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.
Body · Engine · Suspension
This 2003 toyota 4runner has 135,000 miles on the odometer and the frame and exhaust system including catalytic converter are completely rusted out and the vehicle is now unsafe to drive. Some frame components have completely rusted and broken off from the frame i.e. Tow hooks, exhaust and engine mounts. The frame is only held on to the body by the shock absorbers. The vehicle can no longer be driven safely. The…
ODI 10896701
Suspension · Unknown Or Other
My 2003 toyota 4 runner has massive frame rot. I fixed what i could, but still fighting with the problem. I know toyota recalled their pick up trucks because of frame issues, they should do the same for their 4 runners.
ODI 10895516
Body · Suspension · Unknown Or Other
Noticed the right front wheel making awful sound. I had my mechanic to take a look. It is the wheel bearings going out, but then proceeded to tell me that the rust is so bad underneath that all the hose lines will have to be replaced. Brake lines leaking, transmission line leaking. All will have to be replaced. The rust is eating away underneath the car like cancer. No stopping it. The sway bars are rusting into as…
ODI 10892286
Suspension
The rear differential housing and third meander are extremely rusted i contacted toyota and was told that they know there is a issue with rust on some 4runners but they are not recalling them
ODI 11006556
Suspension
The rear sway bar and axle have rotted out. The sway bar dropped to the ground while driving and caused the vehicle to lose control. *tr
ODI 10945889
Body · Steering · Suspension
While driving on the highway the passenger rear side of my toyota 4runner began to move up and down and wobble making the car wander all over the road. We immediately went to the local toyota dealer, carver toyota of columbus in taylorsville, in. Inspecting the car on the passenger rear side we found that the rear suspension had pulled away from the frame where the frame had completely rusted leaving a big hunk out…
ODI 10822927
Suspension
2003 toyota 4 runner was brought into dealership on saturday august 29, 2015 to inspect the frame rust. The rust was verified by the dealer, and was sent on my way, with no warning that it was unsafe. Monday august 31, 2015, the vehicle experienced a frame failure that could have been catastrophic. The driver side rear control arm mount broke free from the frame at approximately 30 mph. The rearend started to shake,…
ODI 10761118
Suspension · Unknown Or Other
The frame on my 2003 4runner has rusted to the point of breaking. Toyota had a recall on the tacoma of the same year for this issue and that vehicle has the same frame. As an owner of a 4runner i am upset because my vehicle costs more, but toyota will not fix this.
ODI 10860464
Suspension
2003 toyota 4runner with excessive frame rot on rear of frame. Rear control arm mount is compromised with extreme rust perforation. Bump stop over axle is missing because of 2"-4" hole in outer frame rail. Car is deemed unsafe to drive.
ODI 10732031
Suspension
The dealer discovered severe rusting and a hole in the vehicle frame. The vehicle has been properly maintained and should not be rusting and creating a safety issue at these miles and vehicle age. Toyota was notified and said that there is nothing that can be done. Since these vehicles share the same frame manufacturer issues as the previous frame recalls for tundra and tacoma vehicles, toyota should do a recall and…
ODI 10731947
Suspension · Unknown Or Other
The frame on my 2003 4runner has "perforations" in it's frame rails and the front cross-member is totally rotted away...this has been and issue with these suvs for years..the toyota tacoma shares the same frame/platform as the 4runner and has had similar issues, with 1 difference toyota has repaired many of them free of charge ,but has not extended these repairs to the 4runner...a $30,000 dollar 12 year old suv…
ODI 10726654
Suspension
THE FRAME IS ROTTING OUT.
ODI 10783847
Suspension
My private mechanic informed me that my vehicle's frame was rusting and was a safety concern. He notified toyota customer care who stated that toyota was not responsible. Toyota has taken responsibility in the past for other vehicles with the same problem. My case # with toyota is [xxx]. Please investigate and advise. Thank you! Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c.…
ODI 10705876
Suspension
Took my 2003 toyota 4runner in for service and to have it inspected. The service guys say they cannot inspect my truck because it has a hole in the frame of the truck. The front of my frame is severely corroded after only 160k miles and completely unsafe for the road. This truck has always been well taken care of and kept clean in the winter months. This is entirely unacceptable for a vehicle of this era and highly…
ODI 10681951
Body · Suspension · Wheels
FRAME AND UNDER PARTS ARE RUSTED
ODI 10949524
Suspension · Wheels
This vehicle has accumulated a scary amount of rust on the underbody. I took it to a local toyota dealership and they told me it probably wasn't safe to have my kids riding in this vehicle because of the amount of rust on the suspension. *tr
ODI 10609818
Body · Service Brakes · Suspension
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for inspection when they detected that the rear differential, rear lower control arm and frame were severely corroded. One of the two rear lower control arms had become slightly detached from the vehicle. In addition, the emergency brake also exhibited corrosion. The vehicle was repaired. The…
ODI 10548693
Suspension · Underbody Shields
The front crossmember of the vehicle frame has severe corrosion. The amount of corrosion was identified to me by a service technician during recent routine maintenance, and the technician pointed out that toyota has had numerous problems with suspension/ structural corrosion on other models. The amount of corrosion has the potential to weaken the structural integrity of the vehicle in a crash situation and…
ODI 10470727
Power Train · Suspension
I have had this vehicle since new, and only travel back and forth to work approx 30 miles a day..(now has 59,000 miles).vehicle has been regularly serviced at a local toyota dealer...vehicle never used for towing or never been off-road, and maintained like a baby...all of a sudden dealer told me my front axle cv joints are leaking and needs replacing including the rear shocks? This is fully loaded 2003 toyota…
ODI 10449346
Suspension
ETENSIVE UNDERCARRIAGE RUSTING.
ODI 11061592
Steering · Suspension
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. While driving 30 mph, the steering wheel shook very badly. The contact pulled the vehicle over because he thought he had a flat tire, but that was not the case. The vehicle was taken to have the tire pressure checked and then to the dealer for inspection. The shaking only occurs while driving over 30 mph. The contact stated that there was a recall for this vehicle. The…
ODI 10275343
Steering · Suspension
I own a 2003 4 runner and also my daughter. I have reported the following issue to toyota and also have taken the vehicle to a dealer. On snowy or icy roads, the rear end of the 4 runner will flip around when accelerating around a corner at very low speeds. It has happened to me three times and to my daughter 3 or 4 times. Both vehicle have new tires and the situation still occurs. I live in nc and we do not get a…
ODI 10308812
Driveline · Suspension
Have had the vehicle for a month now. I went back to the dealer after the first week with noticeable vibration in the steering wheel and the vehicle in general from approx. 45 mph and above. Dealer balanced wheels. Returned again another week later with same symptoms. Dealer again attemped to balance tires and analyzed rims, speed balance, etc. And determined it was the tires. After the song and dance about the…
ODI 10037009
Suspension
Suspension is rough while driving at 65 mph or greater, causing the passengers to become nauseated by the motion of the vehicle. Dealer says there is no remedy for this problem. *ak
ODI 10034312