Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2002 Toyota 4Runner
NHTSA data on file today
The 2002 Toyota 4Runner has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 193 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #06E049000 FMVSS 108/AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06E026000 FMVSS 108/AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #05V225000 BALL JOINT FAILURE NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Structure 88 complaints
- Suspension 43 complaints
- Power Train 30 complaints
- Unknown or Other 30 complaints
- Service Brakes 10 complaints
- Steering 10 complaints
Of the 193 complaints on file, 12 report a crash and 2 a fire; across all 193 complaints, owners report 13 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Above average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $4,000–$6,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2002 Toyota 4Runner has minimal recall and complaint activity, with no significant systemic issues. Its few recalls are mostly related to aftermarket lighting and a ball joint issue, which is not widespread and well-managed under recall campaigns.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower ball joint | 80,000–120,000 miles | $300–$600 | occasional |
| Suspension components | 100,000–150,000 miles | $400–$750 | occasional |
| Brakes | 50,000–100,000 miles | $150–$350 | common |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil change every 5,000 miles
- Replace air filter every 15,000 miles
- Brake fluid replacement every 30,000 miles
- Transmission service every 60,000 miles
- Coolant replacement every 50,000 miles
- Timing belt replacement every 90,000 miles
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Vibrations in the steering
- Uneven tire wear
- Grinding noise during braking
- Clunking noise in front suspension
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2002 Toyota 4Runner at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.