CarModelProblems.com

2003 Toyota 4RUNNER Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Structure:body — runs 6.5× the fleet median for that category across the 1176 model-years tracked on this site.
695Complaints
3Recalls
18Crashes
0Fires
27Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Structure:body (35.7% of complaints) — was examined in a now-closed NHTSA investigation that did not result in a recall.

Structure:body complaints here are 6.5× the median for that category across the 1176 model-years tracked on this site.

1 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 5 rest on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Structure:body248 · 35.7%Investigation closedDP18002
Suspension109 · 15.7%No official action
Service Brakes44 · 6.3%No official action
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System38 · 5.5%No official action
Steering33 · 4.7%No official action
Vehicle Speed Control27 · 3.9%RecalledRecall 11V113000

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

STRUCTURE:BODY248 · 35.7%
SUSPENSION109 · 15.7%
Unspecified / other101 · 14.5%
SERVICE BRAKES44 · 6.3%
STEERING33 · 4.7%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL27 · 3.9%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR21 · 3%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC19 · 2.7%
STRUCTURE18 · 2.6%

Percentages are the share of the 695 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 3 campaigns

Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

NHTSA campaign 11V113000 · 2011 · reported 02/24/2011

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Gasoline

NHTSA campaign 03V146000 · 2003 · reported 04/14/2003

THIS COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE IF A HEAT SOURCE OR AN IGNITION SOURCE IS PRESENT. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Wheels

NHTSA campaign 02V339000 · 2002 · reported 12/17/2002

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“PAINT HAS CHIPPED DOWN TO THE BARE METAL IN 3 PLACES AND ANOTHER AREA HAS A FOUR INCH DIAMETER OFF-COLOR SWIRL SHOWINGTHROUGH THE PAINT AND/OR…”NHTSA complaint 10054550 — filed 01/20/2004 · STRUCTURE:BODY

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

1920121622201438652016531042018122572020832420221012024312026

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Toyota 4RUNNER?

Structure:body issues are the most-reported category, cited in 248 of 695 NHTSA complaints (35.7%), followed by suspension (109), unspecified/other issues (101), service brakes (44). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2003 Toyota 4RUNNER have?

695 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 18 involved a crash, 0 involved a fire, and 27 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2003 Toyota 4RUNNER have any recalls?

Yes — 3 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 11V113000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2003 Toyota 4RUNNER's reported problems?

1 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page is backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.