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:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
97,184 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 driving my 2003 Toyota 4 runner about 1 mile from my home when all of a sudden there was a loud pop and the 4 runner raised up in the rear like a cat and there was another loud bang and I was stopped dead in my tracks almost getting thrown into the windshield and dash. The 4 runner would not move, and there was a loud popping noise against the floorboard and also on the ground. I got out and looked under the rear and saw all the damage and what caused it. The cause was complete rust, I have never saw a vehicle rust that fast that badly. It was fine in the spring when I washed it and underneath it as I always do after winter. The rear end was rusted so bad it would crumble in your hands the whole underside was in the same shape. The gas tank guard was half rusted away the frame was covered in rust, every piece of metal under the 4 runner was badly rusted. Now back to the damage that was caused, the big bar that connected the rear end to the frame on the passenger side had rusted completely off and the rear end shifted back and down pulling out the drive shaft and it stuck into the pavement making the 4 runner suddenly stop. The big bar on the drivers side bent down from the force bending it and the shocks pulling the rubber brake lines loose and bending the metal brake lines. The front of the rear end was cracked in a long line on the front. This is a lot of damage due to rust from inferior metal which Toyota fixed on their trucks which the frame is the same. They need to recall these vehicles before someone gets killed or hurt. This 4 runner only has 102375 miles and should not be in this shape. I have 84, 91, and 94 Ford that do not have this rust. I can't help but think what would have happened if I had been doing 55 or more on a four lane road when this broke off. My grand sons or I could have been killed or someone else. Recall
Everything about my Toyota 4runner is in great condition except when I brought it in for an inspection I was devastated to find out that my car was no longer safe to drive due to the rust corrosion on the frame. Ever since I purchased this car at the dealership in 2003, I've always taken my car to Toyota dealer services for all maintenances and yet they have failed to tell me about this rust corrosion problem until now that due to the rust is eating through the main frame and will not even pass the inspection. For the safety please have it recall and get it done the right way as for Tundra and sequoia recall
Excessive frame rust, especially at rear area of vehicle. Body mounts disintegrating at rear. Other attachment mounts (for example rear anti-sway bar) are rusting severely. Rust noted 11/2/2018 when vehicle was in the air for service.
Frame is showing excessive rust. Remainder of the vehicle is in excellent shape. Engine runs great, but the frame is now in a dangerous state. Gas tank support is completely gone.
My 4runner frame is showing excessive rust. The rest of the vehicle is in excellent shape and I am diligent in keeping the vehicle in good condition. Please consider my 4runner as a frame replacement candidate.
The frame on my 2003 Toyota 4runner has almost rusted completely through the frame. While driving on I40 going around a deep curve I lost control of the vehicle and ran off the road without injury or collision. It was inspected and deemed not safe to drive due to the rusted frame. This vehicle is now immobile until the frame is replaced. I am requesting that this vehicle is included in the recall for the Toyota 4 runners. This happened 9/26/2018.
My 2003 4runner frame is rusted out at the rear trailing arm support and half way down the rail. This 4runner is in perfect shape and only has 200K. Toyotas were supposed to lass for a lot longer that's why we bought it. Something has to be done and corrected just like the other frame problems Toyota has dealt with in the past!!
The frame of my 2003 Toyota 4runner V8 demonstrates excessive and concerning rust damage. The body is in extremely good condition and has almost zero rust, a stark contrast against the frame. The frame has rust damage heavily on the lower radiator support, a 8" long spot on the bottom of the frame directly behind the transmission crossmember on the passenger side, and by the driver's side rear lower trailing arm mount. These areas of rust damage cause me to be concerned for the safety of the vehicle in the long term. The vehicle has only 180K miles, which should leave many years of enjoyable Toyota ownership for me, if only the frame was still in half as good of shape as the body. I understand that Toyota has recently done frame replacements for other similar vehicles, and I do not understand why they would not do at least something for the 4runner. Living in Michigan I always expect some rust on a 15 year old vehicle, but this is certainly excessive. I have started to use por15 rust coating to hopefully slow the rot so that the vehicle may remain safe to drive for a few more years, but I am highly disappointing none the less. I had expected this on my previous vehicle, a Nissan with open recalls for excessive rusting, but I had faith that this Toyota 4runner would not have these issues since Toyota has historically been good about making things right where rusty frames are concerned. Clearly not in this case. This does genuinely have an impact on my likelihood to purchase a new Toyota in the future, as rust is a nightmare to deal with and I don't intend to risk having to again, unless I see some signs that Toyota will help where there was clearly some kind of mistake.
Took the vehicle in to have work done on the struts and discovered that the entire frame underneath is completely rusted through and unsafe to drive. This appears to be a very common problem, but Toyota still refuses to replace the frames or address the issue in any way, despite having issued a recall for other vehicles with the exact same problem.
Frame and undercarriage rust. Rotted bolts affecting ability to have complete alignment performed. Failed wheel bearings causing loud rotational friction sounds while in motion. Rusted exhaust system causing failure and required replacement.
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
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.
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.
After an inspection by our mechanic we were informed that our 2003 4runner's frame rusted through in multiple locations and will be drivable for a limited time. We are an original owners, the car has been maintained by a professional mechanic and has been garaged its entire life.
2003 4runner has significant frame rust and is a common and well known problem. Toyota has acknowledged the same problem with other similar models. Toyota has taken action on other models but will not with the 4runners with same frame.
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.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Ransom, KY, USA