VehicleVerdict

2002 Toyota 4Runner problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 306 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.5 times the median 4Runner year — the 2002 model ranks #8 of 43 4Runner years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 33 injuries in total across these filings.

Body & Structure leads the complaint categories with 90 reports (29% of the total).

306

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

27

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

33

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other 4Runner years?

4Runner NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted923 complaints1984: 2 complaints1985: 2 complaints1986: 13 complaints1987: 7 complaints1988: 12 complaints1989: 7 complaints1990: 95 complaints1991: 55 complaints1992: 73 complaints1993: 58 complaints1994: 76 complaints1995: 201 complaints1996: 203 complaints1997: 363 complaints1998: 303 complaints1999: 446 complaints2000: 638 complaints2001: 240 complaints2002: 306 complaints2003: 906 complaints2004: 923 complaints2005: 573 complaints2006: 520 complaints2007: 204 complaints2008: 134 complaints2009: 33 complaints2010: 175 complaints2011: 182 complaints2012: 112 complaints2013: 48 complaints2014: 90 complaints2015: 116 complaints2016: 104 complaints2017: 47 complaints2018: 77 complaints2019: 87 complaints2020: 43 complaints2021: 54 complaints2022: 55 complaints2023: 42 complaints2024: 11 complaints2025: 54 complaints2026: 7 complaints
4Runner NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 4Runner years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 Toyota 4Runner problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure9029%
Suspension5117%
Transmission3210%
Other3110%
Brakes238%
Engine176%
Tires & Wheels124%
Steering124%
Speed Control114%
Airbags93%
Electrical System72%
Fuel System41%
Visibility & Wipers21%
Seat Belts21%
Seats10%
Lighting10%
Latches & Locks10%

Does the 2002 Toyota 4Runner have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

06E049000LightingMay 24, 2006 · 27,176 units

Defect

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

05V225000SuspensionMay 17, 2005 · 768,379 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, DUE TO A MANUFACTURING ISSUE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINT, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE SURFACE OF THE BALL OF THE JOINT MAY HAVE BEEN SCRATCHED. THE BALL JOINT MAY EVENTUALLY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE WEAR AND LOOSENESS, RESULTING IN INCREASED STEERING EFFORT.

Consequence

THE LOWER BALL JOINT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE KNUCKLE CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 5, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TAKATA RECALL. I HAVE A RUSTY FRAME THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED FOR SAFETY REASONS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH FRAME CRACKED AND I ALMOST DIED BECAUSE OF IT TOYOTAS HAVE POOR FRAME THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · April 10, 2012 · crash

“APRIL 28, 2005, NO INJURIES. CONTACT STATES HE WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT. IT WAS RAINY. AND WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH VEHICLE LOST CONTROL AND VEERED TO THE RIGHT. TRIED TO STEER LEFT, BUT STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT GO LEFT. APPLIED BRAKES, AND THEY FAILED. THEN, HIT SEMI TRAILER TRUCK ON LEFT SIDE. CONTACT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · April 28, 2005 · crash

“AFTER NOTICING A STRONG GEAR OIL ODOR AND SEEING THE ACTUAL GEAR OIL ON THE BACK THE OF THE VEHICLE I WAS ALARMED TO FIND OUT THAT THE REAR AXLE HOUSING HAD RUST PERFORATING THE REAR OF THE HOUSING. ONCE THE HOUSING WAS CHECKED BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND TURNED AWAY DUE TO FEAR OF DESTROYING THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 6, 2012

“FRAME HAS RUSTED THROUGH TO THE POINT OF BEING A DANGER TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE. FRAME DID NOT EASILY APPEAR RUSTED WHEN I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE 4 YEARS AGO. IT APPEARS THAT THE FRAME RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE OUT AND THE COATING CONCEALED THE DAMAGE UNTIL IT WAS TOO LATE TO REPAIR. MY VEHICLE DRIVES…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · June 16, 2020

“APRIL 28, 2005, NO INJURIES. CONTACT STATES HE WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT. IT WAS RAINY. AND WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH VEHICLE LOST CONTROL AND VEERED TO THE RIGHT. TRIED TO STEER LEFT, BUT STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT GO LEFT. APPLIED BRAKES, AND THEY FAILED. THEN, HIT SEMI TRAILER TRUCK ON LEFT SIDE. CONTACT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · April 28, 2005 · crash

2002 Toyota 4Runner — common questions

Is the 2002 Toyota 4Runner reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 306 complaints put the 2002 model at #8 of 43 4Runner years. It is one of the 4Runner years to avoid.

What are the most common 2002 4Runner problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (90 complaints), suspension (51 complaints), transmission (32 complaints).

Does the 2002 Toyota 4Runner have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 Toyota 4Runner. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2002 Toyota 4Runner under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Toyota 4Runner years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the 4Runner years to avoid are 2004, 2003, 2000, 2005, 2006, 1999, 1997, 2002, 1998, 2001, 2007, 1996, 1995, 2011, 2010, 2008, 2015, 2012, 2016, 2014, 2013, 2017. The cleanest record among 4Runner years belongs to 1985.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.