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1995 Toyota 4RUNNER engine problems

115 complaints (67% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 124,000. 1 crash reported.

owner complaints
115
of this car's complaints
67%
typical mileage
124,000
crashes
1
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Engine
    68
  • Engine: gasoline
    12
  • Cooling system: radiator assembly
    5
  • Cooling system
    4
  • Exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
    1
  • Exhaust system: emission control
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Toyota 4RUNNER engine problems in other years

1990199520002005201020152026

Specific symptoms reported on the 1995 Toyota 4RUNNER engine

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Overheating 22Engine failure 16Check engine light 5Loss of power 5Misfire 5

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 1995 Toyota 4RUNNER owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 22, 2021 · Engine · CA

Engine, no sign of overheating ... Overheated within 3 months of ownership on my way to work with my wife's Conclude the headgaskets were blown. Toyota doesn't acknowledge recall. . Plus send a recall for v6 4runners headgaskets

Filed Jan 7, 2017 · Engine · TN

Blown head gasket on 3.0 v-6

Filed Apr 1, 2016 · Engine · 166,265 miles · CA

May 2015 on way to drs and then oil change at pep boys. Head gasket on car blew for 2nd time (6000 and 2 years, since first time). Driving on freeway proceeded to overpass and in the middle of this extremely high, curved overpass, bridging the 23 to the 101, driving at highway speed, the car "farted", cloud out back side and speed just dropped. Coasted down other side and car "limped along slowly" from there. Most terrifying experience. Prayed no one would hit me and send me flying off the connector to freeway below. I had no problem with car prior, running beautiful. Took the grades, highway, passing street driving. No problem. Back to issue: luckily, no cars immed. Behind me and those coming were far enough to and could use l lane. Was able to get off freeway. Car,died at every light, but made it slowly, to pep boys. They said head gasket blew. Please note this was a relatively newly repaired head gasket. Repaired 2/16/2013 done @ 160,227. Was gifted car in nov 2013 by family member with meticulous records and spot on reg maintenance of this vehicle. Here I am at the 166,265 and for some reason again the head gasket is incapable of function with the specs of the vehicle. Went with a re-manufactured engine, by certified engine repair only facility, but since the big bang. The car has an unidentifiable speed issue. Can hit up to 80- 85 on hwy, (runs almost beautifully, again but passing power, varies, does hill and then, it doesn't. Loosing speed/power foot to the floor. Then running beautifully. Had 39 point inspection aaa. 4/1/16 passed shifting/engine cranking/ handling etc, does not follow any, if then, you will notice, no engine, od, warning lights. Loss of dash function, RPM , speedometer, gage functions...came here and found out not only one who's engine blew way before its time, again have complete care repair history and maintenance records.

Filed Dec 18, 2015 · Engine · OH

Toyota 4runner 1995 blown head gaskets

Filed Feb 9, 2015 · Engine · 250,000 miles · AZ

My head gasket is blown. The dummy panel did not show overheating but steam or smoke was visible coming out from under the hood. Coolant was leaking when parked but the radiator is full. Toyota says my VIN says it was manufactured in nov 1995 my registration paperwork says it was first registered october 1995. As with many others, toyota says it is not included. How many reports must be made before it is a covered problem? Or is there no change til lawyers get involved?

Filed Jan 6, 2015 · Engine · 158,000 miles · CA

Engine exhaust smoky. Coolant level drops. Steam and water emitted from exhaust pipe. Cause seems to be due to a failed head gasket(s) or failure of aluminum cylinder heads to mate to cast iron engine block. Other possibility is cracking in water jacket of heads. This is a 3.0 liter v6 engine and has had press releases about gasket failures. This vehicle was purchased new by customer and has never had the engine overheat or has it been run while low on engine lubricating oil.

Filed Jul 18, 2014 · Engine · 96,541 miles · SC

Blown rod . Bad motor .. The 4 runner had a 4 wheel drive engine in it that came stock in a 2 wheel drive 4 runner? It blew out a rod on me and these sr5 motors are suppose to last a long time? 98,432 is low for me.

Filed May 15, 2012 · Engine · 90,000 miles · AZ

I do not own this vehicle anymore as I needed a reliable vehicle to make it to arizona from iowa. I also had a cobalt I had to get rid of with bad transmission and steering rack (prior to recall of steering racks). I do not have storage capability for junk vehicles. This toyota had a blown head gasket at 90000 miles like all the other 10 years worth of recalled 4runner 3vz-e engines. But conveniently for toyota they forgot to include 95. There is no way a car company redesigns an engine they were phasing out in 4 months. Needed gasket replaced but not covered under recall. Toyota said too bad, so sad, our reputation relies on quality vehicles. Bbb said it is up to the car company to be responsible for their vehicles, I.e. We do not care. I got $0.00 for trade in on it. The cobalt I also took a $1000 loss since I only had it 4 months and traded it in with 42000 miles (bought at 37000).

Filed Dec 14, 2011 · Engine · 124,000 miles · TN

I bought a regularly maintained, used 1995 4 runner with 119,000 miles. Within a month, it began running poorly and the repairs began. Had to have the truck towed numerous times after it left me stranded with my infant child. I have replaced everything possible but now the mechanic tells me I have a blown head gasket. There was no incident of overheating. I have seen enough complaints about this issue to understand that toyota is aware and refuses to rectify this situation. I was told by toyota customer service that my truck is not on the recall list. Why not? Every other year was recalled for the very same problem. I cannot afford this repair and since this vehicle has 'nickel and dimmed' me to death, it sits in the driveway. I can't fix it, can't sell it, can't trade it in. It was a waste. My husband's car has been a real trooper but it needs repairs. The 4 runner has taken so much, we can't even fix the basics on hubby's car. Just want to know when toyota is going to admit the problem and help us all that are stuck with their mess!

Filed Sep 13, 2011 · Engine · 179,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 1995 toyota 4runner. While driving 25 MPH, the contact noticed smoke coming from the tail pipe and the vehicle began driving erratically. The engine was turned off but would not restart after four to five attempts. When restarted, there was thick white smoke coming from the tail pipe abnormally. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic and after inspecting the vehicle, the mechanic noticed that the head gasket was fractured. The manufacturer was contacted and offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 179,000.

Questions about the 1995 Toyota 4RUNNER engine

Does the 1995 Toyota 4RUNNER have engine problems?

Owners have filed 115 complaints about the engine of the 1995 Toyota 4RUNNER, 67% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 1995 Toyota 4RUNNER engine problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 124,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 1995 Toyota 4RUNNER engine?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Toyota 4RUNNER have bad engine?

The Toyota 4RUNNER model years with the most engine complaints are 1995 (115 complaints), 2003 (99 complaints) and 2004 (43 complaints).

Other 1995 Toyota 4RUNNER problems

Transmission 14Tires 11Brakes 6Electrical 6Steering 5Body 4Lights 3Seat belts 3Airbags 2Fuel system 2Suspension 2Visibility 2Locks 1

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