How many recalls does the 2003 Toyota 4runner have?

The 2003 Toyota 4runner has 3 NHTSA safety recall campaigns on record.

How do I check if my 2003 Toyota 4runner has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA's official recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see open, unrepaired recalls for your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are free.

What do owners complain about most on the 2003 Toyota 4runner?

Of 718 NHTSA complaints on file, the most-reported component is structure.

2003 Toyota 4runner Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2003 Toyota 4runner has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,392,902 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 718 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the structure. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 11V113000 2011-02-24 1,363,244 affected

Defect

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.

Consequence

A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy

THE REMEDY IS NOW AVAILABLE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN EARLY APRIL 2011. THE REMEDY WILL INVOLVE MODIFICATION OR REPLACEMENT OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND REPLACEMENT OF ANY TOYOTA ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 OR LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 03V146000 2003-04-14 29,482 affected

Defect

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.

Consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE IF A HEAT SOURCE OR AN IGNITION SOURCE IS PRESENT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PULSATION DAMPER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 5, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

WHEELS 02V339000 2002-12-17 176 affected

Defect

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 OF ALABAMA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, NORTH AND…

Consequence

IF THE SPARE TIRE/WHEEL IS INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE USING THE WHEEL NUTS PROVIDED FOR THE UPGRADE ALLOY WHEEL, DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL COULD RESULT AND COULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A LOOSE WHEEL.

Remedy

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH DIFFERENT STYLE LUG NUTS, A WARNING LABEL FOR THE SPARE RE/ALLOY WHEEL, AND AN OWNER'S MANUAL ADDENDUM.

Complaints by component

STRUCTURE:BODY

246

SUSPENSION

107

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

SERVICE BRAKES

STEERING

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

STRUCTURE

POWER TRAIN

WHEELS

Total complaints718

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“Severe frame rust. 2 large holes on the inside of the frame just back from the front wheels and 2 large holes at the ends of the rear crossmember.”

STRUCTURE:BODY · reported 2026-01-01

“Odometer fraud. The contact investigated a 2003 toyota 4 runner. The contact stated that during the investigation, he discovered a fraudulent scheme of approximately 15 vehicles with odometer fraud. The contact stated that the suspects targeted facebook marketplace victims by spraying oil on the…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER · reported 2025-10-27

“While my mechanic was servicing a small exhaust leak on my vehicle he noticed that the chassis/frame of the vehicle was heavily corroded. He told me that he believe it was no longer safe to drive and that I contact toyota. I had a local toyota service center also look at it and they confirmed that…”

UNKNOWN OR OTHER · reported 2025-09-19

“My vehicle: 2003 4runner sr5 2wd vin: [xxx] issue: front driver's side door will not open. Electronic locks are operating, but the door release is not functioning. Safety concern: what if I was in a situation where I did need to get out of the vehicle immediately? Such as a high-water incident,…”

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:ELECTRONIC LOCK/LATCH ACTUATOR · reported 2025-05-20

“Toyota has had issues with their frames rusting out and the 4th generation 4runner is not exempt from this issue. My 2003 is requiring extensive work to keep it on the road safely due to frame rust. A recall to replace frames should be in place.”

STRUCTURE:BODY · reported 2024-01-01

“Severe frame rust, there was a recall for tacomas but 4runners have the issue just as bad”

STRUCTURE:BODY · reported 2023-10-20

“The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to several independent mechanics for servicing, he was informed that the subframe was significantly corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure.…”

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS · reported 2023-08-08

“Frame is rotted from front to back”

UNKNOWN OR OTHER · reported 2023-03-08

Defect investigations

Investigation DP18002 Opened 2018-08-17 · closed 2022-03-18

Frame corrosion

On August 7, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a defect petition from Mr. Gary Weinreich alleging premature frame corrosion failure in model year (MY) 2002 - 2006 Toyota 4Runner vehicles. The petitioner based his request upon a corrosion-related front suspension failure he experienced in his MY…