Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
770–25K
925–50K
150–75K
175–100K
0100–150K
1150K+
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
What owners actually said
168 reports
250 miles · Mar 27, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
MY 2003 4RUNNER V6 LIMITED GENERATES THIS UNUSUAL ENGINE NOISE ESPECIALLY WHEN ACCELERATING. MY OBSERVATIONS INCLUDE A POSSIBLE LOSS IN POWER AND AFFECTS ENGINE PERFORMANCE, AND POSSIBLY THE LONGEVITY OF THE ENGINE. I TOOK IT TO A SECOND TOYOTA DEALER WHERE IT WAS IMMEDIATELY RECOGNIZED BUT A SOLUTION IS YET TO BE DETERMINED SIN…
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MY 2003 4RUNNER V6 LIMITED GENERATES THIS UNUSUAL ENGINE NOISE ESPECIALLY WHEN ACCELERATING. MY OBSERVATIONS INCLUDE A POSSIBLE LOSS IN POWER AND AFFECTS ENGINE PERFORMANCE, AND POSSIBLY THE LONGEVITY OF THE ENGINE. I TOOK IT TO A SECOND TOYOTA DEALER WHERE IT WAS IMMEDIATELY RECOGNIZED BUT A SOLUTION IS YET TO BE DETERMINED SINCE THE V6 4.0 IS A NEW ENGINE. CURRENTLY, I WAIT FOR A TOYOTA TECHNICIAN FROM THE FACTORY TO EXAMINE THE ENGINE. MEANWHILE, I CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND I AM AFRAID THAT I AM DOING MORE HARM TO IT'S LIFE EXPECTANCY. WHAT STEPS CAN I TAKE TO ACCELERATE THE PROCESS SINCE I FEEL THAT I AM BEING GIVEN THE RUNAROUND. I HAVE BEEN A FAITHFUL TOYOTA CUSTOMER AS THIS IS MY 3RD 4RUNNER, AND HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCE ANYTHING LIKE THIS. MANY THANKS. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10013545
Mileage unknown · Mar 25, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
TOXIC SULFUR/ROTTEN EGG SMELL IN CABIN OF AUTOMOBILE
NHTSA ODI #10011039
Mileage unknown · Mar 14, 2003
Seat Belts
REAR CENTER SEAT BELT CROSSES OVER BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELTS WHEN ALL BELTS ARE BUCKLED. THIS MAKES BUCKLING LEFT AND RIGHT SEAT BELTS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT WHEN CENTER BELT IS BUCKLED, ESPECIALLY WHEN CHILD SEAT IS INSTALLED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10010447
Mileage unknown · Feb 26, 2003
Visibility
THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 3 OCCASIONS FOR AN INOPERATIVE DEFROSTER SYSTEM, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10009427
850 miles · Feb 26, 2003
Visibility
NO HEAT.4-RUNNER WAS BROUGHT INTO DEALER FOR SERVICE 3 TIMES BECAUSE BLOWER NOT WORKING, AND DEALER IS NOW SAYING THEY ARE NOT SURE HOW TO FIX.THEY ARE WAITING TO HEAR FROM CORPORATE OFFICE ON HOW TO REPAIR.WE ARE TOLD THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM AND THEY ARE GETTING MORE OF THIS IN OTHER 4-RUNNERS.THEY SAY MOISTURE IS GETTI…
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NO HEAT.4-RUNNER WAS BROUGHT INTO DEALER FOR SERVICE 3 TIMES BECAUSE BLOWER NOT WORKING, AND DEALER IS NOW SAYING THEY ARE NOT SURE HOW TO FIX.THEY ARE WAITING TO HEAR FROM CORPORATE OFFICE ON HOW TO REPAIR.WE ARE TOLD THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM AND THEY ARE GETTING MORE OF THIS IN OTHER 4-RUNNERS.THEY SAY MOISTURE IS GETTING INTO BLOWER AND IN COLD WEATHER IT FREEZES CAUSING IT NOT TO WORK. SO WE ARE STILL WAITING TO SEE HOW THEY WILL FIX THIS PROBLEM.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10008153
444 miles · Feb 7, 2003
Power Train
THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS ABLE TO GO FROM NEUTRAL TO REVERSE. PH WHILE DRIVING FROM 0-45 MPH, THE SHIFTER WAS IN THE FOURTH GEAR, AND HAD SHIFTED TO DRIVE. THE CONSUMER ACCIDENT'S PUSHED THE SHIFTER TO PARK WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE CONSUMER FELT THAT MOST VEHICLE'S HAVE A SHIFT LOCK BETWEEN NEUTRAL AND REVERSE WHEN TH…
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THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS ABLE TO GO FROM NEUTRAL TO REVERSE. PH WHILE DRIVING FROM 0-45 MPH, THE SHIFTER WAS IN THE FOURTH GEAR, AND HAD SHIFTED TO DRIVE. THE CONSUMER ACCIDENT'S PUSHED THE SHIFTER TO PARK WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE CONSUMER FELT THAT MOST VEHICLE'S HAVE A SHIFT LOCK BETWEEN NEUTRAL AND REVERSE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS MOTION. SCC
NHTSA ODI #10006770
Mileage unknown · Jan 22, 2003
Wheels
THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL CENTER CAP CAME OFF, WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO PULL OVER.*TS CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE THE SECOND WHEEL CAP. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10004399
Mileage unknown · Oct 28, 2002
Service Brakes, Air
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE NO WARNING THEY CAN SMELL STRONG WIRE FUMES THROUGH OUT THE VEHICLE. SUN-ROOF ELECTRONIC JACKET BURNED. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
NHTSA ODI #8021750
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.
2003 Toyota 4 Runner Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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