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:
78,746 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.
I was at a complete stop. Right after I let my foot off the brake, the car lunged forward violently. It was a traumatic experience. I don't know if this was an isolated incident, will it happen again or is this common? also, shortly after I took ownership of my car, the paint started to peel on the rear hatch below the license on the left, where there are somewhat sharp angles. Toyota repainted the rear hatch, excluding the spoiler. I just noticed two rust spots above the rear window. It appears water is seeping in from above the black strip and ponding on thr bottom of it (above the window), resulting in rust. I am wondering if this is common or a problem because the black strip was removed to repaint, or wasn't sealed as well by the factory?
This 2003 4runner has 85K miles on it and has severe rust on the front corners of the frame. The safety of driving this vehicle is questionable. There's also significant rust on other metal components as well. I previously owned a 2006 Tundra that was recalled for severe frame rust and I know several other people that had Tundra and Tacoma with severe rust problems on the frame. The 4runner has a truck frame under it like the other Toyota trucks and has the same frame rust issues. Why is there no recall for the 4runner?
Frame on 2003 Toyota 4runner is completely rusted. Gas tank straps are rotted and rusted along with the plate underneath the gas tank is completely rusted. Tried to get them replaced and the service advisor damaged his tools trying to get the bolts out. Also had to replace the skid plate in the front of the vehicle. It was completely rusted through and just hanging off the front of the truck. Now the frame is completed rusted and our service technician told us that it needs to be replaced. Took it to a auto body repair shop, technician worked for Toyota for 30 years and told us to call them because the frame should be replaced. Toyota does not agree.
The entire frame is rusting away I had a mechinic look at it and he said 'it is not safe to drive theres no strength in the frame if you get into a crash ' the truck has only 105,000 miles on
I've come to find out that these models and years..... are riddled with excessive rust. Unsafe rust to the point that my vehicle will no longer pass inspection. The rust has compromised the frame where it is unsafe for my family to travel in!!! my problem was detected by my mechanic after routine service.
I own a 2003 Toyota 4runner. I was aware that Toyota had issues with the Tacoma, Tundra, and sequoia vehicles with rusting frames, but I was unaware that the 4runners were plagued with the same frame rot issues. I have owned the 4runner for over a year and have had to repair the frame due to rust through issues now on three seperate occasions. The frame is vertually a total loss. The engine, transmission, and other components are great, but the frame rust has made the vehicle too unsafe to continue to own.
Took 2003 4runner to dealer for alignment. Was informed that frame has rusted to point of making car unsafe to drive. No other original components have rust.
Frame rotting. 4 runner garaged and short commute. Very well maintained at local dealer. Vehicle low maintenance. Rotting reported by Toyota technician.
The frame is rusted with areas that need to be repaired or frame replaced. When the vehicle is in motion the steering wheel moves back and forth after hitting a bump. It is like the front end is lose. I have had it aligned, so it is not out of alignment.
Structure complaint. Frame, frame mounting points, and suspension mounting points. Heavy rust. Upon maintenance diagnostics for evap system the mechanics indicated significant serious corrosion problems with the forward and rearward sections of the frame. Significant and dangerous deterioration to mounting points for track bars, brake line brackets, and other suspension components. Structurally the frame is questionable in places and likely hazardous to continue driving, recommended that vehicle be retired as is.
My 2003 Toyota 4runner is suffering from widespread underside rust. Including but not limited to the frame, radiator support, suspension components, brake lines and tow hitch.
The frame on my 2003 Toyota 4runner has severe rust damage. I have always taken great care of this truck. Regular washing, cleaning, maintenance etc... I have tried to grind off the rust, use rust inhibiting products, and undercoating without any luck. The truck is in excellent condition, but the frame is rotting away right before my eyes. I'm afraid this $37000 truck will not make it to 75000 miles. I know Toyota has had recalls on the Tacoma and Tundra truck frames, but did not include the 4runners for some reason. The 4runner truck frames are total junk and should also be recalled. Thank you for your help in this matter.
I took my 4runner to the dealership that is was purchased and was informed that it needs a new frame due to excessive rust/rot. I am being told that it is beyond repair and is a safety issue at this point.
Extreme frame rust. Car is low mileage, well-kept, and outwardly in excellent condition. Recently suffered near-total brake failure. Towed it to shop for repair. Shop refused to repair brakes. They said frame was severely rusted. The rust had eaten away the point where the brake lines attached to the frame, and brake fuid was leaking from that juncture. They said if they removed the brake lines to replace them, they wouldn't be able to reattach them because there wasn't enough good frame metal to work with. They said the frame rust was so severe that they feared it could break clean through, or steering or suspension parts could break loose. They did not want to take responsibility for putting what they believed to be an unsafe vehicle back on the road. They only reason I discovered this was that the rust caused my brakes to nearly fail. Toyota has had recalls and lawsuits on identical issues involving Tacoma and other truck-framed vehicles. The 4-runner is a truck-framed vehicle and should be recalled. I have photos that the repair shop sent me, but I can't send them ffrom this computer.
The frame on my 2003 4runner is completely rusted beyond what is reasonable and safe. I purchased the 4runner new and now I have been told by several auto repair shops the frame is not safe to drive. Some shops refuse to put the 4runner on a lift in fear the frame will break. This is a serious issue and I fear for the safety of my family. I feel this rust issue is the fault of Toyota to not prep the frame to resist corrosion.
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