2003 Toyota 4runner Problems

Severe Issues

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2003 Toyota 4runner. Part of Generation 4 — 2003–2009.

20022004
Complaints
718
Crashes
22
Fires
0
Injuries
12
Fatalities
Recalls
1

Worst 2003 Toyota 4runner Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1246 complaints

STRUCTURE:BODY

Avg mileage:144,929 mi
Crash-related:3
#2107 complaints

SUSPENSION

Avg mileage:146,461 mi
Crash-related:1
#397 complaints

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Avg mileage:132,625 mi
Crash-related:3
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2003 Toyota 4runner.

STRUCTURE:BODY
246
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
144,929
SUSPENSION
107
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
146,461
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
97
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
132,625
SERVICE BRAKES
44
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
126,766
STEERING
31
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
123,157
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
23
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
Avg Miles
79,466
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
17
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
75,533
STRUCTURE
17
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
103,271
POWER TRAIN
14
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
116,518
WHEELS
11
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
119,937
ENGINE
9
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
140,500
AIR BAGS
8
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
109,714
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
71,254
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
89,766
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
93,850
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
159,626
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
151,171
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
110,667
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
60,200
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
SEATS
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
67,667
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
59,614
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
15,000
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
107,500
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
18,500
SEAT BELTS
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
101,500
TIRES
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
182,700
VISIBILITY/WIPER
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
90,000
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
46,293
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
306,000

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2003 Toyota 4runner. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2003 Toyota 4runner

1 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~1,363,244 vehicles.

11V113000VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
~1,363,244 affected

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2011 LEXUS LX570, 2003 THROUGH 2009 TOYOTA 4RUNNER, AND 2006 THROUGH 2010 RAV4 VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAN GET STUCK IN THE WIDE OPEN POSITION DUE TO ITS BEING TRAPPED BY AN UNSECURED OR INCOMPATIBLE DRIVER'S FLOOR MAT.

Other Toyota 4runner Years

Wider context: See the full Toyota 4runner reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

Check Your Specific 2003 Toyota 4runner

Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.

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