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2002 Toyota 4RUNNER

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most 4RUNNER years

Owner complaints for the 2002 Toyota 4RUNNER are substantially higher than the model-year median of 58.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

146 reports with mileage · 46 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.

  • Structure. Review the 88 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

12 crash reports2 fire reports9 injury reports

What owners actually said

192 reports
Mileage unknown · Sep 4, 2013
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

2002 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE GAS PEDAL MALFUNCTION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN, HE ATTEMPTED TO MOVE FORWARD, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. AFTER SEVERAL TRIPS TO THE DEALER, THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER DID STATE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS.

NHTSA ODI #10537659

120,000 miles · Sep 3, 2013
EngineVehicle Speed Control

MY 2002 TOYOTA 4RUNNER HAS A FAULTY THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR (PART # 89452-35030) THAT CAUSES LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING (AT ALL SPEEDS). *JB THIS LOSS OF POWER IS VERY DANGEROUS AS THE CAR WILL BE DRIVING ALONG AT A STABLE SPEED AND THEN SUDDENLY JUST START SLOWING DOWN EVEN THOUGH MY FOOT STAYS ON THE GAS PEDAL. THIS LOSS…

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MY 2002 TOYOTA 4RUNNER HAS A FAULTY THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR (PART # 89452-35030) THAT CAUSES LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING (AT ALL SPEEDS). *JB THIS LOSS OF POWER IS VERY DANGEROUS AS THE CAR WILL BE DRIVING ALONG AT A STABLE SPEED AND THEN SUDDENLY JUST START SLOWING DOWN EVEN THOUGH MY FOOT STAYS ON THE GAS PEDAL. THIS LOSS OF SPEED PUTS ME AT SERIOUS RISK TO BE REAR-ENDED BY A CAR BEHIND ME OR POTENTIALLY GET HIT FROM THE SIDE AS I AM CROSSING AN INTERSECTION. MY MECHANICS AND I HAVE DIAGNOSED THE TPS AS THE ISSUE. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM (THERE ARE MULTIPLE FORUMS ON THE WEB ABOUT THIS). HERE ARE SOME OF THEM BELOW: HTTP://WWW.YOTATECH.COM/F2/THROTTLE-BODY-SENSOR-89452-35030-A-239929/ HTTP://WWW.TTORA.COM/FORUM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=16753 HTTP://WWW.TTORA.COM/FORUM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=13283 HTTP://WWW.TOYOTA-4RUNNER.ORG/3RD-GEN-T4RS/118506-THROTTLE-POSITION-SENSOR.HTML PLEASE GET TOYOTA TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS PART. IT IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO GET DEALT WITH BEFORE THERE ARE MORE SERIOUS INCIDENTS. THANKS.

NHTSA ODI #10538485

Mileage unknown · Jul 22, 2013
Structure

FRAME RUSTED THROUGH AT LOWER CONTROL ARM AREA. TOYOTA HAS HAD RECALLS FOR OTHER MODELS FOR RUSTED FRAMES BUT NOT ACKNOWLEDGING 4RUNNER FRAME ISSUES THAT ARE DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10526253

170,000 miles · Jul 16, 2013
Service Brakes

VIBRATION FROM BRAKING CAUSING VERY DECREASED VEHICLE CONTROL POSING VERY INCREASED ACCIDENT RISK. TOYOTA FOUR RUNNER 02 LIMITED, RECURRENCE OF PULSING BRAKE PEDAL AND VERY HIGH VEHICLE VIBRATION WHEN BRAKING. THIS OCCURS AFTER SHORT OR LONG MOUNTAIN DESCENTS AT NORMAL / POSTED HIGHWAY SPEEDS UNDER NORMAL PASSENGER LOADS (NOT HA…

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VIBRATION FROM BRAKING CAUSING VERY DECREASED VEHICLE CONTROL POSING VERY INCREASED ACCIDENT RISK. TOYOTA FOUR RUNNER 02 LIMITED, RECURRENCE OF PULSING BRAKE PEDAL AND VERY HIGH VEHICLE VIBRATION WHEN BRAKING. THIS OCCURS AFTER SHORT OR LONG MOUNTAIN DESCENTS AT NORMAL / POSTED HIGHWAY SPEEDS UNDER NORMAL PASSENGER LOADS (NOT HAULING), CLEAR DRY CONDITIONS. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS LOW MILEAGE VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCE THIS ISSUE. FIRST TIME, THE FRONT ROTORS WERE REPLACED AT THE DEALER BY THE PREVIOUS OWNERS EXPENSE UNDER 60K MILES. THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AT MOST 7K MILES A YEAR. THE PROBLEM HAS RETURNED OVER AND OVER AND POSES A SERIOUS HAZARD TO OCCUPANTS AND OTHER HIGHWAY TRAVELERS. SEARCHING THE WEB, THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF WARPED ROTORS WHICH TOYOTA DEALERS ARE SAYING IS DRIVER ERROR / NORMAL USE. I HAVE NOT DRIVEN THIS VEHICLE MUCH AND NOT HARD. MY USE WOULD QUALIFY AS NORMAL HIGHWAY TRAVEL. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED BY ME IN 2008 AND I HAVE REPLACED ROTORS EVERY YEAR. I HAVE PURCHASED THE SLOTTED ROTORS WITH CERAMIC AS WELL AS SEMI METALLIC WITH NO BENEFIT . CERTAINLY THE EXPENSE OF AGAIN REPLACING ROTORS IS CONCERNING, BUT REALLY, THE AMOUNT OF VIBRATION AND DECREASED CONTROL CAUSES ME TO BE VERY CONCERNED FOR MY, AND OTHERS, SAFETY. EVEN IF THE ROTORS ARE REPLACED, IT SEEMS VERY LIKELY THAT THE VIBRATION AND LOSS OF CONTROL WILL RETURN IN A FEW THOUSAND MILES OF NORMAL USE. I WOULD LIKE TOYOTA TO ADMIT THEIR VEHICLES HAVE FAULTY ASSEMBLY WHICH CAUSES EXCESSIVE WEAR ON PADS AND ROTORS. I NOW JUST TOOK IT IN AGAIN, AND THIS WILL BE THE 4TH SET OF ROTORS, PADS AND REAR DRUMS! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10525062

199,000 miles · Jul 5, 2013
SteeringSuspension

2002 TOYOTA 4RUNNER RECALL ID FROM NHTSA: 05V225000 AUTO RECALL DATE: 05/17/2005 VEHICLE COMPONENT: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT ESTIMATED VEHICLES AFFECTED: 768379 2002 TOYOTA 4RUNNER DEFECT SUMMARY: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, DUE TO A MANUFACTURING ISSUE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOIN…

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2002 TOYOTA 4RUNNER RECALL ID FROM NHTSA: 05V225000 AUTO RECALL DATE: 05/17/2005 VEHICLE COMPONENT: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT ESTIMATED VEHICLES AFFECTED: 768379 2002 TOYOTA 4RUNNER DEFECT SUMMARY: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, DUE TO A MANUFACTURING ISSUE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINT, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE SURFACE OF THE BALL OF THE JOINT MAY HAVE BEEN SCRATCHED. THE BALL JOINT MAY EVENTUALLY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE WEAR AND LOOSENESS, RESULTING IN INCREASED STEERING EFFORT. DEFECT CONSEQUENCE: THE LOWER BALL JOINT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE KNUCKLE CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10523354

132,000 miles · Jun 10, 2013
Power Train

THE DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING IS RUSTING OUT AND IS SEEPING FLUID. IN ADDITION, THE FRAME IS DANGEROUSLY RUSTED, ESPECIALLY FROM THE REAR AXLE BACK. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY A VERY REPUTABLE BODY SHOP IN THE AREA, THAT THE FRAME NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, BUT DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF THE RUST, THIS IS NOT PRACTICAL. TOYOTA IS REPLACING FRAMES …

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THE DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING IS RUSTING OUT AND IS SEEPING FLUID. IN ADDITION, THE FRAME IS DANGEROUSLY RUSTED, ESPECIALLY FROM THE REAR AXLE BACK. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY A VERY REPUTABLE BODY SHOP IN THE AREA, THAT THE FRAME NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, BUT DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF THE RUST, THIS IS NOT PRACTICAL. TOYOTA IS REPLACING FRAMES ON THEIR TUNDRA PICKUPS DUE TO RUST, BUT REFUSES TO COVER 4RUNNERS, THOUGH THEY SHARE THE SAME FRAME. IF I DID NOT HAVE THE VEHICLE SERVICED BY THE DEALER REGULARLY, I WOULD BE UNAWARE OF THE DANGEROUS CONDITION OF THE FRAME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10515964

10 miles · Jun 9, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineVehicle Speed Control

COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER ON ACCELERATION IF TIRES SPIN...MORE THAN ONE CLOSE CALL! HAPPENING SINCE VEHICLE WAS NEW. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10515863

132,000 miles · May 25, 2013
Power TrainSuspension

RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AND STARTED CLEANING IT, AFTER I DROVE IT HOME AND PRESSURE WASHED UNDERCARRIAGE, PIECES OF THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL STARTED FLYING OFF AND GEAR OIL STARTED RUNNING OUT OF HOLES. I HAVE A 1971 DODGE CHALLENGER WITH ORIGINAL REAR END THAT HAS NEVER BEEN IN GARAGE AND HAVE NEVER SEEN A REAREND RUST LIK…

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RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AND STARTED CLEANING IT, AFTER I DROVE IT HOME AND PRESSURE WASHED UNDERCARRIAGE, PIECES OF THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL STARTED FLYING OFF AND GEAR OIL STARTED RUNNING OUT OF HOLES. I HAVE A 1971 DODGE CHALLENGER WITH ORIGINAL REAR END THAT HAS NEVER BEEN IN GARAGE AND HAVE NEVER SEEN A REAREND RUST LIKE THIS. I'M REALLY WORRIED ABOUT HOW STRONG THE AXLE HOUSING STRUCTURE IS AND IF IT COULD POSSIBLE BREAK IN HALF WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10513553

107,000 miles · Feb 13, 2013
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE VEHICLE LOST ALL BRAKING POWER. THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD NOT GO DOWN AND AT THAT MOMENT THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON BUT THAT WAS AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD ALREADY LOST IT'S BRAKES. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO HEADQUATER TOYOTA AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE "HYDRAULIC BRAKES POWER BOOSTER ASSEMBLY" HAD FAILED. IT WAS REPL…

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WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE VEHICLE LOST ALL BRAKING POWER. THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD NOT GO DOWN AND AT THAT MOMENT THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON BUT THAT WAS AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD ALREADY LOST IT'S BRAKES. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO HEADQUATER TOYOTA AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE "HYDRAULIC BRAKES POWER BOOSTER ASSEMBLY" HAD FAILED. IT WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $3127.00.

NHTSA ODI #10498781

Mileage unknown · Dec 30, 2012
StructureVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

I HAVE ALREADY FILED A SAFETY COMPLAINT REGARDING MY SUDDEN ACCELERATION ACCIDENT APPROXIMATELY 4 YEARS AGO. I NOTICED THAT TOYOTA HAS ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM FOR TOYOTA 4RUNNERS GOING BACK TO 2003. MY VEHICLE IS A 2002. BASICALLY, I'M WRITING TO URGE NHTSA TO ASKTOYOTA WHAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT THE GAS PEDAL ASSEMBLY …

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I HAVE ALREADY FILED A SAFETY COMPLAINT REGARDING MY SUDDEN ACCELERATION ACCIDENT APPROXIMATELY 4 YEARS AGO. I NOTICED THAT TOYOTA HAS ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM FOR TOYOTA 4RUNNERS GOING BACK TO 2003. MY VEHICLE IS A 2002. BASICALLY, I'M WRITING TO URGE NHTSA TO ASKTOYOTA WHAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT THE GAS PEDAL ASSEMBLY FROM 2003 TO 2002 BECAUSE THERE IS NO DOUBT THERE WAS A MAJOR MALFUNCTION WITH MY CAR AND IF THE ASSEMBLE & PARTS MANUFACTURES IS THE SAME FROM 03 TO 02 THEN THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXTENDED. ALSO, THE OTHER MAIN REASON I'M WRITING YOU IS SO THAT THERE IS A RECORD OF ME REQUESTING MY VEHICLE BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL SO THAT WAY IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ME AGAIN WE WILL HAVE A RECORD OF IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10490505

Official recalls

1

05V225000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint

May 17, 2005

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, DUE TO A MANUFACTURING ISSUE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINT, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE SURFACE OF THE BALL OF THE JOINT MAY HAVE BEEN SCRATCHED. THE BALL JOINT MAY EVENTUALLY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE WEAR AND LOOSENESS, RESULTING IN INCREASED STEERING EFFORT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE LOWER BALL JOINT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE KNUCKLE CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 5, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

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

1

DP18002 · Frame Corrosion

Opened Aug 17, 2018 · Closed Mar 18, 2022

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure:frame And Members

On August 7, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a defect petition from Mr. Gary Weinreich alleging premature frame corrosion failure in model year (MY) 2002 - 2006 Toyota 4Runner vehicles. The petitioner based his request upon a corrosion-related front suspension failure he experienced in his MY 2005 Toyota 4Runner, a class action lawsuit settlement involving other Toyota products, and other complaints of underbody corrosion in Toyota 4Runner vehicles that he found in NHTSA?s online complaint database. The petitioner submitted a complaint to NHTSA documenting his experience (NHTSA ID 11098055). On August 17, 2018, ODI opened DP18-002 to evaluate the petitioner?s request. ODI?s evaluation included information provided by the petitioner regarding his vehicle, facts related to the class action lawsuit cited by the petitioner, and consumer complaint data received by NHTSA regarding underbody corrosion in third and fourth-generation Toyota 4Runner vehicles.The undercarriage of the petitioner?s vehicle exhibited severe corrosion damage indicative of seawater immersion. The vehicle?s service history shows that concerns with underbody corrosion were first noted by a Toyota dealer in a multi-point vehicle inspection performed on April 28, 2011. The invoice for that inspection noted ?severe and excessive amount of rust on the undercarriage and on the drive shaft transmission.? Two years later, on October 21, 2013, another multi-point inspection by a Toyota dealer observed further progression of underbody corrosion damage, noting: ?rust on shocks/struts and other components,? ?rust on exhaust system,? ?both splash shields severely rusted,? and ?undercarriage very rusty.? On July 17, 2017, approximately 10 months prior to experiencing the suspension failure incident, an independent repair facility performing routine oil change and brake maintenance informed the Petitioner of a concern with ?excessive frame corrosion? on his vehicle. The service history, severe general corrosion damage, failure age, and environment do not support the petitioner?s allegation of premature corrosion failure.ODI?s analysis of NHTSA complaint data identified fifteen incidents of front lower control arm failure in fourth-generation Toyota 4Runner sport utility vehicles. Two of the failures, including the petitioner?s vehicle, involve vehicles operated in ocean front communities with continuous exposure to aerosolized marine salts and potential exposure to seawater immersion. The remaining thirteen failures all involved vehicles owned or previously registered in states with the greatest use of deicing salts to treat road surfaces in winter months (?Salt states?). On average, the front lower control arm failures occurred after 13.1 years in service in highly corrosive environments. The failure ages and environments do not support the petitioner?s allegation of premature corrosion failure. NHTSA is authorized to issue an order requiring notification and remedy of a defect if the Agency?s investigation shows a defect in design, construction, or performance of a motor vehicle that presents an unreasonable risk to safety. 49 U.S.C. ?? 30102(a)(9), 30118. Since the information before the Agency is not indicative of a vehicle-based defect, it is unlikely that any investigation opened because of granting this petition would result in an order concerning the notification and remedy of a safety-related defect. Therefore, upon full consideration of the information presented in the petition and the potential risks to safety, the petition is denied. The denial of this petition does not foreclose the Agency from taking further action if warranted or the p