2002 Toyota 4RUNNER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
192 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
133,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 146 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Structure:Body is the most frequently named component, appearing in 74 of 192 complaints (38.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 24 | 12.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 8 | 4.2% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 3.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 2.6% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 1.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Structure:Body | 74 |
| Suspension | 35 |
| Unknown Or Other | 30 |
| Power Train | 24 |
| Service Brakes | 10 |
| Steering | 9 |
| Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields | 8 |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint | 7 |
Structure:Body: 74; Suspension: 35; Unknown Or Other: 30; Power Train: 24; Service Brakes: 10; Steering: 9; Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields: 8; Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint: 7
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 15 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 13 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 57 |
| 150,000 and above | 54 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 15; 75,000 to 99,999: 13; 100,000 to 149,999: 57; 150,000 and above: 54
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (57). 46 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 |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 6 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 6 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 12 |
| 2011 | 8 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 12 |
| 2014 | 17 |
| 2015 | 17 |
| 2016 | 20 |
| 2017 | 16 |
| 2018 | 24 |
| 2019 | 14 |
| 2020 | 11 |
| 2021 | 9 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2006: 6; 2007: 3; 2008: 6; 2009: 3; 2010: 12; 2011: 8; 2012: 5; 2013: 12; 2014: 17; 2015: 17; 2016: 20; 2017: 16; 2018: 24; 2019: 14; 2020: 11; 2021: 9; 2022: 5; 2023: 3; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Structure:Body leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 24 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 8 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 6 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 10169572 · 2006-09-29 (September 29, 2006)
2002 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. BRAKE ROTORS ARE WEARING UNEVENLY, CAUSING SHAKING WHEN SLOWING DOWN. DEALER SAID THE BRAKE PADS HAVEN'T EVEN BEEN USED 50%. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10169572 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10222967 · 2008-03-31 (March 31, 2008)
WHEN TURNING TO EITHER SIDE THE VSC LIGHT COMES ON AND THE ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATES. TIS IS IN DRY ROAD ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10222967 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10288606 · 2009-10-15 (October 15, 2009)
LARGE AMOUNT OF RUST ON THE UNDERBODY, GAS TANK SHIELD AND FRONT BRAKES. JUST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED WITH 39K MILES AND HAVE BEEN FINDING LOST OF CORROSION. TRIED TO USE RUST REMOVER AND NEUTRALIZER AND WIRE BRUSH. HOPE I CAN GET IT UNDER CONTROL BEFORE THE ENTIRE THING FALLS APART. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 39,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10288606 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10572597 · 2014-03-15 (March 15, 2014)
I FILED A NHTSA COMPLAINT (ODI NUMBER 10569206 WAS ASSIGNED) ON 13 MARCH 2014 ABOUT THIS VEHICLE. ON 14 MARCH 2014, I TOOK MY 4RUNNER TO MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AFTER CONTACTING TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND LOGGING A COMPLAINT ( CASE NUMBER [XXX] ) WITH THEM ON THE 14TH OF MARCH 2014 AT THEIR OFFICE IN CALIFORNIA AND THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REP TELLING ME DOCUMENTATION OF THE ISSUE AT MY DEALERSHIP WOULD HELP ME. THIS VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT IN NY AND REMAINED UP NORTH FOR 10 YEARS AND ACCORDING TO EMERSON TOYOTA AUBURN, ME RECORDS AT 85,199 MI…
Owner-reported narrative. 112,109 miles reported. Look up ODI 10572597 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10160221 · 2006-06-20 (June 20, 2006)
ON APRIL 17TH AT 5:45 AM WHILE DRIVING ON I-465, I FELT A LOSS OF STEERING IN THE WHEEL. I DID NOTHING TO THE WHEEL, AS ONE WOULD NORMALLY DO WHEN DRIVING ON ICE. I WAS DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE LANE, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE HIGHWAY DIVIDER AND THEN CAREENED OFF THE ROAD. A CARMEL POLICE OFFICER CAME TO THE SCENE AND AN ACCIDENT REPORT WAS ENTERED. FRONT BALL JOINT(S) FAILED AND FRONT WHEEL FOLDED UNDER VEHICLE; THIS RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF STEERING AND CRASH ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE HIT THE CONCRETE HIGHWAY DIVIDER AND THEN BOUNCED…
Owner-reported narrative. 51,665 miles reported. Look up ODI 10160221 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10344531 · 2010-07-21 (July 21, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH WITH THE BRAKES ENGAGED, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE SPUN AROUND AND CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL. NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE POLICE WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE REAR AND FRONT BUMPER WERE DAMAGED. THE ESTIMATED REPAIR COST WAS $3000. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THEM BACK TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FA…
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10344531 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10236742 · 2008-08-02 (August 2, 2008)
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME IN, IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A 770 SHIFT SOLENOID-E AND I WAS TOLD BY TWO DIFFERENT EXPERTS THAT MY TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE TOYOTA 4-RUNNER WAS PURCHASED IN JANUARY 2008 FROM FOLSOM LAKE TOYOTA WITH 89,000 MILES AND CURRENTLY HAS 95,500 MILES ON IT. THE ESTIMATE FOR REPAIR WAS $2,300.00. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 95,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10236742 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10356528 · 2010-09-20 (September 20, 2010)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER ABNORMALLY ACCOMPANIED BY THE ILLUMINATION OF THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT. THE CONTACT LATER DISCOVERED THAT THE ALUMINUM RADIATOR AND THE BOLT THAT CONNECTED THE COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID TRANSFER WAS FAULTY CAUSING THE TWO FLUIDS TO COMBINE ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED SPOKE WITH SEVERAL MECHANICS THAT ADVISED HIM OF THAT THE TWO FLUIDS WERE COMBINING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10356528 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10515863 · 2013-06-09 (June 9, 2013)
COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER ON ACCELERATION IF TIRES SPIN...MORE THAN ONE CLOSE CALL! HAPPENING SINCE VEHICLE WAS NEW. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 10 miles reported. Look up ODI 10515863 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10538485 · 2013-09-03 (September 3, 2013)
MY 2002 TOYOTA 4RUNNER HAS A FAULTY THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR (PART # 89452-35030) THAT CAUSES LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING (AT ALL SPEEDS). *JB THIS LOSS OF POWER IS VERY DANGEROUS AS THE CAR WILL BE DRIVING ALONG AT A STABLE SPEED AND THEN SUDDENLY JUST START SLOWING DOWN EVEN THOUGH MY FOOT STAYS ON THE GAS PEDAL. THIS LOSS OF SPEED PUTS ME AT SERIOUS RISK TO BE REAR-ENDED BY A CAR BEHIND ME OR POTENTIALLY GET HIT FROM THE SIDE AS I AM CROSSING AN INTERSECTION. MY MECHANICS AND I HAVE DIAGNOSED THE TPS AS THE ISSUE. THIS IS A VERY COMMO…
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10538485 at NHTSA ↗