Toyota has some legendary SUVs, and the 4Runner is a fine example of that. This sport utility vehicle has been on the market since the 80s and has seen a lot of transformations. With such a long history behind it, what breaks on the Toyota 4Runner most frequently? Some of the most common Toyota 4Runner problems are listed below, with resources on how to diagnose and even fix the issue sometimes.

What breaks on the Toyota 4Runner?

According to RepairPal, the Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) can fail after the 4Runner hits 100,000 miles. This is more common in the older Toyota 4Runner SUVs from the 1990s and some more recent models. The automatic transmission can have trouble shifting if the TSP is not working right. The good news is that the transmission does not need to be replaced. Some drivers suggested adjusting the Throttle Position Sensor or replacing the shift solenoid to remedy the issue. This is a pretty common issue among Toyota SUVs, and it seems to impact a wide variety of generations.

Another common Toyota 4Runner issue is the blower motor resistor going out prematurely. This will likely need to be replaced, as the blower motor is essential for heating, ventilation, and aid conditioning ducts. Most of the time, these are located in the glove box of the 4Runner. The resistor helps change the fan’s speed, which helps increase the airflow in the cabin.

If this happens, the air conditioning and heating might still work to some degree, but you will notice a problem. For instance, it will only blow out of some vents or at specific settings. If the resistor is not replaced, the system can eventually fail altogether. This won’t impact the car’s safety, but it won’t be comfortable either. Estimates for a fix are between $152 and $173.

If something breaks on the Toyota 4Runner, here’s how to fix it

Since the 4Runner has been around so long, many resources are online to fix things that break on the Toyota 4Runner. 1A Auto says the front upper control arms can sometimes fail on the Toyota 4Runner, or these need replacement. The video above shows step-by-step instructions on how to do that.

The 4Runner was recently named one of the vehicles that have the potential to last 250,000 miles or more. At such high mileage, some things need upgrading or replacement simply due to how long it has been on the road.

Another common problem with the Toyota 4Runner is related to the starter. The solenoid contacts in the starter could be corroded if the 4Runner won’t start or won’t turn over. It will be cheaper to replace just the solenoids than to replace the entire starter.

The starter can be an issue on the 4Runner

If the engine on this SUV won’t crank and the starter solenoid is not the issue, it could be the starter. This usually happens between 100,000 and 125,000 miles but can happen at any point. Replacing the solenoid is cheaper, but replacing the entire starter can cost between $443 and $600.

The first video on the page from 1A Auto shows how to diagnose the starter issue. Check for corrosion if the vehicle won’t turn over but the lights and the battery are working. This will happen where the connector and the cable meet, and corrosion will be visible. Corrosion looks like white frost and is visible just after 3:19 in the video.

Depending on what breaks on the Toyota 4Runner, you might be able to fix it at home with some of these resources. If you plan on driving this SUV until the wheels fall off, it might be a good idea to get aquatinted with these common problems. When it comes down to it, the 4Runner is one of the least complained-about SUVs around.