I HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING TO MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FOR SEVERAL MONTHS THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH MY 2008 TOYOTA 4RUNNER CHANGING GEARS. FROM TIME TO TIME WHEN I GO FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE DOES NOT ENGAGE GEARS. JUST YESTERDAY NOT ONLY DID THE VEHICLE NOT ENGAGE, BUT WHEN I WENT FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE (I CHECKED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE) AND I STEPPED ON THE GAS THE …
2008 toyota 4Runner powertrain problems
moderate 21 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500
Complaints
21
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$2,500
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
NEW, FROM 15,000- 25, 000 MILES, 2008 TOYOTA FOUR RUNNER, JERKING WHEN ACCELERATED ON THE FREEWAY. IT IS AS IF THE SHIFT GEAR OR TRANSMISSION IS NOT PROPERLY WORKING. THIS HAS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES AFTER THE 15, 000 MILE SERVICE. FIRST DEALERSHIP WORKERS STATED NOTHING WRONG. CURRENT DEALERSHIP HAS NOT CHECKED FOR CAUSE NOR HAVE THEY OFFERED A SOLUTION. CAR REMAINS AT DEALERSHIP. SECOND …
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 A…
2008 TOYOTA 4RUNNER CLUNK FELT AND HEARD WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND WHEN RELEASING THE BRAKES TO GO. AFTER RESEARCHING IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW WITH THE DRIVESHAFT SLIP JOINT IN THE TOYOTA. THE LEXUS GX470 IS IDENTICAL YET LEXUS CUSTOMERS CAN HAVE THIS PROBLEM FIXED AND THERE IS A TSB ISSUED FOR THE LEXUS (L-SB-0116-08). *TR
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 CONTR…
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2008 toyota 4Runner?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 21 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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