2003 Toyota 4 RUNNER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
168 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
600 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 89 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 34 of 168 complaints (20.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 19 | 11.3% |
| Steering behavior | 11 | 6.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 9 | 5.4% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 0.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 34 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor | 20 |
| Seats | 10 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control | 7 |
| Power Train:Driveline | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 5 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 4 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System: 34; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor: 20; Seats: 10; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control: 7; Power Train:Driveline: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 5; Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 77 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 9 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 77; 25,000 to 49,999: 9; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (77). 79 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 87 |
| 2004 | 57 |
| 2005 | 16 |
| 2006 | 7 |
2002: 1; 2003: 87; 2004: 57; 2005: 16; 2006: 7
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 19 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 11 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 9 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10024593 · 2003-06-20 (June 20, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING CAN SHIFT INTO REVERSE WITHOUT APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. DEALER STATED THA VEHICLE HAS A GATED SHIFTER, AND IT WAS NORMAL FOR THAT TO HAPPEN. CONSUMER CONCERNED THAT THERE WAS NO LOCKING FEATURE ON THE SHIFTER. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10024593 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10030886 · 2003-08-05 (August 5, 2003)
THE BACK LUMBAR OF THE DRIVERS SEAT RATTLES AND IT MOVES WHEN I ACCELERATING OR BRAKING. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10030886 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10023344 · 2003-06-18 (June 18, 2003)
TICKING NOISES ON ACCELERATION. ENGINE USES A TREMENDOUS AMOUNTS OF GASOLINE AND ALWAYS SOUNDS AS IF IT IS OVER ACCELERATING. SMELLS OF BURNING RUBBER OFTEN. A BELT HAS BEEN REPLACED FOR THE 3 RD TIME. NO HEAT OR FAN ON ONE OCCASION. SQUEALING FAN BELT ON 3 OCCASIONS. THE THIRD TIME LOST ALL WATER AND COOLANT AND HAD TO BE TOWED. STRONG BURNING SMELL AND LOSS OF POWER STEERING. COULD HAVE HAD SERIOUS ACCIDENT. IT HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER 2 WEEKS THIS TIME AND THEY CLAIM THEY ARE REPLACING PULLEYS. I AM FEARFUL OF DRIVING THIS CAR. I HAVE A 60 MI…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,970 miles reported. Look up ODI 10023344 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10030514 · 2003-07-31 (July 31, 2003)
SHIMMY IN STEERING WHEEL BETWEEN 60 AND 65 MPH. AUTO DOOR DOWN & UP WILL NOT WORK. NOTICED PROBLEMS AFTER PURCHASED (4 MILES ON VEHICLE) DEALER BALANCED TIRES AND STILL HAD VIBRATION. WILL REPLACE TIRES TO SEE IF THIS FIXES PROBLEM. REPLACE WINDOW MOTOR. *PH
Owner-reported narrative. 4 miles reported. Look up ODI 10030514 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10016866 · 2003-05-01 (May 1, 2003)
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HER 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER LIMITED,V8 WHEN THE TRANSMISSION POPPED OUT OF GEAR.SHE HAD IT IN 4D GEAR FOR NORMAL DRIVING.SHE PULLED OVER AND PUT IT IN 4D GEAR AGAIN AND IT POPPED OUT A SECOND TIME.THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO APPEARED. SHE PULLED OVER AGAIN AND TURNED OFF THE AIR CONDITIONER AND SHE PROCEEDED TO DRIVE TO HER DESTINATION WITHOUT THE GEAR POPPING OUT.SHE CALLED OUR SON TO PICK UP THE CAR TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE.THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THEY SAID IT HAD TO HAPPEN WHILE THEY WERE TE…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,455 miles reported. Look up ODI 10016866 at NHTSA ↗