- The problem
- 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.
- The 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.
- The 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.
Vehicle safety record
2003 Toyota 4RUNNER Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 708 complaints about the 2003 Toyota 4RUNNER with NHTSA, most often about the body, doors & structure (291) and the suspension (114). Those complaints describe 19 crashes and 28 injuries. It is covered by 3 recalls, the latest in February 2011 for the accelerator pedal. For comparison, the 2002 has 251 and the 2004 has 678.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical 4RUNNER year, for its age
#15 most complained-about 2003 vehicle
- Complaints
- 708
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes
- 19
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 28
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2003 Toyota 4RUNNER problems
Share of all 708 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2003 Toyota 4RUNNER recalls 3
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- This could result in an engine compartment fire if a heat source or an ignition source is present.
- The 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.
- The problem
- 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.
- The 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.
- The 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.
What owners say
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708 complaints about the 2003 Toyota 4RUNNER
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 29.
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 lot and had to be towed again a week came around and the fan stopped spinning and they said they offer me a trade in because they didn't know what was wrong well I got...
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this 2003 4 runner and these both were under warranty 3 months in and both had to be taken into service this one for radiator busted only to go into service had it towed and then additional problems they put a new wheel hub and brakes without my authorization and also the gear clip / gear shift was broken and they were trying to fix that and told me my car was ready today went up there and they told me they didn't even test drive it and that if it started running hot that to bring it back to service I felt unsafe and left the car and not only that the ABS lights and TRAC and maintenance and other lights were illuminated and it wasn't that way when I brought it in I didn't feel safe so I left it at service and I'm done dealing with this company . I want a resolution this is unsafe and I'm not the only one who has been done wrong . I have picture proof of the miles . Also the radiator fan shroud was left in the back of the car as well when I went to pick up. This is absolutely ridiculous!
Many things are happening to my truck that's why I am contacting you people to see if I got any callback thank you so much
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.
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 the vehicle began smoking, the suspects would ask for a discount for the vehicle. The contact added that after the vehicle was purchased, the odometer was rolled back and...
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the vehicle was resold. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 150,000, and at the time of the vehicle being sold, it was discovered that the mileage was 306,000.
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 to drive.
My vehicle: 2003 4Runner SR5 2WD VIN: [[redacted]] 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 [[redacted]], as myself, this would be a big issue. When attempting to exit the car after pulling into the driveway, I could not open the driver's door. The locks would release,...
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but the door latch would not. I had to crawl over the console to get out through the passenger side. This was not easy as I had back fusion surgery and 8 disc replaced, fused. I had to open the sunroof to help with get over and out. After I did get out, I tried the key in the driver's door, it would actuate the door locks on all doors, but the driver's side door latch would still not release. I even disconnected the battery and reconnected. No help. And after knowing more, it was not an electrical issue, but mechanical failure. I now have it at the repair shop after talking with Toyota Service manage who admitted it was a poor design as the repair for this is to destroy the door panel to get to the actuator to attempt to release the door latch. The estimate for this work is 1,150.00. I am beyond frustration, and especially when I see there is no recall for this issue. There are penty of conversations on this same issue on 4Runner forums as well as all over YouTube. Thank you for looking into this. You can reach me at: [[redacted]] [[redacted]] [[redacted]] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
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.
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!
Severe frame rust, there was a recall for tacomas but 4Runners have the issue just as bad
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 informed the contact the vehicle was not covered under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.
Frame is rotted from front to back
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the tire retailer for tire replacement, the technician informed him that the subframe was corroded. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the passenger's side front and rear subframes were severely corroded, as well as the cross member. The mechanic advised the contact to stop driving the vehicle. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 165,000.
The VSC system in the vehicle becomes disabled due to a firmware 'glitch' identified by Toyota when an emission system issue is detected by the onboard diagnostic system. The VSC system is listed as an 'essential safety feature,' so I'm curious why a recall was never ordered to patch defective firmware that can cause VSC to become disabled due to a completely unrelated emissions issue.
Extensive rust through out frame, resulting in holes in structural members. Leaving frame in a weak and vulnerable state.
I purchased this 2003 Toyota 4Runner in 2018 under what I assumed was prime condition, for a vehicle that spent the majority of its life in Nebraska/Kansas before I moved to Texas in 2021. At 87,400 miles at the time of purchase, the vehicle had no visible damage to the exterior besides a few paint chips, some minor hail damage and scratches, and some easily fixed surface rust in the paint on the tailgate. The previous owner had driven it leisurely and had kept the miles low after 15 years. The car has had some...
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mechanical issues, but nothing out of the ordinary outside of some regular maintenance over the first few years. Being close to 100,000 miles, the timing belt and pump was replaced around 98,000 miles. Other issues have been fixed periodically, please reference the attached files. After joining a Toyota 4Runner 4th Generation Facebook group and seeing a post about another's issues with rust damage in October 2020, I decided to take a look at my own frame. I then inspected my own vehicle, and found significant frame rot damage. It is extensive, with significant rust to the frame, with large holes and soft patches that question the integrity of the frame and the safety of the vehicle on the road. Every time I hit a small bump or pothole, I fear the frame will crack and I will lose control as others have. I have not sought out professional repairs due to the extensive cost, and am awaiting the outcome of a current class action lawsuit by the Bell Legal Group. The 4th Generation Toyota 4Runner (2003-2009) is built on the exact same frame as the Toyota Tacoma of that era, yet while the Tacoma was recalled for frame rot, the 4Runner was not included, which I believe to be a gross oversight in previous legal proceedings. The 2003-2009 Toyota 4Runner is a reliable vehicle, but poses significant frame rot issues much earlier than should be expected.
Vehicle frame has rusted through and has holes affecting structural condition.
Complete corrosion of entire frame causing unavoidable damage to framework.
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 perforated and lots of rust can fall out of drain holes when tapped. I am unable to steer the truck due to the intermediate steering column rust. The Tacoma was recalled for the same reason, I am assuming the 4runner has not been recalled because it was manufactured in greater numbers, and therefore more costly to repair, the danger of the severe rust is the same in both vehicles.
Excessive frame rust causing difficulty to keep vehicle on the road. No warning lamps, I noticed the rust starting years ago, now the rust is so bad that the frame is rusted through causing difficulty steering and loud crunch noises. I contacted Toyota Consumer Affairs explaining the rust concern and asked if I needed to take the vehicle to a dealership for inspection, they said it wasn't necessary (sounds like they don't want to admit the existence of a possible manufacturing defect). The vehicle is available...
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for inspection. I feel like I would be doing a disservice to society if I continue to drive this vehicle on public roads due to the danger of injuring a pedestrian or another motorist.
Rusted frame
Stabilizer bar connecting the axle to the frame rusted off. I was driving only 25-30mph at the time, luckily. The vehicle swayed violently almost causing an accident and nearly forcing me off the bridge I happened to driving over. Very fortunate no one was hurt and nothing was damaged from the incident. You can imagine the tragedy if that had happened on the highway driving 75mph! Major accident, innocent lives damaged or lost. This is a very dangerous vehicle not only to the driver and passengers but also to...
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anybody that happened to be innocently in the path of an out of control Toyota 4runner. Toyota Please fix this, for your safety and everyone else on the highway. People should be warned!!
Stabilizer bar connected to the frame rusted off,back passenger side! Causing the vehicle to sway uncontrollably, due to the low rate of speed, I was able to regain control of my vehicle and not drive off the bridge I was driving over at the time or crash into another vehicle. The engine runs great, everything works, the vehicle still looks good but the frame is rusting out from underneath it! Toyota Needs To Make It Right!
So much rust has developed the frame is literally giving out. Toyota admitted to a rust issue- it's now a safety issue with this generation of 4Runner. They did a recall on the same frame for Tacoma but not 4Runner.
The frame of the car has been rusting at a significant rate in the last 4 years. Mechanic identified major rust issues that would make the vehicle not safe in case of an accident.
The rust and corrosion underneath the vehicle continually gets worse year after year. The main components of vehicle relating to the engine, powertrain and suspension underneath vehicle are corroded; holes exist in the frame of the truck through out. The frame of truck is rotted due to not being sealed properly during the manufacturing process. Due to the rust and corrosion on the frame of truck, it is impossible to get work done on exhaust and muffler areas. I will send pictures for your reference. This...
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makes driving a safety concern for myself and my son. At this time, I am unable to purchase a new car and do not have money to replace/fix the frame of truck. Inevitably, this problem will get worse and may cause a safety concern for myself and others on the road. I called Toyota on 4/12/22 and was told that there is not a recall for this issue and that any repairs would have to be paid by me. I then proceeded to call the number given to me by the representative to call 800-331-4331 for the Toyota Corporate office. I spoke to Blake who gave me the same answer, there was not a recall on this vehicle for rust/corrosion on the frame of vehicle. At this time, Toyota charges $150 just to check car and unfortunately, I don't have those funds to pay such a fee. I asked Blake if there was a way, Toyota can check without charging a fee and his answer was no. Currently, there is not any warning lights on, but with increased time and pressure of exhaust pipe and muffler will create more problems. I cannot have the exhaust system fixed until the frame of truck is replaced. My car was checked by an independent shop.
Toyota 4RUNNER: every year compared
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 154 | 5 | D |
| 2006 | 381 | 5 | F |
| 2005 | 425 | 5 | F |
| 2004 | 678 | 2 | F |
| 2003 | 708 | 3 | F |
| 2002 | 251 | 3 | F |
| 2001 | 190 | 3 | D |
| 2000 | 493 | 2 | F |
| 1999 | 332 | 2 | F |
2003 Toyota 4RUNNER vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 Toyota 4RUNNER | 708 | 3 | F | |
| 2003 Ford Explorer | 1,313 | 7 | F | Compare |
| 2003 Nissan Murano | 799 | 6 | F | Compare |
| 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee | 761 | 10 | B | Compare |
| 2003 Dodge Durango | 339 | 6 | C | Compare |
| 2003 Hyundai Santa FE | 308 | 4 | C | Compare |
| 2003 Kia Sorento | 308 | 1 | C | Compare |
| 2003 Toyota Highlander | 270 | 2 | C | Compare |
| 2003 Nissan Pathfinder | 110 | 7 | D | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2003 Toyota 4RUNNER
Does the 2003 Toyota 4RUNNER have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2003 Toyota 4RUNNER: accelerator pedal (February 2011); fuel system, gasoline (April 2003); wheels (December 2002). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Toyota 4RUNNER?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the body, doors & structure (291), suspension (114), engine & cooling (102).
How many complaints has the 2003 Toyota 4RUNNER had?
708 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on October 28, 2002 and the latest on October 15, 2026. Of these, 19 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 28 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2003 Toyota 4RUNNER a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 7 out of 100 (grade F: far more problems than a typical Toyota 4RUNNER year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Toyota 4RUNNER years have the most complaints?
2003 (708), 2004 (678), 2000 (493). See every Toyota 4RUNNER year compared.
What should I do if my 2003 Toyota 4RUNNER has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data