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.
5.2
fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
18,500 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 contact owns a 2003 Toyota 4runner. While driving 2 mph with the brakes applied, the vehicle would surge and make a thumping sound. The dealer lubricated the U joint, but the failure recurred a month later. The failure mileage was 2,000 and current mileage was 70,000. Updated 03/04/08. The consumer stated a propeller assembly/driveshaft was needed to correct the problem. Updated
Continuing problem on my 2003 V8 4runner with the drive shaft. When I come to a stop or when I accelerate after a stop there is a momentary lag that feels like a "clunk" or that someone has just run into your back bumper. Toyota dealer "fixes" the problem with grease to the slip yoke but after 2,000 miles it comes back and is only getting worse. I've complained to the dealer continually and Lexus 470 (same vehicle) has a tsb on the same occurrence. It has become increasingly annoying and can only be classifies as a dangerous defect.
- Denver, CO, USA
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- Denver , CO, USA