda had no option but go cylinder deactivation and direct injection only, resulting almost all 2016+ Honda Pilots to have premature injector failures and already have warranty extension program.
Having million gears to save gas going to ZF9 transmission also didn't help them and now ditching ZF transmissions and new Honda 10 speed may (or not) help.
The turbo route having oil dilution problems and recommended short oil changes not help customers as well.
New Acuras with both cylinder deactivation and turbo with direct injection only sounds like the worst idea on planet. Not sure what headaches they will give.

Now Toyota on same sinking boat imo.

 

The new vehicles are small motors with turbos, hybrids. Etc. I know turbos have been around

 

EPA is regulating Diesels out of existence in the name of green politics.

 

2.4 liters is not small for a 4 cylinder, though. It's actually pretty big.

 

True. The newer heavy duty pickups are way less appealing than the older ones. Worse fuel economy, more maintenance, etc..

 

My 2010 Outback is a 2.5, 243k miles so far, although it's probably not long for this world. It's also not nearly as heavy as a 4R.

 

Your Scooby Do weighs somewhere between 3,386 to 3,658 lbs, the 2024 4Runner weighs somewhere between 4,400 to 4,805 lbs, 1100 to 1200 lbs more. That's a lot more weight to be carrying around for a little 4 cylinder.

 

What does that have to do with anything?

 

As you noted, 2.4L is not an especially small engine and it's been extremely reliable. True, it doesn't power something as heavy as a 4R, but it's not unusual for people to tow several thousand pounds with them.

 

But, this engine is built for turbo-charging. It makes more power than the 1GR, and at lower RPM's. It also has more main bearings than the 1GR.

I just don't think an N/A 2.5 liter 4 cylinder from another manufacturer has anything to do with how reliable the new 4Runner will be.

 

Interestingly, Subaru has two versions of their boxer 2.5L 4-cylinder engine - Naturally Aspirated for regular cars and Turbo for STI and a few special high-end trims. That is, up to recently when Subaru went all-in on turbos across almost all new cars. As a long-term multi-Subaru owner, these turbo engines were as-reliable as regular engines, EXCEPT that turbo failure at around 100K was always there. That is, if your Subaru had a turbo engine you budget for complete turbo replacement at around 8 years/100K and NA would just keep going.

 

Comparing it to Subaru engines is a bit apples to oranges.
I'd take Toyota's straight 4 cylinder over Subaru's horizontally opposed 4 cylinder any day of the week.

Also I believe IHI still makes Subaru's turbos and I have seen many of those OE turbo's outlive the engine their attached to...
Just my experience but I think having to replace the turbo every 100k is a bit unfounded.

 

My 20yr old pre-def 7,000# diesel gets better MPG than either one of our 4Runners and still has 325hp/600 ft.lbs.
But….it’s still a Dodge, the best hotdog you’ve ever had wrapped in a moldy bun.

 

My 4runner has a 2.7 4 cylinder. I consider 2.4 medium size for a car, most are 2 liters because someone published a study that 500 cc was the optimal displacement per cylinder for efficiency. 3 liters and above is what I would start considering large for an I4.

Large displacement I4 are cool, but I'd rather have the improved balance of a V6 or an I6 if they are gonna start adding displacement. A V4 would technically be better but nobody cares about those apart from moto gp

 

Cmon man I mean no v6s, v8s

 

Yeah, I get what you're saying. Smaller engines than you'd normally see in the vehicle.

I'll knock it off now.