Faults:

Starter - main issue. Stepped up for a premium brand starter and the bet paid off... As the starter malfunctioned in the deep of winter and had to be replaced, under the warranty of the starter manufacturer.

Rear wheel bearings & shocks -- replaced a month ago.

General Comments:

The Runner won't stop... running!

Bought 4 1/2 years ago because I needed a reliable unit with good towing capacity. I haul all my water for my recreational property, and each short haul (1 km) is a 5,000 lb adventure a couple times a week. The Runner gets it done 100%. Also gets to showcase its off road genes as the cottage is plunked in a hilly/small mountainous area... Right on the 49th parallel. Dirt roads, hard hills... snow, cold like you've never seen. Big League winter. And the vehicle lets nobody down... reliable. Period.

And I love that I still have people comment on the rugged good looks and overall great shape the Runner maintains.

Faults:

Front O2 sensor (original) needed replacing, but replaced both.

General Comments:

Absolutely outstanding! I needed something that would be comfortable to drive around town, but also had some real capability when driving offroad for hunting trips a few times per year... I looked for over a year to find a low mileage 4runner in excellent condition and contacted the owner 14 minutes after he posted on Craigslist (I missed a few good ones because I wasn't fast enough). I had my local mechanic do a pre-purchase inspection, including a compression test, and bought it. The only issue was a leaking steering rack - $1,580 installed at a Toyota dealer - bought a new aftermarket for $340 USD from carsteering.com (great product and service).

I can honestly say this is a fantastic vehicle and I will never, ever sell mine...

The Limited model is very comfortable, has all power options, gives a comfortable road ride, and has proven itself offroad in the mountains and trails of British Columbia, Canada. I am 6-4, and fit well.

Do your research and you will want to buy one. I had an XJ Cherokee years ago and there is no comparison... the 4runner is much better and reliable. I would go anywhere with my 4runner and feel confident.

Faults:

I just noticed for the 2nd time, during a tire rotation, that the left rear wheel seal is leaking. This occurred once before at 6 years ago. A half a day's work and it was fine until this week. Apart from that, there has been nothing else wrong.

General Comments:

This 4Runner has 61,000 original miles on it and it is amazing. I purchased it new when we needed to upgrade to a larger vehicle. I sold my '90 Camry LX with my wife crying to get this SUV. We both loved that car. The Camry as well did not have one problem in 8 years. Before I purchased my Camry, I was Chevy guy. But seeing what was coming off the line in the late 80s, I decided to go foreign. My father brought a 1975 Toyota Corolla for his office, and all 12 of them drove that thing all over. It lasted for 12 years, putting up with all types of driving styles, and it only went in for routine maintenance, so based on that I decide to go Toyota, and I have not looked back.

This 4Runner has never had its A/C recharged and still blows cold. The front disc brakes are original and they still spec out fine. Rear brakes were changed out when I had the other rear brake seal leakage. All the hoses and belts are also original with no sign of drying or weak spots. Brake fluid is changed every year.

Original shocks for this car are a bit stiff, but I liked it then as I do now. It's an amazing vehicle that I plan to have for many more years.

Most of the driving has been highway with several trips over 2200 miles, and it is a joy to drive. It has been loaded to bear on those long trips going through mountain ranges, and it was then I wished I had put on a blower, but it wasn't that bad.

I really cannot see purchasing a new car until this one dies, it performs so well.