2nd gen Toyota 4Runner 1990–1995

Watch out for

Reputation: what owners and the press report. Tap one to see what to check.

• Head gasket failure V6

  What to check: Ask for records of head gasket work and which gaskets were used, and look for signs of past overheating. Members say a dealer can look up by VIN whether Toyota's head gasket work was done.

  Trail4Runner calls it a common 3.0 problem.

  Sources ^1,2,3,4

• Rust in the tailgate and body All years

  What to check: Look over the tailgate, the area around the rear glass and the body panels.

  Two members in two threads say the bodies rust badly, one naming the tailgate and the area around the rear window. Trail4Runner says there is little factory support left for body parts.

  Sources ^2,4,1,5

• Rear window that drops or sticks All years One source so far

  What to check: Run the tailgate glass all the way down and up a few times.

  Five members in one thread offer causes. Three point to a failing motor or worn gears between the motor and the regulator, one cured theirs by lubricating a dry track, and one suspects the relay.

  Sources ⁶

• Slow engagement into reverse Automatics One source so far

  What to check: Shift from park and from neutral into reverse, and feel for a delay.

  Consumer Guide blames weak springs inside the transmission.

  Sources ⁷

• Transfer case slip or chatter 4WD, 1990–1992 One source so far

  What to check: Feel for slip or chatter when accelerating.

  Consumer Guide puts it down to a leaking or damaged clutch in the transfer case.

  Sources ⁷

• Clutch judder 4WD manuals, 1990–1994 One source so far

  What to check: Pull away from a stop and feel for judder.

  Consumer Guide says Toyota fitted a larger clutch to 4x4 models because of it.

  Sources ⁷

• Heavy oil use from sludge 1993–1995 One source so far

  What to check: Ask how much oil it uses between changes.

  Consumer Guide blames sludge on the cylinder heads and says Toyota extended the warranty. It does not say which engine.

  Sources ⁷

Complaints by year

• 1990 79 complaints
• 1991 43 complaints
• 1992 53 complaints
• 1993 53 complaints
• 1994 71 complaints
• 1995 175 complaints

Counted from NHTSA's complaints on 23 October 2026. A newer year has had less time to draw them.

Sources

1. Trail4Runner (generation history)
2. Toyota-4Runner.org (2nd gen problem areas)
3. Toyota-4Runner.org (buying a 2nd gen)
4. Expedition Portal (N130 reliability)
5. Autotrader best years
6. Toyota-4Runner.org (2nd gen rear window)
7. Consumer Guide 1990-95