Best Toyota 4Runner years to buy, and which to avoid

1984 and 1985. Toyota switched to independent front suspension with a three-inch-wider track for 1986, so 1986–89 trucks are IFS. Solid-axle trucks are the off-roader's favourite; IFS trucks ride better on the road.

1. 1985Fuel-injected 22R-E (116 hp) arrives; rear seat available on all trims. Last year of the solid front axle, which Hagerty says purists still seek out; an Expedition Portal member rates carbureted trucks less desirableSweet spot
2. 1988–89 (V6)3.0 3VZ-E V6 trucks: a Hagerty expert says most enthusiasts avoid the six and choose the four, and the 3VZ-E's head-gasket history starts hereBeware

Every Toyota 4Runner 1st Gen year, change by change →

No year is a consensus pick, so buy the truck, not the date. Toyota's own V06 campaign paperwork says the 3VZ-E head-gasket failures were primarily limited to trucks built from January 1990 to October 1994, so a V6 built after that — or one with receipts for the gasket job — is the safer bet, and the 22R-E four sidesteps the issue entirely. Autotrader names no best year either, noting only that 1994 added side-impact door beams.

1. 1990–94V6 trucks built 1/90–10/94: Toyota said its 3VZ-E head-gasket failures were primarily limited to this production window (campaign V06, expired 2018). Ask for proof of the gasket jobBeware

Every Toyota 4Runner 2nd Gen year, change by change →

IH8MUD's 3rd-gen regulars come closest to a consensus: 1999–2000 for a driver, ideally a Limited, and a '99 with the E-locker is the one most often called best (members say its springs sit about an inch longer than the '98 and 2000). 1996–98 trucks are cheaper and make good trail rigs. 2001–02 lose the locker for VSC and traction control, and one member flags occasional automatic planetary-gear problems. Rust and the lower ball joints matter more than any model year.

1. 1999Facelift ('fat lip' bumper, multi-parabola headlights), new dash; optional Multi-Mode transfer case. IH8MUD regulars rate 1999–2000 the best years, a '99 with the E-locker above allSweet spot
2. 2000Manual gearbox dropped (last manual 4Runner); rear e-locker still optional. The other half of the forum-favourite 1999–2000 pairSweet spot

Every Toyota 4Runner 3rd Gen year, change by change →

A 2006–09 V8 is the safest pick. HotCars rates the 2006-on V8 facelift trucks the better buys, Jalopnik says the 2UZ-FE V8 has a reputation for being indestructible (with VVT-i and 270 hp from 2005), and Wikipedia says the V6's revised head gasket arrived late in the 2006 model year. The ones to be careful with are 2003–05 V6s: Autotrader says their head-gasket failures are reported more than average, and Expedition Portal owners put most in 2003–04. Whatever the year, a V8 needs its timing belt at 90,000 miles.

1. 2003–05V6 head gaskets: Autotrader says failures on 2003–05 V6s are reported more than average, and Expedition Portal owners put most of them in 2003–04. Wikipedia dates the revised gasket to late in the 2006 model yearBeware
2. 2006Mid-cycle refresh: new bumpers and grille, projector headlamps, LED tail lamps. HotCars picks the 2006-on V8 trucks as the better buys, and late-2006 V6s get the revised head gasketSweet spot

Every Toyota 4Runner 4th Gen year, change by change →

There's no bad engine year, so buy on condition. Autotrader says the fifth generation has no major issues of concern and recommends a late truck, preferably 2020–2024, which get TSS-P safety tech and CarPlay; it's 'OK' with 2013–2015 and notes owner reports of brake, electrical, rust and paint gripes on 2010–2012. SlashGear singles out 2013–2016 for higher complaint and recall counts. Whatever the year, confirm the Takata airbag (2010–2016) and fuel pump (2014–2015 and 2018–2019) recalls are closed.

1. 2020Toyota Safety Sense-P standard; Entune 3.0 with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Autotrader says buy a late fifth gen, preferably 2020–2024Sweet spot

Every Toyota 4Runner 5th Gen year, change by change →

No single year stands out: owners and specialists say to buy on condition and history rather than model year.

Every Toyota 4Runner 6th Gen year, change by change →