- Avoid the 2016 Toyota 4Runner
- Is the Toyota 4Runner a reliable SUV?
- How much is a used Toyota 4Runner?
Sometimes, even trusted and beloved models have their bad years. Although the Toyota 4Runner SUV is regarded as an exceptionally reliable vehicle, it’s had some down years. Mostly, the problems with vehicles you should avoid are due to reliability, a significant mechanical issue that can be costly, etc. As a result, one recent 4Runner model year to avoid is the 2016 Toyota 4Runner. What problems does it have, and why should used SUV buyers steer clear of it?
Avoid the 2016 Toyota 4Runner
2016 Toyota 4Runner | Raymond Boyd/Getty Images
According to Repair Pal, the Toyota 4Runner is widely unproblematic. However, the website features the many problems vehicles have faced over the years, reported by hundreds of real owners. When many owners experience the same issue, it probably means the model has a problem in those areas. For the 4Runner, they’ve RP shows owner-reported issues with front brake rotor wear, starter problems, and even an EVAP system fault because of a failed charcoal canister.
However, no 4Runner issue is more common than “the automatic transmission may not shift correctly at high mileages.” The good news is this issue was far more common with older versions of the 4Runner. Unfortunately, there’s one recent Toyota 4Runner model year to avoid because it also experiences the transmission issue. Owners have reported the 2016 model suffers from the same thing.
Passed that, many model years will see a similar issue. For example, the 1990 through 2011 model years all have the same problem frequently reported. Then, it seemed to be fixed for a few years but returned with the 2016 model. RP says the average mileage for the problem to occur is 206,347, but it’s happened as early as 75,000 miles.
Is the Toyota 4Runner a reliable SUV?
A 2023 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro | Toyota
Although a high-mileage transmission issue is common, the Toyota 4Runner remains exceptionally reliable. Even the most-reported problem usually occurs with over 200,000 miles on the odometer, which is longer than the life of many competitors. Overall, RP has a 4.5/5-star reliability rating listed for all 4Runner models. Just like the reported issues, reviews come from current and previous owners discussing their experience driving the midsize SUV.
Some customers still report how smooth and nicely it drives, even with 200K on the odometer. RP doesn’t show a single review giving the 4Runner fewer than three stars, and 10 owners gave it a perfect score overall. For the most part, buying a used Toyota 4Runner is a fantastic idea. The vast majority of the time, owners will be satisfied with their experience, which will last a long time and be unproblematic.
How much is a used Toyota 4Runner?
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As always, used vehicle prices vary significantly depending on several factors. Location, condition, mileage, and more can all play a big part in how much you pay for a used car. Buying a 4Runner can be difficult because they hold their value so well due to reliability. For example, a 2016 model is listed on AutoTrader for $29,999, despite having 80,357 on the odometer. Another more heavily-used model shows 132,216 miles, which costs $25,487.
Thanks to the horrible used vehicle market, these prices are considered excellent. Overall, the price range for a used 2016 4Runner is from the high $20,000’s to about $40,000. Even a 2011 model with over 164,000 miles is listed for just under $17,000. As we mentioned earlier, 4Runners tend to really hold their value because owners will drive them well-past 200K.
For these reasons, buyers should try to avoid the 2016 Toyota 4Runner. Although there are excellent things about it, other 4Runner model years provide the same good qualities without the late-milage transmission issues. It’s better to opt for a newer or slightly older model than the 2016, as it seems the automaker solved the issue that plagued the 4Runner for so long.
Keyword: There’s 1 Recent Toyota 4Runner Model Year to Avoid