Toyota 4Runner 5th Gen
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
The 4Runner 5th Gen (2010–2024) ran for 15 years almost unchanged — 270 hp V6, 5-speed automatic, ladder frame. Second-best resale value after the Tacoma.
2010–2013: SAIS pump failure (10 yr/150k mi warranty). From 2014: KDSS leaks in salt regions. From 2020: TSS phantom braking. Torque-converter shudder at 40 mph.
Market 2026: 2018–2019 TRD Off-Road $28,000–36,000 (sweet spot). Sunbelt, all recalls closed.
Generations
Engine Overview
The Toyota 4Runner 5th Gen is available with 2 engine variants — from 245 to 270 hp.
One of the most reliable V6 engines ever made — used in 4Runner, Tacoma, FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser Prado. 400,000+ mile lifespans documented. Exhaust manifold cracking on early versions (pre-2010) is universal — aftermarket headers instead of OEM replacement. Secondary Air Injection (SAIS) on 2010-2013 California emissions fails frequently, bypass kit as permanent fix. Water pump sits inside the timing cover — replacement requires full timing chain work. Basic maintenance (oil, coolant) is enough for extreme longevity.
- !! Head gasket failure at high mileage from 230,000 km
Head gasket failure has been documented on 1GR-FE engines with over 200,000–250,000 km. Vehicles that suffered overheating due to water pump failure are particularly at risk.
Symptoms: White smoke from the exhaust, coolant loss, oil-coolant emulsion under the oil cap, power loss, hard starting - !! Thin cylinder liners cannot be bored out from 300,000 km
The 1GR-FE has cast-in, very thin cylinder liners that cannot be bored out if the cylinder walls are damaged. A damaged engine block requires a complete block replacement.
Symptoms: Knocking, pressure loss in the affected cylinder, oil consumption from damaged bore surface, measurably lower compression - !! Sekundärluft-Einblasung versagt (Limp Mode) from 110,000 km
Das Secondary Air Injection System versagt und löst Notlauf mit ~30 mph Geschwindigkeitsbegrenzung aus. P2441/P2442 Codes.
Symptoms: Fehlerlampe, Geschwindigkeitsbegrenzung ~30 mph, P2441/P2442
+ 5 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| P244x-Fehlercodes, alle Warnleuchten gleichzeitig. Toyota verlängerte Garantie auf 10 Jahre/150.000 Meilen. Bypass-Kits als dauerhafte Lösung. P244x fault codes, all warning lights at once. Toyota extended warranty to 10 years/150k miles. Bypass kits as permanent fix. Symptoms: Check engine light, multiple fault codes, cold start issues from 100,000 km | Medium | |
| Pre-Collision System False Activation (2020+) TSS warning activates falsely, especially in rain or near crests. Steel bumper modification may disable system. Symptoms: BRAKE alert flashes, beeping without obstacle from 20,000 km | Low |
Top Reported Issues
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Known Problems and Issues +
A total of 16 weaknesses have been documented for the Toyota 4Runner 5th Gen (2010–2024) — 8 engine-related and 8 vehicle-related. Typical issues affect Electronics, Suspension, Interior, Gearbox.
4Runner (1GR-FE, 2010–2024) — Be Careful: Head gasket failure at high mileage, Thin cylinder liners cannot be bored out, Sekundärluft-Einblasung versagt (Limp Mode). Power: 270 PS.
What to watch out for with the Toyota 4Runner? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.
Frequently Asked Questions
What problems and weaknesses does the Toyota 4Runner 5th Gen have? +
What should I look for when buying a used Toyota 4Runner 5th Gen? +
Which engine is recommended? +
Which Toyota 4Runner 5th Gen engine is the most fun? +
Is the Toyota 4Runner 5th Gen worth buying used? +
What horsepower variants are available for the Toyota 4Runner 5th Gen? +
Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee