2002 Toyota 4runner Consumer Reviews
Most Helpful Reviews
Positive Review
Bought the vehicle in 1999 with 52K miles on it. Have had the vehicle now 15 years and have added approximately 400K more. My maintenance consists primarily of oil changes for high mileage vehicles, fluid top offs and the occasional radiator flush and AC service. It has never let me down. At roughly 450K miles, I'm about to have my first major repair, having several engine oil leaks repaired at a cost of $1300. The vehicle still runs well inspite of the small leaks. Not bad for a 17 year old vehicle, and physically, it still looks almost new. I have told friends and family many times, I will never not own at least one Toyota.
VS
Critical Review
I must have bought a lemon. at first it was not too bad but as the milage was put on many things started to break. first it was the transmission $3650, then it was my power steering pump $300, then it was my transfer case and my transmission again, another $700, then it was how the car started up. it would not start up right. I kept bringing it back to be fixed, but no one could figure out what was wrong with it. that has gone on now for over two years and several thousand dollars. than the interior starts to break and pieces of the wood trim start to come off, the sun roof leaked and was finally fixed, the car also leaked from underneath the passengers side floor board when it rains, still not fixed, also when it rains the drivers seat belt becomes wet and you can not use it unless you want to get your clothes wet, at first it seemed like a nice car, i have two of them and the other one did not do this, but it is a limited so that might be why. I would not buy one again, the 4 wheel drive is not good and the car's interior is very small, any one who is 5' 10" or more will have a hard time in the drivers seat, and if you have some body weight on you forget fitting in the front seats, the back seats are rated for three but there is no way you can put 3 people back there, they would have to be small children for them to fit right, oh yea the tires are very expensive since it is an off road vehicle, thanks toyota for one very loosey car.
2002 4Runner Reviews
Showing 8 of 920 reviews.
It's done everything I've needed it to. Good power on hills. Handles great. Always starts. Has never broken down
I have no complaints about this car.
We bought our 4Runner new and have had it regularly maintained at the dealer since. We've used it for normal around-town driving, commuting to work, trips, camping, hauling a horse trailer, transporting building materials, farm supplies, feed, and crated animals. Our son was four when we got the car and I figured when he turned 16 it would be his. It was still going strong when he turned 16. We got him a Corolla and I kept driving it. We keep it in the garage and both the paint and interior have held up well. It has never broken down on the road and very few parts have had to be replaced. It's all original and everything still works on it. It is a great size for me, handles well, and carries nearly everything I need to haul. It always starts up with no problems. Unfortunately, I have injured my left knee and can't bend it enough to easily reach the clutch while driving, so we will be selling it. If not for that I'd keep it until it fell apart.
Easy to maintain, still looks beautiful, reliable, and a smooth ride.
It won't last 4Ever.
They just don't make vehicles like this anymore. We bought our 1998 4Runner after renting one while outside the country. Away from civilization, in challenging terrain. After we were blown away by it's dependability, we made a purchase we never once regretted. It's not common for a vehicle to last 27+ years, but given the stamina of this gem, it's quite possible that a few of these will be all you need for your driving lifetime.
You can fix it, it's not a Volvo
Can't go buy one new
Even at 235k this 4Runner is fun to just put around town in. It won't fly off the line at stop lights and I can't take tight corners like in my Subaru but if I need to crawl over the mountain or through a wash or just grab groceries I'll be doing it in style.
Our 2000 4 runner is very reliable and only required normal services. My only complaint is I feel the brakes are too small for the vehicle. I have tried a few time to lock up the brakes and the closest I got was a kind of fast stop. I did finally replace the complete brake system even the booster. Now it stops.
Reliable engine & transmission
Severe rust - frame disintegrates
Toyota issued a recall on all 4Runners offering a free frame replacement up to 15 years after date of manufacture. Unfortunately, my 4Runner has the original frame which got so bad, I had to pay my repair shop 2,000 to weld the frame back together. Stay away from this vehicle unless it has a new frame installed by Toyota.
Classic style, dependability, comfortable for long
None
At 421k and going strong, this is a testimonial to some of the better years of 4runner production. Routine maintenance has contributed to its longevity, as I drove it hard for 17 years in a 3-state territory. If I’d taken better care of the paint and driver’s seat upholstery, it would be in near mint condition.
great suv, always garaged, no damage, 4wd, stick, super charger, low mileage for age, in dry climate.
Super reliable and great ride.
The paint not looking so great
Very good vehicle. This is my 3rd 4Runner. 85,88 and 2000. Purchased used with some damage at 147000. It’s at 370000 plus. I’m going 500k. Smooth highway ride to reliability 30 miles in on a forest service road.
