I OWN A 2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER PURCHASED IN OCTOBER OF 2002. IT EMITS A HORRIBLE ROTTEN EGG/SULPHUR SMELL INTO THE CABIN, WINDOWS UP OR DOWN. HAS GIVEN MY PASSENGERS HEADACHES AND NAUSEA. TRIED THE RECOMMENDED GAS UPGRADES, NOTHING WORKS. THIS IS A DEFECT. TOYOTA SHOULD BE MADE ACCOUNTABLE.*AK
2003 Toyota 4 Runner
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2003 Toyota 4 Runner do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 96.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all 4 Runner years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
89 reports with mileage · 79 unknown
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.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 75 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Seats. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
75 reportsI BOUGHT A 2003 4-RUUNER SPORT EDITION WITHTHE V-8 IN AUGUST, 2003. EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THE 4-RUNNER, THERE HAS BEEN A STRONG ROTTEN EGG SMELL COMING FROM THE EXHAUST. IT HAPPENS DURING ACCELERATION OR HIGHWAY DRIVING. THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED MY 4-RUNNER AND SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. I THEN HAD THE SERVICE WRITER RIDE WITH ME …
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I BOUGHT A 2003 4-RUUNER SPORT EDITION WITHTHE V-8 IN AUGUST, 2003. EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THE 4-RUNNER, THERE HAS BEEN A STRONG ROTTEN EGG SMELL COMING FROM THE EXHAUST. IT HAPPENS DURING ACCELERATION OR HIGHWAY DRIVING. THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED MY 4-RUNNER AND SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. I THEN HAD THE SERVICE WRITER RIDE WITH ME TO PROVE THE ROTTEN EGG SMELL. I AM AFRAID THE EXHAUST GASES GETTING INTO THE CAR COULD CREATE MEDICAL PROBLEMS. I ALSO WONDER IF MY 4-RUNNER WILL PASS EMISSIONS INSPECTIONS AND I WILL BE TOLD TO HAVE IT FIXED BEFORE I CAN GET A NEW STICKER TO DRIVE. ALL INDICATIONS IS THAT TOYOTA HAS KNOWN OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAS DECIDED TO PRETEND IT DOES NOT EXIST. *AK
THE SULPHER SMELL/CARBON MONOXIDE THAT COMES INTO THE CAB OF MY '03 4RUNNER V8, IS EXTREMELY UNACCEPTABLE. THIS IS MY 4TH TOYOTA IN THE PAST 6 YEARS AND I HAVE NEVER BEEN MORE DISSAPOINTED WITH MY VEHICLE. TOOK IT TO 4 DEALERS TO ALL SAY TO ME THAT IT'S A GAS GRADE ISSUE. I'M TIRED OF TOYOTA NOT STANDING BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT AND…
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THE SULPHER SMELL/CARBON MONOXIDE THAT COMES INTO THE CAB OF MY '03 4RUNNER V8, IS EXTREMELY UNACCEPTABLE. THIS IS MY 4TH TOYOTA IN THE PAST 6 YEARS AND I HAVE NEVER BEEN MORE DISSAPOINTED WITH MY VEHICLE. TOOK IT TO 4 DEALERS TO ALL SAY TO ME THAT IT'S A GAS GRADE ISSUE. I'M TIRED OF TOYOTA NOT STANDING BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT AND HELPING LOYAL CUSTOMERS OUT WITH ANNOYING ISSUES. AT THE VERY LEAST, OFFER AN ALTENATIVE SYSTEM.
CAR EMITS A SULFUR TYPE SMELL, WHETHER VENTALATION SYSTEM IS ON OR NOT, AND WHETHER WINDOWS ARE UP OR DOWN. SMELL IS NOXIOUS AND MAKES ME FEEL ILL. HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 10-15 TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF 5 MONTHS WITH THIS VEHICLE.*AK
WHILE DRIVING EXHAUST FUMES ENTERED THE PASSENGER CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER V6 LIMITED - LARGE AMOUNTS OF EXHAUST FUMES IN THE CABIN. EXHAUST FUMES ARE EXPERIENCED REGARDLESS OF ADJUSTMENTS TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROLS, INCLUDING WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER IS RUNNING AND RECIRCULATION ON. EXHAUST FUMES APPEAR TO BE FROM THE 4RUNNER. ALL OCCUPANTS BECOME NAUSEOUS AND EXPERIENCE SIGNIFIC…
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2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER V6 LIMITED - LARGE AMOUNTS OF EXHAUST FUMES IN THE CABIN. EXHAUST FUMES ARE EXPERIENCED REGARDLESS OF ADJUSTMENTS TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROLS, INCLUDING WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER IS RUNNING AND RECIRCULATION ON. EXHAUST FUMES APPEAR TO BE FROM THE 4RUNNER. ALL OCCUPANTS BECOME NAUSEOUS AND EXPERIENCE SIGNIFICANT EYE IRRITATION. I HAVE SIGNIFICANT CONCERNS FOR THE SAFETY AND HEALTH OF MY FAMILY, SHORT AND LONG TERM. I HAVE DISCUSSED THIS ISSUE WITH TWO LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERS. THEY ARE UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND APPEAR TO BE AVOIDING THE SPECIFIC ISSUE OF EXHAUST FUMES IN THE CABIN. THEY TRY TO REDIRECT THE ISSUE TO THE SULFUR SMELL THAT THE VEHICLE EMITS. I DON'T CARE ABOUT THE SULFUR SMELL, BUT I HAVE REAL CONCERNS ABOUT THE EXHAUST FUMES IN THE CABIN. *LA
THIS VEHICLE FILLS THE CABIN CONSTANTLY WITH A "SULFUR" OR ROTTEN EGG SMELL. I HAVE CHANGED GAS BRANDS MULTIPLE TIMES. *LA
AFTER SUFFERING THROUGH MONTHS OF ILLNESS CAUSED BY A NOXIOUS SMELL, WE HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND THAT OUR V8 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER'S CATALYTIC CONVERTER EMITS OXIDES OF SULFUR (SO2, HS2, ETC.) ON THE MATTER OF SULFUR DIOXIDE ALONE, WE FOUND THAT ACCORDING TO THE EPA, SO2 CONTRIBUTES TO RESPIRATORY ILLNESS, PARTICULARLY IN CHILDREN AN…
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AFTER SUFFERING THROUGH MONTHS OF ILLNESS CAUSED BY A NOXIOUS SMELL, WE HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND THAT OUR V8 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER'S CATALYTIC CONVERTER EMITS OXIDES OF SULFUR (SO2, HS2, ETC.) ON THE MATTER OF SULFUR DIOXIDE ALONE, WE FOUND THAT ACCORDING TO THE EPA, SO2 CONTRIBUTES TO RESPIRATORY ILLNESS, PARTICULARLY IN CHILDREN AND THE ELDERLY, AND AGGRAVATES EXISTING HEART AND LUNG DISEASES. PEOPLE WITH ASTHMA ARE PARTICULARLY AFFECTED BY PEAK LEVELS OF SO2. AS I AM PREGNANT, HAVE ASTHMA, AND USE THIS VEHICLE TO TRANSPORT MY 4-YEAR-OLD ON A DAILY BASIS, I AM DEEPLY CONCERNED BY GRESHAM TOYOTA'S REFUSAL TO ADDRESS THIS POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS HEALTH SITUATION. *LA
I AM EXPERIENCING A REPEATED CHEMICAL SULFUR ODOR IN MY VEHICLE CABIN ON EVEN MODERATE ACCELERATION. THE SMELL IS SIMPLY OVERWHELMING. THE WINDOWS ARE UP, THE SUNROOF IS CLOSED, AND THE AIR CONDITIONER IS SET TO RECIRCULATE. I UNDERSTAND FROM THOUSANDS OF OTHER POSTS ON THE INTERNET THAT TOYOTA CLAIMS THIS IS A GASOLINE ISSUE…
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I AM EXPERIENCING A REPEATED CHEMICAL SULFUR ODOR IN MY VEHICLE CABIN ON EVEN MODERATE ACCELERATION. THE SMELL IS SIMPLY OVERWHELMING. THE WINDOWS ARE UP, THE SUNROOF IS CLOSED, AND THE AIR CONDITIONER IS SET TO RECIRCULATE. I UNDERSTAND FROM THOUSANDS OF OTHER POSTS ON THE INTERNET THAT TOYOTA CLAIMS THIS IS A GASOLINE ISSUE, BUT I HAVE RECENTLY TRAVELED ACROSS THE COUNTRY FROM MIAMI TO SEATTLE, AND HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM THROUGHOUT THE TRIP. I PERSONALLY WOULD NOT CARE ABOUT THE EXHAUST SMELL IF IT WAS OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE, BUT WITH ALL THE WINDOWS UP, WITH THE SUNROOF CLOSED, AND WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING ON RECIRCULATE, IT SCARES ME THAT SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF EXHAUST FUMES ARE ENTERING THE CABIN OF MY VEHICLE ON A REGULAR BASIS. ONLY THE SULFUR SMELL ON MODERATE ACCELERATION IS CLUE TO A LARGER PROBLEM. I FEAR THAT SOMETHING IS VERY, VERY WRONG WITH THIS TOYOTA PRODUCT. I REQUEST THAT THE NHTSA BEGIN INVESTIGATING THIS IMMEDIATELY BEFORE SOMEONE DIES INSIDE THEIR TOYOTA 4RUNNER. *LA
STRONG CHEMICAL FUMES IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WITH OR WITHOUT THE WINDOWS BEING CLOSED. *MR THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED IF THE FUMES COULD CAUSE ANY HEALTH PROBLEMS AND WHAT WAS BEING DONE TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. *SCC *JB
Official recalls
0No 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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