SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

2002 Toyota 4 Runner

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Fewer warning signs than most model years

Owner complaints for the 2002 Toyota 4 Runner are lower than the model-year median of 96.5.

About this comparison →
32Owner complaints

Model-year median: 96.5

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
110
1999104
200031
200132
2002168
200366
200415
2005
Compare all 4 Runner years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Suspension
6Engine And Engine Cooling
5Service Brakes, Hydraulic
4Tires
4Air Bags
3
All reported categories
Fuel System, Other
3Power Train
3Vehicle Speed Control
3Electrical System
2Steering
2Wheels
2Electronic Stability Control
1Equipment
1Exterior Lighting
1Parking Brake
1Seat Belts
1Visibility
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 19 of 32 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Suspension. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

7 crash reports1 fire reports4 injury reports

Parking Brake complaints

1 reports
Clear category filter
1,000 miles · Mar 9, 2005
EquipmentParking BrakeService Brakes, Hydraulic

I BOUGHT A 2002 4RUNNER SPORT FROM JIM BARKLEY TOYOTA IN ASHEVILLE NC. SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE I NOTICED A VIBRATION IN THE BRAKES. I HAD THEM CHECKED AND WAS TOLD THE ROTORS WERE WARPED AND HAD THEM TURNED. A FEW MONTHS LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN ,AND I HAD TO PUT A NEW SET ON. THEN ONCE AGAIN I HAD TO REPLACE THEM, W…

Read full complaint

I BOUGHT A 2002 4RUNNER SPORT FROM JIM BARKLEY TOYOTA IN ASHEVILLE NC. SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE I NOTICED A VIBRATION IN THE BRAKES. I HAD THEM CHECKED AND WAS TOLD THE ROTORS WERE WARPED AND HAD THEM TURNED. A FEW MONTHS LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN ,AND I HAD TO PUT A NEW SET ON. THEN ONCE AGAIN I HAD TO REPLACE THEM, WHEN WE DID WE ALSO REPLACED THE PADS AND THE ENTIRE SYSTEM WAS NOT WORKING AND WE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT, AND THEY WORKED ON IT AND STATED THAT IT WOULD BE $3000 TO FIX IT BECAUSE THE CALIPERS AND ACTUATOR WOULD NEED REPLACING. I AM SURE WHEN I PAY FOR THIS THE PROBLEM WILL COME BACK AND THEY WILL TRY TO GET EVEN MORE MONEY FROM ME.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10112755

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.