Toyota 4Runner 3rd Generation 1996-2002 (N180) Review

First introduced for the 1996 model year, the N180 Toyota 4Runner aimed to maintain its predecessors' off-road capabilities while improving on occupant comfort, safety, and powertrains. Consequently, the 3rd-Gen Toyota 4Runner received greater differentiation from its closest relative the first Toyota Tacoma, employing a unique frame, rear suspension, and body, to give a more car-like driving experience.

The third-generation Toyota 4Runner received one major facelift in 1999, refreshing its appearance and enhancing its equipment levels midway through its production life. There was also an upgrade to the available 4WD system, but the engines and gearboxes remained largely unchanged. However, it was also treated to yearly revisions from the outset, with each new model year gaining some minor improvements and added standard equipment.

The changes applied to the N180 4Runner front view present the most obvious differences between pre- and post-facelift models. The headlights are updated to a new multi-reflector design with clear lenses and auto-off function¹, the bumper is restyled with a pronounced lip around its lower air intake, smoother integration of the lower indicator lamp²and optional fog lights with new clear lenses³, and the grille now features a chunky single horizontal slat in either body color or with a satin-gloss finish⁴. SR5 models also receive a hood scoop as part of an optional enhanced sport package along with color-matched bumpers and fender flares, and projector-style fog lamps.

The N180 4Runner's facelift didn't change very much about its rear end, save for a switch from clear- to smoked tail light lenses, albeit still identical in layout, shape, and position¹. At the same time, the 4Runner badge moves from the black rear number-plate bezel to the left-hand side of the tailgate², but that's as far as it goes. The bumper and other styling elements remain as they were before. For its final two years, multi-reflector tail lamps were fitted, to bring the rear end in line with the then-current Toyota styling language.

Seen in profile, there's very little to differentiate between a pre-facelift 4Runner and an updated one: its lower door cladding, where fitted, and chunky fenders remain unchanged, and you'd have to look at their headlight¹detailing - specifically the side-marker light design - to identify them. 2001 and 2002 Limited models, with their new multi-reflector tail lamp clusters, will be easier to distinguish from earlier examples.

The 4Runner's interior receives a comprehensive redesign for 1999, with a new center console and dash design providing better beverage-storage solutions via two dual cup holders, two power outlets, an overhead console with sunglass holder, two built-in map lights, and cruise control for the SR5 grade. More noticeable is the addition of a digital (LCD) odometer and a dual trip meter, as well as a new layout for the air-con vents¹and controls in the upright center stack across the range².

The third-generation Toyota 4Runner was available with multiple drivetrain options from launch, with a choice between four-cylinder or V6 engines, rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, and either a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic. The base engine is a 2.7-liter, 16-valve DOHC 4-cylinder unit with the upgrade option of a 3.4-liter, quad-cam 24-valve V6 addressing all the complaints of insufficient power which were leveled at the second-generation 4Runner.

For its final two years in 2001 and 2002, the four-cylinder engine and the manual transmission were both discontinued, leaving only V6-engined models with either 2WD and 4WD on the showroom floor. At this time, the base trim levels were also dropped, moving the 4Runner's base price significantly upmarket from where it started.

But, through all these changes, the integrity of the 4Runner's mechanical hardware remained impeccable, with no serious design flaws worth mentioning. Both engines' fuel- and emissions-control systems are pretty robust too, so there's no significant risk of 1996-2002 Toyota 4Runner fuel pump or injector problems. There aren't even notable 1996-2022 Toyota 4Runner oil leak problems as the car ages, except for the crankshaft end seals eventually wearing out around the same time as the second timing chain or belt…

The third-generation Toyota 4Runner was a strong seller in its day, but not enough owners submitted their real-world fuel economy to the EPA to get representative figures. This may largely be due to the age of the vehicles in question, because the third-generation 4Runner predates widespread internet availability by some margin.

* Real-world mpg and MPGe figures are provided by the EPA. Once a car has been on sale for a significant period of time, the EPA gets real-world figures directly from the customer base. These figures are then provided on the EPA website. Real-world figures are not available for certain models due to a lack of sales, or not enough people partaking in this after-sales survey.

At launch in 1996, the N180 Toyota 4Runner wasn't exactly over-endowed with standard safety features - the baseline in terms of safety equipment stretched to two frontal airbags with seatbelt pretensioners across the range, side-impact protection beams in the doors, child locks on the rear doors, a center high-mounted stoplight, halogen headlights, and 3-point safety belts for all outboard seats. Power-assisted, ventilated front discs and rear drums made up the basic braking system, to which V6 models added larger front discs and 4-channel ABS. The latter upgrades were optional on 4-cylinder models, but could only be specified with larger 16-inch wheels and tires.

Fortunately, safety-equipment upgrades were applied throughout the N180's production run, such as a multi-stage front passenger airbag, a passenger seatbelt warning light, and rear child seat anchors in 1999. For its final two years, the N180 4Runner gained skid control (VSC) with traction control (TRAC), and the ABS system was improved to include electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist as standard, granting the 2001 and 2002 models much-improved safety credentials.

The third-generation Toyota 4Runner was subjected to NHTSA crash tests at various stages of its production life. From 1996-1998, the 4Runner only received 3 stars for both front occupants, and 1999 and 2000 examples bumped that to five stars for the front passenger and four stars for the driver. The final versions (2001 and 2002) received solid four-star ratings for both driver and front passenger, and five stars for side-impact protection.

Bear in mind that these tests were performed according to the NHTSA's old test protocol, and cannot be directly compared to cars that were tested after 2011, when a much stricter set of parameters came into effect. Also, note that the rollover rating may seem poor at first glance, but is actually in the ballpark for frame-based SUVs - they're all pretty prone to toppling over, due to their basic architecture.

The Toyota 4Runner N180 launched in three trim levels: Base, SR5, and Limited. Each of the lower two trim levels could be had with either RWD or 4WD, but the range-topping Limited was only ever available with 4WD.

Given its priority on practicality, the third-generation Toyota 4Runner's ample cabin space should not come as any surprise. In fact, its front head- and legroom of 39.3 inches and 42.6 inches, respectively, comfortably trounce the contemporary Nissan Pathfinder, although its shoulder- and hip room are marginally down on that specific Nissan.

The same applies to the rear seats, where the 4Runner also offers easier access thanks to large door apertures. The 4Runner's 44.6 cubic feet of cargo volume (with all seats in place) is also significantly larger than the Pathfinder's comparatively meager 38 cubes. The gas tank size is quoted at 18.5 gallons.

Toyota recommends that the Toyota 4Runner's engine oil and filter be replaced every 5,000 miles, and we concur with this recommendation for all models. At the same time, the tires must be rotated, the ball joints and dust covers must be inspected, and the underbody should be checked for rust and loose fittings. Inspect the drive shaft boots, brake linings, and engine air filter too, lubricate the propeller shaft, and re-torque the propeller shaft bolts.

The engine air filter is supposed to last 30,000 miles at most, but if it is inspected at 5,000-mile intervals and found to be dirty (especially after facing harsh driving conditions), feel free to replace it sooner. Engine air filters are reasonably priced, considering their long service intervals, at $25 for four-cylinder and V6 OEM filters alike.

The engine coolant and spark plugs must also be replaced every 30,000 miles. OEM Spark plugs for a four-cylinder 4Runner should cost about $10 a set, and a set of replacement (NGK 3967) plugs for the 5VZ-FE will set you back about $36.

At the same time, all driveline fluids must be inspected: Transmission, transfer case, and differential oils may need replacement around this time if the vehicle frequently goes off-road or deals with muddy or sandy conditions. However, if the vehicle isn't exposed to harsh usage, the transmission-, differential- and transfer case fluids can be replaced every 60,000 miles. Keeping this maintenance up to date should avert any 1996-2002 Toyota 4Runner automatic transmission problems.

Finally, a piece of preventative maintenance concerns the brake fluid, which should be replaced every two years or 30,000 miles. Doing so will reduce the risk of corrosion inside the brake lines, and will help to maintain brake feel and efficiency.

官方的名单1996 - 2002 reca丰田4 runnerlls is fairly short and includes only five issues on Toyota's part. The first recall involves 1996 to 1998 models, where heavy loads and severe steering maneuvers could cause a loss of directional stability. The remedy involves the replacement of some rear suspension parts, according to NHTSA Campaign Number 02V021000.

The next serious recall pertains to 2001 and 2002 4Runners, which were fitted with defective lower ball joints in front, with a fault in their internal finishing that could lead to premature failure. This recall affects various Toyota SUV and truck models from the early 2000s, according to NHTSA Campaign Number 05V225000. However, owners of earlier examples also mention sudden ball joint failure, but only at higher mileages (from 90,000 onwards). Listen out for any creaks or clunking noises from the front suspension, and when in doubt, have the ball joints checked out.

In 1998 and 1999, some Toyota SUVs and trucks sold via Gulf States Toyota were fitted with substandard wheel lug nuts, which needed to be replaced to ensure driving safety. Consult NHTSA Campaign Number 98V277000 for more information.

The final Toyota recall involves the absence of certain warning stickers regarding an SUV's handling characteristics (such as that it could topple over more easily than a normal car) on 1996 model 4Runners.

For the rest, there are three recalls involving aftermarket suppliers, where replacement headlight clusters didn't conform to federal safety regulations, regarding side-marker and amber reflector elements. Ensure that NHTSA recalls 06E026000, 06E049000, and 09E012000 have all been attended to if you're interested in a used 4Runner with non-OEM headlights.

There are also some common OBDII errors that may show up on a third-generation Toyota 4Runner:

• P0101 on a 1996-2002 Toyota 4Runner indicates a problem with the mass air flow sensor readings, likely due to old age or contamination.
• P0110 on a 1996-2002 Toyota 4Runner means that there's a problem with the intake air temperature sensor's circuit, while P0113 indicates a problem with the sensor itself (the signal voltage is too high, indicating an over-reading sensor).
• P0113 points towards an engine coolant temperature circuit problem, and P0125 says that the engine coolant temperature is too low for closed-loop fuel mixture control.
• P0120 indicates an issue with the throttle pedal position sensor circuit on a 1996-2002 Toyota 4Runner.
• P0130, P0133, and P0135 indicate problems on a 1996-2002 Toyota 4Runner's primary oxygen sensors (upstream of the catalyst), while P0136 and P0140 point towards secondary oxygen sensor issues (downstream of the catalyst).
• P0171 says that the engine is running too lean and P0172 denotes that the engine is running too rich. These are both triggered when the control unit senses that the oxygen sensors' inputs are out of bounds even after applying maximum fuel trim values.
• P0300 is an alert that there's a random misfire in a 1996-2002 Toyota 4Runner's engine, and the last digit of P0301 to P0306 codes pinpoint the misfiring cylinder(s).
• Knock sensor problems are indicated by P0325 and P0330 OBDII codes.
• P0401 and P0402 respectively point towards either insufficient or excessive exhaust gas recirculation flow on a 1996-2002 Toyota 4Runner.
• P0420 on a 1996-2002 Toyota 4Runner means that the catalyst is operating below its efficiency threshold, and will need to be replaced (provided all oxygen sensors are in good order).
• A problem with the fuel system's evaporative canister control system is indicated by P0440, P0441, P0442, and P0446 on a 1996-2002 Toyota 4Runner.
• Excessive fuel tank pressure is indicated by error code P0453, which may also appear alongside P0440-P0446 error codes.
• P0500 indicates a fault with a 1996-2002 Toyota 4Runner's vehicle's speed sensor, while P0505 shows an error with the idle air control system.
• Gearbox-related error codes on a 1996-2002 Toyota 4Runner are indicated by P0753, P0770, and P0773 error codes, usually pointing to a shift control solenoid issue.
• P1133 denotes an air-fuel sensor (oxygen sensor) circuit response, and P1700 shows a malfunction on the gearbox's output shaft speed sensor.

主人会很高兴知道,其他1996 - 2002Toyota 4Runner problems are few and far between. Some owners have reported cracked exhaust manifolds on the V6 engine, and both four-cylinder and V6 engines may develop excessive valve clearances, which can both cause a ticking noise from the engine and a loss of performance.

Conversely, too-tight valve clearances are also a possibility, although this may point to valve seat recession in the cylinder heads, and could lead to burned valves if ignored. This can be identified before disaster strikes by a notable drop in compression and uneven running. A good rule of thumb is to check the valve clearances every 20,000 miles, but note that adjusting the valve clearances is a major undertaking and is definitely not for the faint of heart or mechanically inexperienced.

至于刹车,没有明显的1996 - 2002Toyota 4Runner brake, booster, or ABS problems, apart from a tendency for the brake lines to corrode from the inside if the brake fluid isn't regularly changed. This also applies to the ABS pump, which could go bad at higher mileages and when poorly maintained. 1996-2002 Toyota 4Runner parking brake problems may occur as a result of caliper corrosion or cable failure, but this doesn't appear to be a common problem.

Some 1996-2002 Toyota 4Runner idle and cold starting problems may be present and are often caused by coil pack problems. This is simple to remedy, if somewhat pricey - ignition coil packs start around $102 apiece for both engines. Intermittent starting could also point to a problem with the ignition coil packs.

An electric radio antenna was added to the Limited trim in 1997, and some reports of 1997-2002 Toyota 4Runner antenna problems were reported. This could easily be remedied by switching to a whip-type antenna or replacing it with an aftermarket item. 1996-2002 Toyota 4Runner power window problems can usually be traced to defective limit switches in the doors or faults in the master switch panel in the driver's door. Have an auto electrician check it out for you.

There may also be issues with leaking seals and/or inadequate drainage around the sunroof aperture, leading to 1996-2002 Toyota 4Runner sunroof problems as a result of water ingress into the operating mechanism. The tailgate's power window could be problematic in a few vehicles, but this 1996-2002 Toyota 4Runner rear power window problem is usually only due to a broken wire (usually a yellow one) in the tailgate's wiring harness.

1996-2002 Toyota 4Runner power steering problems may rear their heads and are usually caused by the steering rack wearing out at high mileage. Their hydraulic pumps may also require refurbishment at a very high age and the hoses may perish with time, but these aren't common issues and are expected for components of this nature.

For the rest, the Toyota 4Runner 3rd Gen has all the reliability and longevity you'd expect of a Toyota. Their transmissions and powered rack-and-pinion steering systems reported no significant problems, and many owners, who managed the various possible rust issues through regular inspection and maintenance, report odometer readings in excess of 200,000 miles without major breakdowns or unexpected expenses.

According to those owners, these systems performed pretty much flawlessly:

• Very few 1996-2002 Toyota 4Runner starter and solenoid problems were reported, apart from general wear-and-tear at high mileage.
• Provided maintenance was performed as required by Toyota's schedule, 1996-2002 Toyota 4Runner transmission and transfer case problems were few and far between, regardless of the transmission type.
• The electrical system is proving to be quite robust, with very few 1996-2002 Toyota 4Runner alternator- or electrical problems to report.
• Apart from the occasional refrigerant leak, few 1996-2002 Toyota 4Runner air conditioner or climate control system problems were reported.
• The 2001 update introduced drive-by-wire throttle control and stability control to the 4Runner, but there are few 2001-2002 Toyota 4Runner traction control problems to report on vehicles with the new electronic throttle control systems.
• Some owners of third-gen 4Runners reported their anti-theft alarms going off at random, but this isn't really a sign of 1996-2002 Toyota 4Runner alarm problems - it usually points towards a deteriorating car battery or a 1996-2002 Toyota 4Runner battery drain problem instead. Check the wiring on the tailgate's drop-down window to find the most likely culprit here.
• 1996-2002 Toyota 4Runner catalytic converter problems are few and far between, and only show up if there's something else amiss in the emissions control system.
• There are very few reports of 1996-2002 Toyota 4Runner door lock or ignition switch problems, with door actuator failures being a tiny minority of causes, and most issues instead relating to a blown fuse or a run-down battery in the key remote.

Seeing as frame rust is one of the most common problems on a 1996-2002 Toyota 4Runner, we'd advise against especially earlier models, which may not have had their rust issues attended to. While they're all mechanically solid, the head gasket issues also show that 1996-1997 4Runner V6 models are best avoided.

最好的第三代丰田4 runner newest one you can find. While the 1999 update fixed some of the issues which afflicted older examples, the specification enhancements applied in 2001 and 2002 make these model years the most desirable. If you insist on a four-cylinder 4Runner, a 2000 SR5 with a manual transmission will be the best buy, with most of this model's teething issues sorted out, it presents a great value proposition.

Apart from the various rust-related issues, there is a lot to admire about the N180 Toyota 4Runner. It's still a pretty attractive vehicle after all these years, and it likely aged a lot better than most of its domestic opponents did. They're reliable and tough, off-road-capable, and reasonably good on-road, so a used 1996-2002 4Runner will do a great job as a spacious budget all-terrain runaround or cheap off-roader. Its sophistication isn't on a modern vehicle's level, but that may just be part of its allure for buyers looking for something simple and rugged.