Structure. Review the 278 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Suspension. Review the 109 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes. Review the 44 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

17 crash reports0 fire reports8 injury reports

What owners actually said

527 reports

60,000 miles · Aug 5, 2010

Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THE DASHBOARD WAS EXHIBITING CRACKS NEAR THE AIR BAG. THE FAILURE BEGAN YEARS PRIOR BUT BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME. THE DEALER ADVISED HIM TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT…

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NHTSA ODI #10347541

94,500 miles · Jul 25, 2010

Engine And Engine Cooling

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BOUGHT A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER V6 4WD 2 1/2 YEARS AGO AS A TOYOTA CERTIFIED USED VEHICLE..WITHIN A YEAR I NEEDED A NEW SERPENTINE BELT DUE TO EXCESSIVE NOISE AT START UP. THE DEALER TOLD ME THERE WAS A TSB FOR THIS AND TO BRING THE CAR BACK IF I HAD FURTHER ISSUES. THE NOISE CAME BACK BUT WAS IRREGULAR, IT WOULD COME AT START UP EVERY DAY FOR A COUPLE WEEKS AND THEN DISAPPEAR FOR ANOTHER FEW WEEKS. THE NOISE GOT LOUDER AND SOUNDED SOMEWHAT DIFFERENT A COUPLE WEEKS AGO. BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE IDLER PULLEY ON FRIDAY 07/16/10. IT SOUNDED LOUD AGAIN AT START UP AFTER I PICKED UP THE VEHICLE BUT THE NOISE EVENTUALLY WENT AWAY. HOWEVER MY SERPENTINE BELT ACTUALLY RIPPED LESS THAN A WEEK LATER (07/21/10) WHILE I WAS DRIVING 45MPH ON A CURVY ROAD. I FIRST LOST MY AC, QUICKLY FOLLOWED BY MY POWER STEERING...SOMEHOW MANAGED TO PULL OVER BUT BY THEN SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD DUE TO THE FACT THAT IN THE RIPPING PROCESS THE BELT BROKE A COOLANT HOSE. I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT A VEHICLE FOR 5 DAYS NOW AND AM WAITING ON THE DEALER TO GET A NEW HOSE SO THAT THEY CAN ACTUALLY RUN THE CAR AND MAKE SURE THE PULLEYS ARE ALL OK. HOWEVER SO FAR THEY'RE TELLING ME THAT ALL THE PULLEYS ARE FINE AND I AM HAVING TO FIGHT WITH THEM TO GET THEM TO DO THE RECOMMENDED FIX TO THE TSB EG012-13. A NOISE AT START IS ONE THING, BUT A YEAR AND 1/2 OLD BELT ACTUALLY RIPPING IS NOT NORMAL! I WAS FORTUNATE TO COME OUT OF THIS UNHARMED AND NOT DAMAGE MY CAR OR SOMEBODY ELSE'S. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10345156

1,000 miles · Jul 5, 2010

Vehicle Speed Control

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I HAVE WRITTEN TO YOU IN THE PAST BUT HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY RESPONSE. MY DAUGHTER AND I BOTH DRIVE 2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNERS. I HAVE BROUGHT THE FOLLOWING ISSUE TO TOYOTA SEVERAL TIMES. I AM REWRITING TO YOU ESPECIALLY AFTER THE LX460 RECALL. IN SNOW OR ICE, THE VEHICLE WILL SPIN TO EASY AS YOU DRIVE AROUND A TURN WHILE GIVING IT SOME GAS. WE BOTH HAVE SPUN OUT. I HAVE ON TWO OCCASIONS. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS. MY DAUGHTER HATES TO DRIVE IT WHEN IT IS ICY OR SNOWY. MY 2000 4RUNNER NEVER DID IT. MY BMW Z4 WILL NOT DO IT. SOME THING IS WRONG WITH THE VSC LOGIC. CAN YOU HELP ME? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10341423

120,000 miles · Jun 28, 2010

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS LEAKING. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE FOLLOWED BY A WARNING CHIME. THE DEALER ADVISED REPLACING THE MASTER CYLINDER BUT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE WITHIN TWENTY-FOUR HOURS. THE CONTACT STATED THE PART WAS STILL NOT AVAILABLE AFTER FIVE WEEKS. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000.

NHTSA ODI #10340367

90,000 miles · May 10, 2010

Steering

BINDING OR STICKING POWER STEERING ON 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. OCCURRED CONTINUOUSLY BEGINNING AT ABOUT 90,000 MILES. DEALER REPLACED STEERING "JOINT" AT COST OF $500. TENDED TO LOCK IN STRAIGHT-AHEAD POSITION UNLESS EXTREME FORCE WAS APPLIED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10329786

100,000 miles · Apr 30, 2010

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

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WE HAVE A 2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER LIMITED WITH THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE V8 ENGINE. I NOTICED THAT TOYOTA WAS GOING TO RECALL THE 2003 SEQUOIA FOR BRAKING, SLOWING ISSUES. WE HAVE HAD SIMILAR ISSUES WITH OUR VEHICLE WITH SEEMINGLY AUTOMATIC BRAKING. THE VEHICLE DOES HAVE A DOWN HILL ASSIST BUTTON FOR WHAT I UNDERSTAND TO BE USED IN LOW GEAR ON THE TRANSFER. THE VEHICLE BEING ALL WHEEL DRIVE DOES HAVE A HIGH AND LOW TRANSFER WITH A CENTER LOCKING DIFFERENTIAL. THE VEHICLE WITH SLOW ALMOST WHICH SMALL LUNGES, AS IF THE TRANSMISSION WAS DOWNSHIFTING WITH THE RPM'S BEING TOO HIGH FOR THE GEAR. THAT IS THE BEST I CAN EXPLAIN. IT IS NOT A SUDDEN STOP, NO BRAKE LIGHTS APPEAR, BUT THE VEHICLE DOES SLOW, AS IF ITS DRAGGING, PERHAPS THAT IS SOME AUTOMATIC PULSING OF THE BRAKES. SHOULD I TAKE THE VEHICLE TO TOYOTA. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10328273

45,444 miles · Apr 29, 2010

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHEN STOPPED AND HOLDING DOWN THE BRAKE PEDAL MY 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER LURCHES FORWARD. IT FEELS LIKE THE VEHICLE IS GOING TO LOOSE THE BRAKES BUT THEN CATCHES. THE DEALER CALLS THIS A KNOWN 4RUNNER PROBLEM. THEY SAY THERE IS NO FIX FROM TOYOTA. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10328038

53,000 miles · Apr 18, 2010

Structure

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IN MY 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SR5 THE OPEN ENGINE HOOD FALLS WITHOUT WARNING. A SMALL HYDRAULIC PISTON AUTOMATICALLY HOLDS THE HOOD OPEN WHEN THE HOOD IS LIFTED. THERE IS NO ROD OR OTHER MECHANICAL DEVICE TO HOLD THE HOOD OPEN, JUST THE PISTON. THE HOOD STAYS OPEN FOR A FEW MINUTES, THEN QUIETLY FALLS, AT FIRST VERY SLOWLY FOR A FEW INCHES, THEN RAPIDLY ENOUGH TO POSSIBLY CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY TO A PERSON LEANING OVER THE OPEN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE HOOD IS FAIRLY HEAVY PROBABLY DUE TO THE THICK AND HEAVY FIBERGLASS INSULATION. THE PISTON WORKED PROPERLY UNTIL ABOUT EARLY 2009 WHEN IT STARTED OCCASIONALLY FALLING, NOW (APRIL 2010) THE HOOD FALLS AFTER A FEW MINUTES EVERY TIME THE HOOD IS OPENED. SINCE THIS STARTED HAPPENING I'VE BEEN USING A WOOD STICK I CUT TO SIZE TO HOLD THE HOOD OPEN WHEN I NEED ACCESS. NOW I'M GOING TO HAVE THE PISTON REPLACED BUT I'LL ASK FOR THE REMOVED PARTS BACK IN CASE THEY NEED TO BE EXAMINED. EVEN WITH THE NEW PISTON, THOUGH, I INTEND TO USE THE WOOD STICK AS A SAFETY MEASURE. I JUST DON'T TRUST THE PISTON DESIGN SINCE IT APPARENTLY REQUIRES PERFECT SEALING TO MAINTAIN THE LIFTING FORCE. ALSO, ACCORDING TO MY INDEPENDENT AUTO REPAIR SHOP THAT DOES MAINLY TOYOTA'S, THIS IS A FREQUENT ENOUGH PROBLEM THAT THEIR REPAIRMEN ALWAYS BRACE THE HOODS OPEN WHEN WORKING IN ENGINE COMPARTMENTS. THANKS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10326207

93,000 miles · Apr 12, 2010

Vehicle Speed Control

MY ACCELERATOR PEDAL GOT STUCK ON MY TOYOTA 4RUNNER. I BELIEVE THE FLOOR MAT WAS INVOLVED AS WHEN I MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND STOP, I PULLED THE FLOOR MAT AWAY AND THE PEDAL RELEASED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10325047

Mileage unknown · Apr 5, 2010

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

2003 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE PULLING INTO HER GARAGE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL AND HIT A WORKBENCH. THE CONSUMER PAID FOR THE DAMAGES OUT OF POCKET. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10324230

Official recalls

11V113000 · Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

Feb 24, 2011

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2011 LEXUS LX570, 2003 THROUGH 2009 TOYOTA 4RUNNER, AND 2006 THROUGH 2010 RAV4 VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAN GET STUCK IN THE WIDE OPEN POSITION DUE TO ITS BEING TRAPPED BY AN UNSECURED OR INCOMPATIBLE DRIVER'S FLOOR MAT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy: THE REMEDY IS NOW AVAILABLE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN EARLY APRIL 2011. THE REMEDY WILL INVOLVE MODIFICATION OR REPLACEMENT OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND REPLACEMENT OF ANY TOYOTA ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 OR LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.

03V146000 · Fuel System, Gasoline

Apr 14, 2003

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V6 ENGINES, THE FUEL PULSATION DAMPER, LOCATED ON THE FUEL RAIL, MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY ASSEMBLED, CAUSING A DIAPHRAGM IN THE PULSATION DAMPER TO BE DAMAGED. IF THE DIAPHRAGM FAILS, FUEL MAY LEAK.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE IF A HEAT SOURCE OR AN IGNITION SOURCE IS PRESENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PULSATION DAMPER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 5, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

02V339000 · Wheels

Dec 17, 2002

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FIVE FACTORY ALLOY WHEELS (MODEL 6934 AND 6936), WITH FACTORY LLAT, AND WITH PORT INSTALLED WR4, FOUR ALLOY WHEEL UPGRADE PROCESSED AT THE JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA PORT AND DISTRIBUTED BY SOUTHEAST TOYOTA DISTRIBUTORS IN THE STATES OF ALABAMA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, NORTH AND SOUTH CAROLINA, WHEN THE VEHICLES WERE PROCESSED AT THE PORT, AN ALLOY TIRE/WHEEL UPGRADE WAS INSTALLED. THE UPGRADE INCLUDED 4 ALLOY WHEELS. THE ORIGINAL SPARE TIRE/ALLOY WHEEL WAS NOT CHANGED. THE SPARE TIRE REQUIRES THE USE OF A DIFFERENT STYLE OF WHEEL NUT TO ATTACH IT TO THE VEHICLE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE SPARE TIRE/WHEEL IS INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE USING THE WHEEL NUTS PROVIDED FOR THE UPGRADE ALLOY WHEEL, DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL COULD RESULT AND COULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A LOOSE WHEEL.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH DIFFERENT STYLE LUG NUTS, A WARNING LABEL FOR THE SPARE RE/ALLOY WHEEL, AND AN OWNER'S MANUAL ADDENDUM.

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

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

RQ10003 · Unintended And Uncontrolled Acceleration

Opened Feb 16, 2010 · Closed Mar 1, 2011

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:software; Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

On February 16, 2010, NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened RQ10-003 to determine whether the scope of prior Toyota recalls relating to potential unintended acceleration were sufficiently broad, including, among others, Toyota recalls 07E-082, 09V-388, 10V-017, and 10V-023.NHTSA also requested information regarding potential electronic causes of unintended acceleration in Toyota and Lexus vehicles.I. Pedal Interference from Floor mats, Carpet Covers and Plastic Pads in Carpets.During the RQ10-003 investigation, ODI reviewed a large volume of documents to assess whether additional vehicles should be recalled.Following the agency's analysis, NHTSA requested that Toyota recall additional vehicles.Toyota complied with the agency's request.The details of these recalls are set forth more fully in Toyota's reports to NHTSA pursuant to 49 CFR Part 573.These recalls are as follows:Recall 11V-112: (1) model year (MY) 2004-2006 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid; and, (2) MY 2004-2007 Lexus RX330,RX350, and RX400h (hybrid model). The total estimated population under this recall is 769,379 vehicles.This recall remedies potential accelerator pedal entrapment caused by a loose floor carpet cover (trim panel). Recall 11V-113: (1) MY 2003-2009 through 2009 Toyota 4Runner; (2) MY 2006-2010 Toyota RAV4; and, (3) MY 2008-2011 Lexus LX570.The total estimated population under this recall is 1,381,000 vehicles.This recall supplements recall 09V-388 and remedies potential accelerator pedal entrapment by an unsecured floor mat.Recall 11V-115: (1) MY 2006-2007 Lexus GS300 (all wheel drive vehicles); and, (2) MY 2006-2007 Lexus GS350 (all wheel drive vehicles). The total estimated population under this recall is 19,647 vehicles.This recall remedies potential accelerator pedal entrapment caused by inadequate clearance between the pedal linkage and a plastic pad embedded in the vehicle's carpet.II. Potential Electronic Causes of Unintended Acceleration.After NHTSA opened RQ10-003, NHTSA launched a ten-month study of potential electronic causes of unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles.NHTSA launched the study in the spring of 2010 in light of concerns aired in Congressional hearings.NHTSA enlisted engineers at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) with expertise in areas such as computer controlled electronic systems, electromagnetic interference and software integrity to assess whether electronic systems or electromagnetic interference played a role in incidents of unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles.That study has concluded.Two reports are associated with the study and are available on NHTSA's website.NASA's report is entitled Technical Support to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on the Reported Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) Unintended Acceleration (UA) Investigation, NESC Assessment No. TI-10-00618 (Jan. 18, 2011).NHTSA's report is entitled Technical Assessment of Toyota Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) Systems (Feb. 2011).Both reports should be read in conjunction with each other. As stated in its report, NASA did not find an electronic cause of large throttle openings that can result in unintended acceleration incidents. NHTSA did not find a vehicle-based cause of unintended acceleration incidents other than the physical pedal interference causes that are being addressed by Toyota's recalls. This RQ is closed.

Additional source detail variants (6)

Electrical System:software

Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal