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2003 Toyota 4Runner: common problems and reliability
One of the worst 4Runner years.
One of the Toyota 4Runner years to avoid. All 4Runner years
707 owner complaints, most about structure. 3 recalls.
Should I buy a 2003 4Runner?The 2003 Toyota 4Runner has 707 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are structure and suspension.
Safety record for the 2003 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2003 Toyota 4Runner vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other 4Runner years only. How we score it
Is 2003 a good year for the 4Runner?
Across the 29 4Runner model years we track, complaint volume runs from 22 (2009) to 707 (2003). With 707 complaints, the 2003 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 2003 4Runner
vehicle speed control:accelerator pedal
Campaign 11V113000TOYOTA 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.
fuel system, gasoline
Campaign 03V146000ON 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.
wheels
Campaign 02V339000ON 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.
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 2003 ranks against the rest.
Compare the 4Runner against its rivals
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