MYRModel Year Report

2003 Toyota 4RUNNER

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2003 Toyota 4RUNNER
BUILT 2026-10-10

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
527
Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 2003

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Structure

53% 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 2003: 527 complaints 2003 527 2004: 612 complaints 2005: 410 complaints 2006: 381 complaints 2007: 154 complaints 2008: 96 complaints 2008 2009: 22 complaints 2010: 145 complaints 2011: 163 complaints 2012: 96 complaints 2013: 36 complaints 2014: 77 complaints 2014 2015: 86 complaints 2016: 79 complaints 2017: 36 complaints 2018: 58 complaints 2019: 65 complaints 2020: 32 complaints 2020 2021: 36 complaints 2022: 39 complaints 2023: 30 complaints 2024: 9 complaints 2025: 59 complaints 2026: 7 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 2003: 527 complaints 2003 527 2004: 612 complaints 2005: 410 complaints 2006: 381 complaints 2007: 154 complaints 2008: 96 complaints 2008 2009: 22 complaints 2010: 145 complaints 2011: 163 complaints 2011 2012: 96 complaints 2013: 36 complaints 2014: 77 complaints 2014 2015: 86 complaints 2016: 79 complaints 2017: 36 complaints 2017 2018: 58 complaints 2019: 65 complaints 2020: 32 complaints 2020 2021: 36 complaints 2022: 39 complaints 2023: 30 complaints 2023 2024: 9 complaints 2025: 59 complaints 2026: 7 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 2003: 527 complaints 2003 527 2004: 612 complaints 2005: 410 complaints 2006: 381 complaints 2006 2007: 154 complaints 2008: 96 complaints 2008 2009: 22 complaints 2010: 145 complaints 2010 2011: 163 complaints 2012: 96 complaints 2012 2013: 36 complaints 2014: 77 complaints 2014 2015: 86 complaints 2016: 79 complaints 2016 2017: 36 complaints 2018: 58 complaints 2018 2019: 65 complaints 2020: 32 complaints 2020 2021: 36 complaints 2022: 39 complaints 2022 2023: 30 complaints 2024: 9 complaints 2024 2025: 59 complaints 2026: 7 complaints 2026

2003: 527 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
2003527
2004612
2005410
2006381
2007154
200896
200922
2010145
2011163
201296
201336
201477
201586
201679
201736
201858
201965
202032
202136
202239
202330
20249
202559
20267

Known problem areas

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

Structure

53% · 278 reports

Most commonly citing body and underbody shields.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

Our 2003 Toyota 4RUNNER has an unsafe frame from completely rusting through. The rear end of the vehicle, after being involved in a minor accident completely collapsed in on itself, bending the 1/4 inch steel support bracket.

NHTSA ODI report, 2019-04-30

My 4RUNNER got rear ended on the freeway and during the repair process I found out that the hitch receiver that was original installed (51909-35010) was superseded to an 'improved' one (51909-35011).

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-08-09

Toyota has had issues with their frames rusting out and the 4th generation 4Runner is not exempt from this issue. My 2003 is requiring extensive work to keep it on the road safely due to frame rust. A recall to replace frames should be in place.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-10-10

Suspension

21% · 109 reports

Most commonly citing rear and lower arm.

CRASHINJURY

Service brakes

12% · 65 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The control arm separated from the rotted rusted frame while driving. Almost died!

NHTSA ODI report, 2019-05-17

Also filed under Steering

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Toyota 4RUNNER. The contact stated that while traveling approximately 65 MPH, the brakes failed to respond to deceleration attempts and the contact crashed into another vehicle. There were no injuries.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-04-12

Steering

6% · 32 reports

Most commonly citing linkages.

CRASHINJURY

Vehicle speed control

4% · 23 reports
CRASHINJURY

Safety timeline

3 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. ▮
    2003Complaint volume 527 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2003-05-05Fuel system, gasoline03V146000 On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with V6 engines, the fuel pulsation damper, located on the fuel rail, may have been improperly assembled, causing a diaphragm in the pulsation damper to be…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the pulsation damper. Owner notification began May 5, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    2010-02-16Recall queryClosed 2011-03-01 Unintended and Uncontrolled Acceleration
  4. R
    2011-04-13Vehicle speed control11V113000 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…

    Remedy: The remedy is now available. The safety recall began early April 2011. The remedy will involve modification or replacement of the accelerator pedal and replacement of any Toyota all-weather floor…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    2018-08-17Defect petitionClosed 2022-03-18 Frame corrosion
  6. R
    Date not on fileWheels02V339000 On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with five factory alloy wheels (Model 6934 and 6936), with factory llat, and with port installed WR4, four alloy wheel upgrade processed at the jacksonville, Florida port and distributed by southeast Toyota...

    Remedy: Owners will be provided with different style lug nuts, a warning label for the spare re/alloy wheel, and an owner's manual addendum.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2003 Toyota 4RUNNER — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Structure: 278 reports on file for this year.
  • Suspension: 109 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 65 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 02V339000 · Wheels
  • Recall 03V146000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 11V113000 · Vehicle speed control
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2003 Toyota 4RUNNER reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Toyota 4RUNNER is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Toyota 4RUNNER?
The most-reported component is structure, accounting for 53% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2003 Toyota 4RUNNER have?
3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.