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.
The back of the truck frame has rusted through. Stationary. Front axle pics included as well. Rust, wear and tear. Not sure when it happened bc the dealership sold the vehicle to me like this. Rusted metal proves it happened awhile ago. Plus someone tried to weld it to cover up the problem. I've also put in a radiator and new muffler was completely rusted through.
I purchased this vehicle a week ago. It appears the dealer themselves never inspected the vehicle prior to my purchase. If they had, they would have know it was an unsafe vehicle to drive due to the amount of rust to the suspension, frame, and everything underneath. Just today, a Toyota mechanic had told me that it is unserviceable. If I had owned this vehicle for years, that finding wouldn't be as painful to hear. But having owned the vehicle for a week, this has made me very angry. It only has 88K miles on it. I am now afraid to drive the vehicle.
- Ogden, UT, USA
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I was driving my 4runner at about 20 miles per hour when it suddenly jerked to the right. I stopped and got out to see the frame had rotted apart and one of the suspension bar mounts had dropped. Luckily no one was hurt. I contacted Toyota and they said there was nothing they could do for me.
The frame is completely rusted out making the vehicle unsafe, undriveable and unfixable with only 60,000 miles. We cannot find a frame or anyone to fix it.
I was driving the vehicle and normal highway speed on the interstate. When I let off the accelerator, the vehicle lurched to one side, causing the vehicle to cross into the other lane. When I applied the accelerator again, the vehicle lurched in the other direction, requiring me to apply corrective action to maintain control. Upon inspection, the passenger side rear suspension link support had mostly separated from the frame due to rust. I can bend it back and forth with my hand. I have not driven the vehicle since due to safety concerns. It is difficult to control the vehicle, especially a highway speed.
I purchased my 2003 4runner brand new. The vehicle has 70,000 original miles. Never in an accident. The truck is garaged. Always maintained by Toyota. Not a scratch on the truck. Interior looks brand new. However the frame has excessive rust. Found a few spots that will eventually needs to be addressed. Toyota needs to step up and fix the rust problems
I have had this vehicle for many years and I "know" it. I noticed that he steering wheel had a vibration albeit slight, this was something new as well as a noise I could hear under the car. I brought it home complained to my husband - he looked under the car & was appalled - the frame is so rusted he was able to stick his finger through the failing frame! I am afraid this vehicle will kill me! what if it decides to completely break at an axle or part of the undercarriage. Do I drive it and take the chance of getting hurt or killed before someone will order a recall. We can send photos if necessary as this will most certainly add validity to the concern.
Currently the frame rust is very severe and is getting to the point that I am becoming hesisitant to have it out on the road. There are areas around suspension components and axles that are very rusted which could potentially lead to casualties if the mounts were to fail.
Frame holding/securing radiator, skid plate is rotting away. Took too dealer/service dept.( kool Toyota) and they took several pictures to add to the hundreds theyve already taken and submitted.
We have owned our 2003 4runner in our family since new. It has always been incredibly well taken care of, weekly washes etc.. now at 106,000 miles our frame has significantly more rust than expected of a car of this age and condition. We are very concerned that Toyota has addressed many corrosion incidents within Tacoma frames and not addressed the frames in the 4runner especially based on the condition of our frame and many others I see on the road. This is a serious safety concern and needs to be investigated as I believe it is an issue with the vast majority of 4runner frames from this generation vehicle.
The frame on my SUV is very rusted and causing continuous problems. I've had to replace numerous parts underneath my car (sway bars, tie rods). Just the other night while driving home in a snow storm, I completely lost my brakes. Two of the main brake lines were completely corroded. A new frame would solve a lot of my problems. They've recalled Tacoma and sequoias, wondering what the hold up is on the 4runner recall?
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Norfolk, VA, USA