2003 Toyota 4runner problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Structure:body (187) · Suspension (73) · Service Brakes (28)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Toyota 4runner model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
382 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal 2011-02-24 · campaign 11V113000 · 1,363,244 vehicles
Defect: 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.
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.
Service bulletins (245)
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 245 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-15 · Service Brakes“so first off i had a ford escape and one day it wouldn’t crank up and started beeping loud so i called and got it towed it sat in the shop for 3 days and they told me it was fixed they fixed the abs lights and was told it was ready and i didn’t even make it out of shop and the car was running hot and als realized the miles had been docked back a l…”
2026-01-16 · Structure:body“severe frame rust. 2 large holes on the inside of the frame just back from the front wheels and 2 large holes at the ends of the rear crossmember.…”
2025-10-29 · Electrical System:instrument Panel:speedometer/Odometer · 306,000 mi“odometer fraud. the contact investigated a 2003 toyota 4 runner. the contact stated that during the investigation, he discovered a fraudulent scheme of approximately 15 vehicles with odometer fraud. the contact stated that the suspects targeted facebook marketplace victims by spraying oil on the engine prior to test-driving the vehicle, and when th…”
2025-09-19 · Unknown Or Other“while my mechanic was servicing a small exhaust leak on my vehicle he noticed that the chassis/frame of the vehicle was heavily corroded. he told me that he believe it was no longer safe to drive and that i contact toyota. i had a local toyota service center also look at it and they confirmed that the chassis/frame was heavily corroded and unsafe…”
2025-05-21 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:electronic Lock/Latch Actuator“my vehicle: 2003 4runner sr5 2wd vin: [xxx] issue: front driver's side door will not open. electronic locks are operating, but the door release is not functioning. safety concern: what if i was in a situation where i did need to get out of the vehicle immediately? such as a high-water incident, fire, etc. especially for a person [xxx], as myself…”
2024-10-10 · Structure:body“toyota has had issues with their frames rusting out and the 4th generation 4runner is not exempt from this issue. my 2003 is requiring extensive work to keep it on the road safely due to frame rust. a recall to replace frames should be in place. …”
2023-12-21 · Structure:body“there is major corrosion on the chassis, brake-power steering-transmission lines, and all metal brackets on the frame and engine. the corrosion is so bad there is holes on the chassis. known issue, many complaints, toyota corp. says to keep calling back maybe something will be done in the future. unable to upload photos!…”
2023-10-20 · Structure:body“severe frame rust, there was a recall for tacomas but 4runners have the issue just as bad…”
2023-08-08 · Structure:frame And Members · 115,000 mi“the contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. the contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to several independent mechanics for servicing, he was informed that the subframe was significantly corroded and needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the dealer was not notified of the failure. the manufacturer was notified of the failure and inf…”
2023-03-08 · Unknown Or Other“frame is rotted from front to back …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.