Photo: Mr.choppers / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons
2002 Toyota 4Runner: common problems and reliability
One of the worst 4Runner years.
One of the Toyota 4Runner years to avoid. All 4Runner years
251 owner complaints, most about structure. 3 recalls.
Should I buy a 2002 4Runner?The 2002 Toyota 4Runner has 251 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are structure and suspension.
Safety record for the 2002 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2002 Toyota 4Runner vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other 4Runner years only. How we score it
Is 2002 a good year for the 4Runner?
Across the 29 4Runner model years we track, complaint volume runs from 22 (2009) to 707 (2003). With 251 complaints, the 2002 4Runner sits above the model's median of 96.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2002 4Runner
suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint
Campaign 05V225000ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, DUE TO A MANUFACTURING ISSUE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINT, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE SURFACE OF THE BALL OF THE JOINT MAY HAVE BEEN SCRATCHED. THE BALL JOINT MAY EVENTUALLY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE WEAR AND LOOSENESS, RESULTING IN INCREASED STEERING EFFORT.
exterior lighting
Campaign 06E049000CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
exterior lighting
Campaign 06E026000CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
What owners say across generations
The sentiment is overwhelmingly positive regarding legendary long-term reliability, durability, and off-road capability, particularly for the 5th generation and older models.
Owner insights cover all generations of the 4Runner. See the full 4Runner owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used 4Runner listings typically run $27,191–$41,297.
Other 4Runner model years
Compare every 4Runner year side by side to see how 2002 ranks against the rest.
Compare the 4Runner against its rivals
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