2003 Toyota 4Runner Body Problems
- 173
- 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 173 stored complaint records:
- 2 indicate a crash
- 0 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
What owners report
- frame rust · 26 records
- excessive rust · 13 records
- failure mileage · 13 records
- frame rusted · 13 records
- unsafe drive · 12 records
- excessive frame · 11 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 150–400k mi | 49 |
| 100–150k mi | 49 |
| 60–100k mi | 23 |
| 1–30k mi | 5 |
| 30–60k mi | 3 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Body
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. The vehicle was taken to the atlantic toyota dealer located at [redacted], amityville, new york, 11701, for a check up when the dealer diagnosed that the front frame was rusted. The dealer stated that the failure was as a result of salt on the road, and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was no…
ODI 11000596
Body
The frame is rusted through on passenger side bottom of frame section has large rusted through hole and i have removed a large freezer bag full of rust from inside this hole. I believe the root cause was that the air condition condensate drain hose exited down directly on top of the frame in the engine compartment and the condensate(water) then ran down the frame to the rusted location as this is how i discovered…
ODI 11115848
Body
Frame is rusted almost completely in two where back axle ties to the frame. Also various other areas of the frame are rusting as well. Took to several mechanics and each said it is a mfg issue and should have been recalled due to severe safety issues. Putting a young driver, or anyone for that matter, into a car to drive that has serious frame rust issues which could lead to a wreck and serious injury is inexcusable…
ODI 11025188
Body
Today, i drove my 2003 4runner limited that has 135409 miles with the entire frame was deemed "unsafe" by toyota dealership today. This was after i took my 4runner for front brakes and the mechanic told remove my kids car seats from the back seat and told me to bring to this toyota attention. The 2003 4runner frame is unsafe and i should not drive until they repair / replace frame.
ODI 10984691
Body
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. While the vehicle was undergoing routine maintenance, severe rusting and corrosion was discovered on the subframe of the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not determined. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 165,000.
ODI 11278306
Body
Frame is rusted out and should be replaced for safety
ODI 10968528
Body
While having an oil and filter change performed by midas auto service experts on my 2003 toyota 4 runner, the owner of the shop found the entire frame is rotted with rust to the point where there are holes where the frame is welded. He was able to push his finger through the rusted frame of the car. He stated the vehicle is unsafe to drive due to structural rot of the frame.
ODI 10966063
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
Body
Rust covering all chassis components discovered during routine maintenance needs to be scraped primed and painted to protect against further damage
ODI 10980252
Body
While changing the brakes and roters, it was noticed that the frame where the gas tank straps attach, is completely rusted and rotted through. Several areas on the frame are rotted through. The mechanic stuck his finger right through my frame. Also, there is body rust all around the back window, causing water to get into the back door, causing the 3rd brake light to not work, and causing the latch to lock and keep…
ODI 11022644
Body
My 4runner was classified unsafe to drive by a safety inspector because of advanced degradation of the frame due to extensive rust. It is not able to be repaired.
ODI 10950348
Body
Takata recall. Car is a hazard to drive. Rust has consumed the frame to the point that major parts are at risk of separating from the frame and falling from it.
ODI 10948967
Body
While vehicle was at the repair shop (vehicle was stationary) ongoing a service maintenance, the technician noticed a huge rot hole going along the passenger frame and another rust hole on the bottom radiator support.
ODI 10933980
Body
I was doing some maintenance and service on my 2003 4 runner and noticed a huge rot hole in the framed just ahead of the right rear track bar.
ODI 10933902
Body
Frame rusted throughout to the point that mechanics and body shop employees have advised us not to drive vehicle or sell it. We were told it needs a new frame and is beyond repair. We purchased 11/29/16. Previous owner spray undercarriage black to hide rust. Only 151k miles!
ODI 10985096
Body
Vehicle had frame perforations from corrosion and completely corroded gas tank straps (both straps). Both of these represent safety hazards and had to be repaired to pass state inspection. The frame corrosion problem with the 2003 4runner and similar vehicles is well known and needs to be addressed by toyota. Since toyota has known about this for some time and not acted on it there needs to be intervention from the…
ODI 10938782
Body · Power Train
There is excessive rust on the underbody of my 2003 4runner. It has just 165,000 miles and the frame is extremely rusted. Being only 15 years old i find this to be very sad and unreasonable. The car should be able to last 20-30 years and 300,000 miles. The car has been regularly washed and driven in pennsylvania, illinois, ohio, new york. If there was additional treatment required for the frame it should have been…
ODI 11054749
Body
The frame is very badly rusted also to the point of being unsafe to drive
ODI 11141009
Body
Extreme frame corrosion. Frame condition is making vehicle unsafe to drive.
ODI 10905101
Body
I bought the 2003 toyota 4 runner in august 2015. At the time of purchase, there had already been a repair to the exhaust system. In january of 2016, a brake caliper malfunctioned and i took it in for repair. At that time, i was informed there were rot holes in the frame that needed to be repaired. They showed me pictures of the rust holes and i about fell over. I couldn't believe my eyes. I had the holes repaired.…
ODI 10991816
Body
My 2003 toyota 4 runner has significant frame rust that the toyota dealer identified during routine service and noted that the vehicle is unsafe to drive. They refused to fix the problem, saying it could not be fixed (beyond repair), but that i should no longer drive the vehicle as it is now unsafe to be on the road.
ODI 11010707
Body
My 4runner has parts of the structure with above average rust. That frame element intended to hold the skid plate on is completely rusting through. For fear of safety performance issues in the event of a collision i refuse to drive my family in this vehicle. In one instance a steel piece designed to stabilize the muffler popped off it's weld while i was driving, causing a potentially dangerous situation to the cars…
ODI 11122369
Body
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. While the vehicle was stationary and while driving various speeds, the frame became severely rusted and corroded over the period of two years. The contact stated that an independent mechanic made a series of repairs for the following failures: the drive shaft was rusted, the tow hooks detached from the vehicle, the muffler detached from the vehicle, and the frame fractured…
ODI 11121682
Body
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. While the vehicle was at an independent mechanic for routine repair, the technician diagnosed that the subframe underneath the front part of the vehicle was corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 96,834.
ODI 10897164
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