Model year
2002 Toyota 4Runner
NHTSA lists 1 recall and 225 complaints for the 2002 Toyota 4Runner (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are STRUCTURE:BODY (74), SUSPENSION (38), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (30). NHTSA lists 1 investigation. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 16 mpg combined (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $4,200, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 483 complaints
- 2001 185 complaints
- 2002 225 complaints
- 2003 696 complaints
- 2004 678 complaints
- 2005 425 complaints
- 2006 381 complaints
- 2007 154 complaints
- 2008 96 complaints
- 2009 22 complaints
- 2010 147 complaints
- 2011 163 complaints
- 2012 96 complaints
- 2013 36 complaints
- 2014 77 complaints
- 2015 87 complaints
- 2016 80 complaints
- 2017 36 complaints
- 2018 59 complaints
- 2019 65 complaints
- 2020 33 complaints
- 2021 36 complaints
- 2022 39 complaints
- 2023 33 complaints
- 2024 9 complaints
- 2025 60 complaints
- 2026 7 complaints
Recalls
05V225000 · May 17, 2005
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
ON 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…
Complaints
225 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 19, fire flag on 3, injury field 20, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| DP18002 | Frame corrosion · STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS | Aug 17, 2018 | Mar 18, 2022 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4Runner 2WD · 3.4L · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 15 | 18 | 16 | — | — | $4,200 |
| 4Runner 4WD · 3.4L · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 15 | 18 | 16 | — | — | $4,200 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2002 Toyota 4Runner at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.