2002 Toyota 4 Runner problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Tires (3) · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine (3) · Wheels:lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Toyota 4 Runner model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (107)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0039-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. if these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof,
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0038-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
to prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. the purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer.
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0035-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. if these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfa
Structure:body 2024-12-05 · T-SB-0061-23 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
toyota vehicles are currently protected with rapgardtm protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. this material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. follow the removal procedure in this bulletin to remove the rapgardtm protective film wi
Structure:body 2024-12-03 · T-SB-0062-23 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding, welding, etc. this type of contamination can be identified by the presence of small, red or brown particles on the paint surfa
Structure:body 2024-07-12 · T-SB-0039-24 Rev1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. if these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof,
Showing the 6 most recent of 107 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2006-10-02 · Suspension:front · 60,500 mi“dt*: the contact stated having other problems after recall #05v225000 regarding suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint was performed in 07/06. during the month of 08/06, there was a beeping sound and an unknown light on the dashboard illuminated intermittently, when the vehicle made left turns, or switched lanes. this occurred many time…”
2006-08-25 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine · 72,000 mi“driving car and heard loud bang noise car immediately starts slowing down and oil light comes on after car stops oil is pouring out from underneath the motor. we send car to the dealership they say the engine has thrown a rod. motor needs to be replaced the car has 72,000 miles on it . a person in the service dept says they have had a lot of pro…”
2005-11-03 · Fuel System, Other:fuel Injection System · 41,153 mi“while driving down the interstate, the vehicle lost all power. this situation could be fatal, at highway speeds. luckily, nobody was injured. further investigation revealed a faulty rheostat in the throttle body of the fuel system. the rheostate failure causes the butterfly valve to close, thus not letting enough air into the intake manifold. …”
2005-11-02 · Suspension · 17,557 mi“2002 toyota 4runner front end makes loud noises, when going over high bumps and some stiffness in steering. *ts the battery needed to be replace due to little or no fluids, noises were coming from the front end, the shock were leaking, and transmission fluid was leaking. the consumer requested a replacement of the front suspension/lower ball joi…”
2005-10-19 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip · 💥 crash“dt: ithe contact had 2002 toyota 4-runner serviced at dealership because of brake problems and the abs light was on. had brake problems several times ,and had vehicle serviced several times. the contact told dealership wheels kept locking , and she did not feel safe drivingthe vehicle. dealership left parts off the brakes. the contact…”
2005-09-21 · Engine And Engine Cooling“dt: 2002 toyota 4 runner - the oil is getting thick and gelling. the vehicle is using a lot of oil, and blowing black smoke came from the tail pipe. the dealer said this was a common problem for some toyota of this year, make and models, and toyota did have the highest amount of complaints on the consumer complaint website. it started to blow…”
2005-06-02 · Tires:pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems“shortly after purchasing my 4 runner, i noticed a distinct shaking and shuddering of the frnt end and especially in the steering wheel. it really became impossible t take he vehicle over 65 mph. i have taken the car in for service and was always told the same thing. there is no problem . i have had new tires put on the car, new brakes and yet…”
2005-05-18 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint · 65,000 mi“my car has been shaking in the front when i apply my brakes and also when i get to a speed of about 70mph. i replaced the front brakes and roters on the car, knowing that there was absolutely nothing wrong with them, but no mechanic could figure anything else out and they gave that a shot. i have kept the original brakes and roters to show that t…”
2005-05-18 · Suspension:front · 53,000 mi · 💥 crash“front end failed vehicle got out of control and hit the wall toyota 4 runner yr 2002…”
2005-05-04 · Suspension · 45,000 mi · 💥 crash“april 28, 2005, no injuries. contact states he was wearing a seat belt. it was rainy. and while driving 45 mph vehicle lost control and veered to the right. tried to steer left, but steering wheel would not go left. applied brakes, and they failed. then, hit semi trailer truck on left side. contact has regular maintenance has service reco…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.