The Lemon Index2008 Toyota 4Runner.
The 2008 Toyota 4Runner is better than average by owner complaints: 35 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 61, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about transmission & drivetrain, it has 5 recalls, and it gets 15 to 18 mpg combined. The best Toyota 4Runner year is 2013.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 96 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Toyota 4Runner year. 2008 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 18K to 106K miles on the car (77 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 12K–110K miles
Recalls 5
- seats 2016
The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
- seats 2014
Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.
- speed control 2011
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2011 LEXUS LX570, 2003 THROUGH 2009 TOYOTA 4RUNNER, AND 2006 THROUGH 2010 RAV4 VEHICLES.
Show all 5 recalls
- equipment 2010
GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETW…
- equipment 2010
SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE S…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Toyota told dealers about
Toyota sent dealers 240 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Information on installing manual transmission shift lever or park neutral position switch
- The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of…
- The purpose of this bulletin is to provide information regarding transmission and/or park neutral
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedUnintended and uncontrolled acceleration2010–2011
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3550–4300 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 4.0L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl.
Quick answers
Is the 2008 Toyota 4Runner reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.6× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 61; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Toyota 4Runner year by this measure is 2013.
What are the most common 2008 Toyota 4Runner problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (40%), speed control (31%) and brakes (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Toyota 4Runner have?
5 safety recalls (latest: seats). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Toyota 4Runner get?
15 to 18 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2008 Toyota 4Runner problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 18,500 and 106,000 miles. The middle report was at 53,000 miles, from 77 complaints.
Does the 2008 Toyota 4Runner have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 40% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2008 Toyota 4Runner cost in fuel a year?
About $3550 to $4300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 Toyota 4Runner have?
4.0L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl.
What Toyota 4Runner year is better than the 2008?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2013, 2017 and 2021.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works