NHTSA vehicle safety data

2003 Toyota 4Runner Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2003 Toyota 4Runner has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 528 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Toyota dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2003 Toyota 4Runner, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2003 Toyota 4Runner owner complaints

Owners have filed 528 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Toyota 4Runner, describing incidents dated June 1, 2003 to October 15, 2026.

Most-cited components

Structure 278 complaints
Suspension 109 complaints
Unknown or Other 97 complaints
Service Brakes 65 complaints
Steering 32 complaints
Engine 24 complaints

Of the 528 complaints on file, 17 report a crash; across all 528 complaints, owners report 8 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11771525 · Filed October 15, 2026
So first off I had a Ford Escape and one day it wouldn’t crank up and started beeping loud so I called and got it towed it sat in the shop for 3 days and they told me it was fixed they fixed the abs lights and was told it was ready and I didn’t even make it out of shop and the car was running hot…
ODI #11711459 · Filed January 16, 2026
Severe frame rust. 2 large holes on the inside of the frame just back from the front wheels and 2 large holes at the ends of the rear crossmember.
ODI #11696425 · Filed October 29, 2025
Odometer Fraud. The contact investigated a 2003 Toyota 4 Runner. The contact stated that during the investigation, he discovered a fraudulent scheme of approximately 15 vehicles with odometer fraud. The contact stated that the suspects targeted Facebook Marketplace victims by spraying oil on the…

Read all 528 complaints

Owner-reported

2003 Toyota 4Runner mileage at failure

378 of the 528 complaints on file for the 2003 Toyota 4Runner give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Structure	Median 140,000 miles	Middle half 110,000–180,000 miles	Based on 193 complaints
Suspension	Median 150,000 miles	Middle half 100,000–185,000 miles	Based on 72 complaints
Service Brakes	Median 100,000 miles	Middle half 65,000–155,000 miles	Based on 56 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Most complaints NHTSA received since May 17, 2021 give no mileage. So that they aren't undercounted, each one received since then that gives a mileage also stands in for those that gave none, which can put a component's median above most of the mileages it is based on.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2003 Toyota 4Runner in 2 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Defect Petition DP18-002: Frame corrosion
Closed March 18, 2022
Recall Query RQ10-003: Unintended and Uncontrolled Acceleration
Closed March 1, 2011

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

PEDAL ENTRAPMENT

NHTSA #11V113000 · Vehicle Speed Control — Accelerator Pedal · NHTSA notice

Reported February 24, 2011 · TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 1,363,244 vehicles

Toyota campaign 9LG · Owners notified April 13, 2011 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

TOYOTA'S RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBERS ARE 90L (TOYOTA) AND 90LG (LEXUS).CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.THIS RECALL IS AN EXPANSION OF SAFETY RECALLS 09V-388 AND 10V-023.

TOYOTA/FUEL PULSATION DAMPER

NHTSA #03V146000 · Fuel System, Gasoline · NHTSA notice

Reported April 14, 2003 · TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 29,482 vehicles

Toyota campaign SSC 30C · Owners notified May 5, 2003

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

TOYOTA RECALL NO. SSC 30C.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

SOUTHEAST TOYOTA/ALLOY WHEELS

NHTSA #02V339000 · Wheels · NHTSA notice

Reported December 17, 2002 · SOUTHEAST TOYOTA DISTRIBUTORS

Potentially affected: 176 vehicles

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

2003 Toyota 4Runner 4-DR.

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 4

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

2 investigations

528 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Toyota 4Runner.

Air Bags; Service Brakes; Engine

ODI #11771525

Incident: October 15, 2026 · Filed: October 15, 2026

So first off I had a Ford Escape and one day it wouldn’t crank up and started beeping loud so I called and got it towed it sat in the shop for 3 days and they told me it was fixed they fixed the abs lights and was told it was ready and I didn’t even make it out of shop and the car was running hot and als realized the miles had been docked back a lot and had to be towed again a week came around and the fan stopped spinning and they said they offer me a trade in because they didn’t know what was wrong well I got this 2003 4 runner and these both were under warranty 3 months in and both had to be taken into service this one for radiator busted only to go into service had it towed and then additional problems they put a new wheel hub and brakes without my authorization and also the gear clip / gear shift was broken and they were trying to fix that and told me my car was ready today went up there and they told me they didn’t even test drive it and that if it started running hot that to bring it back to service I felt unsafe and left the car and not only that the ABS lights and TRAC and maintenance and other lights were illuminated and it wasn’t that way when I brought it in I didn’t feel safe so I left it at service and I’m done dealing with this company . I want a resolution this is unsafe and I’m not the only one who has been done wrong . I have picture proof of the miles . Also the radiator fan shroud was left in the back of the car as well when I went to pick up. This is absolutely ridiculous!

Structure

ODI #11711459

Incident: January 1, 2026 · Filed: January 16, 2026

Severe frame rust. 2 large holes on the inside of the frame just back from the front wheels and 2 large holes at the ends of the rear crossmember.

Electrical System

ODI #11696425

Incident: October 27, 2025 · Filed: October 29, 2025

Odometer Fraud. The contact investigated a 2003 Toyota 4 Runner. The contact stated that during the investigation, he discovered a fraudulent scheme of approximately 15 vehicles with odometer fraud. The contact stated that the suspects targeted Facebook Marketplace victims by spraying oil on the engine prior to test-driving the vehicle, and when the vehicle began smoking, the suspects would ask for a discount for the vehicle. The contact added that after the vehicle was purchased, the odometer was rolled back and the vehicle was resold. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 150,000, and at the time of the vehicle being sold, it was discovered that the mileage was 306,000.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11688509

Incident: September 19, 2025 · Filed: September 19, 2025

While my mechanic was servicing a small exhaust leak on my vehicle he noticed that the chassis/frame of the vehicle was heavily corroded. He told me that he believe it was no longer safe to drive and that I contact Toyota. I had a local Toyota service center also look at it and they confirmed that the chassis/frame was heavily corroded and unsafe to drive.

Latches/Locks/Linkages

ODI #11662305

Incident: May 20, 2025 · Filed: May 21, 2025

My vehicle: 2003 4Runner SR5 2WD VIN: [XXX] Issue: Front driver's side door will not open. Electronic locks are operating, but the door release is not functioning. Safety Concern: What if I was in a situation where I did need to get out of the vehicle immediately? Such as a high-water incident, fire, etc. Especially for a person [XXX], as myself, this would be a big issue. When attempting to exit the car after pulling into the driveway, I could not open the driver's door. The locks would release, but the door latch would not. I had to crawl over the console to get out through the passenger side. This was not easy as I had back fusion surgery and 8 disc replaced, fused. I had to open the sunroof to help with get over and out. After I did get out, I tried the key in the driver's door, it would actuate the door locks on all doors, but the driver's side door latch would still not release. I even disconnected the battery and reconnected. No help. And after knowing more, it was not an electrical issue, but mechanical failure. I now have it at the repair shop after talking with Toyota Service manage who admitted it was a poor design as the repair for this is to destroy the door panel to get to the actuator to attempt to release the door latch. The estimate for this work is 1,150.00. I am beyond frustration, and especially when I see there is no recall for this issue. There are penty of conversations on this same issue on 4Runner forums as well as all over YouTube. Thank you for looking into this. You can reach me at: [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Structure

ODI #11619222

Incident: January 1, 2024 · Filed: October 10, 2024

Toyota has had issues with their frames rusting out and the 4th generation 4Runner is not exempt from this issue. My 2003 is requiring extensive work to keep it on the road safely due to frame rust. A recall to replace frames should be in place.

Structure

ODI #11561325

Incident: April 1, 2017 · Filed: December 21, 2023

There is major corrosion on the chassis, brake-power steering-transmission lines, and all metal brackets on the frame and engine. The corrosion is so bad there is holes on the chassis. Known issue, many complaints, Toyota Corp. says to keep calling back maybe something will be done in the future. Unable to upload photos!

Structure

ODI #11551123

Incident: October 20, 2023 · Filed: October 20, 2023

Severe frame rust, there was a recall for tacomas but 4Runners have the issue just as bad

Structure

ODI #11537118

Incident: August 8, 2023 · Filed: August 8, 2023

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to several independent mechanics for servicing, he was informed that the subframe was significantly corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact the vehicle was not covered under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11510765

Incident: March 8, 2023 · Filed: March 8, 2023

Frame is rotted from front to back

Other Toyota 4Runner model years

Check your 2003 Toyota 4Runner VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Toyota 4Runner at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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