11 problems related to power train have been reported for the 2008 Toyota 4Runner. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2008 Toyota 4Runner based on all problems reported for the 2008 4Runner.
Diagnosis found trans fluid wicking up harness to engine ecm contaminating harness and ecu given false/abnormal readings at ecm. Extensive repairs necessary w/ internal trans wire replacement, engine harness replacement & engine ecu replacement. Other cleaning may be necessary or other harness replacement necessary [other]: transmission wire replacment [other]: engine harness replacement [other]: ecm replacement.
The actuator in the transfer case went bad in such a way as to not allow the vehicle either move (under its own power) or to be in a parked state; though the shifter and indicator lights indicated park and although you could turn off the vehicle and also remove the key, the vehicle was actually in a nuetral state that allowed the vehicle to freely roll. I put something behind the tire thank goodness I noticed! anyway, Toyota wants more than the vehicle is worth to fix it so my mechanic replaced the transfer case with a used one. I've heard of others having this problem and it seems like it could be a safety-related concern. And an expensive concern, as well.
Vehicle displayed a check engine light due to a non sealing gas cap. This condition also disables the stability control system. Vehicle lost control on wet conditions and was unable to recover due to all traction and stabilization systems being turned off due to a check engine light (faulty gas cap). I have owned the vehicle for 6 years and have put over 80,000 miles on it without incident. Vehicle was in motion traveling the speed limit on a rainy road.
When driving, the car was making a thumping noise which went away when the brakes were applied. Toyota dealer said it was a bent rear axle and would cost $2300 to replace. The vechicle is in excellent condition with 108,000 miles. Have never hit a big pothole or run over a curb. I believe it is a defect that came with the car and showed up after driving for 10 years. There are a lot of bent axles reported over the internet on Toyota trucks and suvsl more than any other vechiclel I have owned many many cars and suvs and never had a bent rear axle beforel dealer said I would get reimbursed if Toyota issued a recall. Very unhappy with this!.
Vehicles undercarriage including frame, rear axle and manifolds are so severely rusted that mechanics can not maintain it properly putting me at risk.
Engiene/powertrain computer/module checked. Has been rescheduled four times by the dealer and continues to give the same fault in the car. The fault is the following as it runs and brakes the second beautifulness of the trasmission is left. And when he releases the brake a little, the throat is thrown to the front giving a blow. He does it many times in the day. By untoyota 4runner 08 engine control module (ecm) defective.
Excessive rusts on frame with concentrations around mountings of critical components like suspension, gas lines, brake lines etc.
After having timing belt replaced by Toyota dealer bob tyler of pensacola, florida; while driving belt came apart leading to loss of power, control, and making emergency stop. Toyota feels that failure is normal in less than 6 months.
When engaging drive from reverse there is a delay of 3-5 seconds and a thump when it finally engages drive. This happens frequently and has caused some scares were my wife thought the car engaged drive, pressed on the accelerator, car did not move and then suddenly car jumping forward since she had applied gas thinking the vehicle had engaged drive. Took to dealer explained issue and what I have read online with similar issues with other peoples vehicles, they wanted to charge 119. 99 to simply diagnose the issue, even after showing them the numerous complaints I printed from the internet.
While stopped in traffic, when you remove the foot from the brake pedal and before you step on the gas, at times the car makes a thumping sound which you can feel. Possibly transmission. Dealer says no problem and cant recreate the thumping. It continues to this day.
I own a 2008 Toyota 4runner sr5. I purchased it new from my local Toyota dealer in November, 2008. By the spring of 2009 I noticed a sporadically occurring delay in the automatic transmission while switching from reverse to drive, lasting approximately 5 to 8 seconds. This would happen right after switching from r(reverse) to d (drive). My car is still under warranty, I have taken the car back to the dealership several times. They are unable to determine the cause. This problem occurs quite frequently. The dealership service department acknowledged that they would/could not do anything under warranty without getting the car to repeat the problem. I left my car for overnight with the dealership several times but they were unable to resolve this problem. I am frustrated by my experience and would like to have the problem resolved so I can drive with the peace of mind knowing that my car is safe. To date, no repairs or parts replacements of any kind have been made by Toyota to correct the problem. I also discovered an online Toyota 4runner forum (t4r. Org) in which other Toyota 4runner owners shared the same experience.