2003 Toyota 4 Runner problems
Owners have filed 188 complaints about the 2003 Toyota 4 Runner with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling accounts for 41.5% of them — far more than any other system, ahead of power train at 10.1%.
Complaints188
Crashes1
Fires0
Injuries19
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Engine and engine cooling 41.5% · 78
Power train 10.1% · 19
Seats 9.0% · 17
Visibility 6.9% · 13
Service brakes, hydraulic 4.3% · 8
Tires 3.2% · 6
Vehicle speed control 3.2% · 6
Structure 3.2% · 6
Severity
Of those complaints, 1 describe a crash and 19 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 7 model years of the Toyota 4 Runner in this data, 2003 draws the most complaints of any of them.
Filing volume has held steady, 93 in the last three years against 95 in the three before.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 600 miles.
In owners' own words
2003 Toyota 4-runner v6 limited generates this unusual (tick, tick, tick) engine noise especially when accelerating. It sounds like a loose part in the engine block. This noise is especially noticeable when the 4-runner, driven by my wife, accelerates by me or when I drive with the window open next to a wall. Will this noise affect engine performance and shorten engine life? Very concerned customer. Engine and engine cooling · reported at 800 miles
2003 Toyota 4-runner v6 sr5 generates this unusual (tick, tick, tick) engine noise especially when accelerating. It sounds like a loose part in the engine block. This noise is especially noticeable when the 4-runner, driven by my wife, accelerates by me or when I drive with the window open next to a wall. It also sounds like there might be an exhaust leak somewhere in the exhaust system. *Nlm Engine and engine cooling
Ltr fm christine idland (NJ) re a problem with her 2003 Toyota 4-runner, it emits a pungent odor when she presses the accelerator; reply attn derek decosmo/haddon heights office. *Nm the nj oep ran test on the vehicle which determined that when the consumer accelerated the carbon monoxide levels inside the vehicle became elevated. This occurred whether the windows were opened or closed. Engine and engine cooling
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…