X-REAS rear shocks leaking

Hey there,

I have a 2015 Toyota 4Runner limited and was told that my x-reas suspension needs to be replaced due to two rear shocks that are leaking. Apparently, the entire system needs to be replaced for $6500 and there is no guarantee that it will not happen again. The dealership recommends converting the system to a lower grade suspension. I have 46,000 miles on the vehicle, we maintain service with the dealership, and it is in a garage year round. Has this happened to anyone else?

 

A lot of owners of Limited 4Rs have dumped the XREAS for a simpler system. Don't believe the dealership about the "lower grade suspension" bs. There's plenty of better shock systems than the XREAS for a fraction of the cost they want to replace it.

It sucks that your shocks only lasted 46k miles, but I'd seriously look into replacing them with aftermarket.

 

The dealership also told us they we could buy the conversion kit on line and then they would do the labor. This would cost us around $3800! So ridiculous... We live in a small city and only have that one Toyota dealership. Any advice? We are even thinking about just trading it in and purchasing a new vehicle. Definitely not going to spend $6500 for a repair that may not work! We also called the Toyota customer service and pretty much got no where. This is a defect and really should be a factory recall!

 

I'm not too familiar with the limited suspension, I own an Off Road, but they aren't that much different besides the shock system. You can get a set of Eibach or Bilstein shocks that would replace what you have for around $600. Not that hard to swap. Do you know of a local shop who could install them besides the dealership?

Perhaps more limited owners will chime in with what they used for the XREAS replacements...

 

We do not have a local mechanic here but will ask around. We always used the dealership but never had huge problems like this with any of our vehicles. Thanks so much for the info!

 

There’s another thread on here from fairly recently where a guy had the exact same thing happen. 40k miles and the x-reas system was shot.

As mentioned, yes, you can simply get some aftermarket shocks (ex. Bilsteins) and completely bypass the x-reas system. And you’ll very likely be content with the results.

You should be able to get the whole thing done, parts and labor, for under $1500 depending on the shocks you choose.

If you purchase the shocks online, a very top end price for install should be under $1000 (likely in the $600-800 range, depending on where you live). Dealerships might charge more.

 

Not as recent as I thought but here it is...
https://www.4runners.com/threads/4runner-limited-buyer-beware-x-reas-suspension-fails.7894/

 

Some reading for you. Search the forum for x-reas or xreas and you’ll get a bunch of hits.

https://www.4runners.com/threads/x-reas-system-replaced-under-warranty.9044/

https://www.4runners.com/threads/what-shocks-struts-do-i-use-to-replace-x-reas.11964/

https://www.4runners.com/threads/xreas-issues-looking-for-aftermarket-replacement-all-4-corners.12492/

https://www.4runners.com/threads/changing-out-xreas.2878/

 

Thank you! So appreciate your help!

 

Dealerships will charge more.

 

For $3800 just get some nice Kings and a nice set of UCA’s and dump the XREA system.