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2002 Toyota 4Runner Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 225 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Toyota 4Runner, most often about the body and structure (39% of complaints, typically around 140,000 miles). It is 6th of 27 4Runner model years by number of complaints and has 1 recall.
Most common 2002 Toyota 4Runner problems
Body and structure
88 complaints · 39%Half of these problems showed up before 140,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
We purchased a 4Runner for our 18 year old daughter to drive thinking it would be safe, esp in mn. She was driving home from college (130 miles) and noticed it had a bad vibration, especially over 40 MPH. It was very difficult to drive. We were out of town and when we got back, brought it to the shop, only to be told…
My 2002 4Runner was purchased brand new from Toyota in november of 2001. I live in new york so it does snow 2 or 3 months out of the year. It has been used as a second vehicle to pick up supplies and the like, otherwise it is rarely used. At this time it has approx. 139000 miles. The truck would not start and I took…
Suspension
49 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 128,500 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear.
Recently purchased this vehicle and started cleaning it, after I drove it home and pressure washed undercarriage, pieces of the rear differential started flying off and gear oil started running out of holes. I have a 1971 dodge challenger with original rear end that has never been in garage and have never seen a…
Frame rusted out, similar to tacoma pick up trucks recall. Additionally climate control heating, cooling, fan defective, power antenna in-operable.
Transmission
33 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 130,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline, axle assembly.
Recently purchased this vehicle and started cleaning it, after I drove it home and pressure washed undercarriage, pieces of the rear differential started flying off and gear oil started running out of holes. I have a 1971 dodge challenger with original rear end that has never been in garage and have never seen a…
The differential housing is rusting out and is seeping fluid. In addition, the frame is dangerously rusted, especially from the rear axle back. I have been told by a very reputable body shop in the area, that the frame needs to be replaced, but due to the severity of the rust, this is not practical. Toyota is…
Other or unspecified
30 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 144,000 miles.
The entire frame and other parts of the underbody are rusted. The brakes both front and back were also rusted. I pulled off from the highway and stopped to pickup my dogs. When I tried to leave my brakes were gone. When the car was towed to my mechanic he said both front and rear brake lines were rusted through and…
When I had my state inspection in january of 2020, the machanic told me the frame of the vehicle will not pass inspection again. It is severely rusted through and in his opinion is unsafe to drive. A few weeks later, I was travelling to my father's residence and the brakes gave out. The technician that repaired my…
Brakes
21 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 141,500 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components, driveline.
The frame of this 4Runner has been experiencing excessive rust since the time I got it used from a dealer. Once their undercoating wore off, my mechanic replaced rusted up brake lines back about 9 years ago. He said it was because the frame was very rusty and they did a new rust treatment. For the past few years I…
When I had my state inspection in january of 2020, the machanic told me the frame of the vehicle will not pass inspection again. It is severely rusted through and in his opinion is unsafe to drive. A few weeks later, I was travelling to my father's residence and the brakes gave out. The technician that repaired my…
Engine
17 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 88,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system, exhaust system.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Toyota 4 runner. While driving approximately 50 MPH with the brakes engaged, the power steering failed. The vehicle spun around and crashed into a guard rail. No one was injured. The police were not notified. The rear and front bumper were damaged. The estimated repair cost was $3000. The…
Tl contact owns a 2002 Toyota 4Runner. While driving approximately 55 MPH she heard a loud popping noise on the drivers side of the vehicle. She pulled over and she observed smoke and oil coming from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where she was informed that one of the pistons…
Wheels and tires
12 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 55,500 miles. Parts named most often: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs, pressure monitoring and regulating systems.
6/9/08 after leaving the car parked at a store for 20 minutes, the front right tire was totally flat. Had car towed to north shore firestone and tires inc ..they said the valve failed. On the tire...I had the shop replace the valve and rebalance the tire.........7/16/2008 I was about to go to work and found the front…
The side of a dunlop at20 tire blew out. Almost half of the side wall came away from the tread. Replaced the tire. Luckly I was pulling up to a light shortly after exiting the interstate.
Steering
12 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 158,000 miles. Parts named most often: linkages, steering wheel/handle bar.
First, the motor blew for no reason at 152,000 miles. I rebuilt the car and had a new motor put in. I was not aware of the rusting frame issue, however, after driving the vehicle with a lovely new rebuilt motor for about one year, the frame rotted beyond repair causing the power steering to go out. I don't drive much…
Traction control system malfunctions intermittently while driving around curves. Several times while driving approximately 30-40 miles per hour on a mountain road, the anti skid light illuminates without warning on a dry paved road with a subsequent sudden pull to the right and "grinding" noise. This has happened…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2002 Toyota 4Runner recalls
Suspension: lower ball joint
Risk: The lower ball joint may separate from the knuckle causing loss of steering control and a crash could occur.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Frame corrosion
Summary
On august 7, 2018, the office of defects investigation (odi) received a defect petition from mr. Gary weinreich alleging premature frame corrosion failure in model year (my) 2002 - 2006 toyota 4runner vehicles. The petitioner based his request upon a corrosion-related front suspension failure he experienced in his my 2005 toyota 4runner, a class action lawsuit settlement involving other toyota products, and other complaints of underbody corrosion in toyota 4runner vehicles that he found in NHTSA?s online complaint database. The petitioner submitted a complaint to NHTSA documenting his experience (NHTSA id 11098055). On august 17, 2018, odi opened dp18-002 to evaluate the petitioner?s request
Questions about the 2002 Toyota 4Runner
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Toyota 4Runner?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: body and structure (88 complaints, typically around 140,000 miles); suspension (49 complaints, typically around 128,500 miles); transmission (33 complaints, typically around 130,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2002 Toyota 4Runner have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from May 17, 2005 (suspension). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2002 a bad year for the Toyota 4Runner?
- It is 6th of 27 4Runner model years by number of complaints, with 225 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.