2nd Jul 2001, 20:59

Completely agree with review. Got 9 miles/gallon, slow vehicle, very overrated. Plus is that chicks dig it -- when they don't have to own it.

7th Feb 2002, 18:14

I work for toyota and from my experience my 90 4 runner is a great under powered vehicle, but I love it.

Rich.

23rd Oct 2002, 10:51

We have a 1990 4Runner. In 1987 our head gaskets were repaired under the recall at no charge to us. October 7,2002 they needed replacing again at our expense ($1525.25). Two days later the bad head gaskets replaced on 10-7-02 caused the motor to over-heat and that caused head and block damage, another $3,000.00 to $4,000.00 at our expense. Toyota will not stand behind the second repair. If you think this is a nightmare, just check the internet and see how many 4Runners are having this problem. You will be shocked. I have found an attorney in Idaho who has a class action lawsuit against Toyota for this problem. Please people if you have a 4Runner between 1988 & 2000 & you have this problem, please seek out this attorney. Amarolaw@msn.com

We also do not get good gas mileage, we have replaced the transmission,& also have invested approx. $6,000.00 in misc.

Repairs. Good luck to you if you don't have problems.

19th Feb 2003, 09:55

I have a 1990 4runner myself. It looks brand new and run great. I had the recall fixed on it and have not had any other problems out of it. I get about 16 miles to the gallon. Which isn't bad for a 4X4.

30th Apr 2003, 22:19

I just want to know if anyone else has problems getting the recall fixed. I went to the dealership and they told me that my VIN # was no longer on the list able to get these repairs taken care. Luckily I have mechanic friends to help so it will only set me back in parts, but I am just curious as to how long recalls last. Obviously the previous owner neglected the vehicle, but she's still got plenty of power and handles tremendously off-road. I wouldn't part with her unless someone offered my one in much better condition.

3rd Feb 2004, 09:58

I recently bought a well maintained 1990 4-Runner, with about 210,000 miles (300,000 Kilometers, here in Canada). Nothing has gone wrong except that in very cold weather (minus 20 Celsius, or about minus 4 Fahrenheit) the engine has trouble starting. I think it is a partially frozen gas-line, but I am not sure. Does anyone have any information about this problem? I know it is not the battery!!!

20th Jul 2004, 00:04

I have a 1988 four runner with 140,000 miles. It is the best vehicle I ever owned. Before that I had a 1978 Land Cruiser, much stiffer ride, but just as dependable.I'll always stick with Toyota and I agree with some of the comments about people having problems due to a poorly maintained vehicle more than anything else. As I've passed Dodges, Chevys and Fords on the side of the road with the hood up, all I can say is that my Toyotas have never left me walking. I bought a new 2002 Tundra V8 for towing a larger boat and at 60,000 I'm just as pleased.

26th Jan 2006, 21:59

I just bought a 1990 4 Runner. 4 wheel drive. v6. anyways. I filled it up and hit the little mile button to zero. the full tank only took me about 200 miles. I did the math and that's about 11 miles to the gallon. (it's a 17.2 gallon tank).

This can't be right!!! Anyone have any suggestions on what could be wrong with it?

Any help appreciated!

-bryan.

16th Feb 2006, 10:46

I have the same truck... what size tires do you have? Was the mileage in town or highway? Are you sure the tank in 17.2 gallons? There are a lot of variables.

8th Nov 2006, 09:52

In response to the comment before with the gas mileage, I have a 1991 4runner, and get about 15 mpg-highway. That's with big tires too. Toyota isn't known for having vehicles with great gas mileage. You are averaging what you should for a 4X4. If you are that bothered by it, try looking into new filters or fuel injectors. (Don't know if the 1990 was fuel-injected or not.)

29th Jan 2007, 12:06

I have a 1990 Toyota 4Runner, SR5, 3.0 Liter V6, Auto Transmission, 4x4. I have never had a problem until recently. The battery is being drained. I can't pinpoint the problem and don't have the $ to take it to a dealer. Recently the dash lights have been staying on after the car is started and while it is in motion. And most recently, my radio shuts on and off while the car is being driven. The headlights are very dim and the windshield wipers move very slowly. Tried to start the car yesterday and the battery was dead. It was 2 weeks old. Any suggestions or similar problems?

11th Oct 2009, 22:04

You have probably got it fixed by now, but that was your alternator going out. It took a while for mine to die, but yep everything will just shut down and the dash lights will start coming on.

I have a 1990 Toyota 4Runner, love it to death thinking about selling or just spending a lot of money to have it refurbished for winter, that's including new timing belt, heater fixed, tires, shocks and springs... the whole nine yards, and even a tune up and brakes.

26th Mar 2011, 13:30

Yes, my old Buick will get me through a snow storm. I drove through the whole winter in Montana and never got stuck. I own a 1972 Buick Skylark with a 455. But I do love the Toyota 4Runner too.