Regarding the April 2004 Consumer Reports negative rating of the 2003
4Runner V6


Consumer Reports lists the 2003 V6 4Runner as a Used Car to Avoid. It
stated "the V 6 first year reliability has been poor. It showed below
average reliability in our latest survey."

I never thought I'd read anything like this about a Toyota from Consumer's Reports or anywhere.
:wtf:

 

I wonder if they are using the sulphur smell problem as the deciding factor.

I'd like to see a rating of the 2nd and 3rd gen 4Runners from a few years ago with the HG problems.

 

Seeing their last report on off-road vehicles, I don't believe a thing Consumer Reports says anymore. I would rather hear it from an owner or an independent forum like this one anyday.

 

They're still going to be an "authority figure" so the resale value may be affected.

 

Well, there is the valve knock/tap that has affected a number of them, problems with the front pulley and recalls on the early builds and I can see where customer satisfaction might be low. Toyota buyers expect a lot from their vehicles and so may be less tolerant than some other buyers. In any case, it will probably impact the resale value in the short run but beyond that, I wouldn't worry too much about it. It's an awfully strong engine, easy to service, doesn't have the timing rubber timing belt and gets decent mileage for an SUV. Overall, even with the tapping noise, I'm still happy with the purchase, especially when I found out what it cost to replace the V8 should your timing belt let go after warranty - $10,000+!!!! Of course, I don't know (and don't want to know) the cost of the V6 since it's the only vehicle Toyota is using it in.

 

I was surprized too, if you look at the V6 ratings there are 11 solid red circles and 3 half red circles. The half circles are for fuel,paint/trim/rust, andbody integrity. The V8 has only 1 half circle in body integrity. For those interested all previous years are recommended but seem to have problems with brakes and body integrity. Only the 96 has engine and suspension problems.

 

thats bull what C.R says i never belive that them

 

Most the reliability ratings is based on consumer studies and feedback, i.e. customers that complain about things. There has been a lot of complaints about the V6, which is fixed/getting fixed so it will work itself out in the next year.

Obviously the problem with ratings is that it is subjective, i.e. if you buy a Toyota your expectation is higher than when you buy a Ford for example.

 

I doubt it will hurt resale much. Toyota has built and empire based on reliability. Hopefully the glitches will be fixed soon enough. I also don't worry about what consumer reports say about cars. The average consumer knows very little about the mechanics of their own vehicles and therefor I don't feel can give adequate feedback. I search online (edmunds) and judge for myself based on owner feedback that I can read.

 

Not sure about the 4.0, but the 3.4 is a non-interference motor. If the timing belt breaks, just replace it and go.

 

First year design. I will never buy one, it doesn't matter who made it. It always takes a year. What was CR's take on the 04 V6. To new??

 

They pretty much rate every house hold item the consumer will buy, have and use but still sometimes Im like :pat: whats with the Domestic being better then the German cars, duh their more expensive to fix as they get older and have problems from electrical stuff but they will never convince me that a Buick will be in better overall condition 5-10 years from now

I thought the Tundra had tons of problems when it came out and the 4.7L was new, same thing

 

Is this true? I heard that if it breaks, it can cause sever damage to the engine. I have been stressing out about mine breaking cause I've got over 105,000mi on it. I keep trying to take it in but something always comes up.....

 

According to CR it's Toyota's history with the first year of a new V6 engine. History has shown that Toyota vehicles with V6 suffer from a greater than average faults.

CR still recommends the 2004 4runner with a V8