2003 Toyota 4Runner Suspension Problems
- 74
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 74 stored complaint records:
- 1 indicate a crash
- 1 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
What owners report
- frame rust · 10 records
- completely rusted · 8 records
- excessive rust · 7 records
- unsafe drive · 7 records
- frame rusted · 6 records
- excessive frame · 6 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 150–400k mi | 21 |
| 100–150k mi | 15 |
| 60–100k mi | 12 |
| 30–60k mi | 3 |
| 1–30k mi | 1 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Suspension
Vehicle would not pass new york state inspection. The vehicle was inspected twice. Once by a national auto chain, and by a toyota dealer. The reason for failure in both cases was, rusted cracked frame rails. The dealer gave a verbal estimate for repair of $21,500. ($12,250 parts $12,250 labor)
ODI 11300666
Body · Suspension
The frame is rusted away but the body is perfect. Purchased as is. Was not informed in writing about the bad frame
ODI 11287004
Engine · Suspension
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. When the contact attempted to start the vehicle, it would not start. The contact mentioned that the head gasket needed to be removed and re-installed in order to start the vehicle. Also, while driving various speeds, the rear of the vehicle swayed uncontrollably to the left and right. The vehicle was taken to big o tires ([redacted], new albany, in 47150, [redacted]) where…
ODI 11252243
Steering · Suspension
Frame has extreme and rusting and has been reinforced by welding new steel support frames
ODI 11228641
Service Brakes · Steering · Suspension
The control arm separated from the rotted rusted frame while driving. Almost died!
Crash reported · 1 injury
ODI 11208227
Suspension · Unknown Or Other
EXCESSIVE FRAME RUST. MULTIPLE REPORTS OF THIS.
ODI 11217135
Suspension
The rear axle assy mount bracket rusted straight through and it does a loud clunky noise while driving. Brought it to a body shop and they said i have to change the whole assy, it cant be fixed. The car was purchased from down south, theres literally no body rust, but the frame is almost all chewed away. I also cant pass ny inspection until i get it fixed, which will cost more than i paid for the car.
ODI 11203012
Body · Suspension
Excessive frame rot. 4runner should of been part of the tacoma recall and is absurd it was not in the first place. My whole passenger side frame rail is gone. I have had to constantly fix weld new metal to it.
ODI 11197131
Suspension
Frame rot and unable to pass inspection new even though i have kept this truck in pristine condition. It is a real shame the don't use better steel.
ODI 11193834
Steering · Suspension · Unknown Or Other
Structural rust to frame. Cracks and holes at welds and attachment points of suspension and steering. Frame is disintegrating under the truck, complete structural failure is imminent.
ODI 11191972
Body · Suspension · Unknown Or Other
I took my 4runner to the dealership that is was purchased and was informed that it needs a new frame due to excessive rust/rot. I am being told that it is beyond repair and is a safety issue at this point.
ODI 11230500
Body · Suspension
The back of the truck frame has rusted through. Stationary. Front axle pics included as well. Rust, wear and tear. Not sure when it happened bc the dealership sold the vehicle to me like this. Rusted metal proves it happened awhile ago. Plus someone tried to weld it to cover up the problem. I've also put in a radiator and new muffler was completely rusted through.
ODI 11175030
Body · Suspension
Excessive frame rust has resulted in the frame almost completely disappearing, making the vehicle unsafe to drive and forced to be taken off the road. There is less than an inch of frame holding the rear right axle in place
ODI 11176417
Power Train · Suspension · Unknown Or Other
Vehicle was maintained at a toyota dealership for over a decade before being informed that vehicle is unsafe to drive due to holes forming throughout the entire frame assembly from corrosion. Further research showes the frame of this vehicle resembles that of the toyota tacoma and tundra models which where recalled due to early and unsafe corrosion leading to components to detach from frame while vehicle is in…
ODI 11179964
Steering · Suspension · Unknown Or Other
The frame is rusted out and the rear suspension mounting brackets are starting to look like potato chips. Also noticed steering components are severally rusted.
ODI 11171318
Body · Suspension
I purchased this vehicle a week ago. It appears the dealer themselves never inspected the vehicle prior to my purchase. If they had, they would have know it was an unsafe vehicle to drive due to the amount of rust to the suspension, frame, and everything underneath. Just today, a toyota mechanic had told me that it is unserviceable. If i had owned this vehicle for years, that finding wouldn't be as painful to hear.…
ODI 11171004
Body · Suspension
FRAME BROKEN
ODI 11170925
Body · Suspension
I was driving the vehicle and normal highway speed on the interstate. When i let off the accelerator, the vehicle lurched to one side, causing the vehicle to cross into the other lane. When i applied the accelerator again, the vehicle lurched in the other direction, requiring me to apply corrective action to maintain control. Upon inspection, the passenger side rear suspension link support had mostly separated from…
ODI 11166649
Body · Suspension · Unknown Or Other
I purchased my 2003 4runner brand new. The vehicle has 70,000 original miles. Never in an accident. The truck is garaged. Always maintained by toyota. Not a scratch on the truck. Interior looks brand new. However the frame has excessive rust. Found a few spots that will eventually needs to be addressed. Toyota needs to step up and fix the rust problems
ODI 11162620
Body · Suspension
Currently the frame rust is very severe and is getting to the point that i am becoming hesisitant to have it out on the road. There are areas around suspension components and axles that are very rusted which could potentially lead to casualties if the mounts were to fail.
ODI 11161304
Body · Suspension · Unknown Or Other
Frame is rotting apart. Several holes and cracks
ODI 11175957
Steering · Suspension · Unknown Or Other
Extreme rust/rot throughout my 2003 4runner frame. The body, interior, powertrain are 8.5 out of 10 the frame is a 0 i live in new england and recently purchased the 03 4runner sr5 based off it looks. I drove the 4runner of about a month before the incident happened. I was driving on a typical new england road, fairly smooth with pot holes here and there going approximately 45 m.p.h.. Without any warning the 4runner…
ODI 11163081
Suspension
I was driving my 2003 toyota 4 runner about 1 mile from my home when all of a sudden there was a loud pop and the 4 runner raised up in the rear like a cat and there was another loud bang and i was stopped dead in my tracks almost getting thrown into the windshield and dash. The 4 runner would not move, and there was a loud popping noise against the floorboard and also on the ground. I got out and looked under the…
ODI 11152112
Body · Suspension
The frame is completely rusted out making the vehicle unsafe, undriveable and unfixable with only 60,000 miles. We cannot find a frame or anyone to fix it.
ODI 11166669
Body · Suspension · Unknown Or Other
Everything about my toyota 4runner is in great condition except when i brought it in for an inspection i was devastated to find out that my car was no longer safe to drive due to the rust corrosion on the frame. Ever since i purchased this car at the dealership in 2003, i've always taken my car to toyota dealer services for all maintenances and yet they have failed to tell me about this rust corrosion problem until…
ODI 11151954