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
1 miles · Dec 23, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
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.
NHTSA ODI #10051029
Mileage unknown · Dec 21, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
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
NHTSA ODI #10050883
8 miles · Dec 18, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING EXHAUST FUMES ENTERED THE PASSENGER CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10051719
12,500 miles · Dec 15, 2003
Seats
DRIVER SEAT WAS TOO LOOSE AND MOVED BACK AND FORTH WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK DRIVER'S SEAT MOVES BACK AND FORTH WHILE DRIVING. DEALERSHIP WAS INFORMED BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.*MR
NHTSA ODI #10050531
1 miles · Dec 10, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingInjury
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
NHTSA ODI #10049497
3 miles · Dec 6, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
THIS VEHICLE FILLS THE CABIN CONSTANTLY WITH A "SULFUR" OR ROTTEN EGG SMELL. I HAVE CHANGED GAS BRANDS MULTIPLE TIMES. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10049308
500 miles · Dec 3, 2003
Power Train
2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER V8/AWD W/ UNDER 5,000 MILES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THERE IS A VIBRATION AND LOW FREQUENCY "ROARING" NOISE THAT APPEARS TO COME FROM THE FROM AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL. SOUND CEASES WHEN COASTING. NOISE AND VIBRATION WAS NOTICED WITHIN FIRST 500 MILES OF OWNERSHIP AND IS INCREASINGLY GETTING WORST. THOUGHT TO BE…
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2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER V8/AWD W/ UNDER 5,000 MILES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THERE IS A VIBRATION AND LOW FREQUENCY "ROARING" NOISE THAT APPEARS TO COME FROM THE FROM AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL. SOUND CEASES WHEN COASTING. NOISE AND VIBRATION WAS NOTICED WITHIN FIRST 500 MILES OF OWNERSHIP AND IS INCREASINGLY GETTING WORST. THOUGHT TO BE TIRES WHICH WERE ROTATED AND DID NOT SOLVE PROBLEM. DEALER ANALYZED AND STATED THIS IS A NORMAL WORKING NOISE FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL WHICH HAS ALUMINUM PARTS. NOISE IS GETTING LOUDER. CONCERN THERE IS A DEFECT AND SAFETY ISSUE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10049156
5,000 miles · Dec 2, 2003
Seats
THE REAR SEAT BACK REST ON PASSENGER SIDE SQUEAKS AND MAKES A RATTLING NOISE. IF THE BACK REST IS FOLDED DOWN THE NOISE GOES AWAY. IT SEEMS TO BE THE LOCKING MECHANISM. BASED ON RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. DEALER OFFERED TO LOOK AT IT.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10049068
Mileage unknown · Dec 2, 2003
Visibility
THE SIDE VIEW MIRRORS OBSTRUCT THE DRIVER'S VISION WHEN MAKING TURNS. IT IS ESPECIALLY NOTICED WHEN THE DRIVER IS MAKING LEFT HAND TURNS. OBJECTS IN THE ROAD CANNOT BE SEEN WHICH CAN POTENTIALLY CAUSE A COLLISION. *AK THE VIEW WAS "SEVERELY RESTRICTED" IN THE OUTSIDE MIRRORS WHEN MAKING LEFT HAND TURNS. WHEN IN THE LEFT H…
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THE SIDE VIEW MIRRORS OBSTRUCT THE DRIVER'S VISION WHEN MAKING TURNS. IT IS ESPECIALLY NOTICED WHEN THE DRIVER IS MAKING LEFT HAND TURNS. OBJECTS IN THE ROAD CANNOT BE SEEN WHICH CAN POTENTIALLY CAUSE A COLLISION. *AK THE VIEW WAS "SEVERELY RESTRICTED" IN THE OUTSIDE MIRRORS WHEN MAKING LEFT HAND TURNS. WHEN IN THE LEFT HAND LANE, IT WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE THE OBJECTS AT THE END OF THE MEDIAN. *SCC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10044321
15,000 miles · Nov 28, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE BRAKES ARE INOPERATIVE. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE IS HARD TO STOP. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10048780
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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