Shifterati4th gen Toyota 4Runner 2003–2009
Watch out for
Reputation: what owners and the press report. Tap one to see what to check.
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Frame rust All years Walk away if found
What to check: Inspect the frame and the front lower control arm mounts.
NHTSA found 15 complaints of control arm failure, 13 from road-salt states, and denied a defect petition in 2022. A class action over 2005 and later trucks was dismissed in 2023.
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Air injection fault V8, 2005–2009 One source so far
What to check: Scan for air injection codes such as P0418 and P2445.
Toyota traces the fault to debris from the pump.
Sources 3
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Head gasket V6, 2003–2005 One source so far
What to check: Watch for a misfire at cold start, most often on cylinder 6.
Three owners of 2004 V6s in one thread report head gasket leaks at about 150,000 to 210,000 miles, without overheating. Members disagree on the cause: some blame past overheating, others the design.
About $2,000 in labor
Sources 6
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Cracked dashboard 2003–2005 One source so far
What to check: Look for cracks.
Toyota's replacement program ended May 31, 2017.
Sources 7
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X-REAS shock leaks Sport Edition. Optional on SR5 and Limited One source so far
What to check: Look for oil weeping at each shock.
Five owners in one thread report leaks in the X-REAS system, at about 50,000 to 66,000 miles where they say. A moderator notes the system is sealed and cannot be recharged.
About $2,000 to replace. Four standard shocks cost one owner $289
Sources 8
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4WD actuator 4WD trucks One source so far
What to check: Confirm it shifts into low range. Look for seepage at the actuator beside the transfer case.
Two members in one buyer's-advice thread say to check it. One warns that an unused actuator can seize and is costly to fix, and the other calls a leak there a reason to walk away.
Sources 5
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Rear air suspension Some Limited trucks One source so far
Two members in one thread warn that the rear air bags are vulnerable: one to damage off-road, the other to wear when the truck is lifted. Neither reports a failure of their own. The thread gives no check.
Sources 9
Complaints by year
- 2003 708 complaints
- 2004 678 complaints
- 2005 425 complaints
- 2006 381 complaints
- 2007 154 complaints
- 2008 96 complaints
- 2009 22 complaints
Counted from NHTSA's complaints on 23 October 2026. A newer year has had less time to draw them.