1. Toyota 4Runner
  2. Problems
  3. 2003
  4. Suspension

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

BandRecords
150–400k mi21
100–150k mi15
60–100k mi12
30–60k mi3
1–30k mi1

Complaint records

Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.

  • November 12, 2018 · 180,000 miles

    Suspension

    Frame rusting out. Was told could not drive of dealers lot after being brought in for break job.

    ODI 11151179

  • November 2, 2018 · 68,000 miles

    Suspension · Unknown Or Other

    Excessive frame rust, especially at rear area of vehicle. Body mounts disintegrating at rear. Other attachment mounts (for example rear anti-sway bar) are rusting severely. Rust noted 11/2/2018 when vehicle was in the air for service.

    ODI 11145132

  • October 30, 2018 · 189,156 miles

    Body · Suspension

    Frame is showing excessive rust. Remainder of the vehicle is in excellent shape. Engine runs great, but the frame is now in a dangerous state. Gas tank support is completely gone.

    ODI 11144067

  • October 16, 2018 · 133,000 miles

    Body · Suspension · Wheels

    My entire vehicle is rusted out completely and is not in driveable condition.

    ODI 11140747

  • September 26, 2018 · 166,000 miles

    Steering · Suspension

    The frame on my 2003 toyota 4runner has almost rusted completely through the frame. While driving on i40 going around a deep curve i lost control of the vehicle and ran off the road without injury or collision. It was inspected and deemed not safe to drive due to the rusted frame. This vehicle is now immobile until the frame is replaced. I am requesting that this vehicle is included in the recall for the toyota 4…

    ODI 11132155

  • September 12, 2018

    Suspension

    My 2003 4runner frame is rusted out at the rear trailing arm support and half way down the rail. This 4runner is in perfect shape and only has 200k. Toyotas were supposed to lass for a lot longer that's why we bought it. Something has to be done and corrected just like the other frame problems toyota has dealt with in the past!!

    ODI 11129257

  • September 5, 2018 · 180,000 miles

    Body · Suspension

    The frame of my 2003 toyota 4runner v8 demonstrates excessive and concerning rust damage. The body is in extremely good condition and has almost zero rust, a stark contrast against the frame. The frame has rust damage heavily on the lower radiator support, a 8" long spot on the bottom of the frame directly behind the transmission crossmember on the passenger side, and by the driver's side rear lower trailing arm…

    ODI 11124488

  • August 17, 2018 · 133,000 miles

    Steering · Suspension · Wheels

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

    ODI 11145027

  • August 1, 2018

    Body · Suspension

    2003 4runner with excessive rust of the frame and undercarriage. Potential failure of frame and frame components due to rust could cause serious injury. Dealer submitted photos to toyota.

    ODI 11115382

  • June 3, 2018 · 147,000 miles

    Suspension · Unknown Or Other

    Took the vehicle in to have work done on the struts and discovered that the entire frame underneath is completely rusted through and unsafe to drive. This appears to be a very common problem, but toyota still refuses to replace the frames or address the issue in any way, despite having issued a recall for other vehicles with the exact same problem. *ln *dl

    ODI 11121974

  • May 25, 2018 · 87,300 miles

    Body · Service Brakes · Suspension

    Recently bought my 4runner, took it to the dealer to be inspected, only for them to tell me that the frame was compromised due to rust damage. Toyota has agreed to replace frames on tacoma's, tundra's and sequoia's, but not 4runners, even though they are all the same frames.

    ODI 11098103

  • May 8, 2018 · 255,000 miles

    Frame And Members · Suspension

    Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the vehicle's frame was corroded. While driving, the rear driver's side was pulling to the side. The contact was a certified mechanic and noticed that the trailing arm that held the rear differential bracket separated from the frame and was completely detached. The contact welded the bracket back to the frame. He called corwin toyota of fargo (222…

    ODI 11240870

  • March 23, 2018 · 111,354 miles

    Suspension · Unknown Or Other · Wheels

    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.

    ODI 11121543

  • January 30, 2018

    Suspension

    After an inspection by our mechanic we were informed that our 2003 4runner's frame rusted through in multiple locations and will be drivable for a limited time. We are an original owners, the car has been maintained by a professional mechanic and has been garaged its entire life.

    ODI 11065963

  • January 11, 2018 · 150,000 miles

    Suspension

    2003 4runner has significant frame rust and is a common and well known problem. Toyota has acknowledged the same problem with other similar models. Toyota has taken action on other models but will not with the 4runners with same frame.

    ODI 11062126

  • December 21, 2017 · 150,000 miles

    Body · Suspension

    My vehicle although in perfect visual condition has excessive rust on the frame. I have been told it should not be driven as it could be hazardous. The car is in great shape with no rust on any other part of the car aside from the frame flaking away

    ODI 11121313

  • November 17, 2017 · 123,112 miles

    Body · Service Brakes · Suspension

    The vehicle feels like it's bottoming out going over the slightest little bump when in motion and the rotors were making a horrible sound going down the highway even after the brakes had been checked. Spent $400+ on new brakes & rotors only to find out that the frame is completely rusted out and the mechanic advised us not to drive it at all. It was too dangerous and would cause a bad wreck when it finally did drop…

    ODI 11055270

  • October 19, 2017 · 58,292 miles

    Suspension

    Excessive rust on the frame and under structure of the vehicle for a 2003 4runner limited. Noticed during inspection 10/19/17 and prior years.

    ODI 11034616

  • August 8, 2017 · 186,000 miles

    Body · Suspension

    My 2003 4runner sr5 looks great and its v8 engine hums like it is new but the frame rails are totally rotten and i have been advised not to drive it at all as it is too dangerous to drive. So its value should be about 5-,6000 and now it is totally junk and has only scrap value. Toyota usa recalled the sequoia, the tundra and the tacoma from the time period, approximately 2003-2007 maybe more year models, but did not…

    ODI 11019283

  • May 13, 2017

    Suspension

    Frame rusting underneath the rear of vehicle. Happened within the last year because when the auto was inspected in 5/2016 the rust was not there.

    ODI 10985734

  • March 5, 2017

    Body · Suspension · Unknown Or Other

    Excessive amount of frame rust for a car that has been garage stored in mild vancouver bc climate. Frame is exact same as toyota tacoma which have known frame rust and frame rot, but not covered under the frame recall from toyota

    ODI 11192012

  • February 21, 2017

    Suspension

    2003 4runner failed inspection due to rotting frame. Recall was available on the tundra's tacoma's and sequoia's. Why not the 4runners?

    ODI 10956073

  • October 3, 2016 · 76,154 miles

    Suspension

    On 10/03/16 i took my 4-runner to an auto repair shop for front end brake replacement. A couple of hours later, i contacted the repair shop an asked them to also replace all shock absorbers, which they agreed to do. Later, i went to the shop and the mechanic informed me that the undercarriage and frame were severly corroded and did not install the shock absorbers due to the severity of the corrosion. The mechanic…

    ODI 10914249

  • October 1, 2016

    Suspension · Unknown Or Other

    Frame and suspension attached to the frame corroded early. The attachments for the rear shocks are almost corroded through.

    ODI 10910905

  • August 17, 2016

    Body · Suspension

    My 4runner frame is showing excessive rust. The rest of the vehicle is in excellent shape and i am diligent in keeping the vehicle in good condition. Please consider my 4runner as a frame replacement candidate.

    ODI 11133562