1. Welcome to 4Runners.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all 4Runner discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other 4Runner owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

4RUNNER LIMITED BUYER BEWARE X-REAS SUSPENSION FAILS

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by tkmarch1, Dec 14, 2018.

  1. Mar 4, 2019 at 12:07 PM
    #31
    Tabascie

    Tabascie New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2019
    Member:
    #9042
    Messages:
    5
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Rico
    Vehicle:
    2004 Toyota 4 Runner
    None yet.
    Why? Because I ordered the new struts/suspension and bushings then I went out to look at my old broken strut, that's when I saw that something is wrong here. So I did some research and found out I had the X-reas suspension. I have everything here now, I don't want to reorder and wait again.
     
  2. Mar 4, 2019 at 12:15 PM
    #32
    Tabascie

    Tabascie New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2019
    Member:
    #9042
    Messages:
    5
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Rico
    Vehicle:
    2004 Toyota 4 Runner
    None yet.

    It runs great, strong engine and transmission.
     
  3. Mar 4, 2019 at 12:21 PM
    #33
    HoBoDanny

    HoBoDanny Dude...

    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2019
    Member:
    #8697
    Messages:
    966
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Daniel
    Kentucky
    Vehicle:
    2004 SR5 V6 4WD 4Runner
    RCI Skid Plate CBI Ditch Light Brackets Hankook DynaPro ATM RF10 265 70R17 113T Tires 1.25” Wheel Spacers TPMS Bypass Mod Hydrocarbon Filter Removed Merca decal 2” leveling kit front only Black headlights
    That’s awesome you going for a million? Forgot what that guy awhile back was driving but Toyota gave him a new truck after he hit a million miles.
     
  4. Mar 4, 2019 at 12:26 PM
    #34
    Tabascie

    Tabascie New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2019
    Member:
    #9042
    Messages:
    5
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Rico
    Vehicle:
    2004 Toyota 4 Runner
    None yet.

    I will run it till it goes back to zero, I lover my 4Runner.
     
  5. Mar 4, 2019 at 12:54 PM
    #35
    HoBoDanny

    HoBoDanny Dude...

    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2019
    Member:
    #8697
    Messages:
    966
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Daniel
    Kentucky
    Vehicle:
    2004 SR5 V6 4WD 4Runner
    RCI Skid Plate CBI Ditch Light Brackets Hankook DynaPro ATM RF10 265 70R17 113T Tires 1.25” Wheel Spacers TPMS Bypass Mod Hydrocarbon Filter Removed Merca decal 2” leveling kit front only Black headlights
    That’s ridiculous! Was it a v6 or V8?
     
  6. Mar 4, 2019 at 8:32 PM
    #36
    Agent_Outside

    Agent_Outside A Guy A Girl and A Trail

    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2018
    Member:
    #8098
    Messages:
    1,933
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    Built 2011 T4R Limited
    Did this dipshit really just join here to make a thread complaining about shocks failing after his warranty expired and then disappear? lol
     
  7. Mar 5, 2019 at 5:43 AM
    #37
    Kennyp

    Kennyp New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 20, 2018
    Member:
    #7518
    Messages:
    35
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2011 Magnetic Grey 4Runner Limited
    I have not read all of the posts but if I can offer my experience. Sometimes you get a lemon. Its a fact of life. So far I have not had any issues with the system. Doesnt mean I will not but Im preprared for it. I bought my runner used and it has 63K currently. The underbody had a lot of rust. It is NY and the salt ruins anything. I noticed rust around the shocks and almost everywhere thats exposed. Most of it was top rust but I cleaned almost all and coated the bottom. Ive also had sunroof leaks and drivetrain vibrations. All taken care of by Toyota.
     
    HoBoDanny likes this.
  8. Mar 5, 2019 at 6:40 AM
    #38
    j cat

    j cat New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 28, 2016
    Member:
    #2223
    Messages:
    854
    massachusetts
    spacer lift front 1inch
    when a posting appears and then the member doe not respond , it is most likely a false post or they damaged it . seen this many times ..
    any leak is a problem and it can happen if the part is with a defect or a person did damage on it . Some mechanics are not very careful when working on other persons vehicles ..
    surprised that this system did possibly fail at the low miles on it..
     
  9. Mar 5, 2019 at 8:25 AM
    #39
    HoBoDanny

    HoBoDanny Dude...

    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2019
    Member:
    #8697
    Messages:
    966
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Daniel
    Kentucky
    Vehicle:
    2004 SR5 V6 4WD 4Runner
    RCI Skid Plate CBI Ditch Light Brackets Hankook DynaPro ATM RF10 265 70R17 113T Tires 1.25” Wheel Spacers TPMS Bypass Mod Hydrocarbon Filter Removed Merca decal 2” leveling kit front only Black headlights
    Why I prefer to do most of my own work.
     
    WallyT4R likes this.
  10. Apr 1, 2019 at 7:28 PM
    #40
    btw87

    btw87 New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 1, 2019
    Member:
    #9376
    Messages:
    1
    Gender:
    Male
    I'd like to piggy back on this conversation. I have a 2014 Limited 4runner that I love but am a novice when it comes to vehicles. Took it into the dealership for the airbag recall. While there they found a leak in the Xreas driver side front shock. Dealership said that you have to replace 2 at a time due to how they are hooked up. Took a gut punch when he said it would cost 3700 to replace them all. He did say that they could replace them with the more standard shocks and absorbers like on the SR5 for quite a bit less. Any advice? Do I try to find someone to put on aftermarket shocks? Any suggestions on brands? I stopped by one mechanic and the Xreas system had him baffled. Thanks for any advice.
     
    jgcaps likes this.
  11. Apr 2, 2019 at 9:32 AM
    #41
    jgcaps

    jgcaps Lovin the Colorado Life.!

    Joined:
    May 30, 2018
    Member:
    #6147
    Messages:
    923
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    John
    CO
    Vehicle:
    2018 MGM TRD ORP KDSS 4Runner
    3" Icon Stage 2, 18x9 Fuel Beast wheels, 285/65/18 BFG KO2's, N-FAB Black Rock Rails w/removable steps.
    I say have it removed and replaced with the aftermarket stuff.. so many brands to choose from. Bilstein, King, Icon, OME, Fox... are some of the popular names with a wide range of options/pricing.
     
    WallyT4R and (deleted member) like this.
  12. Jul 2, 2019 at 11:14 AM
    #42
    YouBugger

    YouBugger New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2019
    Member:
    #10433
    Messages:
    1
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Josh
    Vehicle:
    2010 4Runner Limited
    I have a 2010 4Runner limited and it has about 65K miles on it. I bought it used a couple years ago and decided to get the platinum extended warranty. So glad I did. I just took it to get inspected at a local garage. They said it has an issue with the struts and they recommended taking it to the dealer. When I did they said there was a leak in the X-RAES system and it all needed replaced. Fortunately it is covered under this platinum warranty though. But I do think that 65K is not a very long life for this system. I expect to still be driving this when I get to 130K so am I going to have to replace it again at that time? If I ever had to do it again I would just go with the heavy duty Shocks and Struts all the way around.
     
    WallyT4R likes this.
  13. Jul 5, 2019 at 11:20 AM
    #43
    Agent_Outside

    Agent_Outside A Guy A Girl and A Trail

    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2018
    Member:
    #8098
    Messages:
    1,933
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    Built 2011 T4R Limited
    Yes, shocks wear out.
     
    Toffees and WallyT4R like this.
  14. Jul 5, 2019 at 3:34 PM
    #44
    brownersd

    brownersd You are the weakest link, buh-bye!

    Joined:
    May 15, 2019
    Member:
    #9894
    Messages:
    466
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Sean
    Humble, Texas
    Vehicle:
    2020 MGM 4Runner TRD Off-Road Premium
    Sorry to hear about your trouble mate... The only vehicle I had X-REAS on was my 2003 many moons ago. I guess I got lucky, since i had almost 230,000 miles with no issues. I'm guessing the design changed for the 5th gen? With the current, i skipped the option.
     
  15. Jul 5, 2019 at 7:05 PM
    #45
    Agent_Outside

    Agent_Outside A Guy A Girl and A Trail

    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2018
    Member:
    #8098
    Messages:
    1,933
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    Built 2011 T4R Limited
    There is a 0% chance your shocks weren’t blown out garbage after 230,000 miles!
     
  16. Jul 12, 2019 at 5:33 AM
    #46
    Toffees

    Toffees Stuff and things

    Joined:
    Apr 22, 2019
    Member:
    #9616
    Messages:
    450
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Micah
    LA
    Vehicle:
    16 LE
    Most XREAS systems last longer than 65k so hopefully you’ll get more duty out of the replacement. Most go with other options when replacing using their own money, however.
     
  17. Jul 12, 2019 at 5:55 AM
    #47
    Toffees

    Toffees Stuff and things

    Joined:
    Apr 22, 2019
    Member:
    #9616
    Messages:
    450
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Micah
    LA
    Vehicle:
    16 LE
    Has anyone heard from OP lately? Did Toyota call and explain the normal distribution?
     
  18. Jul 12, 2019 at 12:24 PM
    #48
    2016Pro

    2016Pro Why all of the Pro hate?

    Joined:
    Nov 11, 2018
    Member:
    #7739
    Messages:
    1,462
    He was last here on December 21.
     
  19. Sep 10, 2019 at 10:13 AM
    #49
    Stew J

    Stew J New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 10, 2019
    Member:
    #11212
    Messages:
    5
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2015 Black 4Runner Limited
    Replaced all interior lights with LEDs also rea turn signals, backup, headlights, foglights and high beams/DRLs. Added LED light bar behind lower front grille.
    Let me start by saying I have had five 4RUNNERs, four have been Limiteds. I had X Reas system, No problems with my 04 or 08 which were 4th generation but now my 5th generation 2015 4RUNNER Limited @ 89,000 miles my shocks are reported as leaking by a Toyota dealership with a $4,000 price tag and that includes replacing the struts & shocks and tubing in other words the whole system, so tkmarch1 is not throwing a tantrum. Problem is why are any 5th generation XReas failing when there was no problem with 4th generation FYI my last 4RUNNER had 149,000 miles. Question is what was changed either by Toyota or their suppliers for the 5th generation? Is Toyota really only offering $500 for a $4,000 replacement and do you have to replace whole system and not just the struts and shocks?
     
  20. Sep 10, 2019 at 1:23 PM
    #50
    LKN4Runner

    LKN4Runner New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 19, 2019
    Member:
    #10954
    Messages:
    37
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Robert
    Lake Norman, NC
    2016 Magnetic Grey Metallic XP 4X4 with 20" Gunner rims and 275/55 R20 Nitto Grappler G2 Tires.
    Phew! Totally exhausted after reading this feed. LOL

    Very sorry TK to hear of your unfortunate experience with your 4Runner. Can't recall without going back thru this feed, who mentioned Kaizen, but they are right.....the Japanese place a significant emphasis on quality and strive for constant improvement (Kaizen). This is just one of the many reasons I purchase Toyota vehicles and have for most of my adult life......they are dependable and reliable. In all fairness, the 4Runners that I have owned that had the X-REAS suspension, I sold or traded before 50,000 miles so I never experienced any issues.

    Personally I have owned 6 Toyota 4Runners (1 SR5 Sport Edition, 2 SR5 Premium models, & 3 Limited models of which 2 had the X-REAS suspension) and have never had an issue with any of them. In addition, I have purchased several other Toyota vehicles for my wife and daughters over the years and not a single issue.

    It seems many members have offered you some good advice on this subject, so I see no need to say anything more other than, best of luck.
     
    Last edited: Sep 11, 2019
  21. Sep 30, 2019 at 5:27 PM
    #51
    LOWTECH GUY

    LOWTECH GUY New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 30, 2019
    Member:
    #11489
    Messages:
    1
    Gender:
    Male
    I'm totally new to this forum and have a 2012 4 Runner "Limited" and somewhat agree there maybe an issue with the X-Reas system. The bottom line is the X-Reas system is Not a "Selling Point"- I repeat the X-Reas system is Not a "Selling Point" for Toyota and it's world famous 4 Runner.... If it was I'm sure they would have proudly have pointed the great this wonderful X-Reas system... Guess what They never mentioned it and I'm sure No where on the planet has a Toyota sales person mentioned this X-Reas system....and the Cost to "Limited" owners of the repair cost associated with having the X-Reas Suspension system which No Mechanic (Outside of Toyota) has ever heard of..... I'm pretty sure Every Toyota 4 Runner would like to know that the cost of repair of this secret system called X-Reas would be like 5 times the cost of a normal suspension failure, where you may only need to replace the front or rear shocks - What a Shock to the system to be told your repair will cost you $3,700 Wow... I could buy a used 4 Runner with normal shocks that price... Toyota should have an answer for this....by have an option to replace the crazy system with a normal system... That's my 4 cents worth...
     
    WallyT4R likes this.
  22. Sep 30, 2019 at 9:43 PM
    #52
    WallyT4R

    WallyT4R New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2018
    Member:
    #6644
    Messages:
    2,443
    You can replace it with a "normal system" anytime you want to. An it is easy to find stock take offs from people that have replaced their stock "normal system" shocks or can also go aftermarket.
     
    Toffees likes this.
  23. Oct 1, 2019 at 5:10 AM
    #53
    MountainMan

    MountainMan New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2019
    Member:
    #10898
    Messages:
    793
    Gender:
    Male
    Pacific Northwest
    Vehicle:
    2019 4Runner MountainMan Edition
    My 2005 Yukon came with self-leveling shocks refered to a ninovat shocks.

    At 92k miles they both suddenly failed one sub-zero morning. Weird.

    $400 each.

    Researched it and discovered that the rear coils are specifically tuned for those shocks and just switching shocks results in the rear suspension drooping.

    Had to replace coils and shocks. Did it for $120 in my driveway.
     
  24. Oct 9, 2019 at 2:34 PM
    #54
    cp22

    cp22 New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 9, 2019
    Member:
    #11608
    Messages:
    1
    Vehicle:
    2013 4Runner Limited
    I have a 2013 4Runner Limited and have just been told my driver-side front strut (with XREAS suspension) is leaking. When I asked the dealer for a price to replace with conventional (non-XREAS) struts and shocks, he texted me, "Toyota does not offer an alternative suspension for your vehicle. If we try to do something aftermarket, it could be a safety issue that we cannot be a part of." REALLY? Has anyone else been told by their Toyota dealer that they won't convert an XREAS suspension? Has anyone ever been told this is a SAFETY ISSUE??
     
  25. Nov 4, 2019 at 2:19 PM
    #55
    GAllen_22

    GAllen_22 New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 4, 2019
    Member:
    #11876
    Messages:
    2
    Gender:
    Male
    2013 Limited that just rolled 100K here. Was given $4500 quote today by local dealership from which I purchased it new in Jan 2014. They also quoted $1250 to replace with standard (non-hydraulic) shocks. This thread has me leaning toward aftermarket replacements from an offroad shop. Might as well throw in a lift too, right? Suggestions appreciated...
     
    jgcaps likes this.
  26. Nov 4, 2019 at 3:52 PM
    #56
    Agent_Outside

    Agent_Outside A Guy A Girl and A Trail

    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2018
    Member:
    #8098
    Messages:
    1,933
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    Built 2011 T4R Limited
    What’s your intended use?
     
    Thatbassguy likes this.
  27. Nov 4, 2019 at 5:43 PM
    #57
    GAllen_22

    GAllen_22 New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 4, 2019
    Member:
    #11876
    Messages:
    2
    Gender:
    Male
    99% daily commute/kid shuttle. 1% towing boat/utility trailer. Thanks for the response.
     
    KSJ08 and Thatbassguy like this.
  28. Nov 4, 2019 at 8:00 PM
    #58
    Agent_Outside

    Agent_Outside A Guy A Girl and A Trail

    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2018
    Member:
    #8098
    Messages:
    1,933
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    Built 2011 T4R Limited
    I’d look into OME (Old Man Emu), Bilstein, and Dobinsons for relatively inexpensive upgrades. Personally I’ve never used any of the entry level upgrades but I would lean heavily towards Dobinsons.
     
    Last edited: Nov 7, 2019
    Jareds Toyota, SlvrSlug and wmdtech like this.
  29. Nov 15, 2019 at 11:08 AM
    #59
    mte67

    mte67 New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2019
    Member:
    #11988
    Messages:
    2
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2013 4Runner Limited
    Informative thread. My 2013 Limited is at 95K and I was just informed of a leaking/failing XReas suspension. My garage has quoted $1500 to replace with a Bilstein setup. Happy with the truck and I don't feel like getting close to 100K without any other suspension issues is too big of a travesty. I'm guessing a slightly less smooth ride might ensue but if I can get another 100K out of the replacement suspension I'll be cool with that.
     
    Toffees and KSJ08 like this.
  30. Nov 18, 2019 at 9:23 AM
    #60
    Toffees

    Toffees Stuff and things

    Joined:
    Apr 22, 2019
    Member:
    #9616
    Messages:
    450
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Micah
    LA
    Vehicle:
    16 LE
    So did your XREAS fail?

    (and like was mentioned already, you *can* replace it with a "normal" system)
     

Products Discussed in

To Top