Used 2012 Toyota 4Runner Consumer Reviews
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After 25000 miles in 14 months
Cannot go wrong with this. After driving a Accord, MAXIMA, BMW, i can say that Toyota offers best of both worlds (value and comfort). Never had a problem with my my 4runner. Getting 20 mpg in mixed driving. Handles bumps and potholes like it can cream them. Rides on softer side and thus gets tremendus off road abilities. Went through 2 feet of water on a flooded street and did not feel a thing. It accelerates slowler than other crossovers but once on the move it can fly like a jet.
2012 4 runner
I love it best car I ever own 320000km and all I did breaks rotors hahah love it
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- Limited 4dr SUVMSRP: $14,59898 mi away
- SR5 4dr SUVMSRP: $25,999111 mi away
- Limited 4dr SUVMSRP: $23,259111 mi away
watch for recall on 2011 shocks
shocks are weak on the 4runner SR5. pushing down on rear and front ends causes continuos bouncing, as does little hills on the road. My rear passenger had gotten motion sickness from the bouncing . The truck front end dips on braking and any fast emergency braking causes the front end dip to be so excessive that the rear end lifts the tires up enough to cause the automatic braking to kick in. This has happened to me 3 times and is very scary since the abs brakes stay engaged for a min. I almost crashed into car in front of me . I showed the dealer service dept the problem, but was advised that if they exchanged the shocks for Bilstein shocks, toyota would charge them for the ones removed
Narrow Depth of Driver and Passenger Seats
I love everything about the 2011 4Runner, except the narrow depth of the driver and passenger seats. The new Jeep Cherokee, Ford Explorer and Dodge Durango all have generous seat depths. To me, this is important because I tend to take long road trips for outdoor excursions (camping, fishing and windsurfing).
one of the last old school suvs
had 4runner for almost 4k miles so far and am very impressed overall, averaging about 20 mpg, this is a truck so dont expect it to ride like a car on the pavement but handles off-road very well i live in alaska and our last winter we got over 12ft of snow didnt even notice it with 4runner in 4wd. seats are comfortable and like the driving position and roominess of the cabin and overall has a very old school feel to it with lot of functional new high tech stuff thrown in. my only real gripe with it is poor paint quality scratches easy and no cross bars or running boards included in a 35k vehicle is disapointing, 4runner is built to get you anywhere you need to go anytime..
Happy and Disappointed
I traded in my Honda Pilot on the 4runner to get back into a Toyota. While the materials and I think build quality is much better on the Toyota, the seats in the 4runner are very uncomfortable compared to the Pilot. After having it a few weeks, between the ride, seats being too short on the bottom and the lack of interior size compared to the Pilot, I may end up going back to Honda. The car purchase taught me that no car is perfect, I need Toyota build quality, Pilot interior size and ride. What is interesting is that the power of this 4runner seems less than my 2006 I had. I would drive it for decent test drive to see if you can tolerate the truck ride and seat comfort.
huge improvement
I refused to buy the previous generation 4Runner because it was too small and wimpy looking. My 2011 trail edition has been problem-free and has gone through several rough jeep trails without breathing hard. The size is perfect for us. The increased horsepower of the V6 is enough for long grades. I would and will get this again when the lease expires.
Absolutely love my new 4Runner
I purchased my first Toyota 4Runner last week and have been amazed ever since. I wanted one since 2005. MPG with first tank was 20, after first fill up - 22 mpg. Fantastic for the size vehicle...considering I was only getting 24-26 mpg out of my Nissan Rogue that I traded. Plenty of room for all my friends.
Love my runner
Fantastic vehicle, could use a little more power. Ride is a little noisy. No maintenance costs so for. Almost 108000 moles.
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trans shutter/lag/late downshift
I spoke with a danica sorenson at toyota executive offices and she said she did not want to get my hopes up but there might not be a fix for my problem. Can you believe such a response. ADVICE! File your arbitration request in your warranty booklet today, You have 3yrs or 36 thousand miles and engage attorneys for the presumed battle that will likely insue.
Exceeded expectations
Solidly built, low cost of ownership, capable in 4 wheel drive conditions, and OK on the pavement.
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Quality Problem with Vehicle
Vehicle shudders when driving. Most posts of forum sites indicate there is s systemic problem with the Transmission and Toyota is investigating. You will want to review this before you purchase: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/89301-has-anyone-noticed-5.html Those that have purchased and have this problem can only pray Toyota supports their customers on this. The Service Departments say there currently is not a fix and we have to live with it for now.
Don't be fooled by the great reviews! I think people don't know any better!
I am very disappointed with this SUV! I purchased my 4 runner in 2011 and have 27,000 miles on it currently. My main issues are as follows: 1) Price to value - MSRP on my limited was $43,000+ in my opinion after owning it and driving it - its really a $33,000 SUV (or should be priced this way.) Very tinny sounding when you slam the door - seems like poor quality, somewhat underpowered, many interior features cheap and plastic, Handles poorly - (See consumer reports negative reviews) - I ignored them when i bought mine. Nav/Bluetooth very antiquated - Nav way behind the times. Bluetooth sound quality when on your phone is poor. Trunk area - slight tilt Groceries shift milk falls out/breaks
Impressed, as expected.
Well, this is my first truck since I served in military in other country. All my other cars were track runners so I never thought I'd enjoy driving a truck.. as those normally lack power or turning capability. Well, I was in for a treat. truck saved me a few times so far, and the offorad capability was a blessing. Build quality is impressive, interior is great. this truck could use more power, definitely, but for the weight / room / options, the power is ok. On the road it feels like a road truck, off road it feels like a decent, off-road built vehicle. Very happy with this investment. Oh, and estimated MPGs are wrong.. I get anywhere between 18.2-22, depending on areas. 17.5 in Chicago.
Great vehicle for me
Over 15,000 miles and not a single problem, and it performs as advertised. The Trail version has been great for off-road, winter driving, and long trips. I tow a 3500 lbs camper, with 2 canoes on roof, easily (about 12 mpg with big hills in ADK), but day-in-day-out driving on hilly Upstate back roads I average around 19 mpg. Longer trips I average from 20 to 21 mpg highway. Kids like the back sets that can recline a bit. Overall I like the functionality of the various standard Trail options/controls.
great SUV
Needed a tough SUV for daily use. I drive 10 miles each day off road getting to work (dirt/muddy road). My last SUV (Santa Fe) started falling apart after 5 years on this road so I decided to get a 4runner this time. This vehicle is bulit very well. When I was at the dealer I got the shop manager to go over every part of the car. We even got under the car and he pointed out may key points. I was impressed with the service and the build quality. I now have 12k miles on it. The SUV handles all I can throw at it with no problems (mud trial, bumpy roads and steep hills). The ride on road is just fine and I dont have any noise issues at any speed (even at over 100mph).
No CarMax
Toyota is reliable ! Car Max is not , bought my Toyota at a car dealer because Car Max is a rip off !
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Love It! But...
I purchased my 2011 4Runner in December 2010 with less than 5 miles on it from our local dealer. Loved it! This vehicle can handle anything you throw at it. We got hammered with snow and in 4WD it is like snow isn't even an issue. Great gas mileage for a car this size. I am getting around 19.5 MPG with only about 6000 miles on it so far not even broken in yet. About 70% city driving and 30% highway. Only a couple knocks on the car. The engine is loud and makes a weird noise. I had it in for service and was told that these are known to have loud fuel injectors. Did some research and found some information this so it isn't complete B/S. No automatic car wash can get back window clean.
Too many negatives.
After owning the 2011 4runner for less than a month I began to notice several NEGATIVES about the vehicle which werent apparent after one test drive at the dealership. 1)The transmission is very jerky. Pressing on the gas from a dead stop will result in a jerk forward followed by a slight shimmer in the suspension. 2) The vehicle is painfully slow. 3) Vehicle makes a whistling sound or tone that is related to the SUVs aerodynamics (very boxy). 4) Thin sheet metal hood. Shakes at higher speeds. 5) Susceptible to crosswinds. 6) The paint quality is horrible. 7) The breaks on this vehicle feel very spongy and too sensitive. 8) The Variable Stability Control is very abrupt and awkward.
OK but not great
We purchased the 2011 4Runner with a 3rd row seat for our growing family. The one thing I can't get over is how under powered the V6 engine is. It will not accelerate unless you floor it, and even then it isn't that great. The interior is nice and functional, but another one of my pet peeves is that it doesn't have auto headlights, which is strange considering it a 2011. The car works well as an everyday driver around town, but struggles on hills and on the Hwy. I won't be buying another Toyota after this one.
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4 runner 2011
I've bought '11 model more than one year ago v6 4L. It feels really big but controls are easy and comfortable. Heating-cooling controls do not work properly-you cannot adjust normal temperature. the gas mpg is pretty good for this monster especially if ECO mode is on. Driving very smooth and slow that annoying in the city traffic.
Love my Freda the 4-Runner-Limited
Bought my 4-Runner Thanksgiving of 2011 & I wouldn't trade her for any other vehicle on the road. She has been to Mackinac, North Carolina (twice) South Carolina, Georgia, Oklahoma, New Orleans & never had her in the shop for repairs. We live in NW Ohio where the winters have been pretty brutal the last couple years & she never failed to get me through deep snow & rough roads. We will keep her till the wheels rust off. My husband has a 2007 Tundra that also is still going strong with no shop repairs. Toyota makes the best vehicles on the road bar none.
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Bought new in 2011
105k undisturbed miles and will get another 105k. No issues at all.
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Solid truck
I did a lot of research into different SUV options and the 4Runner came out on top. The European options such as the Land Rover, MB M-class, and BMW X-series are all great options, however in these tough economic times the cost differential simply can't be justified - initial purchase price will be $10k+ over a Japanese option and the maintenance charges are outrageous. Since I do not anticipate going off road, I opted for the 4x2 Limited model. Looks just as good and it is a bit cheaper. While the truck may not be that exciting in terms of fun to drive, the reliability is the main reason I bought it. Do some research and you'll be amazed at the statistics around the 4Runner.
Great Car Horrible Tires
I really like this SUV but there is one small problem. THE TIRES ARE NOT AVAILABLE!!!! One of the tires blew out last night after having this car for ONE Week. The dealer told us the tire is not under the bumper to bumper warranty. We would have to purchase a new on if we can find one. The dealership told me that the tire is on national back order. Then they said the last time they had to order one of these Yokohama Geolander 245/60R20 tires it took over 3 months for it to come in. YOU THINK THIS IS SOMETHING TOYOTA WOULD HAVE TO DISCLOSE BEFORE THE SALE! Toyota really screwed us on this one. Stay away from this car unless you know how to fabricate you own tires.
Great value for pre-owned car.
Like new.
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Took a Bad Hit; We Didn't Die.
THIS REVIEW IS FOR A 2011 SR-5 4-RUNNER! Generally a good, solid vehicle, but some major disappointments. First, the roof lacks the strength to car-top a 14' boat [145 lbs. plus rack system]. Didn't know that when I bought it, or would have passed. I hate moonroofs and wish they'd get rid of them for this kind of vehicle. In upstate NY it's just a matter of time before temp extremes kill the seal and cause a leak. Eliminate the damn things and put a roll-bar-type reinforcement in the roof. It's an SUV, for God's sake. Secondly, the neutral safety switch failed at 63K, just out of warranty. $400, 2800 miles from home. [The lifters on the hatch failed while it was still warranted and were replaced., The new ones are now getting a bit saggy.] Also, you should not have to kneel in the driveway or wherever to reach the light harness plug. What a-hole thought it was a good idea to put it BEHIND the bumper? My last gripe: the rear seats don't fold flat, so forget napping back there. On the upside, the 4WD is flawless, and I can get way back in the woods during deer season and get 2 dead ones in back for the ride out. Over several long-haul trips, it's been quite comfortable, and it readily accommodates 2 big adults in the back seat during family visits. In sum, I wish I'd gone for the Sequoia, but since I'll own it in January I'll make do for a while. I already sold my boat. UPDATE: I still generally like the vehicle, but my original gripes remain. When we got it I had to splice 2' of cable on our Aliner camper to reach the absurdly-located plug socket for the wire harness. The camper's now 11 years old and we've had our eye on a new one, but it would present the same problem with the short cable. I'm also bald, prone to basal cell skin cancer and HATE having the sun beat down on my head, so I never open the damn moonroof. I'm looking for a 12' cartop fishing boat light enough [and narrow enough] to shove in the back with a bed extender. As I noted, the vehicle is now paid off and serves very well as a family passenger car and for getting to the good hunting and fishing spots. It's also good for over-the-road travel from CNY to Florida several times a year and gets decent gas mileage for what it is. I just had a lot of pricey scheduled service done on it and don't anticipate trading it any time soon, but unless Toyota strengthens the roof, moves the trailer wire plug and offers fold-flat rear seats, I'll be looking at Sequoias and Tahoes when I do. Update: No new problems since last update. Looking at a new, larger camper. Still pissed about the wire harness plug location behind the bumper and will again have to modify the camper cable when we get it. Notice that Toyota didn't change the plug location on the new ones, still insists on putting moonroofs in them and still hasn't redesigned the rear seats to fold flat [plus the front end of the new ones looks like an uncircumsized pecker]. I'd never get another 4-Runner after this. Update March 2018: Nothing to add since last review. Update: I had both radiation for prostate cancer and open heart/bypass surgery since the last review, turned 70 and find it ever more difficult to shove heavy items [like my generator and spare marine battery] over the hump in the back for camping trips, or to kneel on pavement or gravel to plug the camper cable in. Toyota STILL doesn't have the seats fold flat and STILL has the trailer plug behind the bumper on the new ones. I've been looking at pickups, and if I could have anything I wanted I'd have a 4-Runner cut off behind the rear seats, have the cargo area replaced with a 6 1/2' bed and have the towing capacity bumped up another ton. The small Lexus V-8 block would be lovely. If the Honda Ridgeline was a real truck with a standard bed, I'd buy that. It would fit in my driveway and do everything I needed a truck/passenger vehicle to do. Please hurry with it; I'm not getting any younger. Update October 2019: Not much really new, aside from the more frequent need for brake work. I'm not fond of all the electronic and "connectivity" crap in Toyota's new SUV's, so have cooled on the idea of replacing it with a new Sequoia. It's coming up on needing new tires and probably an exhaust system and is overdue for a tune-up [though it runs fine and mileage is the same], so I'm at a crossroads about trading it. Truthfully, I'll find out this week whether or not we'll need to replace our furnace. If so, I'll get all the maintenance done after the holidays and plan to keep it another year. If not, I'll look hard for a good trade deal on a lightly-used Sequoia and move on it soonest [while wishing I could buy a Land Cruiser like the ones they sell in Europe, the Caribbean, and apparently everywhere but here.] On 11/30/19 we were hit almost head-on by an old Silverado pickup. I just got banged up a bit, but my wife [in front passenger seat] was badly injured by the seatbelt. The 4-Runner was totaled. Screw my thumbs-downers.
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Hate my 2011 Toyota 4runner
My first experience with toyota and I hate my 4 runner. Poor design of the running boards- they are useless!!! Also what vehicle now days doesn't have an automatic rear hatch. I have the limited model with all the bells and whistles and I think it still feels cheaply made. Very disappointed!!! I want my 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe back. Not a family friendly vehicle. You can't get kids in and out of carseats with the worthless running board in the backseat.
'11 4R better than '05
Traded '05 4Runner for '11, and definitely an improvement. Quieter, more responsive handling, just as powerful. Miss the rear door close-assist, and don't understand lack of cross-rails for luggage rack, but add'n of bluetooth phone and leather, electric, heated seats more than acceptable trade-off. This version even classier than '05, and mpg is the same (18/21). Feels bigger, more substantial, and just as good of quality. Like the stylish design, and the add'l height makes me feel more confident on the road.
Poor Rear Bumper Design - needs a recall
Nice car, but the body panels (specifically the rear bumper) need to be redesigned. (see below). I am already having to replace it before I've even made my first payment, and Toyota is out of the part because it is in high demand because is a common problem with their current design.
Why is Toyota Going Backwards??
Had to purchase a replacement 2011 4Runner for my 2005 4Runner Sport Ed. due to damages from a body shop. I have to ask " What is Toyota thinking??" 1) This vehicle is severely under powered! Take off feels like being in 4 cylinder car w/ full power a/c 2) No gas latch / security 3) No cargo cover included w/ vehicle, Expensive purchase at $153.00 + tax or shipping/handling. 4) Lightning in the cargo are is crap, all lighting was installed on the back door. Non are actually in the cargo area/ Where you will actually be using. 5) Removed automatic back latch, have to slam down. 6) Why is a newer vehicle getting lower gas mileage than an older version?? 05 4Runner 19 new 17?? Really!!
Impressive 4 & 5 star reviews
2011 LTD purchased new, now 95K miles; 7 years in CA, the rest in AZ - check out "2011 4Runner options" so I don't need to list them all. Pros: I feel safe being able to see over and around smaller vehicles; hoping it has more steel than a small/small Toyota. And then...I'm amazed at some of the reviews that said it has a lot of horsepower compared to their V-8, etc.. I call mine "the gutless wonder". From a standing stop it can't get out of its own way - I leave a lot of room between me and any incoming vehicles. Even worse if I'm making a turn to a slight grade or hill - Yikes! And when already moving at 40+mph it struggles on a grade or hill whether I stay in a lower gear or put it in 'passing'--catalytic converter very smelly. I have a light foot on the accelerator & brakes. Mileage stats don't match any of the good reviews. 13mpg around town in the big city with long stop lights. 19.1 combined where I live now more highway than town. 19.4mpg freeway when driving 65mph or less; Take it 70+ and it's down to the high 18s. A/C cools down nicely, takes a bit longer in AZ but haven't had any problems. Good upper level fan power (yes my hair blows), less power when using the upper/lower level combined but >acceptable. More road noise inside than other cars I've had -- a 2002 Ford Taurus before this that had A LOT more get up and go and quiet along with 25+mpg city and freeway. Brakes have always been soft even after two sets beyond the factory. Factory battery lasted eight years until my grandson played in the back and left a light on for a couple days w/o me realizing it. I'm keeping it until something expensive goes wrong. So far only normal maintenance except for the first shocks/struts for some reason needed at 40K. It's been reliable. 95/100K maintenance cost was a shock. Next vehicle I buy I will definitely check out the ability to get up and go in all conditions, along with the mileage - I won't believe the posted stats.
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Dependable
Reliable, will get you wherever you have to go safely.
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