NHTSA has 696 owner complaints on file for this Toyota[1]. The biggest group is structure, with 284 of them[2].
Most reported problems
Owners reported a wide spread of issues, and the groups below are the biggest ones.
- Structure. 284 complaints[2]. Owners describe rattles from the roof area, chipped paint, doors that froze shut in winter, and hood struts that gave out early.
- Suspension. 114 complaints[5]. In the stories we read, owners describe a rough ride at highway speed, shaking that dealers could not balance away, and an air suspension that stayed stuck in the raised position.
- Unknown Or Other. 101 complaints[6]. These reports do not point to one clear part.
- Engine. 99 complaints[7]. Owners describe exhaust smells inside the cabin even with the windows up, a belt that kept squeaking, and an odd noise when speeding up.
- Brakes. 74 complaints[8]. Owners describe a pedal that sinks low, warped rotors found soon after purchase, and a hard thud when pulling away from a stop.
- Power Train. 39 complaints[9].
- Steering. 35 complaints[10].
- Speed Control. 29 complaints[11]. This group has the most crash mentions of any group listed here, at 4 crashes[11].
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2003 4Runner is necessarily included.
- Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal (11V113), February 2011. About 1,363,244 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, death.[12]
- Fuel System, Gasoline (03V146), April 2003. About 29,482 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire.[13]
- Wheels (02V339), December 2002. About 176 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: stalling.[14]
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| 4Runner 2WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive[4] | 16 / 20 / 18 | $3,700 |
| 4Runner 2WD, 4.7L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive[15] | 15 / 18 / 16 | $4,200 |
| 4Runner 4WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive[16] | 15 / 19 / 17 | $3,950 |
| 4Runner 4WD, 4.7L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive[17] | 14 / 17 / 15 | $4,450 |
Safety ratings
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 DR None[18] | n/a | n/a | n/a | 3 | n/a |
How 2003 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 172 | 1 |
| 1996 | 161 | 2 |
| 1997 | 261 | 1 |
| 1998 | 250 | 1 |
| 1999 | 330 | 0 |
| 2000 | 483 | 0 |
| 2001 | 185 | 1 |
| 2002 | 225 | 1 |
| 2003 | 696 | 3 |
| 2004 | 678 | 2 |
| 2005 | 425 | 5 |
| 2006 | 381 | 5 |
| 2007 | 154 | 5 |
| 2008 | 96 | 5 |
| 2009 | 22 | 6 |
| 2010 | 147 | 12 |
| 2011 | 163 | 10 |
| 2012 | 96 | 8 |
| 2013 | 36 | 6 |
| 2014 | 77 | 7 |
| 2015 | 87 | 9 |
| 2016 | 80 | 8 |
| 2017 | 36 | 5 |
| 2018 | 59 | 5 |
| 2019 | 65 | 4 |
| 2020 | 33 | 1 |
| 2021 | 36 | 1 |
| 2022 | 39 | 3 |
| 2023 | 33 | 1 |
| 2024 | 9 | 1 |
| 2025 | 62 | 1 |
| 2026 | 7 | 2 |
NHTSA's counts for the 4Runner show 696 complaints and 3 recalls for 2003[3]. Among the 32 model years listed, 31 have fewer complaints than 2003 and 0 have more[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2026 (7) and the most are for 2003 (696)[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 2003 4Runner?
Owners filed 696 complaints for this model year[1]. The reports spread across many parts, with structure and suspension at the top[2][5]. Engine reports include 17 injuries[7], and several of the engine stories we read describe exhaust smells reaching the cabin. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many trucks were sold, so they show what owners reported and not how likely a problem is. Check the recalls and the other sections on this page before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Toyota 4Runner?
- Structure leads with 284 complaints[2], followed by suspension with 114[5] and engine with 99[7]. See the problems section for what owners describe.
- Does the 2003 Toyota 4Runner have recalls?
- Yes, the by-year data lists 3 recalls for 2003[3]. The Recalls section on this page lists each one.
- What is the gas mileage of the 2003 Toyota 4Runner?
- See the fuel economy section on this page, which is built from EPA data.
- Is the 2003 Toyota 4Runner reliable?
- Owners filed 696 complaints with NHTSA[1]. These are unverified reports and are not adjusted for sales, so read them with the recalls and the by-year section.
- Is 2003 the best year for the Toyota 4Runner?
- The by-year comparison section on this page shows how model years line up, using the same complaint and recall data.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Toyota 4Runner
Compare all model years of the Toyota 4Runner
Other Toyota models from 2003
Similar cars from 2003: suvs
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 696 owner complaints on file for the 2003 Toyota 4Runner (18 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 27 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 284 complaints name the structure component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 138,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Toyota 4Runner model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for 4Runner 2WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 20 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 114 complaints name the suspension component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 149,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 101 complaints name the unknown or other component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 135,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 99 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 17 injuries, median mileage at failure 957). NHTSA vehicle records
- 74 complaints name the brakes component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 99,990). NHTSA vehicle records
- 39 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 13,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 35 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 125,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 29 complaints name the speed control component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 58,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 11V113, filed February 24, 2011: Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 03V146, filed April 14, 2003: Fuel System, Gasoline. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 02V339, filed December 17, 2002: Wheels. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for 4Runner 2WD, 4.7L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 18 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for 4Runner 4WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 19 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for 4Runner 4WD, 4.7L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 17 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,450. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: rollover 3 stars. NHTSA vehicle records