Is the 1GR-FE V6 a timing chain or a belt?

Chain. Same setup as the Tacoma 1GR-FE, no 60k or 90k timing-belt service. The chain and tensioner routinely last past 250,000 miles.

Will my 4Runner make it to 300,000 miles?

If you change the oil, yes. 250k-350k on the original 1GR-FE long block is normal on these. The drivetrain, engine, 5-speed auto, transfer case, is fundamentally bulletproof. The body and the suspension wear faster than the powertrain does.

Should I worry about the cracked exhaust manifolds?

On a 2010-2018 truck, yes, listen at startup. The crack produces a metallic tick that fades after 2-3 minutes as the metal expands and closes the crack. It's not safety-critical, but it gets worse over time and eventually throws codes. Toyota revised the casting for 2019, so post-2019 trucks are clean.

Is KDSS worth the extra reseal cost?

If you actually take the truck off-road, yes, the wheel articulation difference is real. If it's a mall-cruiser, no. The reseal at 100k+ is $300-$500 in parts and a half-day of work. Limited and TRD Off-Road KDSS trucks ride noticeably better on-road too. KDSS on a daily-driver Limited is a feature; KDSS on a wheeled-once-a-year truck is a tax.

Which year of the 5th-gen 4Runner should I buy?

A 2019 or later TRD Off-Road with the revised exhaust manifolds and Toyota Safety Sense P. You skip the cracking-manifold years and get adaptive cruise. If budget pushes you earlier, a 2018 with documented manifold replacement is fine; a 2010-2013 Trail with the original manifolds is buyable if the truck is cheap enough to absorb a manifold job.

Does the 2010-2013 truck use the same headlight bulbs as the 2014+?

Yes. Toyota's spec table lists H11 for the low beam across the entire 2010-2024 run, the 2014 facelift changed the headlight housing and grille, not the bulb type. All years share 9005 (HB3) for the high beam. Fog lights, where equipped, take H16 on every year, not H11.

What's the deal with the rear hatch glass strut?

Both pneumatic struts that hold the flip-up rear glass open weaken past 60k miles. The glass starts dropping when you take your hand off it. $40 a pair on Amazon, 10 minutes to swap, no special tools. Universal 5th-gen complaint, trivial fix.

The 5th Generation Toyota 4Runner Clubhouse

5th-Gen Toyota 4Runner (2010-2024) Owner's Hub

The 5th-gen 4Runner (2010-2024) ran 15 model years with one powertrain: the 4.0L 1GR-FE V6 paired to a 5-speed automatic. It's the last body-on-frame, hydraulic-steering, full-frame 4Runner Toyota will ever build, the 2025+ 6th gen moves to a turbo-four on the TNGA-F platform. TRD Pro arrived in 2015 with Fox shocks. KDSS on TRD Off-Road and Limited handles surprisingly well but leaks past 100k. The 1GR-FE routinely runs 250k-350k miles. The thing to know before buying: cracked exhaust manifolds across the 2010-2018 trucks and KDSS reseals on the off-road trims.

Photo: HJUdall / Wikimedia Commons / CC0 Public Domain

Production: 2010-2024
Engines: 4L
Final model year: 2024

Configure your car

Year

Cab

Trim

What your 4Runner takes

The parts and fluids that fit this generation. Specs we publish are confirmed against two independent sources; the rest fill in as we verify them.

Tire size265/70R17✓ VerifiedView
Wiper blades24" driver · 20" passenger✓ VerifiedView
Engine oil0W-20 (6.6 qt)✓ VerifiedView
Spark plugs1GR-FE: SK20HR11✓ VerifiedView
Transmission fluid1GR-FE: Toyota Genuine ATF WS✓ VerifiedView
Tire pressure32 psi✓ VerifiedView
Headlight bulbsH11 low · 9005 high · H16 fogFrom owner's manualShop
BatteryGroup 24F · 585 CCA minFrom owner's manualShop
CoolantToyota Super Long Life Coolant (SLLC) · ~11.1 qtFrom owner's manualShop
Power steering fluidAutomatic transmission fluid DEXRON II or IIIFrom owner's manualShop
Differential fluidRear: 75W-85 GL-5 (Toyota Genuine Differential Gear Oil LT) (~2.9 qt) · Front: 75W-85 GL-5 (Toyota Genuine Differential Gear Oil LT) (~1.6 qt) · T-case: SAE 75W (Toyota Genuine Transfer Gear Oil LF) (~1.1 qt)From owner's manualShop
Wheel fitment17x7.5 ET15From owner's manualShop
Engine air filterParts in catalogShop
Cabin air filterParts in catalogShop
Brake rotorsParts in catalogShop
Key fob batteryNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
Oil filterNot catalogued yetFind yours
Brake fluidNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
Serpentine beltNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
Brake padsNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
ThermostatNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
A/C refrigerantNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
Fuel filterNot catalogued yetFind yours soon

Floor mats

Our top custom-fit pick for the Toyota 4Runner is the WeatherTech Custom Fit FloorLiners 1st & 2nd rows.

Floor mats for the Toyota 4Runner →

CCT Top Picks

The starter shopping list for your 5th-gen 4Runner

What 5th-gen owners actually buy on this site: one bottle of full-synthetic 0W-20 (the factory grade for the 1GR-FE), the WIX engine air filter that's an Amazon's Choice specifically for this truck, a 4Runner-confirmed cabin filter, and a graphene ceramic spray for paint that already has a swirl mark or two. Categorized picks by use case sit further down.

Mobil 1
Extended Performance Full Synthetic Motor Oil 0W-20
CCT 7.3Health 8.5Quality 7.2
See Price on Amazon →See review
WIX Filters
49350 Engine Air Filter
CCT 7.2Health 9.5Quality 7.2
See Price on Amazon →See review
EPAuto
CP285 Premium Cabin Air Filter (with Activated Carbon)
CCT 7.2Health 9.5Quality 7.2
See Price on Amazon →See review
Adam's Polishes
Graphene Ceramic Spray Coating
CCT 5.4Health 1.0Quality 6.3
See Price on Amazon →See review

Heritage · 5th Generation 4Runner

2010-2024

1984
4Runner is born
Toyota launches the original 4Runner as a Hilux pickup with a fiberglass camper shell. The off-road SUV category in America starts here.
2010
5th gen launches
New N280 frame, the 1GR-FE V6 rerated to 270 hp, no more V8 option, and a 5-speed automatic that will run the entire generation.
2015
TRD Pro debuts
Fox 2.5 shocks, TRD-tuned springs, skid plate, heritage grille. The factory-off-road-from-the-showroom category arrives.
2019
Exhaust manifolds redesigned
Toyota fixes the cracking cast manifolds. Post-2019 trucks no longer develop the cold-start tick.
2024
Final 5th-gen year
Production ends late 2024. The 6th gen moves to a turbo-four on TNGA-F. The 5th gen is the last of its kind.

Last verified: May 2026.

The 5th-gen Toyota 4Runner (2010-2024) is the last body-on-frame, hydraulic-steering, full-frame SUV Toyota will ever build with a non-turbo V6. It is the truck owners bought when they wanted a 4WD that would still be running at 250,000 miles, didn't need 28 mpg, and wanted a tow strap to live in the cargo area year-round. The 2025+ 6th gen moves to a turbo-four on the TNGA-F platform, different truck, different conversation.

Should you buy one in 2026

A clean 5th-gen 4Runner in 2026 trades for $24,000 to $48,000 used, with TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro trims commanding the strongest prices. That's an extraordinary resale curve for a 15-year-old SUV, and the reason is simple: nothing on it is throwaway. The drivetrain is the same 1GR-FE V6 that runs forever in a Tacoma. The 5-speed auto is the same A750F that runs forever in a Land Cruiser. There is no turbo to fail, no DSG to grenade, no $4,000 infotainment module to brick.

Good for: daily driving with weekend trail duty, towing a 4,500-lb boat, anyone who plans to keep one vehicle for 15 years and wrench on it in the driveway, off-road weekends without buying a Wrangler.
Bad for: people who want lane-centering, Apple CarPlay that doesn't lag, fuel economy better than 18 mpg combined, or a quiet highway cabin at 75 mph.
Skip if: the truck shows no manifold-tick history and the seller can't produce maintenance records on a 2010-2018 build, assume the manifolds are about to need replacement. KDSS trucks past 100k without a documented reseal need a leak inspection on a lift before you sign.

The one engine, honestly

There's nothing to compare, Toyota sold the entire 5th gen with one powertrain. The 4.0L 1GR-FE V6 was rerated to 270 hp and 278 lb-ft for the 4Runner (vs. 236 hp in the Tacoma, same long block, different intake, exhaust, and tune). It pulls hard from 2,500 rpm, runs forever, and is the reason a 200k-mile 5th-gen still trades for $24,000.

The two things to know past 100,000 miles: the cracked exhaust manifolds on 2010-2018 trucks (cold-start tick, $800-$1,200 fix, Toyota fixed the casting for 2019) and the valve-cover and cam-tower weeping that the 1GR-FE develops in any chassis. Neither is consumption, these are leaks. The engine itself doesn't burn oil.

If your budget allows it, find a 2019 or later truck with the revised manifolds. You'll skip the most expensive non-routine repair the platform has.

The maintenance calendar that actually works

This is what an experienced 5th-gen owner runs, not the Toyota booklet. The dealer schedule is a profit center; the cadence below keeps these trucks alive past 250,000 miles.

Every 5,000 miles: oil and filter (full synthetic 0W-20, the factory grade for the 1GR-FE), rotate tires.
Every 30,000 miles: inspect front brake pads, check differential and transfer-case fluids.
Every 30,000 miles: engine air filter, cabin air filter, PCV valve.
Every 120,000 miles: spark plugs (factory iridium; inspect earlier if the truck runs rich or idles heavily).
At 100,000 miles: valve-cover gasket inspect, KDSS reseal inspect (if equipped), brake fluid flush, first coolant change (Toyota Super Long Life, pink, no substitute).
Every 50,000 miles after the first coolant change: coolant drain-and-fill.
At 120,000-150,000 miles: front lower ball joints if originals.
At 150,000 miles: differentials front and rear, transfer case fluid.
Every 30k after 150k: transmission fluid drain-and-fill (Toyota WS, no flush). Three drain-and-fills over 90k beats one full machine flush.

Skip the dealer's "throttle body service" and "fuel system service." Both are $180 upsells that do less than a $7 can of intake cleaner. The 1GR-FE doesn't need either before 200,000 miles.

Common problems, ranked by severity

1. Cracked exhaust manifolds (2010-2018)
expensive
The cast iron manifolds crack at the head flange from heat-cycling. Classic symptom: a cold-start tick that fades after a few minutes as the metal expands and the crack closes. $800-$1,200 in labor at a shop, half DIY. Not safety-critical, but the leak gets worse and eventually throws codes. Toyota redesigned the manifolds in 2019.
Years affected: 2010-2018
2. KDSS hydraulic leaks (TRD Off-Road / Limited with KDSS)
expensive
The Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System uses hydraulically-linked sway bars to disconnect for off-road articulation. The cross-link valves and lines bleed past 100,000 miles. Diagnosed by lifting one front wheel and watching for binding. Reseal kits are $300-$500; full hydraulic-line replacement is significantly more.
Years affected: 2010-2024
3. Lower ball joints (high-mileage)
expensive
Same wear pattern as the Tacoma 1GR-FE platform, lower ball joints wear out by 120,000-150,000 miles and can fail catastrophically if ignored. About $400 a side at a shop, half DIY.
Years affected: 2010-2024
4. Cracking / melting dashboard (2010-2013)
expensive
Early 5th-gen dashboards develop spider-web cracks and a sticky, melting top surface in sustained heat and UV, the same defect that hit many 2003-2013 Toyota and Lexus models. Toyota ran a Customer Support Program covering dashboard replacement, though most coverage windows have closed. A replacement dash runs $1,000-$1,500 installed; a textured cover is the cheap workaround. Check the dash top for cracking and tackiness before you buy.
Years affected: 2010-2013
5. Rear hatch glass struts (all years)
Minor
The two pneumatic struts that hold the flip-up rear glass open weaken past 60,000 miles and stop holding the glass up. $40 pair, 10-minute fix in the driveway. Universal complaint, trivial repair.
Years affected: 2010-2024
6. A750F 5-speed harsh 1-2 shift (2010-2012)
Minor
Early 5th-gen trucks shipped with transmission software that produced a harsh 1-2 upshift. TSB T-SB-0028-10 reflashes the TCM and fixes it free. Most trucks have had the reflash; verify with a dealer service-history pull before assuming.
Years affected: 2010-2012

Year-by-year notes

2010: 5th-gen launch on N280 frame. 1GR-FE rerated to 270 hp (up from 236 in the Tacoma). 5-speed auto only, the 4th-gen's V8 and 6-cylinder choices are gone.
2011: Carryover. Bluetooth standard on most trims.
2012: Carryover. Trail trim adds Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control.
2013: Final pre-facelift year. Last of the original Toyota nose.
2014: Major facelift: new grille, new headlight housings, Entune touchscreen infotainment, Trail renamed TRD Off-Road. Mechanically identical; low beam stays H11 halogen across the facelift.
2015: TRD Pro arrives, Fox 2.5 shocks, TRD-tuned springs, skid plate, heritage grille.
2016: Carryover. TRD Pro adds Inferno orange paint.
2017: TRD Off-Road Premium adds smart key. Limited gets a refresh on infotainment.
2018: Toyota Safety Sense P (pre-collision, lane departure, dynamic cruise) standard across the lineup. Last year of the original exhaust-manifold casting.
2019: Revised exhaust manifolds (the crack-prone casting is replaced). TRD Pro switches to Voodoo Blue.
2020: Carryover. Nightshade and TRD Off-Road Premium Edition appearance packages.
2021: Trail Special Edition (cooler in cargo area, bronze wheels) replaces some Premium packages.
2022: TRD Sport returns with X-REAS street-biased suspension. TRD Off-Road gets a roof rack standard.
2023: 40th Anniversary Special Edition with retro heritage decals. Last full year of the 5th gen.
2024: Final 5th-gen year. Production ends late 2024 ahead of the 6th-gen (turbo-four, TNGA-F) reveal. Best long-term buy if you can find a low-mile late example with the revised manifolds.

Trim decoder

SR5 (2010-2024)
Volume trim. Halogen headlights, cloth, 17-inch wheels. The buy-it-and-forget-it 4Runner.
Trail / Trail Premium (2010-2013)
Pre-2014 off-road trim. Locking rear diff, A-TRAC, KDSS optional. Renamed TRD Off-Road in 2014.
TRD Off-Road / Off-Road Premium (2014-2024)
Rear electronic locker, A-TRAC, Multi-Terrain Select, Crawl Control. KDSS optional through 2023. The smart-buy off-roader.
TRD Pro (2015-2024)
Fox 2.5 shocks, TRD-tuned springs, front skid plate, roof rack, TRD wheels. Factory off-road build.
Limited (2010-2024)
Leather, JBL, X-REAS (2010-2013) or KDSS (2014+), full-time 4WD with locking center diff, 20-inch wheels. The on-road-biased trim.
TRD Sport (2022-2024)
X-REAS sport-tuned suspension on the final two model years. Street-only, no rear locker, no Crawl Control.
40th Anniversary Special Edition (2023-2023)
Throwback heritage trim with TRD wheels and retro decals. Mechanically an SR5 Premium.

What owners actually buy

Hand-picked from the CarCareTruth catalog, ordered to match the spec card above. Every score is health + chemistry + effectiveness, in one number.

Engine oil (0W-20 full synthetic, 1GR-FE V6)

Engine air filter (Toyota 17801-0W010)

Cabin air filter (Toyota 87139-YZZ08 / YZZ20)

Wiper blades (26-inch driver / 22-inch passenger / 12-inch rear)

Verified fit: 24″ driver · 20″ passenger · no rear wiper

Confirmed across 3 independent fitment sources. See blades that fit & add the right sizes to your cart →

Spark plugs (Denso SK20HR11, 120,000-mile interval)

Headlight bulbs (H11 low beam, uniform 2010-2024)

Battery (Group 24F)

Brake fluid (DOT 3)

Paint protection (hybrid ceramic spray)

Car wash soap (pH-neutral)

Floor mats (5-seat 4Runner)

The 5th generation 4Runner board

Where owners talk. Live group at /groups/5th-gen-4runner.

FAQ

Is the 1GR-FE V6 a timing chain or a belt?: Chain. Same setup as the Tacoma 1GR-FE, no 60k or 90k timing-belt service. The chain and tensioner routinely last past 250,000 miles.
Will my 4Runner make it to 300,000 miles?: If you change the oil, yes. 250k-350k on the original 1GR-FE long block is normal on these. The drivetrain, engine, 5-speed auto, transfer case, is fundamentally bulletproof. The body and the suspension wear faster than the powertrain does.
Should I worry about the cracked exhaust manifolds?: On a 2010-2018 truck, yes, listen at startup. The crack produces a metallic tick that fades after 2-3 minutes as the metal expands and closes the crack. It's not safety-critical, but it gets worse over time and eventually throws codes. Toyota revised the casting for 2019, so post-2019 trucks are clean.
Is KDSS worth the extra reseal cost?: If you actually take the truck off-road, yes, the wheel articulation difference is real. If it's a mall-cruiser, no. The reseal at 100k+ is $300-$500 in parts and a half-day of work. Limited and TRD Off-Road KDSS trucks ride noticeably better on-road too. KDSS on a daily-driver Limited is a feature; KDSS on a wheeled-once-a-year truck is a tax.
Which year of the 5th-gen 4Runner should I buy?: A 2019 or later TRD Off-Road with the revised exhaust manifolds and Toyota Safety Sense P. You skip the cracking-manifold years and get adaptive cruise. If budget pushes you earlier, a 2018 with documented manifold replacement is fine; a 2010-2013 Trail with the original manifolds is buyable if the truck is cheap enough to absorb a manifold job.
Does the 2010-2013 truck use the same headlight bulbs as the 2014+?: Yes. Toyota's spec table lists H11 for the low beam across the entire 2010-2024 run, the 2014 facelift changed the headlight housing and grille, not the bulb type. All years share 9005 (HB3) for the high beam. Fog lights, where equipped, take H16 on every year, not H11.
What's the deal with the rear hatch glass strut?: Both pneumatic struts that hold the flip-up rear glass open weaken past 60k miles. The glass starts dropping when you take your hand off it. $40 a pair on Amazon, 10 minutes to swap, no special tools. Universal 5th-gen complaint, trivial fix.

The shortlist

One top pick per category, fitting your 4Runner

Skip the comparison. The Best Of page shows the single highest-scored CarCareTruth product in every category that fits the 5th generation 4Runner.

See the Best Of →

Sources

Toyota Owner's Manuals (2010-2024 4Runner), Toyota Owners portal · accessed 2026-05-27
Toyota 4Runner, Wikipedia (production years, trims, model history) · accessed 2026-05-27
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database · accessed 2026-05-27
Toyota-4Runner.org, community fitment and TSB discussion for the 5th gen · accessed 2026-05-27