2003 Toyota 4 RUNNER: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10004399 · 2003-01-22 (January 22, 2003)
THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL CENTER CAP CAME OFF, WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO PULL OVER.*TS CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE THE SECOND WHEEL CAP. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004399 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006770 · 2003-02-07 (February 7, 2003)
THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS ABLE TO GO FROM NEUTRAL TO REVERSE. PH WHILE DRIVING FROM 0-45 MPH, THE SHIFTER WAS IN THE FOURTH GEAR, AND HAD SHIFTED TO DRIVE. THE CONSUMER ACCIDENT'S PUSHED THE SHIFTER TO PARK WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE CONSUMER FELT THAT MOST VEHICLE'S HAVE A SHIFT LOCK BETWEEN NEUTRAL AND REVERSE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS MOTION. SCC
Owner-reported narrative. 444 miles reported. Look up ODI 10006770 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008153 · 2003-02-26 (February 26, 2003)
NO HEAT.4-RUNNER WAS BROUGHT INTO DEALER FOR SERVICE 3 TIMES BECAUSE BLOWER NOT WORKING, AND DEALER IS NOW SAYING THEY ARE NOT SURE HOW TO FIX.THEY ARE WAITING TO HEAR FROM CORPORATE OFFICE ON HOW TO REPAIR.WE ARE TOLD THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM AND THEY ARE GETTING MORE OF THIS IN OTHER 4-RUNNERS.THEY SAY MOISTURE IS GETTING INTO BLOWER AND IN COLD WEATHER IT FREEZES CAUSING IT NOT TO WORK. SO WE ARE STILL WAITING TO SEE HOW THEY WILL FIX THIS PROBLEM.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 850 miles reported. Look up ODI 10008153 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009427 · 2003-02-26 (February 26, 2003)
THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 3 OCCASIONS FOR AN INOPERATIVE DEFROSTER SYSTEM, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10009427 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10010447 · 2003-03-14 (March 14, 2003)
REAR CENTER SEAT BELT CROSSES OVER BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELTS WHEN ALL BELTS ARE BUCKLED. THIS MAKES BUCKLING LEFT AND RIGHT SEAT BELTS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT WHEN CENTER BELT IS BUCKLED, ESPECIALLY WHEN CHILD SEAT IS INSTALLED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10010447 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011039 · 2003-03-25 (March 25, 2003)
TOXIC SULFUR/ROTTEN EGG SMELL IN CABIN OF AUTOMOBILE
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10011039 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10013545 · 2003-03-27 (March 27, 2003)
MY 2003 4RUNNER V6 LIMITED GENERATES THIS UNUSUAL ENGINE NOISE ESPECIALLY WHEN ACCELERATING. MY OBSERVATIONS INCLUDE A POSSIBLE LOSS IN POWER AND AFFECTS ENGINE PERFORMANCE, AND POSSIBLY THE LONGEVITY OF THE ENGINE. I TOOK IT TO A SECOND TOYOTA DEALER WHERE IT WAS IMMEDIATELY RECOGNIZED BUT A SOLUTION IS YET TO BE DETERMINED SINCE THE V6 4.0 IS A NEW ENGINE. CURRENTLY, I WAIT FOR A TOYOTA TECHNICIAN FROM THE FACTORY TO EXAMINE THE ENGINE. MEANWHILE, I CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND I AM AFRAID THAT I AM DOING MORE HARM TO IT'S LIFE EXPECTANC…
Owner-reported narrative. 250 miles reported. Look up ODI 10013545 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10013548 · 2003-03-27 (March 27, 2003)
FRONT SECTION OF SEAT UNDER LEGS HAS COME LOOSE. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10013548 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.