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.
Took my 2003 Toyota 4runner in for service and to have it inspected. The service guys say they cannot inspect my truck because it has a hole in the frame of the truck. The front of my frame is severely corroded after only 160K miles and completely unsafe for the road. This truck has always been well taken care of and kept clean in the winter months. This is entirely unacceptable for a vehicle of this era and highly unsafe to drive. I am sure there are many others out there driving around not knowing their trucks are rusting away to the point the frame they are riding on is falling apart under them.
This vehicle has accumulated a scary amount of rust on the underbody. I took it to a local Toyota dealership and they told me it probably wasn't safe to have my kids riding in this vehicle because of the amount of rust on the suspension.
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for inspection when they detected that the rear differential, rear lower control arm and frame were severely corroded. One of the two rear lower control arms had become slightly detached from the vehicle. In addition, the emergency brake also exhibited corrosion. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000. The VIN was unavailable.
The front crossmember of the vehicle frame has severe corrosion. The amount of corrosion was identified to me by a service technician during recent routine maintenance, and the technician pointed out that Toyota has had numerous problems with suspension/ structural corrosion on other models. The amount of corrosion has the potential to weaken the structural integrity of the vehicle in a crash situation and potentially during normal vehicle use as well. The problem was discussed with dealership service manager who referred me to the Toyota national hotline. Toyota representative at that department stated that Toyota has not provided any extended warranty or repair programs for this condition, nor do they offer any financial reconciliation for the costs of correcting this problem. The information was documented in Toyota case number [xxx]. information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
I have had this vehicle since new, and only travel back and forth to work approx 30 miles a day..(now has 59,000 miles).vehicle has been regularly serviced at a local Toyota dealer...vehicle never used for towing or never been off-road, and maintained like a baby...all of a sudden dealer told me my front axle cv joints are leaking and needs replacing including the rear shocks" this is fully loaded 2003 Toyota limited edition V8...seems very unusual at 59K miles" will contact Toyota to see if they can help out in any way...
- Olney, MD, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
I own a 2003 4 runner and also my daughter. I have reported the following issue to Toyota and also have taken the vehicle to a dealer. On snowy or icy roads, the rear end of the 4 runner will flip around when accelerating around a corner at very low speeds. It has happened to me three times and to my daughter 3 or 4 times. Both vehicle have new tires and the situation still occurs. I live in nc and we do not get a lot of snow. It happen a week ago when we got some snow. It can just happen so fast. My daughter is scared to drive it. Our 2000 4 runner would not come close of acting this way. Bottomline, it is unsafe. You must be extremely cautious or you will spin the car around.
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota 4runner. While driving 30 mph, the steering wheel shook very badly. The contact pulled the vehicle over because he thought he had a flat tire, but that was not the case. The vehicle was taken to have the tire pressure checked and then to the dealer for inspection. The shaking only occurs while driving over 30 mph. The contact stated that there was a recall for this vehicle. The dealer checked the recall database, but found no recalls. The vehicle is currently at the dealer for inspection. There is a recall for the 2001-2002 Toyota 4runner regarding the suspension and the contact believes that the same failure is occurring on his vehicle. The failure mileage was 71,100 and the current mileage was unknown.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Palmyra, ME, USA