2003 Toyota 4Runner
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Body, Seats & Latches
Body, Seats & Latches leads by volume: 311 of 695 complaints (45%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Engine include more reported injuries (17) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 224 in 2002 to 695 in 2003.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | vs. 2003 Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,650–3,900 | 3,900 | 3,450–4,150 | 3,450–4,150 | 3,450–3,900 | |
| Combined MPG | 16–17 | 16 | 15–18 | 15–18 | 16–18 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 15–16 / 18–19 | 15 / 18 | 14–16 / 17–20 | 14–16 / 17–20 | 14–16 / 18–20 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 523–555 | 555 | 494–592 | 494–592 | 494–555 | |
| Complaints filed | 185 | 224 | 695 | 678 | 424 | |
| Recalls issued | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 5 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 10 | 19 | 18 | 28 | 19 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | |
| Injuries reported | 12 | 20 | 27 | 20 | 13 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2003 Toyota 4Runner have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2003 Toyota 4Runner?
Body, Seats & Latches: 311 of 695 NHTSA complaints (45%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Toyota 4Runner get?
EPA rates it 15–18 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2003 Toyota 4Runner?
EPA estimates $3,450–$4,150 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 4.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 16 mpg (high) | 20 mpg (high) | 18 mpg (high) | $3,450 (low) | 494 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 5-spd | 8 | 4.7L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 15 mpg | 18 mpg | 16 mpg | $3,900 | 555 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 4.0L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 15 mpg | 19 mpg | 17 mpg | $3,650 | 523 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 5-spd | 8 | 4.7L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 14 mpg (low) | 17 mpg (low) | 15 mpg (low) | $4,150 (high) | 592 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 98 | 1 | 0 | 17 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 39 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 82 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 35 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 130 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 15 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 30 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 311 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 104 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (3)
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL · Campaign 11V113000 · Feb 24, 2011
Defect: TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2011 LEXUS LX570, 2003 THROUGH 2009 TOYOTA 4RUNNER, AND 2006 THROUGH 2010 RAV4 VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAN GET STUCK IN THE WIDE OPEN POSITION DUE TO ITS BEING TRAPPED BY AN UNSECURED OR INCOMPATIBLE DRIVER'S FLOOR MAT.
Consequence: A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
Remedy: THE REMEDY IS NOW AVAILABLE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN EARLY APRIL 2011. THE REMEDY WILL INVOLVE MODIFICATION OR REPLACEMENT OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND REPLACEMENT OF ANY TOYOTA ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 OR LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE · Campaign 03V146000 · Apr 23, 2003
Defect: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V6 ENGINES, THE FUEL PULSATION DAMPER, LOCATED ON THE FUEL RAIL, MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY ASSEMBLED, CAUSING A DIAPHRAGM IN THE PULSATION DAMPER TO BE DAMAGED. IF THE DIAPHRAGM FAILS, FUEL MAY LEAK.
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE IF A HEAT SOURCE OR AN IGNITION SOURCE IS PRESENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PULSATION DAMPER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 5, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
WHEELS · Campaign 02V339000 · Jan 15, 2003
Defect: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FIVE FACTORY ALLOY WHEELS (MODEL 6934 AND 6936), WITH FACTORY LLAT, AND WITH PORT INSTALLED WR4, FOUR ALLOY WHEEL UPGRADE PROCESSED AT THE JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA PORT AND DISTRIBUTED BY SOUTHEAST TOYOTA DISTRIBUTORS IN THE STATES OF ALABAMA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, NORTH AND SOUTH CAROLINA, WHEN THE VEHICLES WERE PROCESSED AT THE PORT, AN ALLOY TIRE/WHEEL UPGRADE WAS INSTALLED. THE UPGRADE INCLUDED 4 ALLOY WHEELS. THE ORIGINAL SPARE TIRE/ALLOY WHEEL WAS NOT CHANGED. THE SPARE TIRE REQUIRES THE USE OF A DIFFERENT STYLE OF WHEEL NUT TO ATTACH IT TO THE VEHICLE.
Consequence: IF THE SPARE TIRE/WHEEL IS INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE USING THE WHEEL NUTS PROVIDED FOR THE UPGRADE ALLOY WHEEL, DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL COULD RESULT AND COULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A LOOSE WHEEL.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH DIFFERENT STYLE LUG NUTS, A WARNING LABEL FOR THE SPARE RE/ALLOY WHEEL, AND AN OWNER'S MANUAL ADDENDUM.