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2003 Toyota 4Runner Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 696 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Toyota 4Runner, most often about the body and structure (41% of complaints, typically around 138,000 miles). It is the most complained-about 4Runner model year since 2000 and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2003 Toyota 4Runner problems
Body and structure
284 complaints · 41%Half of these problems showed up before 138,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
My vehicle has severe frame rust and rot. Part of frame at the front of the car has holes in it and is not safe to drive. This vehicle has been well maintained. It was driven primarily in maryland and virginia.
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be serviced, but it was discovered that there was extensive corrosion on the frame of the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was…
Suspension
114 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 149,000 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear.
Frame rot and unable to pass inspection new even though I have kept this truck in pristine condition. It is a real shame the don't use better steel.
The rear differential housing and third meander are extremely rusted I contacted Toyota and was told that they know there is a issue with rust on some 4runners but they are not recalling them
Other or unspecified
101 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 135,000 miles.
My 2003 Toyota 4Runner is suffering from widespread underside rust. Including but not limited to the frame, radiator support, suspension components, brake lines and tow hitch.
The frame is rusted with areas that need to be repaired or frame replaced. When the vehicle is in motion the steering wheel moves back and forth after hitting a bump. It is like the front end is lose. I have had it aligned, so it is not out of alignment.
Engine
99 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 1,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system, engine, cooling system.
There is a strong sulfur smell inside our 2003 Toyota 4 runner sport edition when we drive. It is hard to breathe at times. Our concern is that it is dangerous to our health. Are we also getting carbon monoxide? Toyota dealer told US there is no fix other than to try different gasoline. We have two other vehicles on…
I have a 2003 Toyota 4Runner and have had a strong sulfur smell inside the vehicle when accelerating to higher speeds. This smell is extremely irritating and this problem appears to be happening more frequently. Toyota reps say its the gas, but my 2001 Toyota sienna has never done this, even though the same gas is…
Brakes
74 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 100,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, antilock, power assist.
We have a 2003 Toyota 4 runner limited with the all wheel drive v8 engine. I noticed that Toyota was going to recall the 2003 sequoia for braking, slowing issues. We have had similar issues with our vehicle with seemingly automatic braking. The vehicle does have a down hill assist button for what I understand to be…
2003 Toyota 4Runner AWD v8 with ~99,990 mileage. Front brake caliper inner pistons seized and inner front brake pads failed to apply for indeterminate time period (approximately 3 years and 30,000 miles). Heavy corrosion of caliper contact surfaces also prevented normal travel of OEM replacement inner brake pads.…
Transmission
39 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 14,500 miles. Parts named most often: driveline, automatic transmission, transfer case (4-wheel drive).
This condition could be related to item 2. This condition started last winter and is getting worse.) after being at a stop and releasing the brakes, I get a hard shake/thud from the driveline/brakes. This occurs in 90% of stops/starts. (e.g., if it was normal, it would do it all the time to some degree.) there is no…
Vibration in steering, most prevalent around 70 MPH. Started at 15,000 miles. Rebalanced tires 3 times and dealer determined that OEM tires were bad. Tried new tires and the problem persists. Believed to be same as lexus gx 470 problem with tsb fix st004-04. No Toyota tsb yet.
Steering
35 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 125,000 miles. Parts named most often: hydraulic power assist system, linkages.
The steering felt like it had been briefly catching or grabbing on something, so we took it in for service since this is a safety issue when the car does not turn as expected. The mechanic said the steering coupler was rusted, causing it to bind up with the joint when turning. He said the part is completely exposed on…
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that the steering wheel failed. The steering wheel became hard to turn and the vehicle was taken to a mechanic for inspection. The failure was located at the steering wheel system, which failed due to severe corrosion that expanded to the transmission lines…
Speed control
29 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 58,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal.
I was at a complete stop. Right after I let my foot off the brake, the car lunged forward violently. It was a traumatic experience. I don't know if this was an isolated incident, will it happen again or is this common? Also, shortly after I took ownership of my car, the paint started to peel on the rear hatch below…
2003 Toyota 4Runner v6 sport. On saturday I floored the gas pedal and when I let up the vehicle continued to accelerate. I pumped the brakes but acceleration continued. I applied strong continuous force to the brakes and after a few seconds the acceleration disengaged. Yesterday's announcement of other non-4Runner…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 Toyota 4Runner recalls
Speed control: accelerator pedal
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Fuel system: fuel system, gasoline
Risk: This could result in an engine compartment fire if a heat source or an ignition source is present.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Wheels and tires: wheels
Risk: 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.
Fix: Owners will be provided with different style lug nuts, a warning label for the spare re/alloy wheel, and an owner's manual addendum.
Full defect summary
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.
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
Unintended and uncontrolled acceleration
Summary
On february 16, 2010, NHTSA's office of defects investigation (odi) opened rq10-003 to determine whether the scope of prior toyota recalls relating to potential unintended acceleration were sufficiently broad, including, among others, toyota recalls 07e-082, 09v-388, 10v-017, and 10v-023.NHTSA also requested information regarding potential electronic causes of unintended acceleration in toyota and lexus vehicles.I. Pedal interference from floor mats, carpet covers and plastic pads in carpets.during the rq10-003 investigation, odi reviewed a large volume of documents to assess whether additional vehicles should be recalled.following the agency's analysis, NHTSA requested that toyota recall ad
Questions about the 2003 Toyota 4Runner
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Toyota 4Runner?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: body and structure (284 complaints, typically around 138,000 miles); suspension (114 complaints, typically around 149,000 miles); other or unspecified (101 complaints, typically around 135,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Toyota 4Runner have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from February 24, 2011 (speed control). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the Toyota 4Runner?
- It is the most complained-about 4Runner model year since 2000, with 696 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.