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.
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
99,193 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Really bad frame rust, holes in frame, engine mounts.... Cracked dash board. All problems shared by many 2003 4runner owners too. I'll take more photos.. Thanks for your attention.
Due to severe rust underneath the vehicle, there have been a few issues that have made the vehicle very unsafe to drive. Last week, both of my rear brake lines were completely done and leaking brake fluid leaving me with no brakes. This was due to rust and corrosion that had eaten the metal lines away. The radiator mounts are corroding, as well as the skid plate for my fuel tank and a few spots on my frame near the rear. I was not aware of the rust as I just got the vehicle a few weeks ago. I was driving in traffic when my brake light came on and I noticed my brakes didn't seem to be very effective and they eventually got the point where they were not working or slowing the vehicle at all. Once I took it to the shop and they put it on the lift, the mechanics pointed out just how bad the rust was.
The frame is completely rusted through and soon will be unable to support the steering, engine or drive train. The problem was confirmed to me by an independent service center that I have used for 10 years and I trust.
The frame has rusted almost completely through near the front upper and lower control arms near the cross member there. The passenger side is so bad the welder I took it too sad he couldn-??t repair it without doing the crossmember section and all. The driver side is not at bad but doesn-??t look to hot. The crossmember where the radiator sits is also starting to completely rot away
Frame rusted to the point the shop won-??t fix the brakes and allow me to drive the car. The brake line rusted through since it was attached to the frame and when repairing the brakes they found the frame rusted too bad and coming apart. Looking online this seems to be a common problem with this year Toyota 4Runner.
Three mechanics said the frame was rusted with holes and is unsafe to drive. The vehicle is not inspectable, so had to have mechanic weld Steele on frame to be able to pass inspection.
The contact owns a 2003 4runner. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being repaired, he was informed that the undercarriage and subframe of the vehicle was extremely rusted. The vehicle had not been taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be inspected. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 139,000.
In reference to NHTSA action number: DP18002. My mechanic informed me that my 2003 4runner is starting to experience excessive corrosion on the frame. He informed me that this is common with this model. I contacted a body shop to inquire about possible solutions. I was informed that they get inquiries about the 2003 4runner often yet they do not like working on them as the frame is constructed in such a way that it is difficult to address the corrosion issues. I'm reporting this to help facilitate the ongoing investigation and to inquire about any progress being made on the investigation.
I have been in contact with Toyota several times over the past 4 years about rust issues with this frame, but the refuse to fix it. They recalled the Tacoma, Tundra and sequoia of the same year for this reason. The frame rusts and falls apart. While driving up my road I felt the rear of the car shift to the side, I turned around and went straight home to find the frame at the rear passenger tire broken. I have attached a picture of the broken area, but can send more pictures of the entire frame if needed.
The frame is rusted beyond repair and the vehicle has spent the majority of its life in a N underground garage protected from the elements, as well as in Florida. It has very low mileage, and no other serious problems.
WE BOUGHT A USED TOYOTA 4 RUNNER IN SEPTEMBER 2017 FROM A USED CAR DEALER. THE VEHICLE LOOKED GREAT AND DROVE AMAZING BUT AFTER HAVING IT SERVICED WE WERE INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTY ON THE FRAME AND TO KEEP AN EYE ON IT. OVER TIME THE VEHICLE GOT WORSE AND WE HAD IT LOOKED AT AND WERE TOLD IT WOULD NEED TO HAVE A FRAME OR BE REPAIRED. ESSIMATE AROUND $5000 SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS FINANCED WE DONT FEEL SAFE DRIVING IT AS WE WERE TOLD IT IS UNSAFE. WE DONT HAVE THE MONEY TO BUY ANOTHER VEHICLE IS THIS COVERED UDER THE LEMON LAW. TOYOTA WIL NOT DO ANYTHING REGARDING THIS. BUT IT IS CLEARLY A DEFECITIVE PROUDUCT. THEY WERE RECALLS DONE ON TOYOTA TRUCKS WITH THE SAME ISSUE BUT NOT THE 4 RUNNER. PLEASE ADD ME TO ANY PENDING LAWSUITS REGARDING THIS ISSUE. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Frame is rusted out, excessive rust throughout the entire frame and suspension components. Sway bar mounts for rear axle have rusted out vehicle is unsafe to drive
Our 2003 4runner frame is rusted throughout. Not even safe to drive with 127,000 miles. The control arm is ready to fall off. Thankfully, a busted brake line got us into the shop before a bad accident happened. Now we're looking at spending $4000 on framework to make it safe to drive. So sad that this issue has been know for years and no one is making Toyota make it right. Please do something before people get hurt. We were ready to take a 1000 mile trip from Alabama to Texas when we found out about the rust. My mechanic stuck a pencil through the frame! it's sooooo bad! please do something!
The whole under side of the vehicle is rusted. It can't even be driven. My brake line busted the other day (with my kids in the car) and caused me to lose the use of my brakes. We are okay, and the mechanic was able to repair the brake line. But my mechanic was able to stick a pen through the frame. He said with this excessive rust, I should file a claim. After searching online, it seems that there have been recalls on other models of Toyota because of rust. Hoping you can investigate and make this right. Thank you!
My 2003 Toyota 4runner's frame has outrageous rust issues. I have as big as quarter size holes that have rusted through in the middle of the frame on the passenger side and driver side. This is my family car transporting my kids and is unacceptable for Toyota to have known about this for years and refuse to resolve it.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Eht, NJ, USA