Major Problems with 2003 Toyota 4Runner Derived from Complaints & Recalls

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Worst 3 complaints of 2003 Toyota 4Runner

2003 Toyota 4Runner EXHAUST SYSTEM Victims: 3 Mileage: 1 miles

2003 Toyota 4Runner MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE Victims: 2 Mileage: 1 miles

Browse 2003 Toyota 4Runner complaints by category

Problems with BODY, SUSPENSION, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, SERVICE BRAKES and HYDRAULIC are the most frequent issues recorded by the NHTSA from Toyota 4Runner owners.

Problem Category	Number of Problems
BODY > STRUCTURE this vehicle has a rotted frame which is perforated in at least 3 places...	173 ~ 107189 miles
SUSPENSION tl*the contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. while driving 30 mph the steering wheel shook very badly. the contact pulled...	74 ~ 99224 miles
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 1. flat tire needed to get spare out from under vehicle. 2. brand new spare tire had never been taken...	68 ~ 84206 miles
SERVICE BRAKES on approximately february 28 2012 the abs/trac control/vsc lights came on and remained lit on my 2003 toyota 4runner. i...	35 ~ 120608 miles
EXHAUST SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING foul smelling exhaust - ammonia smell - very strong on accelerations uphill or freeway on ramps. *jb...	25 ~ 6928 miles
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 2003 toyota 4runner v6 sport. on saturday i floored the gas pedal and when i let up the vehicle continued...	23 ~ 59205 miles
STEERING steering wheel has resonate vibration at certain engine rpm. it is not tire vibration but more like a buzz at...	22 ~ 116216 miles
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC i had issues with the brake pedals ever since 2-3 years into driving the vehicle. i have a 2003 toyota...	19 ~ 60947 miles
STRUCTURE the gas-filled struts that holds up the hood experienced premature failure. once the hood is opened the hood would begin...	16 ~ 91708 miles
CATALYTIC CONVERTOR > EMISSION CONTROL > EXHAUST SYSTEM dt*: the contact stated while driving 40 mph uphill a strong odor was noticed. there were no warning lights illuminated...	13 ~ 6602 miles
WHEELS this vehicle has accumulated a scary amount of rust on the underbody. i took it to a local toyota dealership...	11 ~ 98130 miles
SEATS my drivers seat is broken and moves when i drive it developed over a few weeks. my seat belt locks...	11 ~ 25638 miles
POWER TRAIN from a completely stopped position letting off the gas and allowing the truck to idle forward results in a klunk...	9 ~ 81963 miles
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM failure of automatic braking control and anti-skid control. service light activated but no recall or notice to consumers. see technical...	8 ~ 71254 miles
AIR BAGS 2003 toyota 4 runner limited v8 4wd- vehicle impacted a bumper barrel on freeway exit at high rate of speed...	8 ~ 96000 miles
UNDERBODY SHIELDS > FRAME AND MEMBERS > STRUCTURE the front crossmember of the vehicle frame has severe corrosion. the amount of corrosion was identified to me by a...	7 ~ 129575 miles
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING chirp noise from engine area on cold start--this has repeated 5 times since vehicle purchase--each time the local toyota dealer	7 ~ 67036 miles
DRIVELINE > POWER TRAIN my 2003 toyota 4runner makes a clunk sound that is felt throughout the vehicle when coming to a stop or...	7 ~ 19997 miles
ENGINE tl-the contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. the contact stated while driving various speeds the engine vsc trac and vsc...	6 ~ 107917 miles
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM after replacing an oxygen sensor several times the dealership finally discovered the root of the problem that is making the...	6 ~ 56433 miles
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL failure of automatic braking control and anti-skid control. service light activated but no recall or notice to consumers. see technical...	6 ~ 110667 miles
FRAME AND MEMBERS > STRUCTURE tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. the contact stated that the subframe was rusted causing the transmission to...	5 ~ 167476 miles
TIRES 2003 toyota 4 runner. consumer writes in regards to vehicle tires problem. *smd the consumer stated a few days after...	5 ~ 61783 miles
ENGINE > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING the check engine light came on and the vsc trac turned off the day after the light came on and...	5 ~ 375 miles
SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY > VISIBILITY sunroof broke in open position. cost $1600 to repair. car was purchased in february 2006. *jb...	5 ~ 23197 miles
EMISSION CONTROL > EXHAUST SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING toxic sulfur/rotten egg smell in cabin of automobile...	5 ~ 56 miles
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. the contact stated that the subframe was rusted causing the transmission to...	4 ~ 67228 miles
RECLINER > FRONT ASSEMBLY > SEATS manual seat of 2003 4 runner sport model continually retracts from elevated position. this makes it difficult to use the...	4 ~ 8183 miles
INTERIOR/UNDER DASH > WIRING > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. the contact stated that while the vehicle was parked the contact noted...	3 ~ 56668 miles
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE check engine light was on failed my emission test. the computer printed out a paper that stated there was a...	3 ~ 125000 miles
DRIVESHAFT > DRIVELINE > POWER TRAIN continuing problem on my 2003 v8 4runner with the drive shaft. when i come to a stop or when i...	3 ~ 12383 miles
DIFFERENTIAL UNIT > DRIVELINE > POWER TRAIN 2003 4 runner. bought 8/1/03 with 63 actual miles. 1st owner. vehicle vibrates at 75 mph and becomes severe rumble...	3 ~ 221 miles
VISIBILITY/WIPER toyota installed a sunroof that had known design defects in the 2003 4runner the first model year of the 4th...	2 ~ 90000 miles
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM my 2003 toyota had emissions issues in that all four oxygen sensors would fail quickly. it took me two years...	2
SEAT BELTS rear left safety belt does not retract. the vehicle has not been altered or damaged in any way prior to...	2 ~ 101500 miles
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES power door locking mechanism on 2003 toyota 4 runner malfunctions and locks vehicle while running with the inability to exit...	2 ~ 107500 miles
LATCH > DOORS > LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES the door locks on front-right and rear-left sides are malfunctioning. the dealer at bell toyota indicates that there are bad...	2 ~ 40500 miles
ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC when braking at any speed the brake pedal goes to the floor causing extended stopping distance. dealership was notified but	2 ~ 15500 miles
TORQUE CONVERTER > AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN vibration in drivetrain of 2003 4runner (awd-v8). i do not see my original complaint listed in the nhtsa complaints submitted...	2 ~ 3500 miles
INTERIOR LIGHTING dashboard gauges escpecially speedometer and fuel gauge are difficult or impossible to read in daytime. situation is made worse when...	2 ~ 2 miles
MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE > EXHAUST SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING rotten egg (sulfur) smell with carbon monoxide (co) in the cabin is making passengers sick! (poisoned) i just did...	2 ~ 1 miles
GASOLINE > ENGINE > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING my 2003 4runner v6 limited generates this unusual engine noise especially when accelerating. my observations include a possible loss in...	2 ~ 250 miles
HUB > WHEELS the front left wheel center cap came off which caused the consumer to pull over.*ts consumer was unable to retrieve	2
FRONTAL > AIR BAGS 2003 4runner. consumer states front end collision in which airbags did not deploy. *tgw the consumer stated his wife has	2 ~ 7500 miles
REAR > SUSPENSION tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. while driving approximately 65 mph the vehicle swerved to the left and...	1 ~ 182835 miles
LOWER ARM > CONTROL ARM > FRONT tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. while backing out of the driveway the lower control arm failed and...	1 ~ 104000 miles
EQUIPMENT 2003 toyota 4runner has 3 faulty calipers 2 on front and one on the rear. the caliper uses a dual...	1
TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE) > POWER TRAIN tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota 4 runner. the contact was driving 55 mph when the transfer case imploded...	1 ~ 152664 miles
VISIBILITY the driver's side sun visor of my 2003 toyota 4runner broke and hangs down partially blocking my visibility. the plastic	1
MASTER CYLINDER > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota 4-runner. the contact stated the master cylinder was leaking. when applying the brakes...	1 ~ 120000 miles
COOLING SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING model : 2003 toyota 4 runner v8 issue : automatic acceleration while a/c on how to duplicate the issue :...	1 ~ 35000 miles
HOOD > BODY > STRUCTURE in my 2003 toyota 4runner sr5 the open engine hood falls without warning. a small hydraulic piston automatically holds the...	1 ~ 53000 miles
LINKAGES > STEERING while driving at approximately 72 mph my pre-owned 4 runner drifted suddenly to the left 3 consecutive times as if...	1 ~ 39950 miles
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER erratic throttle response and erratic/unpredictable/difficult to predict brake application . *tr...	1 ~ 85330 miles
MARKINGS > TIRES 1. flat tire needed to get spare out from under vehicle. 2. brand new spare tire had never been taken...	1
PEDALS AND LINKAGES > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC dt*: the contact stated while driving 40 mph uphill a strong odor was noticed. there were no warning lights illuminated...	1 ~ 28000 miles
ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT > MECHANICAL > EQUIPMENT tl* - the contact owns a 2003 toyota avalon xls. while attempting to change a flat tire the jack malfunctioned....	1 ~ 40200 miles
HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM > STEERING i was sold pre-owned toyota 4runner without its being inspected and then i felt ill treated to be recalled to	1
ROOF AND PILLARS > BODY > STRUCTURE i was sold pre-owned toyota 4runner without its being inspected and then i felt ill treated to be recalled to	1
WINDSHIELD > VISIBILITY consumer complained that two front windshields had to be replaced due to poor visibility while driving at night. consumer stated	1 ~ 44000 miles
LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS > WHEELS toyota 4- runner 2003. wheel lug bolts are breaking off causing wheel to become lose. toyota says the tire rotation...	1 ~ 28550 miles
GLASS, SIDE/REAR > VISIBILITY the driver side window blew out while the consumer was driving. the glass made scratches on the door. the manufacturer	1 ~ 39846 miles
TREAD/BELT > TIRES i own a 2003 toyota 4 runner 10000 miles dunlop grand trek tires 265/70r16. in less then 2 weeks i...	1
CONTROL UNIT/MODULE > ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC brake pedal goes al the way to the floor when sitting at a stop . the 4 runner has 3...	1 ~ 35000 miles
MID/REAR ASSEMBLY > SEATS the rear seat back rest on passenger side squeaks and makes a rattling noise. if the back rest is folded...	1 ~ 5000 miles
FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM > FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 2003 4 runner v6 has loud ticking noise coming from engine conmpartment. i ran it by the dealership 1 week...	1 ~ 100 miles
ROTOR > DISC > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS tl* - the contact owns a 2003 toyota 4 runner. the contact heard a noise coming from the front brakes....	1 ~ 900 miles
PADS > DISC > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS tl* - the contact owns a 2003 toyota 4 runner. the contact heard a noise coming from the front brakes....	1 ~ 900 miles
DISC > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC i purchase a new toyota 4 runner from toyota world lakewood n j on 9/25/03 when i drove the truck...	1 ~ 800050 miles
FRONT > SUSPENSION after reaching 55 mph vehicle vibrated violently. *ak...	1
HUBCAP/COVER > WHEELS consumer states while driving at any speed there was a strong smell of chemical fumes in the passenger compartment. the...	1
ACCELERATOR PEDAL > VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL when vehicle idled at a stop and the heater/ air conditioner was on the vehicle lurched forward without warning. *ak	1 ~ 5300 miles
BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS > GASOLINE > ENGINE engine belt squeaks. has been replaced once and adjusted another time. squeak returned for third time with under 2000 miles	1 ~ 437 miles
REAR/OTHER > SEAT BELTS rear center seat belt crosses over both right and left rear passenger seat belts when all belts are buckled. this...	1
DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM > VISIBILITY the vehicle had been to the dealership on 3 occasions for an inoperative defroster system the dealer was unable to	1
INTERCONNECTING ASSEMBLY(WIRING) > ANTILOCK > SERVICE BRAKES, AIR consumer states that while driving vehicle no warning they can smell strong wire fumes through out the vehicle. sun-roof electronic	1
COLUMN SHIFT > LEVER AND LINKAGE > AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION while driving can shift into reverse without applying pressure to the brake pedal. vehicle was taken to the dealer. dealer...	1
TANK ASSEMBLY > STORAGE > FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE the consumer contacted the dealer to make an appointment for a recall # 03v146000 repairs concerning fuel pulsation damper. consumer...	1
STARTER ASSEMBLY > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM info copy ltr fwd to toyota regarding front suspension lower ball joint recall customer dissatisfied w/quality of current toyota vehicles....	1
EXTERIOR > REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES > VISIBILITY the side view mirrors obstruct the driver's vision when making turns. it is especially noticed when the driver is making...	1

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