2002 Toyota 4 Runner Recalls
No NHTSA recalls on record for the 2002 Toyota 4 Runner. That means NHTSA has no open safety campaign for this vehicle — it does not guarantee the absence of problems. Owners have filed 45 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Complaints by component
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“Dt*: the contact stated having other problems after recall #05v225000 regarding suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint was performed in 07/06. During the month of 08/06, there was a beeping sound and an unknown light on the dashboard illuminated intermittently, when the vehicle made left…”
“Driving car and heard loud bang noise car immediately starts slowing down and oil light comes on after car stops oil is pouring out from underneath the motor. We send car to the dealership they say the engine has thrown a rod. Motor needs to be replaced the car has 72,000 miles on it . A person in…”
“While driving down the interstate, the vehicle lost all power. This situation could be fatal, at highway speeds. Luckily, nobody was injured. Further investigation revealed a faulty rheostat in the throttle body of the fuel system. The rheostate failure causes the butterfly valve to close, thus…”
“Dt: 2002 toyota 4 runner - the oil is getting thick and gelling. The vehicle is using a lot of oil, and blowing black smoke came from the tail pipe. The dealer said this was a common problem for some toyota of this year, make and models, and toyota did have the highest amount of complaints on the…”
“2002 toyota 4runner front end makes loud noises, when going over high bumps and some stiffness in steering. *ts the battery needed to be replace due to little or no fluids, noises were coming from the front end, the shock were leaking, and transmission fluid was leaking. The consumer requested a…”
“2002 toyota 4runner front end makes loud noises, when going over high bumps and some stiffness in steering. *ts the battery needed to be replace due to little or no fluids, noises were coming from the front end, the shock were leaking, and transmission fluid was leaking. The consumer requested a…”
“2002 toyota 4runner front end makes loud noises, when going over high bumps and some stiffness in steering. *ts the battery needed to be replace due to little or no fluids, noises were coming from the front end, the shock were leaking, and transmission fluid was leaking. The consumer requested a…”
“My car has been shaking in the front when I apply my brakes and also when I get to a speed of about 70mph. I replaced the front brakes and roters on the car, knowing that there was absolutely nothing wrong with them, but no mechanic could figure anything else out and they gave that a shot. I have…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2002 Toyota 4 Runner as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.