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2003 Toyota 4runner Other Problems

53 owner-reported other complaints from NHTSA data

53
Complaints
2
Crashes
Jan 2020Nov 2018
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (53)

criticalUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Sep 2025

Your vehicle's chassis and frame have become heavily corroded, according to both your mechanic and a Toyota service center. Both shops determined that the corrosion makes your vehicle unsafe to drive. Addressing this issue will likely require professional frame repair or replacement, which is a major structural repair.

NHTSA #: 11688509
highUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Mar 2023

Your 4Runner's frame has extensive rust and corrosion damage that runs along its entire length from front to back. This is a structural integrity issue that could affect the vehicle's safety and longevity. Addressing this would likely require professional frame repair or replacement, which is a major undertaking.

NHTSA #: 11510765
highUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Jul 2022

Your 4Runner's frame has developed rust. Frame corrosion can weaken the structural integrity of your vehicle over time and may eventually affect safety. You should have the frame inspected by a mechanic and may need rust treatment or frame repair depending on the severity.

NHTSA #: 11476780
mediumUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Jan 2022

The frame has rusted out. It has many large holes throughout and will not pass State Inspection and is deemed unsafe.

NHTSA #: 11448879
mediumUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Sep 2021

The frame is rusted beyond repair and is dangerous to drive. The frame cross members are rusted through. One cross member that supports the transfer case is about to fail and would cause the transfer case to drop out of the bottom of the truck causing a catastrophic failure and possible accident. The vehicle cannot be driven. The problem is unrepairable. The truck has to be junked. The problem was brought to my attention by the Toyota Service Rep during a routine service appointment. The rust appeared several years ago but not to this extent.

NHTSA #: 11432386
mediumUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Jan 2021

THE AUTO HAS 130,000 BUT THE FRAME HAS RUSTED THROUGH IN SEVERAL PLACES AND IS CONSIDERED UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

NHTSA #: 11390676
mediumUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Jul 2020

THIS 2003 4RUNNER HAS 85K MILES ON IT AND HAS SEVERE RUST ON THE FRONT CORNERS OF THE FRAME. THE SAFETY OF DRIVING THIS VEHICLE IS QUESTIONABLE. THERE'S ALSO SIGNIFICANT RUST ON OTHER METAL COMPONENTS AS WELL. I PREVIOUSLY OWNED A 2006 TUNDRA THAT WAS RECALLED FOR SEVERE FRAME RUST AND I KNOW SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAD TUNDRAS AND TACOMAS WITH SEVERE RUST PROBLEMS ON THE FRAME. THE 4RUNNER HAS A TRUCK FRAME UNDER IT LIKE THE OTHER TOYOTA TRUCKS AND HAS THE SAME FRAME RUST ISSUES. WHY IS THERE NO RECALL FOR THE 4RUNNER?

NHTSA #: 11338422
mediumUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Jun 2020

FRAME ON 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER IS COMPLETELY RUSTED. GAS TANK STRAPS ARE ROTTED AND RUSTED ALONG WITH THE PLATE UNDERNEATH THE GAS TANK IS COMPLETELY RUSTED. TRIED TO GET THEM REPLACED AND THE SERVICE ADVISOR DAMAGED HIS TOOLS TRYING TO GET THE BOLTS OUT. ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE SKID PLATE IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. IT WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH AND JUST HANGING OFF THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK. NOW THE FRAME IS COMPLETED RUSTED AND OUR SERVICE TECHNICIAN TOLD US THAT IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. TOOK IT TO A AUTO BODY REPAIR SHOP, TECHNICIAN WORKED FOR TOYOTA FOR 30 YEARS AND TOLD US TO CALL THEM BECAUSE THE FRAME SHOULD BE REPLACED. TOYOTA DOES NOT AGREE.

NHTSA #: 11331469
mediumUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: May 2020

THE ENTIRE FRAME IS RUSTING AWAY I HAD A MECHINIC LOOK AT IT AND HE SAID 'IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE THERES NO STRENGTH IN THE FRAME IF YOU GET INTO A CRASH ' THE TRUCK HAS ONLY 105,000 MILES ON IT

NHTSA #: 11326690
mediumUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Feb 2020

I OWN A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. I WAS AWARE THAT TOYOTA HAD ISSUES WITH THE TACOMA, TUNDRA, AND SEQUOIA VEHICLES WITH RUSTING FRAMES, BUT I WAS UNAWARE THAT THE 4RUNNERS WERE PLAGUED WITH THE SAME FRAME ROT ISSUES. I HAVE OWNED THE 4RUNNER FOR OVER A YEAR AND HAVE HAD TO REPAIR THE FRAME DUE TO RUST THROUGH ISSUES NOW ON THREE SEPERATE OCCASIONS. THE FRAME IS VERTUALLY A TOTAL LOSS. THE ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, AND OTHER COMPONENTS ARE GREAT, BUT THE FRAME RUST HAS MADE THE VEHICLE TOO UNSAFE TO CONTINUE TO OWN.

NHTSA #: 11310632
mediumUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Feb 2020

TOOK 2003 4RUNNER TO DEALER FOR ALIGNMENT. WAS INFORMED THAT FRAME HAS RUSTED TO POINT OF MAKING CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE. NO OTHER ORIGINAL COMPONENTS HAVE RUST.

NHTSA #: 11307982
mediumUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Feb 2020

FRAME RUSTING EXCESSIVLY

NHTSA #: 11307526
mediumUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Jan 2020

FRAME ROTTING. 4 RUNNER GARAGED AND SHORT COMMUTE. VERY WELL MAINTAINED AT LOCAL DEALER. VEHICLE LOW MAINTENANCE. ROTTING REPORTED BY TOYOTA TECHNICIAN.

NHTSA #: 11306146
mediumUNKNOWN OR OTHER
CrashFiled: Jan 2020

RUSTY FRAME

NHTSA #: 11296740
mediumUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Oct 2019

THE FRAME IS RUSTED WITH AREAS THAT NEED TO BE REPAIRED OR FRAME REPLACED. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION THE STEERING WHEEL MOVES BACK AND FORTH AFTER HITTING A BUMP. IT IS LIKE THE FRONT END IS LOSE. I HAVE HAD IT ALIGNED, SO IT IS NOT OUT OF ALIGNMENT.

NHTSA #: 11276975
mediumUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Sep 2019

STRUCTURE COMPLAINT. FRAME , FRAME MOUNTING POINTS, AND SUSPENSION MOUNTING POINTS. HEAVY RUST. UPON MAINTENANCE DIAGNOSTICS FOR EVAP SYSTEM THE MECHANICS INDICATED SIGNIFICANT SERIOUS CORROSION PROBLEMS WITH THE FORWARD AND REARWARD SECTIONS OF THE FRAME. SIGNIFICANT AND DANGEROUS DETERIORATION TO MOUNTING POINTS FOR TRACK BARS, BRAKE LINE BRACKETS, AND OTHER SUSPENSION COMPONENTS. STRUCTURALLY THE FRAME IS QUESTIONABLE IN PLACES AND LIKELY HAZARDOUS TO CONTINUE DRIVING, RECOMMENDED THAT VEHICLE BE RETIRED AS IS.

NHTSA #: 11258093
mediumUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Sep 2019

MY 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER IS SUFFERING FROM WIDESPREAD UNDERSIDE RUST. INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE FRAME, RADIATOR SUPPORT, SUSPENSION COMPONENTS, BRAKE LINES AND TOW HITCH.

NHTSA #: 11253801
mediumUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Aug 2019

THE FRAME ON MY 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER HAS SEVERE RUST DAMAGE. I HAVE ALWAYS TAKEN GREAT CARE OF THIS TRUCK. REGULAR WASHING, CLEANING, MAINTENANCE ETC... I HAVE TRIED TO GRIND OFF THE RUST, USE RUST INHIBITING PRODUCTS, AND UNDERCOATING WITHOUT ANY LUCK. THE TRUCK IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION, BUT THE FRAME IS ROTTING AWAY RIGHT BEFORE MY EYES. I'M AFRAID THIS $37000 TRUCK WILL NOT MAKE IT TO 75000 MILES. I KNOW TOYOTA HAS HAD RECALLS ON THE TACOMA AND TUNDRA TRUCK FRAMES, BUT DID NOT INCLUDE THE 4RUNNERS FOR SOME REASON. THE 4RUNNER TRUCK FRAMES ARE TOTAL JUNK AND SHOULD ALSO BE RECALLED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP IN THIS MATTER.

NHTSA #: 11251790
mediumUNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Jun 2019

EXTREME FRAME RUST. CAR IS LOW MILEAGE, WELL-KEPT, AND OUTWARDLY IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. RECENTLY SUFFERED NEAR-TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE. TOWED IT TO SHOP FOR REPAIR. SHOP REFUSED TO REPAIR BRAKES. THEY SAID FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE RUST HAD EATEN AWAY THE POINT WHERE THE BRAKE LINES ATTACHED TO THE FRAME, AND BRAKE FUID WAS LEAKING FROM THAT JUNCTURE. THEY SAID IF THEY REMOVED THE BRAKE LINES TO REPLACE THEM, THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO REATTACH THEM BECAUSE THERE WASN'T ENOUGH GOOD FRAME METAL TO WORK WITH. THEY SAID THE FRAME RUST WAS SO SEVERE THAT THEY FEARED IT COULD BREAK CLEAN THROUGH, OR STEERING OR SUSPENSION PARTS COULD BREAK LOOSE. THEY DID NOT WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR PUTTING WHAT THEY BELIEVED TO BE AN UNSAFE VEHICLE BACK ON THE ROAD. THEY ONLY REASON I DISCOVERED THIS WAS THAT THE RUST CAUSED MY BRAKES TO NEARLY FAIL. TOYOTA HAS HAD RECALLS AND LAWSUITS ON IDENTICAL ISSUES INVOLVING TACOMAS AND OTHER TRUCK-FRAMED VEHICLES. THE 4-RUNNER IS A TRUCK-FRAMED VEHICLE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. I HAVE PHOTOS THAT THE REPAIR SHOP SENT ME, BUT I CAN'T SEND THEM FFROM THIS COMPUTER.

NHTSA #: 11219909
mediumUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: May 2019

THE FRAME ON MY 2003 4RUNNER IS COMPLETELY RUSTED BEYOND WHAT IS REASONABLE AND SAFE. I PURCHASED THE 4RUNNER NEW AND NOW I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY SEVERAL AUTO REPAIR SHOPS THE FRAME IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. SOME SHOPS REFUSE TO PUT THE 4RUNNER ON A LIFT IN FEAR THE FRAME WILL BREAK. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AND I FEAR FOR THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY. I FEEL THIS RUST ISSUE IS THE FAULT OF TOYOTA TO NOT PREP THE FRAME TO RESIST CORROSION.

NHTSA #: 11205190
mediumUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: May 2019

THE FRAME ON MY 2003 4RUNNER IS COMPLETELY RUSTED BEYOND WHAT IS REASONABLE AND SAFE. I PURCHASED THE 4RUNNER NEW AND NOW I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY SEVERAL AUTO REPAIR SHOPS THE FRAME IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. SOME SHOPS REFUSE TO PUT THE 4RUNNER ON A LIFT IN FEAR THE FRAME WILL BREAK. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AND I FEAR FOR THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY. I FEEL THIS RUST ISSUE IS THE FAULT OF TOYOTA TO NOT PREP THE FRAME TO RESIST CORROSION.

NHTSA #: 11205191
mediumUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: May 2019

THE FRAME ON MY 2003 4RUNNER IS COMPLETELY RUSTED BEYOND WHAT IS REASONABLE AND SAFE. I PURCHASED THE 4RUNNER NEW AND NOW I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY SEVERAL AUTO REPAIR SHOPS THE FRAME IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. SOME SHOPS REFUSE TO PUT THE 4RUNNER ON A LIFT IN FEAR THE FRAME WILL BREAK. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AND I FEAR FOR THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY. I FEEL THIS RUST ISSUE IS THE FAULT OF TOYOTA TO NOT PREP THE FRAME TO RESIST CORROSION.

NHTSA #: 11205188
mediumUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Apr 2019

HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR 4 MONTHS. LOW OWNER COUNT, AND 160K MILES WITH GOOD MAINTENANCE HISTORY. NOTICED A SLIGHT SWAY AT TIMES ON THE ROAD, SUSPECTED TIRES AND/OR ALIGNMENT. AFTER REPLACING AND SERVICING IT, IT WAS DISCOVERED THE FRAME IS ROTTED OUT EXTREMELY BAD FROM FRONT TO BACK. THE PASSENGER SIDE FRAME RAIL IS COMPLETELY OPEN ON THE BOTTOM FROM CORROSION, CAUSING STABILITY ISSUES AND NOW THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

NHTSA #: 11204513
mediumUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Apr 2019

THE FRAME OF MY VEHICLE IS EXTREMELY RUSTED FOR IT'S AGE. EVERY COMPONENT ATTACHED TO THE FRAME IS OVERLY RUSTED AS WELL. IT IS SPREADING LIKE A VIRUS THROUGHOUT THE UNDER BODY. I AM BECOMING INCREASINGLY CONCERNED ABOUT HAULING, TOWING, OR EVEN DRIVING MY VEHICLE DUE TO THIS RUST. WITH ONLY 172,000 MILES, THIS SHOULD NOT BE OCCURRING. I HAVE BEEN KEEPING IT IN A GARAGE FOR THE PAST 5 YEARS BUT AS THE 2ND OWNER IT'S PROBABLY TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE. TOYOTA SHOULD RECALL THESE VEHICLES AS THEY DID SOME OTHER MODELS.

NHTSA #: 11194431
mediumUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Mar 2019

EXCESSIVE FRAME RUST PREVENTING IT FROM PASSING INSPECTION

NHTSA #: 11191252
mediumUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Mar 2019

FRAME IS RUSTING THROUGH WHERE "FRONT CLIP" JOINS SIDE RAILS. FOUND DURING NORMAL VEHICLE SERVICE. VEHICLE DEEMED "SAFE" TO USE AT PRESENT, BUT THE FRAME WILL FAIL IN THE FUTURE. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW, ONE OWNER, GARAGED, APPROXIMATELY 125,000 MILES, ALL STREET MILES, NEVER OFF-ROADED.

NHTSA #: 11184603
mediumUNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
Filed: Feb 2019

"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.

NHTSA #: 11180693
mediumUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Jan 2019

MY 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER ONLY HAS 79,000 MILES ON IT AND THE FRAME HAS PREMATURELY RUSTED WITH LARGE HOLES THROUGHOUT. THE COUPLING BETWEEN THE STEERING SHAFT AND THE RACK AND PINION IS COMPLETELY ROTTED. THE STEERING SHAFT WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING FAULTY STEERING. MY MECHANIC HAS DEEMED THE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

NHTSA #: 11165873
mediumUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Jan 2019

FRAME IS VERY RUSTED AND I FEEL IT MAY BECOMING UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I RECENTLY HAD A RECALL ON MY 2006 TOYOTA TACOMA DUE TO RUST AND THE FRAME WAS REPLACED. MY 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER HAS MORE RUST THAN THE TACOMA DID AND WOULD EXPECT THAT IT SHOULD ALSO BE RECALLED AS WAS THE TACOMA FOR THE EXTENSIVE RUST.

NHTSA #: 11165410
mediumUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Nov 2018

EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE CHASSIS. ABNORMAL NOISE NOISE. THE METAL COULD DETACH AND CAUSE ACCIDENT. SEE PICTURES FOR DETAILS

NHTSA #: 11153417
mediumUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Nov 2018

UPON DRIVING OUR 4RUNNER, WE NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES WERE COMPLETELY GONE. WE IMMEDIATELY TURNED AROUND AND PARKED THE VEHICLE. WE GOT IT TO THE SERVICE FACILITY AND UPON INSPECTION THE ENTIRE UNDERCARRIAGE HAS EXCESSIVE RUST CAUSING THE REAR CALIPER O LEAK WHICH DESTROYED THE REAR BRAKES. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED US THAT THE BRAKE LINES WILL NEED REPLACED AND THE MOTOR MOUNTS AND FRAME ARE SEVERELY CORRODED. HIS OPINION IS CLOSE TO BE UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

NHTSA #: 11150005
mediumUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Oct 2018

MY 2003 4RUNNER HAS BEEN SUFFERING FROM EXTREMELY BAD FRAME CORROSION. DURING A RECENT INSPECTION IT BECAME CLEAR THAT THE FRAME IS AT FAILURE POINT. LARGE HOLES HAVE DEVELOPED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE MAIN BOX RAIL (BOTTOM AND SIDES). ADDITIONALLY, HOLES HAVE DEVELOPED ON FRONT FRAME RAILS, JUST INSIDE FENDER WELLS (BOTH SIDES). VEHICLE IS NO LONGER SAFE TO OPERATE. BODY IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION, ABSOLUTELY NO CORROSION AT ALL ON THE BODY. ENGINE/TRANSMISSION/DRIVETRAIN ARE ALL IN PERFECT WORKING ORDER. THIS FRAME ISSUE NEEDS ATTENTION FROM TOYOTA.

NHTSA #: 11138887
mediumUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Jul 2018

THE FRAME IN THE REAR OF MY 03 4 RUNNER HAS RUSTED OUT NEAR THE REAR PASSENGERS SIDE.

NHTSA #: 11113463
mediumUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Jul 2018

INFORMED TOYOTA OF HOLLYWOOD, FLORIDA , TWO YEARS AGO , OF MY DASHBOARD REPLACEMENT LETTER AND THEY STILL HAVE NOT REPLACED MY CRACKED DASHBOARD.

NHTSA #: 11104920
mediumUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: May 2018

RUST ALL OVER THE FRAME. THERE ARE MANY PARTS WHERE IT HAS ATE THROUGH THE FRAME IN WELDS.

NHTSA #: 11097110
mediumUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Oct 2017

FRAME HAS HOLES AND CRACKS CAUSED BY EXCESSIVE RUST. ONE CROSS MEMBER IS NON FUNCTIONAL. HAS RUSTED THROUGH ENTIRELY. I CALLED TOYOTA'S CUSTOMER CARE 800 NUMBER. WAS TOLD THE 3 YEAR 36,000 MILE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND THE VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS BEEN GARAGE KEPT. THE BODY IS IN PERFECT CONDITION. IT HAS ONLY 104,000 MILES. COLLISION REPAIR SHOP LOOKED AT THE FRAME YESTERDAY AND I WAS TOLD IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA #: 11035383
mediumUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Aug 2017

THE FRAME IT'S RUSTED

NHTSA #: 11020104
mediumUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Jan 2017

TOOK THE TRUCK FOR INSPECTION IT WON'T PASS FRAME IS ROTTED BEYOND FIXING!!

NHTSA #: 10945360
mediumUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Jan 2017

WE HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE SINCE 2010 AND THE FRAME IS RUSTED COMPLETELY THRU.

NHTSA #: 10940330
mediumUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Nov 2016

FRAME RUSTING OUT

NHTSA #: 10926850
mediumUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Oct 2016

FRAME HAS RUSTED OUT.

NHTSA #: 10914868
mediumUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Apr 2016

I PURCHASED MY 4RUNNER NEW. IT CURRENTLY HAS 189,500 MILES. EVEN THOUGH I KEEP MY CAR INSIDE MY GARAGE, THE DASHBOARD IS CRACKED AND STICKY. I SEE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS LIKE THIS ONE. TOYOTA NEEDS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA #: 10854373
mediumUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Apr 2016

FRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH MAKING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE AND WILL NOT PASS SAFETY INSPECTION

NHTSA #: 10852890
mediumUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Feb 2016

TOYOTA SEEMS TO BE DRAGGING THEIR FEET IN REPLACING THE STICKY DASHBOARDS AS PROMISED. SURELY THEY ARE NOT REPLACING THESE DASHBOARDS OUT OF PURE CONCERN FOR VEHICLE OWNERS. THEY MUST HAVE BEEN PRESSURED THROUGH THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS AND BY DRAGGING THEIR FEET MAY BE EFFECTIVELY IN CONTEMPT OF THAT PROMISE. I FIRST HEARD FROM TOYOTA IN THE SPRING OF 2014 THAT I WILL BE FURTHER CONTACTED IN THE SPRING OF 2015 ABOUT MY REPLACEMENT. AFTER RECEIVING THAT LETTER IN THE SPRING OF 2015, I CONTACTED MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO GET AN APPOINTMENT UNTIL JUNE 2015. SINCE THEN I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THEM TO RECEIVE THE NECESSARY PARTS. SURELY TOYOTA HAVE NOT STOPPED MAKING CARS SO THEIR INABILITY TO COMPLETE THEIR PROMISE APPEARS TO BE OUT OF INDIFFERENCE. HOPEFULLY THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER PROTECTION CAN PUT MORE PRESSURE ON TOYOTA TO HONOR THEIR PROMISE.

NHTSA #: 10838768
mediumUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Jan 2016

FRAME RUSTED OUT IN LESS THAN 13 YEARS ON THE ROAD.

NHTSA #: 10822458
mediumUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Oct 2015

THE FRAME ON MY 4 RUNNER ROTTED SO BADLY IT WAS UNSAFE AND NOT REPAIRABLE. I TOOK VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE BRAKES WORKED ON. WHEN THEY PUT IT UP ON THE RACK, THEY ASKED ME TO COME BACK AND LOOK AT IT. THE FRAME WAS ROTTEN WITH RUST. THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE, NOT PRACTICAL TO REPAIR, AND COULD ONLY BE SOLD FOR PARTS. THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAD 65,257 MILES ON IT. THE FRAME WAS RUSTED SO BAD THAT THE SERVICE MAN TOLD ME THAT HE THOUGHT HE COULD POKE A SCREWDRIVER RIGHT THROUGH IT. LARGE RUSTY CHUNKS WERE FALLING RIGHT OFF OF THE FRAME. THERE ARE TWO STEEL U PIECES WELDED, ONE ON EITHER SIDE, TO THE FRONT OF THE FRAME FOR TOWING PURPOSES. ONE OF THESE WAS HANGING DOWN BY A RUSTY THREAD. I LATER PULLED ON IT WITH MY HAND AND IT CAME RIGHT OFF WITH A BUNCH OF SCALY RUST FLAKES. I HAVE SAVED IT AS EVIDENCE OF HOW BADLY THE FRAME HAD DISINTEGRATED. THE DEALER WOULD ONLY ALLOW ME $100 ON A TRADE IN, BUT I DID AS I HAD TO HAVE A VEHICLE TO DRIVE. I FELT VERY FORTUNATE THAT THE FRAME DID NOT BREAK UP WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT AS I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED! MY WORKING CAREER HAS BEEN AS AN ENGINEER AND I AM VERY FAMILIAR WITH METALS AND CORROSION, BUT I HAVE NEVER SEEN STEEL THIS PRONE TO ROTTING.

NHTSA #: 10779405
mediumUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Aug 2015

FRAME HAS SEVERE RUST. MUCH MORE THAN WOULD EVER BE CONSIDERED NORMAL.

NHTSA #: 10760277
mediumUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Jul 2015

THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO THE FRAME THAT SUPPORTS THE CAR IS RUSTED OUT WHERE THE STRUCTURE OF THE FRAME IS COMPROMISED AND THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. EVERY OTHER COMPONENT ON THE CAR IS IN VERY GOOD WORKING ORDER.

NHTSA #: 10743549
mediumUNKNOWN OR OTHER
CrashFiled: Feb 2010

RE: 2003 4- RUNNER I RECENTLY SOLD MY 4-RUNNER BUT WANT TO REPORT AN INCIDENT THAT CAUSED MY CAR TO CRASH INTO THE SIDE OF MY HOUSE CAUSING CONSIDERABLE FRONT-END DAMAGE TO THE CAR. I WAS MANEUVERING THE CAR INTO ITS USUAL PARKING SPACE, AS I HAD DONE SEVERAL HUNDRED TIMES BEFORE, WHEN WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR SURGED FORWARD INTO THE SIDE OF THE HOUSE. I DID NOT REPORT THIS ISSUE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, BUT RECENT EVENTS HAVE RAISED QUESTIONS IN MY MIND AND I NOW BELIEVE THAT AN ACCELERATION ISSUE MAY HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE OF MY ACCIDENT. THE 4-RUNNER IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL INVOLVING FLOOR MATS OR TOYOTA'S MORE RECENT SPATE OF BRAKING RECALLS. PLEASE ADVISE. *TW

NHTSA #: 10307260
mediumUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Jan 2005

PROBLEMS CONCERNING THE MANUAL ON HOW TO ACCESS THE SPARE TIRE EQUIPMENT ON THE 2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE MANUAL'S DIRECTION AND GRAPHICS WERE VERY DIFFERENT FROM HOW THE CONSUMER HAD TO ACCESS THE SPARE ON HIS VEHICLE. THE ARM TO THE JACK USED TO JACK UP THE CAR REQUIRED IT TO BE SCREWED TOGETHER AND WAS NOT HEAVY ENOUGH GAUGE TO JACK UP THE CONSUMER'S SUV. THE JACK DID NOT RISE HIGH ENOUGH TO REMOVE THE TIRE. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE JACK AND TOOLS PROVIDED TO CHANGE THE TIRE WERE INFERIOR AND INEFFECTIVE. *NM

NHTSA #: 10127961
mediumUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Jan 2004

THE 4 RUNNER HAS A LOUD SQUEAL AS START UP. ONCE THE CAR WARMS UP THE SQUEAL IS A LOW, BUT STILL A WRONG SOUND.

NHTSA #: 10070199
mediumUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Sep 2003

I BOUGHT A NEW 2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER ON 8-23-03. THE VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED TO ME WITH THE "VSC TRACK" WARNING LIGHT ON. DURING THE TEST DRIVE, I INQUIRED ABOUT THE LIGHT AND WAS TOLD BY THE SALESMAN THAT IS WAS PART OF THE TRACITON CONTROL SYSTEM. I WAS LED TO BELIEVE THAT THE LIGHT BEING ON WAS A NORMAL CONDITION. THE VEHICLE HAD 25 MILES ON THE ODOMETER WHEN I TOOK DELIVERY. WHEN I GOT THE VEHICLE HOME AND READ THE OWNERS MANUAL, I FOUND THAT THE LIGHT WAS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE ON AND THAT IT WAS AN INDICATOR OF A POTENTIAL PROBLEM WITH THE VSC SYSTEM. THE VSC SYSTEM IS A SKID CONTROL SYSTEM THAT MONITORS THE VEHICLE AND UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, MODIFIES THE VEHICLE PERFORMANCE BY CONTROLING THE THROTTLE OR BRAKES IN AN ATTEMPT TO PREVENT SKID, OR LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 1000 MILES ON IT, AND 3 REPAIRS HAVE BEEN ATTEMPTED BY THE DEALER, NONE OF WHICH HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM. SO FAR THEY HAVE REPLACED THE ECM, THE STEERING WHEEL POSITION SENSOR, AND A DISC WHICH THE STEERING WHEEL POSITION SENSOR "READS" TO DETERMINE THE STEERING WHEEL POSITION. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS AND I AM ABOUT TO RETURN THE VEHICLE FOR A FOURTH ATTEMPT AT REPAIR.

NHTSA #: 10039500
mediumUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Jul 2003

HIGH LEVELS OF CARBON DIOXIDE IS COMING INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT DON'T' HAVE . FIX.*AK

NHTSA #: 10030206

Other 2003 Toyota 4runner Issues