2002 Toyota 4RUNNER problems

NHTSA lists 224 complaints for the 2002 Toyota 4RUNNER, 19 of them mention a crash and 3 mention a fire. 13 complaints mention an injury, with 20 injuries and 0 deaths reported.

Data build 2026-10-08.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as TOYOTA 4RUNNER.

At a glance

Complaints: 224
With crash: 19
With fire: 3
With injury (complaints): 13
Injuries: 20
Deaths: 0
Recalls: 1
Do not drive recalls: 0
Park outside recalls: 0
Recall potential units (maximum): 768,379
Investigations: 1
Open investigations: 0
Manufacturer communications: 107

Complaints per 100k sold unavailable. The required sales year is missing.

Where the complaints are

Top systems
System	Complaints	Share of this vehicle's complaints
STRUCTURE	88	39.3%
SUSPENSION	49	21.9%
POWER TRAIN	32	14.3%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	30	13.4%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	12	5.4%
STEERING	12	5.4%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC	11	4.9%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	11	4.9%
SERVICE BRAKES	10	4.5%
AIR BAGS	9	4.0%

Top subsystems
System	Subsystem	Complaints
STRUCTURE	BODY	74
STRUCTURE	FRAME AND MEMBERS	12
SUSPENSION	FRONT	11
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	ENGINE	4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC	ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP	4
POWER TRAIN	AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION	3
POWER TRAIN	DRIVELINE	3
AIR BAGS	FRONTAL	2
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER	FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM	2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC	FOUNDATION COMPONENTS	2

One complaint can name several systems, so shares can add to more than 100 percent.

Model-generated complaint tags: This model year has not been tagged.

Recalls

See new recalls and investigations this week.

1 recalls.

05V225000

Date: 2005-05-17. Systems: SUSPENSION.

Defect: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, DUE TO A MANUFACTURING ISSUE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINT, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE SURFACE OF THE BALL OF THE JOINT MAY HAVE BEEN SCRATCHED. THE BALL JOINT MAY EVENTUALLY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE WEAR AND LOOSENESS, RESULTING IN INCREASED STEERING EFFORT.

Consequence: THE LOWER BALL JOINT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE KNUCKLE CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 5, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

1 investigations; 0 open.

DP18002

Opened: 2018-08-17. Closed: 2022-03-18.

Frame corrosion

On August 7, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a defect petition from Mr. Gary Weinreich alleging premature frame corrosion failure in model year (MY) 2002 - 2006 Toyota 4Runner vehicles. The petitioner based his request upon a corrosion-related front suspension failure he experienced in his MY 2005 Toyota 4Runner, a class action lawsuit settlement involving other Toyota pro

Systems: STRUCTURE.

Linked campaign numbers: None listed.

Manufacturer communications

107 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
System	Count
EQUIPMENT	37
STRUCTURE	22
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	18
ENGINE	8
AIR BAGS	6
POWER TRAIN	6
BACK OVER PREVENTION	4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	4

11012742

Date: 2024-12-06. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.

Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfa

11012743

Date: 2024-12-06. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.

To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer.

11012744

Date: 2024-12-06. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.

The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. If these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof,

11012735

Date: 2024-12-05. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.

Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. Follow the Removal Procedure in this bulletin to remove the RapgardTM protective film wi

11012727

Date: 2024-12-03. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.

Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding, welding, etc. This type of contamination can be identified by the presence of small, red or brown particles on the paint surfa