Print this page

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.

2003 Toyota 4Runner body / paint problems

body / paint problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2003 Toyota 4Runner:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2003 Toyota 4Runner Owner Comments (Page 9 of 13)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #84

Aug 222016

4Runner

  • 100,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota 4runner. While the vehicle was stationary and while driving various speeds, the frame became severely rusted and corroded over the period of two years. The contact stated that an independent mechanic made a series of repairs for the following failures: The drive shaft was rusted, the tow hooks detached from the vehicle, the muffler detached from the vehicle, and the frame fractured into pieces upon the contact's initial assessment of the damages. The contact stated that the series of failures occured due to the severe rust and corrosion of the frame. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

- Marion Center, PA, USA

problem #83

Jan 192018

4Runner

  • 190,000 miles
My 2003 Toyota 4runner sport has experienced extreme, and dangerous, levels of rust on the frame cross bars, despite being washed regularly. The rust appears to be originating from inside the supports, and I was advised by a Toyota dealer mechanic that the rust could potentially lead to complete frame failure in the very near future. At this point, sizable areas have rusted through entirely. I have brought this to the attention of Toyota, and they have regularly refused to acknowledge that there is any problem with the frame.

- Mason, OH, USA

problem #82

Aug 212018

4Runner

  • 134,000 miles
03 4runner has excessive frame rust near rear wheel area and front radiator mount.

- Chillicothe, OH, USA

problem #81

Dec 212017

4Runner

  • 150,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My vehicle although in perfect visual condition has excessive rust on the frame. I have been told it should not be driven as it could be hazardous. The car is in great shape with no rust on any other part of the car aside from the frame flaking away

- Lafayette, CO, USA

problem #80

Jun 252018

4Runner

  • 127,000 miles
The frame on the 2003 Toyota 4runner has an excessive amount of frame rust. Others have reported this issue and it is believed to be a design flaw by Toyota. Due to the excessive amount of rust, there is a major safety concern.

- Highlands Ranch, CO, USA

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

problem #79

May 172017

4Runner

  • 113,000 miles
The frame is rusted through on passenger side bottom of frame section has large rusted through hole and I have removed a large freezer bag full of rust from inside this hole. I believe the root cause was that the air condition condensate drain hose exited down directly on top of the frame in the engine compartment and the condensate(water) then ran down the frame to the rusted location as this is how I discovered the rust problem, it dripped from that location leaving a rust spot on garage floor. The driver side frame in same area is fine. I have since re-routed the condensate drain to keep problem from accelerating.

- North Aurora, IL, USA

problem #78

Aug 012018

4Runner

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2003 4runner with excessive rust of the frame and undercarriage. Potential failure of frame and frame components due to rust could cause serious injury. Dealer submitted photos to Toyota.

- Powhatan, VA, USA

problem #77

Jul 232018

4Runner

  • 136,935 miles
My 4 runner failed va safety inspection due to "frame rusted through" see attached photo

- Lynchburg, VA, USA

problem #76

Jul 012003

4Runner

  • 10,000 miles
The frames on 2003-2008 4runners rust very badly and have deemed hundreds of otherwise good vehicles unusable. Note that just the frame components are rusting through while the bodywork remains intact.. Toyota recalled and replaced frames on several similar vehicles in their lineup but did not offer the same to 4runner owners. Hopefully this changes.

- Peoria, IL, USA

problem #75

Jun 222018

4Runner

  • 156,300 miles
Vehicle frame has excessive rust, broke apart at frame joint. Vehicle unsafe to drive 156K.

- Hempstead, NY, USA

problem #74

May 292018

4Runner

  • 126,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I took my car for an oil change on 5/29/18 and they came back and told me my frame was unsafe to drive on. We took it to another shop and put it up on the lift and the frame is about to crack in half from the amount of rust. My car is garaged and barely driven during the snow. I realize it is 15 years old, but the two individuals that looked at it stated that the holes and rust found on the frame should not be that bad. Toyota has stated that they will not do anything about this. I am extremely mad, as I feel that the dealership should have notified me sooner that the frame was rusting. It is beyond patch repair work and probably could have been patched earlier, had I been notified of the issue. My car is taken in for all routine maintenance and other than the frame is in great condition. It only has $126K miles and shouldn't be falling apart like this.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #73

May 292018

4Runner

  • miles
Extensive frame rot on both sides right after the engine. The rest of the frame is ok with "normal" surface rust. Tried to treat rust but it has gotten worse

- Aldie, VA, USA

problem #72

May 252018

4Runner

  • 87,300 miles
Recently bought my 4runner, took it to the dealer to be inspected, only for them to tell me that the frame was compromised due to rust damage. Toyota has agreed to replace frames on Tacoma's, Tundra's and sequoia's, but not 4runners, even though they are all the same frames.

- Vancouver, WA, USA

problem #71

May 182018

4Runner

  • miles
Excessive rusting of frame while rest of vehicle remains intact.

- Keene, NH, USA

problem #70

Mar 152018

4Runner

  • 140,000 miles
Vehicle frame has multiple holes due to rust, unsafe to drive and not repairable

- Sonora, CA, USA

problem #69

Jan 012018

4Runner

  • 126,000 miles
Front cross member rusted into on one side and rusted bad on the other. Plus, frame has several holes in it.

- Charleston, WV, USA

problem #68

Jan 022015

4Runner

  • 140,000 miles
Rust holes in frame at 140,000 miles.

- Bradenton, FL, USA

problem #67

Nov 172017

4Runner

  • 123,112 miles
The vehicle feels like it's bottoming out going over the slightest little bump when in motion and the rotors were making a horrible sound going down the highway even after the brakes had been checked. Spent $400+ on new brakes & rotors only to find out that the frame is completely rusted out and the mechanic advised us not to drive it at all. It was too dangerous and would cause a bad wreck when it finally did drop out.

- David, KY, USA

problem #66

Nov 162016

4Runner

  • 150,000 miles
There is excessive rust on the underbody of my 2003 4runner. It has just 165,000 miles and the frame is extremely rusted. Being only 15 years old I find this to be very sad and unreasonable. The car should be able to last 20-30 years and 300,000 miles. The car has been regularly washed and driven in Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, New York. If there was additional treatment required for the frame it should have been coated, or at the very least notify the customers to make sure they do it. These car should last much much longer and as expensive as the 4runners are they should last.

- Batavia, IL, USA

problem #65

Dec 082017

4Runner

  • miles
Frame is rusting and deforming uniformly on both sides of the vehicle just behind the front wheels and engine, in front of the transfer case.

- Stuart, FL, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

Not what you are looking for?