CarComplaints.com Notes: Although the 2003 model year is the "worst" model year for the 4Runner, it's not really bad at all -- mainly it's just that the other 4Runner model years are even better. Howver the 2003 model year has no major problems & no unexpected problems for a 17-year old vehicle. We award the 2003 4Runner our Seal of Awesome, since overall versus other comparable models of the same age, it's very reliable.
Initially the 4th generation (2003 - 2009) 4Runner didn't earn our top "Seal of Awesome" rating because it received poor crash test ratings for rear impacts. However it's proven to have one of the lowest driver death rates out of all vehicles (not just SUVs), so we've bumped it back up to our top award.
Toyota 4Runner. Org - The url is the thread to the multiple 4Runner owners who's dashboards or cracked. Some are severely cracked, like mine. Many are listed to be 2003.
ToyotaNation.Com - This site is also filled with numerous Toyota 4Runner owners whose dashboards have cracked. You'll also find some Lexus GX470's with the same problem.
Rather than fussing about the split that appeared in my dashboard this past February, I prefer to issue an invitation to owners of 2003 Toyota 4Runners with split dashes to email your complaint and pictures to me at elizabethheller2007@gmail.com. If this is a defect common to a large number of these vehicles, I would like to call the matter to Toyota's attention and to give the corporation an opportunity to resolve the problem.
if you have this problem toyota will not repair, the plastic could cut you if the air bag goes off and water could go down crack and get into airbag system. Alot of people have this same problem toyota will not help you. We need to report this to the NHTSA. www.nhtsa.gov
Toyota has gone down in it standards over the years and need to fix this problem. don't take it, toyota rep Anika came and looked at my 4runner 03 15000 miles and garaged in the dark with no windows. In the garage for 6 or 7 years smells like new and said no fix it myself. They know about the problem that is why on the new tacoma it is all plastic.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
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Rather than fussing about the split that appeared in my dashboard this past February, I prefer to issue an invitation to owners of 2003 Toyota 4Runners with split dashes to email your complaint and pictures to me at elizabethheller2007@gmail.com. If this is a defect common to a large number of these vehicles, I would like to call the matter to Toyota's attention and to give the corporation an opportunity to resolve the problem.
- elizabethheller, Bryant, AR, US