VehicleVerdict

2003 Toyota 4Runner problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 906 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 10.4 times the median 4Runner year — the 2003 model ranks #2 of 43 4Runner years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 31 injuries in total across these filings.

Body & Structure leads the complaint categories with 284 reports (31% of the total).

906

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

2

Investigations

23

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

31

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2003 compare to other 4Runner years?

4Runner NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 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, 2003 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 4Runner years to avoid →

What are the most common 2003 Toyota 4Runner problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure28431%
Suspension11413%
Other10411%
Engine10111%
Brakes748%
Transmission404%
Steering354%
Speed Control293%
Electrical System263%
Tires & Wheels233%
Seats212%
Visibility & Wipers182%
Fuel System131%
Airbags111%
Latches & Locks51%
Seat Belts30%
Lighting20%
Trailer Hitch10%
Driver Assistance10%
Child Seat10%

Does the 2003 Toyota 4Runner have recalls?

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

11V113000Speed ControlFebruary 24, 2011 · 1,363,244 units

Defect

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2011 LEXUS LX570, 2003 THROUGH 2009 TOYOTA 4RUNNER, AND 2006 THROUGH 2010 RAV4 VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAN GET STUCK IN THE WIDE OPEN POSITION DUE TO ITS BEING TRAPPED BY AN UNSECURED OR INCOMPATIBLE DRIVER'S FLOOR MAT.

Consequence

A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy

THE REMEDY IS NOW AVAILABLE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN EARLY APRIL 2011. THE REMEDY WILL INVOLVE MODIFICATION OR REPLACEMENT OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND REPLACEMENT OF ANY TOYOTA ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 OR LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.

03V146000Fuel SystemApril 14, 2003 · 29,482 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V6 ENGINES, THE FUEL PULSATION DAMPER, LOCATED ON THE FUEL RAIL, MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY ASSEMBLED, CAUSING A DIAPHRAGM IN THE PULSATION DAMPER TO BE DAMAGED. IF THE DIAPHRAGM FAILS, FUEL MAY LEAK.

Consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE IF A HEAT SOURCE OR AN IGNITION SOURCE IS PRESENT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PULSATION DAMPER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 5, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

02V339000Tires & WheelsDecember 17, 2002 · 176 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FIVE FACTORY ALLOY WHEELS (MODEL 6934 AND 6936), WITH FACTORY LLAT, AND WITH PORT INSTALLED WR4, FOUR ALLOY WHEEL UPGRADE PROCESSED AT THE JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA PORT AND DISTRIBUTED BY SOUTHEAST TOYOTA DISTRIBUTORS IN THE STATES OF ALABAMA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, NORTH AND SOUTH CAROLINA, WHEN THE VEHICLES WERE PROCESSED AT THE PORT, AN ALLOY TIRE/WHEEL UPGRADE WAS INSTALLED. THE UPGRADE INCLUDED 4 ALLOY WHEELS. THE ORIGINAL SPARE TIRE/ALLOY WHEEL WAS NOT CHANGED. THE SPARE TIRE REQUIRES THE USE OF A DIFFERENT STYLE OF WHEEL NUT TO ATTACH IT TO THE VEHICLE.

Consequence

IF THE SPARE TIRE/WHEEL IS INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE USING THE WHEEL NUTS PROVIDED FOR THE UPGRADE ALLOY WHEEL, DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL COULD RESULT AND COULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A LOOSE WHEEL.

Remedy

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH DIFFERENT STYLE LUG NUTS, A WARNING LABEL FOR THE SPARE RE/ALLOY WHEEL, AND AN OWNER'S MANUAL ADDENDUM.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“OUR 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER HAS AN UNSAFE FRAME FROM COMPLETELY RUSTING THROUGH. THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE, AFTER BEING INVOLVED IN A MINOR ACCIDENT COMPLETELY COLLAPSED IN ON ITSELF, BENDING THE 1/4 INCH STEEL SUPPORT BRACKET. THE FRAME SHOWS THE SAME TYPE OF RUST THROUGHOUT.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · March 27, 2019 · crash

“I PURCHASED MY 2003 4RUNNER BRAND NEW. THE VEHICLE HAS 70,000 ORIGINAL MILES. NEVER IN AN ACCIDENT. THE TRUCK IS GARAGED. ALWAYS MAINTAINED BY TOYOTA. NOT A SCRATCH ON THE TRUCK. INTERIOR LOOKS BRAND NEW. HOWEVER THE FRAME HAS EXCESSIVE RUST. FOUND A FEW SPOTS THAT WILL EVENTUALLY NEEDS TO BE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · December 15, 2018

“RE: 2003 4- RUNNER I RECENTLY SOLD MY 4-RUNNER BUT WANT TO REPORT AN INCIDENT THAT CAUSED MY CAR TO CRASH INTO THE SIDE OF MY HOUSE CAUSING CONSIDERABLE FRONT-END DAMAGE TO THE CAR. I WAS MANEUVERING THE CAR INTO ITS USUAL PARKING SPACE, AS I HAD DONE SEVERAL HUNDRED TIMES BEFORE, WHEN WITH MY FOOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · December 17, 2008 · crash

“THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VSC TRAC TURNED OFF, THE DAY AFTER THE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE TRACTION TURNED OFF...THE TOYOTA 2003 4RUNNER FLIPPED OVER. THE VSC TRACTION SHOULD NOT BE TURNED OFF WHEN A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON BECAUSE IT PROVIDES THE NECESSARY STABILITY OF THE VEHICLE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 5, 2011 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND TO DECELERATION ATTEMPTS AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS AWAITING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 24, 2012 · crash

2003 Toyota 4Runner — common questions

Is the 2003 Toyota 4Runner reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 906 complaints put the 2003 model at #2 of 43 4Runner years. It is one of the 4Runner years to avoid.

What are the most common 2003 4Runner problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (284 complaints), suspension (114 complaints), other (104 complaints).

Does the 2003 Toyota 4Runner have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2003 Toyota 4Runner. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2003 Toyota 4Runner under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations 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.