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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.

1.6

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
104,000 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 suspension problems

suspension problem

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2003 Toyota 4Runner Owner Comments

problem #1

Dec 202015

4Runner

  • 104,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota 4runner. While backing out of the driveway, the lower control arm failed and the vehicle became inoperable. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and an inspector sent by the manufacturer examined the damage. The inspector determined that the subframe bracket, which holds the lower control, had rusted and caused the lower control arm to fail. The inspector recommended that the entire frame of the vehicle be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 104,000.

- Lancaster, NY, USA

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