MYRModel Year Report

2002 Toyota 4RUNNER

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2002 Toyota 4RUNNER
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:47:19.766Z

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
192
Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 2002

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Structure

47% of complaints

Complaints per year

1984: 2 complaints 1984 1985: 2 complaints 1986: 8 complaints 1987: 5 complaints 1988: 9 complaints 1989: 6 complaints 1990: 79 complaints 1990 1991: 43 complaints 1992: 53 complaints 1993: 52 complaints 1994: 12 complaints 1995: 47 complaints 1996: 72 complaints 1996 1997: 139 complaints 1998: 130 complaints 1999: 220 complaints 2000: 379 complaints 2001: 154 complaints 2002: 192 complaints 2002 192 2003: 528 complaints 2004: 612 complaints 2005: 410 complaints 2006: 381 complaints 2007: 154 complaints 2008: 96 complaints 2008 2009: 22 complaints 2010: 146 complaints 2011: 163 complaints 2012: 96 complaints 2013: 36 complaints 2014: 77 complaints 2014 2015: 87 complaints 2016: 81 complaints 2017: 36 complaints 2018: 60 complaints 2019: 65 complaints 2020: 32 complaints 2020 2021: 36 complaints 2022: 39 complaints 2023: 31 complaints 2024: 10 complaints 2025: 60 complaints 2026: 8 complaints 2026
1984: 2 complaints 1984 1985: 2 complaints 1986: 8 complaints 1987: 5 complaints 1987 1988: 9 complaints 1989: 6 complaints 1990: 79 complaints 1990 1991: 43 complaints 1992: 53 complaints 1993: 52 complaints 1993 1994: 12 complaints 1995: 47 complaints 1996: 72 complaints 1996 1997: 139 complaints 1998: 130 complaints 1999: 220 complaints 1999 2000: 379 complaints 2001: 154 complaints 2002: 192 complaints 2002 192 2003: 528 complaints 2004: 612 complaints 2005: 410 complaints 2005 2006: 381 complaints 2007: 154 complaints 2008: 96 complaints 2008 2009: 22 complaints 2010: 146 complaints 2011: 163 complaints 2011 2012: 96 complaints 2013: 36 complaints 2014: 77 complaints 2014 2015: 87 complaints 2016: 81 complaints 2017: 36 complaints 2017 2018: 60 complaints 2019: 65 complaints 2020: 32 complaints 2020 2021: 36 complaints 2022: 39 complaints 2023: 31 complaints 2023 2024: 10 complaints 2025: 60 complaints 2026: 8 complaints 2026
1984: 2 complaints 1984 1985: 2 complaints 1986: 8 complaints 1986 1987: 5 complaints 1988: 9 complaints 1988 1989: 6 complaints 1990: 79 complaints 1990 1991: 43 complaints 1992: 53 complaints 1992 1993: 52 complaints 1994: 12 complaints 1994 1995: 47 complaints 1996: 72 complaints 1996 1997: 139 complaints 1998: 130 complaints 1998 1999: 220 complaints 2000: 379 complaints 2000 2001: 154 complaints 2002: 192 complaints 2002 192 2003: 528 complaints 2004: 612 complaints 2004 2005: 410 complaints 2006: 381 complaints 2006 2007: 154 complaints 2008: 96 complaints 2008 2009: 22 complaints 2010: 146 complaints 2010 2011: 163 complaints 2012: 96 complaints 2012 2013: 36 complaints 2014: 77 complaints 2014 2015: 87 complaints 2016: 81 complaints 2016 2017: 36 complaints 2018: 60 complaints 2018 2019: 65 complaints 2020: 32 complaints 2020 2021: 36 complaints 2022: 39 complaints 2022 2023: 31 complaints 2024: 10 complaints 2024 2025: 60 complaints 2026: 8 complaints 2026

2002: 192 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19842
19852
19868
19875
19889
19896
199079
199143
199253
199352
199412
199547
199672
1997139
1998130
1999220
2000379
2001154
2002192
2003528
2004612
2005410
2006381
2007154
200896
200922
2010146
2011163
201296
201336
201477
201587
201681
201736
201860
201965
202032
202136
202239
202331
202410
202560
20268

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Structure

47% · 90 reports

Most commonly citing body and underbody shields.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I have already filed a safety complaint regarding my sudden acceleration accident approximately 4 years ago. I noticed that Toyota has issued a recall for this problem for Toyota 4RUNNERS going back to 2003. My vehicle is a 2002.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-12-30

Also filed under Vehicle speed control

Suspension

23% · 44 reports

Most commonly citing lower ball joint and rear.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

On April 17TH at 5:45 am while driving on i-465, I felt a loss of steering in the wheel. I did nothing to the wheel, as one would normally do when driving on ice.

NHTSA ODI report, 2006-06-20

2002 4RUNNER was unstable after purchase, consumer had tires replaced and an alignment. Front and rear tires blew out. Consumer received letter of front suspension ball joints after accident occurred.

NHTSA ODI report, 2006-03-15

Power train

15% · 29 reports

Most commonly citing driveline and differential unit.

Service brakes

9% · 17 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

Steering

5% · 10 reports

Most commonly citing tie rod assembly.

CRASH

Safety timeline

3 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2002Complaint volume 192 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2005-07-05Suspension05V225000 On certain sport utility vehicles, due to a manufacturing issue in the front suspension lower ball joint, there is a possibility that the surface of the ball of the joint may have been scratched.…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the front suspension lower ball joints free of charge. The recall began on July 5, 2005. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2006-04-03Exterior lighting06E026000 Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber…

    Remedy: Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006. Owners may contact pro-a motors at 323-838-2988.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2006-07-01Exterior lighting06E049000 Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are…

    Remedy: Ck motorsport will notify owners and replace the noncompliant lamps free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2006. Owners may contact ck motorsport at 1-909-610-7211.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    2018-08-17Defect petitionClosed 2022-03-18 Frame corrosion

Buy-smart checklist

2002 Toyota 4RUNNER — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Structure: 90 reports on file for this year.
  • Suspension: 44 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 29 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 05V225000 · Suspension
  • Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E049000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2002 Toyota 4RUNNER reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Toyota 4RUNNER is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Toyota 4RUNNER?
The most-reported component is structure, accounting for 47% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2002 Toyota 4RUNNER have?
3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.