What are the most common Toyota 4Runner problems?
According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2002 Toyota 4Runner has 10 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Pink Milkshake Radiator Failure Mixing Coolant and Automatic Transmission Fluid, 4WD Transfer Case Actuator Seizure from Infrequent Use Preventing 4HI/4LO Engagement, Lower Ball Joint Wear/Separation on 3rd-Gen Front Suspension. Of these, 3 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
Is the Toyota 4Runner reliable?
The 2002 Toyota 4Runner has 10 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 3 issues are rated critical: Pink Milkshake Radiator Failure Mixing Coolant and Automatic Transmission Fluid and 4WD Transfer Case Actuator Seizure from Infrequent Use Preventing 4HI/4LO Engagement and Lower Ball Joint Wear/Separation on 3rd-Gen Front Suspension. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
How much does it cost to fix common Toyota 4Runner problems?
Repair costs for known Toyota 4Runner issues range from $15 to $4,500, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, Pink Milkshake Radiator Failure Mixing Coolant and Automatic Transmission Fluid, typically costs $300-$4,500 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
What is the 2000-2002 Toyota 4Runner Pink Milkshake Radiator Failure Mixing Coolant and Automatic Transmission Fluid?
On 3rd-generation automatic 4Runners, the internal transmission cooler inside the radiator can rupture and allow coolant and ATF to mix, commonly called the 'pink milkshake.' Once fluids cross-contaminate, the transmission can begin slipping, shuddering, or fail completely. This… Repairs typically run $300-$4,500. Severity: high.
What is the 2000-2009 Toyota 4Runner 4WD Transfer Case Actuator Seizure from Infrequent Use Preventing 4HI/4LO Engagement?
A well-known 4Runner problem is the transfer case shift actuator sticking or seizing, especially on trucks that spend years in 2WD or full-time mode without regular 4WD cycling. Owners report flashing 4WD lights, inability to engage or disengage 4HI/4LO, and in some cases being s… Repairs typically run $600-$2,200. Severity: high.
What is the 2000-2002 Toyota 4Runner Lower Ball Joint Wear/Separation on 3rd-Gen Front Suspension?
On late 3rd-generation 4Runners, the front lower ball joints are a well-documented failure point and can develop excessive play or separate without much warning. Toyota issued a safety recall because separation can cause loss of steering control and front wheel collapse. Owners c… Repairs typically run $500-$1,200. Severity: high.
What is the 1999-2009 Toyota 4Runner Catalytic Converter Efficiency Below Threshold (P0420 / P0430) — Aging or Manifold-Integrated Cats?
As 4Runners accumulate miles, the catalytic converter loses efficiency and the ECU sets P0420 (Bank 1) and/or P0430 (Bank 2) when the downstream O2 sensor starts to mirror the upstream sensor. On the 4th-gen 1GR-FE, the primary cats are integrated into the exhaust manifolds, whic… Repairs typically run $150-$2,500. Severity: medium.
What is the 1996-2009 Toyota 4Runner Power Steering Pump / System Leak & Whine — Reservoir Screen Clog and Seal Failure?
3rd- and 4th-gen 4Runners commonly develop power-steering whine and reddish ATF leaks with age. A whine is often not the pump itself but old fluid or a clogged filter screen in the bottom of the PS reservoir; leaks frequently originate at the union-bolt gaskets, high-pressure/ret… Repairs typically run $20-$500. Severity: medium.
What is the 2000-2009 Toyota 4Runner Air-Fuel Ratio (A/F) Sensor Bank 1 Sensor 1 Failure (P0125 / P1130 / P0135) — Heater Circuit / Slow Response?
Later 3rd-gen and 4th-gen 4Runners use a wide-band Air-Fuel Ratio (A/F) sensor as the upstream (Bank 1 Sensor 1) oxygen sensor. With age and heat cycling the sensor's internal heater or element degrades, setting codes such as P0125 (insufficient coolant temp for closed loop / A-F… Repairs typically run $120-$400. Severity: medium.
What is the 1996-2002 Toyota 4Runner 3.4L 5VZ-FE Water Pump Weep Leak — Replace With Timing Belt Service?
The 5VZ-FE water pump is driven off, and buried behind, the timing belt. Its shaft seal wears with age and mileage and coolant begins seeping from the pump's weep hole — the designed early-warning drip before the bearing fails. Because accessing the pump requires the same teardow… Repairs typically run $150-$900. Severity: medium.
What is the 1996-2002 Toyota 4Runner 3.4L 5VZ-FE Knock Sensor & Sub-Harness Failure (P0325/P0330) — Brittle Harness Under Intake?
On the 3rd-gen 4Runner's 3.4L 5VZ-FE V6, the two knock sensors sit in the engine valley beneath the upper and lower intake manifolds, and their sub-wiring harness bakes over time. The harness insulation becomes brittle and crumbles, opening the circuit and setting P0325 (knock se… Repairs typically run $150-$900. Severity: medium.
What is the 1996-2002 Toyota 4Runner 3.4L 5VZ-FE Idle Air Control (IAC) Valve Carbon Fouling — Rough/Surging Idle, Stalling (P0505)?
The 3.4L 5VZ-FE uses a rotary-solenoid Idle Air Control (IAC) valve on the throttle body to manage idle. Over high mileage the IAC passages and valve clog with carbon and oil deposits, producing erratic idle (hunting between ~700 and ~1200 RPM), high idle, or low idle that shakes… Repairs typically run $20-$350. Severity: low.
What is the 1996-2009 Toyota 4Runner EVAP System Leak — Charcoal Canister / Vacuum Switching Valve (VSV) Failure (P0440 / P0441 / P0446)?
EVAP faults (P0440 general malfunction, P0441 incorrect purge flow, P0446 vent control circuit) are among the most common check-engine codes on 3rd- and 4th-gen 4Runners. Toyota issued service bulletin EG013-03 covering these codes across 4Runner/Camry/Tacoma. The frequent culpri… Repairs typically run $15-$500. Severity: low.
