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CarComplaints.com Notes: Although the 2003 model year is the "worst" model year for the 4Runner, it's not really bad at all -- mainly it's just that the other 4Runner model years are even better. Howver the 2003 model year has no major problems & no unexpected problems for a 17-year old vehicle. We award the 2003 4Runner our Seal of Awesome, since overall versus other comparable models of the same age, it's very reliable.

Initially the 4th generation (2003 - 2009) 4Runner didn't earn our top "Seal of Awesome" rating because it received poor crash test ratings for rear impacts. However it's proven to have one of the lowest driver death rates out of all vehicles (not just SUVs), so we've bumped it back up to our top award.

1.7

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
98,130 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Toyota 4Runner wheels / hubs problems

wheels / hubs problem

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2003 Toyota 4Runner Owner Comments

problem #11

Nov 162018

4Runner

  • 102,375 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have a 2003 4 runner with only 102375 miles and the rims are crumbling away like chalk. These should not do this, it has to be defective materials and should be recalled before someone is hurt or worse. Toyota is aware of this problem and will be responsible and they need to recall and fix their mistake.

- Ransom, KY, USA

problem #10

Aug 172018

4Runner

  • 133,000 miles
Frame is completely rusted out. Steel is literally falling off from the rust and my suspensions are completely shot and exposed due to rust.

- Boise, ID, USA

problem #9

Oct 162018

4Runner

  • 133,000 miles
My entire vehicle is rusted out completely and is not in driveable condition.

- Boise, ID, USA

problem #8

Mar 232018

4Runner

  • 111,354 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Frame and undercarriage rust. Rotted bolts affecting ability to have complete alignment performed. Failed wheel bearings causing loud rotational friction sounds while in motion. Rusted exhaust system causing failure and required replacement.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #7

Aug 102017

4Runner

  • 172,000 miles
While traveling southbound on I-85 in North Carolina at mile marker 51.4, at 65 mph the left rear tire sidewall exploded causing a near accident. The tires had been on the vehicle less than two weeks as they were replaced as a four tire set, they were all new tires. Apparently there is a problem with the sidewalls with these tires. I googled this sidewall blowout and there have been over 198 cases of cooper tires with sidewall blowout. The tire brand is copper tires, model- cooper discoverer A/T 3 265/70 R 16 dot- utc2 1A6 4716 date code- 2013

- Mineral Springs, NC, USA

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problem #6

Jan 012015

4Runner

  • miles
Frame and under parts are rusted

- Ridgway, PA, USA

problem #5

Jun 192014

4Runner

  • 100,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My dash is cracked from drivers side to passenger side and it appears to be kind of melting. When I am driving over 50mph and my back window is down it makes an horrible noise but the dealership says its fine not

- Villa Rica, GA, USA

problem #4

Feb 042016

4Runner 6-cyl

  • 70,000 miles
Please visit this site and you find over 600 complaints regarding Toyota's wheels corroding. www.nuckleslaw.com/software-negotiations-expert/Toyota-alloy-wheels-bubbling-Toyota-quality-concerns/comment-page-12/#comments I'm an owner of a 2003 4runner and have researched the issues involving the paint on the wheels peeling. I have found that it is an issue with several, if not all wheels that Toyota uses on their 4 runners and other trucks. Why does Toyota continue to sell and use a wheel when they know it is defective, and why aren't they correcting the problem by issuing refunds, or repair services? the defect leads to the wheel being corroded and eventually compromises the integrity of the wheel's strength. The safety of the wheel is a big concern of mine, especially since the problem continues to get worse. Sincerely, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #3

Feb 022016

4Runner 6-cyl

  • 75,000 miles
I'm an owner of a 2003 4runner and have researched the issues involving the paint on the wheels pealing. I have found that it is an issue with several, if not all wheels that Toyota uses on their 4 runners and other trucks. Why does Toyota continue to sell and use a wheel when they know it is defective, and why aren't they correcting the problem by issuing refunds, or repair services? the defect leads to the wheel being corroded and eventually compromises the integrity of the wheel's strength. The safety of the wheel is a big concern of mine, especially since the problem continues to get worse. Sincerely, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #2

Mar 092015

4Runner

  • 182,700 miles
I purchased this 4runner in March, 2015. I began to notice a vibration in the steering wheel at 63mph. I thought it was brakes, I had brakes and rotors surfaced on 3/12/15. Still vibrating! so I figured it was a simple balancing issue, I took it on the same day to have it balanced. It started vibrating and shaking worse! I had the same mechanic re-balance and rotate the wheels/tires. It road the same. They turned me to the Toyota dealership because they have the road enforce balancer. I took it to Toyota to have them test drive first, they claimed it was indeed out of balance. Toyota balanced. I drove it and it was shaking like a leaf at 32-70mph. I had Toyota re-balance again! I drove it again and it remained worse. They informed me that they didn't know what else to do. I left thinking that it was my wheels and or my tires because in my mind Toyota knows best! I went to where the tires were bought, tires are 3 months new. They informed me that this same 4runner had been brought in by the previous owner with the exact same issue. They pulled the wheels off and pulled me aside to show me how excessive the balancing weights were on each rim and some all the way around rim (Toyota's doing). They balanced using the haweka, it drove better but still vibrating at 32-70mph. They re-balanced again, still same issue. They used a different set of wheels and balanced again, same issue. They installed my original wheels back on and re-balanced again, same issue! they checked hubs, bearings, alignment, brakes, rotors, boots, axle and everything checks out. I have invested nearly 4 days and $300 in locating the issue. I have done research and so many Toyota 4runner owners are complaining about the same issue. I am clueless and don't know what else to do. I am running out of patience and money! please help!

- Thomasville, NC, USA

problem #1

May 052014

4Runner 8-cyl

  • miles
This vehicle has accumulated a scary amount of rust on the underbody. I took it to a local Toyota dealership and they told me it probably wasn't safe to have my kids riding in this vehicle because of the amount of rust on the suspension.

- Jonesboro, GA, USA

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