Safety Score
66
Average
Recalls
1
Complaints
50
NCAP Stars
—
Recalls (1)
| Date | NHTSA ID | Component | Units | Completion | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003-04-14 | 03V146000 |
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 29,482 | — | Details |
Owner Complaints (showing up to 50)
| Date | Component | Crash | Injuries | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-01 | STRUCTURE:BODY | No | 0 | Severe frame rust. 2 large holes on the inside of the frame just back from the front wheels and 2 large holes at the en… |
| 2025-10-27 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER | No | 0 | Odometer Fraud. The contact investigated a 2003 Toyota 4 Runner. The contact stated that during the investigation, he d… |
| 2025-09-19 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | No | 0 | While my mechanic was servicing a small exhaust leak on my vehicle he noticed that the chassis/frame of the vehicle was… |
| 2025-05-20 | LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:ELECTRONIC LOCK/LATCH ACTUATOR | No | 0 | My vehicle: 2003 4Runner SR5 2WD VIN: [XXX] Issue: Front driver's side door will not open. Electronic locks are opera… |
| 2024-01-01 | STRUCTURE:BODY | No | 0 | Toyota has had issues with their frames rusting out and the 4th generation 4Runner is not exempt from this issue. My 20… |
| 2023-10-20 | STRUCTURE:BODY | No | 0 | Severe frame rust, there was a recall for tacomas but 4Runners have the issue just as bad |
| 2023-08-08 | STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS | No | 0 | The contact owns a 2003 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to several independent mechanic… |
| 2023-03-08 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | No | 0 | Frame is rotted from front to back |
| 2023-01-17 | SERVICE BRAKES | No | 0 | The VSC system in the vehicle becomes disabled due to a firmware 'glitch' identified by Toyota when an emission system … |
| 2023-01-12 | STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS | No | 0 | The contact owns a 2003 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the tire retailer for tire rep… |
| 2022-11-28 | STRUCTURE:BODY | No | 0 | Vehicle frame has rusted through and has holes affecting structural condition. |
| 2022-09-20 | STRUCTURE:BODY | No | 0 | Extensive rust through out frame, resulting in holes in structural members. Leaving frame in a weak and vulnerable stat… |
| 2022-09-13 | POWER TRAIN | No | 0 | Complete corrosion of entire frame causing unavoidable damage to framework. |
| 2022-08-10 | STRUCTURE:BODY | No | 0 | Excessive frame rust causing difficulty to keep vehicle on the road. No warning lamps, I noticed the rust starting yea… |
| 2022-08-09 | STEERING | No | 0 | There is severe rust on the frame, the rear is listing by 3/4 of an inch due to suspension rust, parts of the frame are… |
| 2022-07-31 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | No | 0 | Rusted frame |
| 2022-06-23 | STRUCTURE:BODY | No | 0 | So much rust has developed the frame is literally giving out. Toyota admitted to a rust issue- it’s now a safety issue … |
| 2022-05-10 | POWER TRAIN | No | 0 | The frame of the car has been rusting at a significant rate in the last 4 years. Mechanic identified major rust issues … |
| 2022-03-24 | STRUCTURE:BODY | No | 0 | The frame on my 4Runner is rusting through in multiple locations. The rear of the frame has already failed and a traile… |
| 2022-02-07 | STRUCTURE:BODY | No | 0 | I have two 2003 Toyotas, a tundra and 4runner. The 4Runners frame is rusting out everywhere including the welds. My mec… |
| 2021-12-22 | STEERING | No | 0 | Stabilizer bar connected to the frame rusted off,back passenger side! Causing the vehicle to sway uncontrollably, due t… |
| 2021-12-22 | STEERING | No | 0 | Stabilizer bar connecting the axle to the frame rusted off. I was driving only 25-30mph at the time, luckily. The vehic… |
| 2021-11-02 | STRUCTURE:BODY | No | 0 | The frame of the vehicle is rusted to the point my fist can fit through a hole in the frame. |
| 2021-10-29 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | No | 0 | The frame has rusted out. It has many large holes throughout and will not pass State Inspection and is deemed unsafe. |
| 2021-10-12 | STRUCTURE:BODY | No | 0 | The frame on the vehicle is rusting out. If not repaired, serious injury could occur if the frame breaks. A compromised… |
| 2021-10-03 | STRUCTURE:BODY | No | 0 | Extreme frame rust. The vehicle has extreme frame rust and Toyota should be held accountable for poor quality frame ma… |
| 2021-09-18 | STRUCTURE:BODY | No | 0 | Vehicle frame and suspension components are completely rusting out. Having issues with the corroded steering column low… |
| 2021-09-09 | SUSPENSION | No | 0 | I have not actually had an incident yet, but have been advised by the Toyota service team that I should no longer tow t… |
| 2021-09-01 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | No | 0 | The contact owns a 2003 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated while his wife driving 60 MPH with the cruise control activa… |
| 2021-08-20 | STRUCTURE:BODY | No | 0 | The frame is rusted very bad and it’s a major safety issue for this type of vehicle I don’t know when it’s going to fal… |
| 2021-08-02 | STRUCTURE:BODY | No | 0 | Really bad frame rust, holes in frame, engine mounts.... Cracked dash board. All problems shared by many 2003 4runner … |
| 2021-07-19 | SERVICE BRAKES | No | 0 | Due to severe rust underneath the vehicle, there have been a few issues that have made the vehicle very unsafe to drive… |
| 2021-07-15 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | No | 0 | The frame is rusted beyond repair and is dangerous to drive. The frame cross members are rusted through. One cross memb… |
| 2021-07-07 | STRUCTURE:BODY | No | 0 | Car inspection at a service center revealed advanced rusting of the frame. I was told this could be dangerous. |
| 2021-07-07 | STRUCTURE:BODY | No | 0 | The frame is completely rusted through and soon will be unable to support the steering, engine or drive train. The pro… |
| 2021-06-29 | STEERING | No | 0 | At the end of June 2021, while driving I experienced a loud clunk and grinding noise, with reduced control of steering … |
| 2021-06-20 | STRUCTURE:BODY | No | 0 | The frame has rusted almost completely through near the front upper and lower control arms near the cross member there.… |
| 2021-06-20 | STRUCTURE:BODY | No | 0 | I heard a loud noise (scraping-dragging) from the bottom of the engine area while driving on the highway This was a … |
| 2021-06-16 | SERVICE BRAKES | No | 0 | Frame is rotted out and brake lines attached to the frame as well as every suspension component. Car failed inspection … |
| 2021-06-09 | STRUCTURE:BODY | No | 0 | Three mechanics said the frame was rusted with holes and is unsafe to drive. The vehicle is not inspectable, so had to… |
| 2021-05-31 | STRUCTURE:BODY | No | 0 | Frame rusted to the point the shop won’t fix the brakes and allow me to drive the car. The brake line rusted through si… |
| 2021-05-05 | SUSPENSION | No | 0 | ADDING MY NAME TO THE LIST OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED EXCESSIVE AND PREMATURE FRAME RUST ON THEIR 4RUNNER, POTENTIA… |
| 2021-04-30 | STRUCTURE:BODY | No | 0 | I HEARD THERE'S AN INVESTIGATION ON THESE FRAMES SO MINE IS ROTTING AWAY |
| 2021-04-26 | STRUCTURE:BODY | No | 0 | IN REFERENCE TO NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: DP18002. MY MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT MY 2003 4RUNNER IS STARTING TO EXPERIENCE EX… |
| 2021-04-23 | STRUCTURE:BODY | No | 0 | I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH TOYOTA SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE PAST 4 YEARS ABOUT RUST ISSUES WITH THIS FRAME, BUT THE REFUS… |
| 2021-04-15 | SUSPENSION | No | 0 | I own a 2003 Toyota 4Runner with very low mileage for its age. It has been garage kept for most of its life. I was expe… |
| 2021-04-15 | STRUCTURE:BODY | No | 0 | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED, HE WAS INFORMED THAT… |
| 2021-04-07 | STRUCTURE:BODY | No | 0 | THE FRAME IS RUSTED BEYOND REPAIR AND THE VEHICLE HAS SPENT THE MAJORITY OF ITS LIFE IN A N UNDERGROUND GARAGE PROTECTE… |
| 2021-04-02 | SUSPENSION | No | 0 | EXTREME RUST AND CORROSION IN FRAME, SUSPENSION COMPONENTS. THIS WILL LEAD TO CATASTROPHIC FAILURE AT SOME POINT IF HOL… |
| 2021-03-17 | STEERING | No | 0 | LOUD NOISE WHILE DRIVING. UPON INSPECTION, EXCESSIVE RUST AND CORROSION TO FRAME OF VEHICLE FOUND. HOLES IN FRAME LARGE… |