2003 Toyota 4Runner: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2003 Toyota 4Runner: 3 recalls, 695 owner complaints and up to 18 mpg combined.
Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Wheels Vehicle recall #02V339000 · 2002 · 176 vehicles
What's wrong: 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 south carolina, when the vehicles were processed at the port, an alloy tire/wheel upgrade was…
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Owners will be provided with different style lug nuts, a warning label for the spare re/alloy wheel, and an owner's manual addendum.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #03V146000 · 2003 · 29,482 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: This could result in an engine compartment fire if a heat source or an ignition source is present.
The fix: Dealers will replace the pulsation damper. Owner notification began May 5, 2003.
Speed control / throttle Vehicle recall #11V113000 · 2011 · 1,363,244 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 27 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Body & structure (284): the most common themes are rust / corrosion (249), noise or vibration (10).
- Suspension (114): the most common themes are rust / corrosion (96), noise or vibration (9), steering problems (9).
- Other / unknown (101): the most common themes are rust / corrosion (86), noise or vibration (7).
- Engine & cooling (89): the most common themes are noise or vibration (12), warning light on (5), fire / smoke (4).
The 2003 Toyota 4Runner has 695 owner complaints, ranking #1 of 37 4Runner model years for complaints (4.4× the average 4Runner year). Complaints peaked in 2019 (91 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 12 years old, at a median of 106,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2002 (224 complaints, 1 recalls), 2004 (678 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 20 | 18 | Regular |
| 4.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 19 | 17 | Regular |
| 4.7 L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 18 | 16 | Regular |
| 4.7 L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 17 | 15 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2003 Toyota 4Runner.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2003 Toyota 4Runner have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2003 Toyota 4Runner. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2003 Toyota 4Runner problems?
Owners have filed 695 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are body & structure (284), suspension (114), other / unknown (101).
What gas mileage does the 2003 Toyota 4Runner get?
EPA ratings run up to 18 mpg combined (4.0 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2003 Toyota 4Runner repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.