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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 →
168Owner complaints

Model-year median: 96.5

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
104
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

Engine And Engine Cooling
75Power Train
18Seats
17Visibility
13Service Brakes, Hydraulic
8
All reported categories
Structure
6Vehicle Speed Control
6Fuel System, Gasoline
5Suspension
5Tires
5Unknown Or Other
4Wheels
4Electrical System
3Steering
3Fuel System, Other
2Interior Lighting
2Air Bags
1Child Seat
1Equipment
1Latches/locks/linkages
1Seat Belts
1Service Brakes, Air
1Trailer Hitches
1

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.

1 crash reports0 fire reports8 injury reports

Steering complaints

3 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Mar 7, 2006
SteeringStructureWheels

I WAS SOLD PRE-OWNED TOYOTA 4RUNNER WITHOUT ITS BEING INSPECTED AND THEN I FELT ILL TREATED TO BE RECALLED TO SIGN A NEW PURCHASE AGREEMENT WITH AN INCREASED INTEREST PERCENTAGE, JUST BECAUSE I AM BLACK! *NM

NHTSA ODI #10152081

6,000 miles · May 19, 2005
Fuel System, OtherSteeringStructure

VIBRATION IN STEERING. DEALER CANNOT FIX. WENT TO ARBITRATION AND LOST DUE TO BIASED INVESTIGATOR AND POLICY THAT WOULD NOT ALLOW ARBITRATOR TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. TWO OTHER DEALERS ACKNOWLEDGE THE VIBRATION BUT SAY IT IS DESIGNED THAT WAY!--ALSO MILEAGE COMPUTER INACCURATE AND EXCESSIVE WIND NOISE.

NHTSA ODI #10121429

4 miles · Jul 31, 2003
SteeringVisibility

SHIMMY IN STEERING WHEEL BETWEEN 60 AND 65 MPH. AUTO DOOR DOWN & UP WILL NOT WORK. NOTICED PROBLEMS AFTER PURCHASED (4 MILES ON VEHICLE) DEALER BALANCED TIRES AND STILL HAD VIBRATION. WILL REPLACE TIRES TO SEE IF THIS FIXES PROBLEM. REPLACE WINDOW MOTOR. *PH

NHTSA ODI #10030514

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.