2003 Toyota 4 Runner Recalls, Problems & Safety Rating

2003 Toyota 4 Runner recalls

Most common 2003 Toyota 4 Runner problems

Problem areas named in the 696 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.

Problem area	Reports
Engine And Engine Cooling	78
Power Train	19
Seats	17
Visibility	13
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	8
Structure	6
Tires	6
Vehicle Speed Control	6
Fuel System, Gasoline	5
Suspension	5

What owners report

2006-08-09, Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKE PEDAL GOES AL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WHEN SITTING AT A STOP . THE 4 RUNNER HAS 3 MASTERS AND ONE COMPLETE POWER BRAKE UNIT INSTALLED BY TOYOTA AND I STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM, TOYOTA STATED IT IS NORMAL. *JB

2006-07-23, Service Brakes, Hydraulic
I PURCHASED A NEW 2003 4 RUNNER FROM TOMS RIVER TOYOTA. ALL SERVICE OF THE VEHICLE PERFORMED THERE. OVER A YEAR AGO WE COMPLAINED LOW A LOW BRAKE PEDAL. DEALER SAID NOTHING WAS DEFECTIVE. RECENTLY DEALER RECOMMENDED REAR BRAKE SERVICE. PROBLEM STILL NOT RESOLVED. ON LAST SERVICE VISIT THE DEALER ADVISED ME THAT TOYOTA ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN REQUIRING A PAD SPACER BEING INSTALLED. BUT NOW DUE THE MILEAGE BEING OVER THE 50000 MILE WARRANTY, DEALER REQUIRES >$ 250. BE PAID BY OWNER TO REPAIR THIS ISSUE. NO SUCH SERVICE BULLETINS WERE FOUND ON THIS WEBSITE SEARCH. *NM

2006-06-29, Latches/Locks/Linkages
ALL FOUR OF MY DOOR LOCKS HAVE STOPPED WORKING WITH THE AUTOMATIC SYSTEM. EACH REQUIRED A NEW LOCK ACTUATOR TO BE INSTALLED ON EACH DOOR. THE FAILURES OCCURRED AT 26,598 (7/16/04) - FRONT DRIVER, 50,327 (6/10/05) - REAR RIGHT, 67,878 (12/30/05) - FRONT RIGHT, 81,435 (05/2006) - REAR DRIVER. IF A USER DOES NOT NOTICE THE FAILURE, THE POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR CHILDREN IN THE BACKSEAT TO OPEN THE DOOR - AS THE DRIVER BELIEVES THAT THE DOOR IS LOCKED, BUT IT IS NOT. *NM

2006-05-22, Child Seat
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE CHILD SEAT WILL NOT STAY SECURED IN THE VEHICLE. THE SEAT IS SECURED IN THE VEHICLE BY THE LATCH SYSTEM AND HAS BEEN INSPECTED BY A CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY TECHNICIAN. THE CHILD SEAT WOBBLES FROM SIDE TO SIDE WHILE OCCUPIED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED AND SENT A REPLACEMENT BASE HOWEVER THE REPLACEMENT BASE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE ORIGINAL. THE SEAT IS CURRENTLY NOT BEING USED. DOREL JUVENILE GROUP, EDDIE BAUER, MODEL # 22-630-BAL. DATE OF MANUFACTURE: FEBRUARY 6, 2006.

2006-04-04, Tires
30 MONTH OLD 2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER SPORT. WENT TO USE SPARE TIRE FOR THE FIRST TIME BUT FOUND PLACES ON THE SIDEWALL WHERE THE RUBBER APPEARS TO BE MELTED. THE MARKS LOOK LIKE THEY CORRESPOND TO THE PLACES WHERE THE SPARE TIRE TOUCHES THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE SPARE TIRE IS STORED. IT LOOKS TO ME (AS A LAYMAN) THAT THE DAMAGE IS SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH THAT IT COMPROMISES THE SAFETY OF THE TIRE. *JB

2003 Toyota 4 Runner questions

Does the 2003 Toyota 4 Runner have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for the 2003 Toyota 4 Runner: Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal; Fuel System, Gasoline; Wheels. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Toyota 4 Runner?

Based on 696 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Engine And Engine Cooling (78), Power Train (19), Seats (17).

How do I check if a recall on my 2003 Toyota 4 Runner has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.