Check a vehicle VIN check Latest recalls Latest complaints Common problems Rankings Compare vehicles Recall roundups All makes Guides Share your experience
Theme

Engine & cooling

2003 Toyota 4RUNNER Engine problems

Owners have filed 102 complaints about the 2003 Toyota 4RUNNER's engine & cooling with NHTSA - 14% of all its complaints, most recently on October 15, 2026. They describe 1 crash, 0 fires and 17 injuries. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Complaints
102
Recalls
0
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
17
Deaths
0

Engine complaints

AirbagsBrakesEngine & cooling

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...

Read the full complaint

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!

Filed Incident Air bags · Service brakes · EngineNHTSA 11771525
Wheels & tiresBrakesEngine & cooling

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

Filed Incident Wheels · Service brakes · EngineNHTSA 11714805
Transmission & drivetrainBody, doors & structureEngine & cooling

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.

Filed Incident Power train · Structure · EngineNHTSA 11463988
SuspensionTransmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

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...

Read the full complaint

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.

Filed Incident Suspension · Power train · EngineNHTSA 11460830
Body, doors & structureBrakesEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. The contact stated while having routine maintenance performed, she was informed that there was excessive rust and holes on the subframe. Additionally, the calipers were sticking and the oil pan was rusted. The contact completed the repairs. The vehicle was taken to ramey toyota (135 frazier dr, princeton, wv 24740, (877) 825-2186) and diagnosed that the subframe needed to be replaced. The subframe was not replaced. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage 55,000.

Filed Incident Structure · Service brakes · EngineNHTSA 11365142
SuspensionEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. When the contact attempted to start the vehicle, it would not start. The contact mentioned that the head gasket needed to be removed and re-installed in order to start the vehicle. Also, while driving various speeds, the rear of the vehicle swayed uncontrollably to the left and right. The vehicle was taken to big o tires (2245 state st, new albany, in 47150, 812-949-0736) where it was diagnosed that the passenger side control arm was fractured and the driver's side...

Read the full complaint

control arm could fracture at any moment. The vehicle was towed to mccormick motor sports (1041 s 6th st, louisville, ky 40203, (502) 584-1981) where the contact was informed that the head gasket was causing cylinder three to misfire. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 217,500.

Filed Incident Suspension · EngineNHTSA 11252243
Engine & cooling

"Takata recall". So I'm not understanding a problem with my toyota 4runner. As of yesterday there was a great amount of smoke coming from the area of the oil stick from my assumption the oil was getting on the cadillac converter. Or something that would hit something hot on the engine to cause it to smoke I'm trying to find out if there is a recall for that.

Filed Incident Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 11180693
Engine & cooling

I was driving down the highway after getting off the interstate when my vehicle began to overheat. I luckily noticed and pulled over before incurring more damage and warping the engine head. I have heard multiple times that these 4.0 V6's toyota made have head gasket problems. After getting it towed back to the mechanic on thanksgiving, I was told I had a blown/leaking headgasket. I have never drove this vehicle over 3k rpms and find it ridiculous it would fail under such good condition. *Tr

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10937713
SuspensionBody, doors & structureEngine & cooling

This 2003 toyota 4runner has 135,000 miles on the odometer and the frame and exhaust system including catalytic converter are completely rusted out and the vehicle is now unsafe to drive. Some frame components have completely rusted and broken off from the frame i.E. Tow hooks, exhaust and engine mounts. The frame is only held on to the body by the shock absorbers. The vehicle can no longer be driven safely. The cost to repair this damage would be prohibitive and I believe that this issue needs to be addressed by toyota. I purchased this vehicle in good faith and trusted that toyota quality would last. Please advise any possible recourse. Thank you *tr

Filed Incident Suspension · Structure · EngineNHTSA 10896701
Engine & cooling

I bought my 2003 toyota 4runner less than a year ago from an auto group (toyota, honda, ect) and had them perform a safety inspection. Since it was used I knew there would be some issues, the only problem it had was the recommended service wasn't completed at 90k miles (timing belt, water pump, ect). I worked that into the deal an was on my way. After departing the u.S. And shipping my car to hawaii, the inspectors here found a lot of rust on the frame and said it could be an issue getting an approved safety...

Read the full complaint

inspection (required for registering the car in hawaii). They said it isn't severe now, but can be living in this state as it is very rusted and will continue to do so in such a humid environment. They also said that tacomas for that year had a recall due to excessive frame rust (similar if not the same frames) but 4runners do not, so they recommended I talk to toyota about it. I called the toyota service center here and they said there is no recall and if I wanted the frame fixed or replaced, it'd have to be at my expense. Toyota's are fantastic vehicles, I just hope this comment aids in their decision to approve a recall on 4runner's frames due to rust like the other makes for the same year. *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10683968
Acceleration & cruise controlEngine & cooling

The engine, vsc trac and vsc warning indicators illuminated continuously on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer. The engine 02 sensors were found to be defective. The manufacture will not replace or replace since there are no advisories on the part. There is a high risk the engine may under perform which may cause lack of control and a potential accident while driving. Leading to injury. *Tr

Filed Incident Vehicle speed control · EngineNHTSA 10672032
Engine & coolingBody, doors & structure

While in process of replacing serpentine belt and idler pulleys on engine, I noticed (after removing lower engine shield under vehicle) significant rust damage to front frame segment under radiator support. The right side tow hook and corner of frame it was mounted to fell off in my hand when I touched it. Upon further inspection, there are other parts of vehicle frame with rust damage, though none appear to be as severe as area of frame underneath radiator. This portion of frame appears to connect the two side frame rails together. *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · StructureNHTSA 10577916
Engine & cooling

Tl-the contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. The contact stated while driving various speeds the engine, vsc trac and vsc warning indicators illuminated continuously on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer five times and twice to an independent mechanic. The engine 02 sensors had been replaced even times. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The failure mileage and vin were unavailable. Js

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10503895
Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that when driving above 25 mph, the check engine light would illuminate on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where they were unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 20,000 and the current mileage was 30,000.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10410206
Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the vsc tracking light illuminated, causing the vehicle to violently jerk when applying pressure to the brakes. Neither the dealer nor manufacturer had been notified. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The current and failure mileages were 100,000. The vin was unavailable.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10405662
Engine & coolingAcceleration & cruise controlCrash1 injury

The check engine light came on and the vsc trac turned off, the day after the light came on and the traction turned off...The toyota 2003 4runner flipped over. The vsc traction should not be turned off when a check engine light comes on because it provides the necessary stability of the vehicle that a suv needs no matter what is wrong with the car. The car is now totaled and one passenger still suffering from injuries from the accident. *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 10382875
Engine & cooling

Bought a 2003 toyota 4runner v6 4wd 2 1/2 years ago as a toyota certified used vehicle..Within a year I needed a new serpentine belt due to excessive noise at start up. The dealer told me there was a tsb for this and to bring the car back if I had further issues. The noise came back but was irregular, it would come at start up every day for a couple weeks and then disappear for another few weeks. The noise got louder and sounded somewhat different a couple weeks ago. Brought it to the dealer and they replaced the...

Read the full complaint

idler pulley on friday 07/16/10. It sounded loud again at start up after I picked up the vehicle but the noise eventually went away. However my serpentine belt actually ripped less than a week later (07/21/10) while I was driving 45mph on a curvy road. I first lost my ac, quickly followed by my power steering...Somehow managed to pull over but by then smoke was coming from underneath the hood due to the fact that in the ripping process the belt broke a coolant hose. I have been without a vehicle for 5 days now and am waiting on the dealer to get a new hose so that they can actually run the car and make sure the pulleys are all ok. However so far they're telling me that all the pulleys are fine and I am having to fight with them to get them to do the recommended fix to the tsb eg012-13. A noise at start is one thing, but a year and 1/2 old belt actually ripping is not normal! I was fortunate to come out of this unharmed and not damage my car or somebody else's. *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10345156
Engine & cooling

Toyota 4-runner 2003 six cylinder. Excessive sulfur dioxide odor. No events leading up to failure. Sporadic. Dealerships gave me a hard time, wanted $150.00 To run test even though toyota headquarters informed me that the dealer should just replace parts, so I never have had it fixed but I am concerned. I changed gas stations numerous times and still receive the odor. Odor comes and goes and can be strong at times especially in cold months. Concerns are that it will become worse and the smell is toxic. *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10313782
Engine & cooling

2003 Toyota 4runner sport ed, 6 cyl.- At 100,400 miles, both my catalytic converters went out. Also the check engine light goes on which disengages the vehicle skid control, so I hear. Repairs are costly. Can't smog car on the first time car ever needs to get smogged. Seems like a recall issue to me? *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10308607
Engine & cooling

Model : 2003 toyota 4 runner v8 issue : automatic acceleration while a/c on how to duplicate the issue : option 1] while the engine is running and the vehicle is in drive with brakes depressed turn the a/c "on", the vehicle would try to suddenly move forward. The tachometer also shows higher readings. Option 2] turn your a/c off drive for a while and then turn your a/c on, the moment you turn your a/c on the vehicle accelerates on its own for a while. This problem is magnified especially in summer and hotter climates and does not fail to occur in summer. *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10307895
Engine & cooling

My vehicle seemed to become louder when idling over the past 2 years that I've owned it. A couple months ago I noticed it being noticeably much louder. The noise could be heard while idling (red light, drive thrus...) And would become louder with acceleration up to about 40mph. This was a rattling noise located on the driver's side of the underbody, somewhere between the driver's and the passenger's seats. It sounded like loud heavy vibrations, metal on metal. I asked the toyota dealership service department to...

Read the full complaint

check out and they found that the heatshield was seriously rusted. They had to order the part in order to replace it but said it was rusted so badly that they had to remove what was left of the original heatshield to prevent further damage to other components. Once the new part was received they were able to put on the new heatshield. *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10303200
Engine & cooling

I own a 2003 toyota 4runner and have been experiencing a sulfur/rotten egg smell since I got it. It is intermittent and seems to occur most frequently upon acceleration. There have been times while driving that I get very dizzy. After researching I found there a quite a few complaints about this very problem. It seems along with the sulfur dioxide there is carbon monoxide inside the cabin, regardless if the windows are up or down. Toyota's response is that this is due to bad gas. I like my 4runner but there is no way I can drive it knowing that not only me, but my son also are being poisoned. Toyota must be held accountable and fix this immediately before someone gets seriously hurt!!!! *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10257614
Engine & cooling

Chirp noise from engine area on cold start--this has repeated 5 times since vehicle purchase--each time the local toyota dealer has repaired under warranty--replaced tensioner and belt--chirp sound returns repeatedly after approx 6 mths operation. *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10208405
Engine & cooling

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 toyota camry. The contact heard a loud ticking and rattling noise coming from under the hood when the vehicle was started. She immediately took the vehicle to a dealer and they performed a diagnostic test. The test indicated that the intake manifold was separating from the inside. The dealer stated that the vehicle had too many miles to be covered under warranty. The vehicle has not been repaired. The vin was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 62,000.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10204188
BrakesEngine & cooling

Dt*: the contact stated while driving 40 mph uphill, a strong odor was noticed. There were no warning lights illuminated prior to the incident. The dealership was contacted, who determined the catalytic converter was producing the odor. The extended warranty covered the replacement. Also, the contact was alerted by an independent mechanic about the front brakes. The mechanic machined the front rotors and installed new pads. As a result of the brakes repair, the pedal was too low when depressed. The brakes...

Read the full complaint

were rechecked and the mechanic informed all the brake standards were correct. The contact assumed this was a manufacturer defect. The dealership had not been contacted yet for the brake problem.

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulic · Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10175810

Toyota 4RUNNER engine complaints by year

4RUNNER engine problems, every year

Had a engine problem with your 2003 4RUNNER? Tell other owners.

Your experience goes live straight away and helps every owner and buyer who checks this vehicle. Anonymous, free, no account.

Overall, how would you rate it? *

0/4000 · Please leave out names, phone numbers and your full VIN.

By posting you confirm it's your own, honest experience and agree to the rules. Safety defect? Also report it to NHTSA - that's how recalls start.

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

Owners helping owners

Know before you drive.

Every experience you share - good or bad - shows on that vehicle's page and helps the next owner and buyer. Two minutes, anonymous.

Share your experience