Toyota 4Runner Complaints (2002)

225 consumer complaints on file.

#10693770March 12, 2015
STRUCTURE:BODY
2002 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER SR5, 98,000 MILES. ALWAYS DEALER SERVICED. THIS WILL BE MY LAST STATE NYS INSPECTION AS I WILL BE UNABLE TO HAVE THE TRUCK INSPECTED IN 2015 DUE TO BODY FRAME ROT, NEED TO INCUR COSTS TO REPLACE BODY FRAME. TRUCK IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION WITH THE EXCEPTION OF FRAME ROT. HAVE ALSO REPLACED THE BUMPER, THE GAS TANK SHIELD AND HAVE BEEN TOLD FRONT OIL PAN SHIELD NEEDS REPLACING AS DEALER CAN NOT PERFORM OIL CHANGE, DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA WAITING FOR A REPLY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10669097December 30, 2014
STRUCTURE
I WAS HAVING SERVICE WORK DONE AT TOYOTA ON MY 2002 TOYOTA 4RUNNER AND THE SERVICE MANAGER BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THE VEHICLE'S FRAME WAS RUSTING THROUGH, NEAR THE MUFFLER AND THE FRAME WOULD EVENTUALLY FAIL. HE SAID WAS A KNOWN DEFECT BUT NO RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE TOYOTA TACOMA HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR THE TACOMA. THE RUST HOLES IN THE FRAME POSE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID HE HAD SEEN OTHER 4RUNNERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND EVEN SUGGESTED TO THOSE OWNERS THAT THEIR VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10668016December 23, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
VSC, TRAC OFF, ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. HIGH PITCHED BUZZER/ALARM STARTED AND REMAINED CONSTANT. BRAKES BECAME VERY HARD TO DEPRESS AND I LOST MOST BRAKING POWER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10666960December 17, 2014
POWER TRAIN, STRUCTURE
FRAME AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL RUSTING OUT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10663710December 11, 2014
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRAILING ARM WAS CORRODED AND THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10661047November 26, 2014
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FLUID WAS LEAKING UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING WAS RUSTED, LEAKED FLUID INTERMITTENTLY AND THERE WERE MULTIPLE HOLES TO THE POINT THAT THE COMPONENT MAY FRACTURE. THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10660383November 23, 2014
SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE:BODY
EXTENSIVE RUST THRU ON DRIVERS SIDE OF FRAME, REAR SUSPENSION LINK RUSTED TO THE POINT WHERE COMPLETE FAILURE IN COMING SOON. LAST TWO FEET OF FRAME COMPLETELY GONE. DOUBT IT WILL PASS ANOTHER SAFETY INSPECTION WITHOUT SIGNIFICANT REPAIR. REAR DIFFERENTIAL RUSTED TO THE POINT GEAR OIL LEAKS. THIS IS COMMON ON ALL 4 RUNNERS AND SHOULD BE RECALLED JUST LIKE THE TACOMAS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10653785November 10, 2014
POWER TRAIN
REAR DIFFERENTIAL HAS RUSTED THROUGH, THE WHOLE THING HAS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THERE IS NO SEPARATE COVER THE REPAIR COST MAY BE HIGH. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10652416November 4, 2014
SUSPENSION:REAR, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS CORRODED AND CAUSED THE FRAME TO DETACH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME AND REAR END NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10631160September 5, 2014
STRUCTURE:BODY, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
MY 2002 4RUNNER WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW FROM TOYOTA IN NOVEMBER OF 2001. I LIVE IN NEW YORK SO IT DOES SNOW 2 OR 3 MONTHS OUT OF THE YEAR. IT HAS BEEN USED AS A SECOND VEHICLE TO PICK UP SUPPLIES AND THE LIKE, OTHERWISE IT IS RARELY USED. AT THIS TIME IT HAS APPROX. 139000 MILES. THE TRUCK WOULD NOT START AND I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC. I WAS TOLD THERE IS AN EXTREME AMOUNT OF RUST UNDER THE VEHICLE, THE UNDERCARRIAGE, THE FRAME, THE GAS TANK, ETC. THE PROBLEM IS THE FUEL PUMP BUT BECAUSE OF SO MUCH RUST, REMOVING THE GAS TANK TO CHANGE THE FUEL PUMP MAY CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE COMPONENTS CONNECTING THE TANK TO THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. IT IS A SHAME THAT TOYOTA SELLS A VEHICLE THAT MAY NEED TO BE JUNKED DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF RUST IT HAS. I UNDERSTAND THAT MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE 4RUNNER AND SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE. I BOUGHT A 1999 CAMRY BRAND NEW PRIOR TO THE 4RUNNER AND I HAD IT FOR 12 YEARS BEFORE GIVING IT TO A FRIEND WHO STILL DRIVES IT TO THIS DAY AND IT HAS NO RUST. THE 4RUNNER RUNS GREAT ALL OF THE YEARS I HAVE OWNED IT BUT I AM BEING TOLD BY MY MECHANIC THAT IT IS POSSIBLE THE BODY OF MY TRUCK COULD FALL FROM THE FRAME. AT 139000 MILES THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING. TOYOTA SHOULD OFFER SOME KIND OF REPAIR TO THESE ISSUES. MY TRUCK LOOKS ALMOST BRAND NEW EXCEPT FOR SOME RUST ON THE FRONT AND REAR BUMPERS AND NOW I MAY HAVE TO JUNK IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10629903September 1, 2014
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
4 WHEEL DRIVE WOULD NOT WORK. VCS LITES AND CHECK ENGINE LITES ON. CAR ENGINE FILLED WITH BLACK SMOKE AND WAS TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP. DETAILS: DROVE ON FREEWAY AND LOST TRACTION AND THAN ON SHOULDER WITH ABOVE PROBLEM. DIFFERENTIAL REPAIRED. TWO DAYS LATER LITES ON AGAIN AND OIL LEAK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10616666July 27, 2014
SUSPENSION
RUST PERFORATION IN RIGHT SIDE REAR FRAME RAIL ACROSS FROM FUEL TANK INBOARD SIDE. I UNDERSTAND TOYOTA HAS ALREADY RECALLED THE TACOMA (SAME YEAR) FOR THE SAME ISSUES HOWEVER HAS NOT RECALLED THE 4RUNNER. CAR WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION NOR CAN DEALER REPAIR. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10610807July 15, 2014
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, SHE CRASHED INTO A LIGHT POLE AND THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER THREE TIMES. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A HEAD INJURY, A BROKEN ARM, AND SUSTAINED CUTS ON HER LEGS FROM THE BROKEN GLASS THAT WERE STITCHED. THE CONTACT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DECLARED TOTALED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10610432July 14, 2014
ENGINE
I WAS TRYING TO PASS A CAR DOING A LITTLE OVER 55 MPH AND HEARD A LOUD BANG NOISE. I PULLED OVER AND STOP THE AS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND THERE WAS OIL WAS POURING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH THE MOTOR. THE OIL SERVICE WAS KEPT UP TO DATE AND WAS JUST CHANGED. THE CAR WAS TOWED AND THE ENGINE HAD THROWN A ROD. MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACE. (AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH 4 RUNNER ENGINES WHEN THEY REACH 75000 MLES OR MORE. I AM NOT ALONE IN THIS PROBLEM.) I WAS LUCKY THAT I DIDN'T GET INTO AN ACCIDENT AND THAT I WASN'T ON THE EXPRESSWAY IN CHICAGO. I HAVE EMAILED TOYOTA. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10594702May 28, 2014
STRUCTURE:BODY
THERE IS EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE FRAME RAILS WHICH SUPPORT THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE THUS WEAKENING THE CRITICAL SUPPORTIVE COMPONENTS. THIS CREATES A POSSIBLE DANGEROUS SITUATION WHICH MAY GO UNNOTICED UNTIL FAILURE OCCURS. THIS HAS BEEN A COMMON PROBLEM WITH OTHER TOYOTA VEHICLES AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED FOR THE 4RUNNERS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10572597March 15, 2014
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, POWER TRAIN
I FILED A NHTSA COMPLAINT (ODI NUMBER 10569206 WAS ASSIGNED) ON 13 MARCH 2014 ABOUT THIS VEHICLE. ON 14 MARCH 2014, I TOOK MY 4RUNNER TO MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AFTER CONTACTING TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND LOGGING A COMPLAINT ( CASE NUMBER [XXX] ) WITH THEM ON THE 14TH OF MARCH 2014 AT THEIR OFFICE IN CALIFORNIA AND THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REP TELLING ME DOCUMENTATION OF THE ISSUE AT MY DEALERSHIP WOULD HELP ME. THIS VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT IN NY AND REMAINED UP NORTH FOR 10 YEARS AND ACCORDING TO EMERSON TOYOTA AUBURN, ME RECORDS AT 85,199 MILES ON 07/11/2012. SERVICE ADVISER, [XXX] CONDITION1 AT 85,199 MILES . USED CAR PREP. VEHICLE BEING WHOLESALED PER RICH. NEEDS ENGINE LIGHT ON, A/C INOP, REAR AXLE HOUSING VERY RUSTED AND CRACKED, HOOD LATCH INOP, RADIATOR LEAKING, FRAME IS SOFT. IT HAD 85,404 MILES WHEN IT CAME TO FLORIDA ON 07 SEPTEMBER 2012 MY 2002 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SR5 WITH ONLY 112109 MILES AT COGGIN TOYOTA AT THE AVENUES DEALERSHIP ON PHILIPS HWY IN JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA AT 12:20PM ON 14 MARCH 2014 MY COMPLAINT AT THE DEALERSHIP ON 14 MARCH 20014 AT 12:20.........CUSTOMER STATES REAR SUBFRAME IS RUSTED. CHECK AND ADVISE. THEIR FINDINGS AT 12:55PM ON 14 MARCH 2014... CASE NUMBER [XXX], FOUND SEVERE FRAME RUST, HOLES IN FRAME ON RIGHT SIDE, HOLES RUSTED THROUGH FRAME BY GAS TANK ON LEFT SIDE.HOLES RUSTED THROUGH GAS TANK AND LEAKING FUEL. UPPER REAR TRACK BAR BRACKET RUSTED OFF OF REAR END HOUSING, REAR SHOCKS RUSTED OFF. FRONT BRAKE ROTOR BACKING PLATES RUSTED THROUGH. THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO FUEL LEAK AND EXTREME RUST THROUGH OF FRAME. I WANT THIS VEHICLE FRAME AND AXLE FIXED OR BOUGHT BACK BY TOYOTA. A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN AUBURN, ME KNEW OF THIS PROBLEM ALMOST 2 YEARS AGO AND SENT IT OUT THE DOOR. TOTALLY UNSATISFACTORY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10569206March 13, 2014
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
MY VEHICLE IS A 2002 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SE5 WITH 112,080 MILES. I HAVE SEVERE FRAME RUST ON THIS VEHICLE. HOLES THOUGH FRAME ON RIGHT SIDE AND FRAME TO REAR AXLE IS COMPLETELY BROKEN TO RIGHT SIDE OF ATTACHMENT AT DIFFERENTIAL AXLE. TOYOTA HAS RECALLED THE U.S VERSION OF THE TACOMA TRUCK WHICH IS THE SAME FRAME, ETC. AS THE 4RUNNER BUT NOT THE 4RUNNER WHICH IS MADE IN JAPAN WITH THE SAME ISSUES. THIS VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY UNSAFE AND TRUTH BE KNOWN UNDRIVEABLE AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY. TOYOTA 4RUNNER FORUM IS FULL OF THESE 3RD GENERATION 4RUNNERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. TOYOTA NEEDS TO STEP UP AND ADD THE 3RD GENERATION 4 RUNNER TO BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ON THE TACOMA, TUNDRA AND SEQUOIA VEHICLES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10559158January 9, 2014
STRUCTURE:BODY, POWER TRAIN, SERVICE BRAKES
VEHICLE FRAME, FRONT & REAR BUMPERS AND UNDERCARRIAGE HAVE EXCESSIVE / UNSAFE RUST CORROSION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10556662December 19, 2013
POWER TRAIN
REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY ROT! NOW LEAKING ON REAR NON REPLACEABLE YOKE COVER. 1800-2000 DOLLAR FIX. TO MAKE THINGS WORSE AXLE ASSEMBLY HAS NO TAGS!!!! TOLD BY DEALER DOOR TAGS ARE OFTEN WRONG SO ORDERING RECYCLED (IF YOU CAN FIND ONE IN BETTER SHAPE) IS A GAMBLE!!!! HAS BEEN A DEPENDABLE TRUCK OTHER WISE BUT NOW IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THEY ARE PROFITING FROM THERE DESIGN FLAWS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10554604December 3, 2013
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME AND UNDERCARRIAGE WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,500.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Toyota 4Runner