Model year
2003 Toyota 4Runner
NHTSA lists 3 recalls and 696 complaints for the 2003 Toyota 4Runner (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are STRUCTURE:BODY (248), SUSPENSION (109), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (101). NHTSA lists 2 investigations. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 15–18 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $3,700–$4,450, 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
11V113000 · Feb 24, 2011
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
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.
03V146000 · Apr 14, 2003
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
02V339000 · Dec 17, 2002
WHEELS
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…
Complaints
696 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 18, fire flag on 0, injury field 27, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| RQ10003 | Unintended and Uncontrolled Acceleration · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL | Feb 16, 2010 | Mar 1, 2011 |
| 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 · 4L · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 16 | 20 | 18 | — | — | $3,700 |
| 4Runner 2WD · 4.7L · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 15 | 18 | 16 | — | — | $4,200 |
| 4Runner 4WD · 4L · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 15 | 19 | 17 | — | — | $3,950 |
| 4Runner 4WD · 4.7L · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 14 | 17 | 15 | — | — | $4,450 |
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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 2003 Toyota 4Runner at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.