Toyota 4Runner reliability (please sign up)

[mkaresh]

Because existing sources of vehicle reliability information left much to be desired, in late 2005 I started conducting my own reliability research at TrueDelta.com (http://www.truedelta.com). TrueDelta reports absolute stats like "trips to the shop" that make the differences between cars much clearer. Results are updated four times a year, so it's possible to provide reliability information on new models quickly. Also, any significant changes in a model's reliability become apparent quickly.

I've started collecting data on the 2007, but the sample size remains marginal. And for other model years the sample size isn't quite to the minimum needed to get started. So I'm grateful that the admin of this forum has offered to help get the word out about the research.

Participants simply report repairs the month after they occur on a one-page survey. When there are no repairs, they simply report an approximate odometer reading four times a year, at the end of each quarter.

To encourage participation, panel members will receive full access to the results for free.

Anyone, anywhere can participate.

For the details, and to sign up to help out:

Vehicle reliability research (http://www.truedelta.com/reliability.php)

[bulldog]

These guys are trying to gather more relevant and accurate data on vehicle reliability. The results seem to be interesting, but will be better with more datapoints. Anyway discussed it with them, and thought it might be a good idea.

I have been recording the data form our 3 vehicles for some time.

[mkaresh]

Thanks, Bulldog.

Should have initial results for the 2007 in February. Still need more participants for this and other model years.

[mkaresh]

A number of model years are now very close to the minimum needed to be included in the main survey--for example, the 2005 is just two owners short.

Details here:

Auto reliability research (http://www.truedelta.com/reliability.php)

[TRoss]

Signed up:
2006 4Runner
2004 DC Taco
2000 XC Taco

[JohnD]

signed up:
2005 4runner

[Teotwaki]

2005, me too

[JAM07Sport]

I put mine in a couple months ago and have already recived 2 serveys. I just cant figure out how to access the info on the site.

[mkaresh]

I apologize for not seeing and responding to your post sooner.

Have you been able to access the surveys? For those, just click a link in the emails.

To see the results, look in the "Reliability" box on the home page. You'll find three links there. The second goes to the results for the main survey, the third goes to a second survey that covers things the main survey does not.

I hope this helps. I know that the site can be confusing for many people, and am working to fix this.

[AlexJet]

I'm in for 2005

[mkaresh]

I expect to have at least a few model years in the next update, in May. The sample sizes are borderline, though, and a few additional participants could make all the difference.

For the details, and to help get your model year included:

Vehicle reliability research (http://www.truedelta.com/reliability.php)

[mkaresh]

About to start the last month of data collection before the May results. A few more participants could make the difference been having a result and not having one, it's going to be close.

Vehicle reliability research (http://www.truedelta.com/reliability.php)

[mkaresh]

Those results soon.

Additional participants always helpful.

Vehicle reliability research (http://www.truedelta.com/reliability.php)

[mkaresh]

Those results recently posted.

One year of the 4Runner fell a single response short of making it into these results. I'd like to include not only this year next time, but a few others as well.

A few additional participants could make all the difference.

Vehicle reliability research (http://www.truedelta.com/reliability.php)

[mkaresh]

The next update is only a few weeks away. Additional participants would certainly help.

Vehicle reliability research (http://www.truedelta.com/reliability.php)

[mkaresh]

282 4Runner owners now signed up. A good start, but more are needed.

Vehicle reliability research (http://www.truedelta.com/reliability.php)

[mkaresh]

The 2003, 2005, and 2007 will be in next week's results. All three results will be asterisked for marginal sample sizes, though. The 2006 didn't quite make it.

In other words, need more participants for all model years.

Vehicle reliability research (http://www.truedelta.com/reliability.php)

[aMiR904]

Michael, have you tried yotatech dot com? tons of 4runner members there you can get to sign up too.

[mkaresh]

I've thought about posting there, but have been concerned that the membership there is even more into heavy off-roading and modding than at other 4Runner forums.

[mkaresh]

Results posted for the 2003, 2005, and 2007. The sample sizes are small, so the results are asterisks and only visible to members on the site. But the repair rates appear to be better than average for all three years.

TrueDelta Vehicle Reliability Survey results (http://www.truedelta.com/latest_results.php)

[mkaresh]

Updated results in November.

So far 316 4Runner owners have signed up. A very good start, but more remain needed.

Vehicle reliability research (http://www.truedelta.com/reliability.php)

[mkaresh]

Updated results for a few recent years next week.

We'd like to cover every year from 1995 on--all it takes is more participants :wavey:

Vehicle reliability research (http://www.truedelta.com/reliability.php)

[MysticZ]

I never knew of the survey but I just signed up, 2005 2wd 4runner.:wavey:

[mkaresh]

It's been three months, so the Vehicle Reliability Survey results for the Toyota 4Runner have been updated again.

Repair rates, in terms of successful repair trips per 100 vehicles per year:

2003: 69, better than average

2005: 29, better than average

2006: 29, better than average

2007: 13, much better than average

In all four cases the sample sizes range from very small to marginal. With additional participants, we could provide more precise results and cover more model years.

For the full set of results, and to sign up to help:

TrueDelta Vehicle Reliability Survey results (http://www.truedelta.com/latest_results.php)

[mkaresh]

Good participation by 4Runner owners, but more remain needed.

To help get your year fully included in the results:

Car reliability research (http://www.truedelta.com/reliability.php)

[mkaresh]

Updated results soon. For one year we're a single response short of the minimum. A big thanks to everyone already participating. Just need more of you!

Toyota reliability research (http://www.truedelta.com/reliability.php)

[mkaresh]

As promised, Car Reliability Survey results for the Toyota 4Runner have been updated again.

Repair rates, in terms of successful repair trips per 100 vehicles per year:

2003: 50, better than average

2004: 38, better than average

2005: 12, too low to be precise, but clearly better than average

2006: 35, better than average

2007: 11, much better than average

In every case but the 2006 the sample sizes range from very small to marginal, so every result but the 2006 is asterisked and only visible to participants on the site itself.

A big thanks to everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in May, August, and November. With more participants, we could provide more precise information.

We now have a separate results page for each model that includes the results for competitors. The page for the 4Runner:

Toyota 4Runner reliability comparisons (http://www.truedelta.com/car-reliability.php?stage=pt&bd=Toyota&mc=265&email=Guest)

[mkaresh]

In about a month we'll start previewing the next set of results to participants. More always helpful.

Car reliability research (http://www.truedelta.com/reliability.php)

[mkaresh]

399 4Runner owners signed up so far. Who'll be #400?

This is a great start, but more remain needed to cover all model years from 1995 on.

Car reliability research (http://www.truedelta.com/reliability.php)

[mkaresh]

Updated results this week.

Additional participants always helpful.

Vehicle reliability research (http://www.truedelta.com/reliability.php)

[mkaresh]

We've updated the results for the 4Runner to include owner experiences through March 2009. In terms of successful repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2008: 28

2007: 21

2006: 27

2005: no repairs reported

2004: 38

2003: 44

In all cases better than average.

A big thank you to this forum and everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in August and November. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.

Toyota 4Runner reliability comparisons (http://www.truedelta.com/car-reliability.php?stage=pt&bd=Toyota&mc=265&email=Guest)

[mkaresh]

427 4Runner owners now signed up. A very good start, but more are needed to provide precise results for all model years. Updated results next month.

Vehicle reliability research (http://www.truedelta.com/reliability.php)

[mkaresh]

Updated results around that end of the month. As always, additional participants would be helpful.

Car reliability research (http://www.truedelta.com/reliability.php)

[mkaresh]

We've updated the results for the 4Runner to include owner experiences through June 2009. In terms of successful repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2008: 21

2007: 20

2006: 26

2005: 9

2004: 30

2003: 56

In all cases better than average. Sample sizes adequate for the 2003 and 2006, small for the other years.

A big thank you, once again, to this forum and everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in November and February. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.

Toyota 4Runner reliability comparisons (http://www.truedelta.com/car-reliability.php?stage=pt&bd=Toyota&mc=265&email=Guest)

[mkaresh]

Updated results again next month.

We're going to start providing new stats for the odds of requiring no repairs and the odds of getting a lemon. These require larger sample sizes, so additional participants would be helpful.

For the details, and to sign up:

Car reliability research (http://www.truedelta.com/reliability.php)

[mkaresh]

We've updated the results for the 4Runner to include owner experiences through September 30, 2009. In terms of successful repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2008: 15

2007: 27

2006: 24

2005: 17

2004: 33

2003: 33

In all cases better than average. Sample sizes adequate for the 2003 and 2006, small for the other years.

A big thank you, once again, to everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in February and May. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.

Toyota 4Runner reliability comparisons (http://www.truedelta.com/car-reliability.php?stage=pt&bd=Toyota&mc=265&email=Guest)

[mkaresh]

489 4Runner owners now signed up. A very good start, but more are needed to provide precise results for all model years from 1995 on.

Help provide stats for your year:

Car reliability research (http://www.truedelta.com/reliability.php)

[mkaresh]

Updated results soon. As always, additional participants would be helpful.

[mkaresh]

We've updated the results for the 4Runner to include owner experiences through December 31, 2009. In terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2008: 14

2007: 28

2006: 18

2005: 30

2004: 57

2003: 49

In all cases better than average. Sample sizes small for the 2005 and 2008, but now good for the other model years.

A big thank you, once again, to everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in May and August. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.

Toyota 4Runner reliability comparisons (http://www.truedelta.com/car-reliability.php?stage=pt&bd=Toyota&mc=265&email=Guest)

[mkaresh]

Recently enhanced the related repair history survey so that it can (optionally) be used as a personal car maintenance record for cars 2000 MY and newer.

As always, more participants would be helpful. Updated Car Reliability Survey results in May, and a few model years are only a single response short of the minimum.

Car reliability research (http://www.truedelta.com/reliability.php)

[mkaresh]

We've updated the results for the 4Runner to include owner experiences through March 31, 2010. In terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2008: 14

2007: 18

2006: 12

2005: 64

2004: 66

2003: 35

1997: 36

Judging from the results for other model years, both the 2004 and 2005 might be higher than the actual repair frequency. The sample size is four short of the minimum for a full result with the 2005, and only one above this minimum for the 2006.

The 2004 and 2005 are about average while the others are better than average. Sample sizes small for the 1997, 2005, and 2008, but decent for the other model years.

A big thank you, once again, to everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in August and November. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.

Toyota 4Runner reliability comparisons (http://www.truedelta.com/car-reliability.php?stage=pt&bd=Toyota&mc=265&email=Guest)

[expat]

Double the repairs from 2003 to 2004? Well that sucks!

[mkaresh]

Double the repairs from 2003 to 2004? Well that sucks!

As noted in the post, I don't think this is likely. Most likely a matter of the sample sizes. As more owners get involved we'll see these numbers smooth out.

[mkaresh]

In a couple of weeks we'll start previewing the next set of results to participants. The preview results are actually updated as responses come in--for me it's like watching the results of a presidential election, only four times a year.

My focus: how many model years will we be able to fully cover this time around?

To help provide the best possible information on your year:

Car reliability research (http://www.truedelta.com/reliability.php)