Toyota 4Runner Complaints (2002)

225 consumer complaints on file.

#11769948October 8, 2026
POWER TRAIN, TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle lost power while depressing the accelerator pedal. The failure initially occurred without warning; however, the VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) message was displayed with an audible beeping sound coming from the vehicle. In addition, there was a red warning light flashing on the instrument panel after the failure. The contact stated that the failure occurred mostly while turning the steering wheel to the left or the right. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer and the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11594739June 17, 2024
TIRES, TIRES:SIDEWALL, TIRES:TREAD/BELT
THIS IS FOR TIRE SIZE P265 75 16. To start, I've seen multiple other complaints describing the same scenario and type of incident. Driving along the highway at appropriate speeds, I hear a whoosh/deep pitch rumble, then my vehicle began to vibrate violently. I was luckily able to pull over but had to swerve to regain control of my vehicle once the rumbling and vibration got too severe since it happened so quickly. Witnessed my driver side rear tire completely shredded, no damage along tread material, only on sidewall with multiple tears/punctures. This was a center lane on the highway with no debris. I'm now noticing other similar "tear/wear" signs on my other 3 tires on the vehicle. All specifically on the sidewall along the aggressive tread that the AT3W tires were known to have for extra grip. It just seems to be separating over time.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11531971July 13, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Frame rot
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11522804May 19, 2023
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while inspecting underneath the vehicle, he noticed that there was a hole in the subframe and that the subframe and sway bar were corroded. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11511032March 9, 2023
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated while pulling the door handle to unlock the doors, the auto unlock function failed to unlock the doors. The contact had to press the unlock button to unlock the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed and the dealer stated that a failure was not found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 150,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11482461September 1, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY
Frame is excessively rusted. The recall that already exists for this issue only covers certain frames from Japan made with this steel. However, the same frames were imported to America and a large percentage of 4Runners were made with the same steel and didn’t receive a recall. Mine is one of them.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11466536May 28, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
frame rust saftey hazardous? midas mechanic pointed out to me while work being done on exhaust march 2022
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11461138April 18, 2022
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS, SUSPENSION
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH through a slight right curve, the vehicle independently shifted from side to side without warning nearly causing the vehicle to flip. The contact had an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle and the mechanic discovered severe corrosion throughout the entire subframe of the vehicle. The mechanic informed him that the entire subframe needed to be replaced to ensure safe driving. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer had been notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11453546February 22, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Frame rusted through from the inside out. There isnt even any surface rust where the hole started. Its just a hole in the middle of clean metal. The rest of the frame rail is solid. Rear suspension arm mount is also rusted out and starting to come off. The entire structural integrity of the frame is in question, even though externally, theres only slight surface rust. The frame should not be rusting this way.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11451258February 9, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY
Premature rusted frame throughout, vehicle is garaged and well maintained 117,000 miles on my 2002 Toyota 4Runner. Auto body specialist estimates $3k-$4k to restore, at least.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11443916December 15, 2021
SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE:BODY
Frame and rear passenger control arm bracket, rotted out .only there, 2 nd time this has happened, same spot but on my previous 2001 4runner
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11438485October 28, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, STRUCTURE:BODY, SUSPENSION
Had vehicle inspected on Oct. 1 ,2021 for road trip to North Carolina from Washington, DC. Was informed that my vehicle is unsafe by the automotive shop (name withheld) due to [rusting] frame front suspension components' threads rusted off on bolts that hold suspension, control arms, and shocks on both front and rear areas + body of vehicle located where shocks bolt to the body. I also had two other shops (names withheld) assess the state of the frame and suspension + and was told that the vehicle has maybe 1 year or so until the frame falls apart. Given I am the original owner, have gargage-kept my vehicle, have very low-mileage - 74,000 miles, and have maintained the vehicle immaculately and am aware of rusting problems with other Toyota [truck] frames, etc. this seems to be a defect in the manufacturing process. I know there have been recalls on Toyota's other trucks due to Toyota's failure to add [enough?] rust inhibitor/preventative to the molten steel when forming the frame for many models of their trucks.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11431008August 30, 2021
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while receiving routine maintenance repair on the vehicle, the independent mechanic informed the contact that the subframe was rusted. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 136,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11424088July 9, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY, SUSPENSION, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
After having my 4 runner in for routine maintenance, my mechanic informed me that my frame was in bad condition and rusting through. Doubtful it has a year left and he advised me to junk it as fast as I can. 180;000 miles - so much for Toyota’s lasting a long time.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11413734April 25, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY
FRAME IS SHOWING EXCESSIVE RUST ALL OVER, A KNOWN PROBLEMS WITH 4RUNNERS AND TOYOTA TRUCKS. AUTO REPAIR SHOP SAYS VEHICLE PROBABLY HAS ONLY 1 YEAR OF LIFE LEFT BEFORE UNSAFE AND UNDRIVABLE. CAR HAS ONLY 100000 MILES ON IT, 1998 4RUNNER WE HAD MADE IT TO 250000 MILES- UNACCEPTABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11405965April 1, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY
I RECENTLY HAD MY VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE AND TO GET NEW TIRES. WHILE ON THE LIFT, THE MECHANIC POINTED OUT TO ME THAT THE FRAME ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE IS BEGINNING TO RUST THROUGH. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE AND AS I HAVE RESEARCHED POSSIBLE REPAIRS, IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS YEAR AND MODEL. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11405818March 31, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE FRAME HAS RUSTED AT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR CONTROL ARM MOUNT TO THE POINT OF NOT PASSING INSPECTION.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11403610March 17, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE FRAME IS RUSTED OUT AND IS MAKING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO BE ON THE ROAD. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS FRAME, IT'S ALREADY BEEN RECALLED ON THE TOYOTA TACOMA AND IT'S THE SAME IDENTICAL FRAME. IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED YEARS AGO. JUST MAKING A NORMAL TURN ON A BEND IN THE ROAD MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO KEEP THE VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11399712March 8, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE FRAME. HAVE HEARD OF OTHER TOYOTAS FROM THE SAME TIME THAT WERE RECALLED BUT NOT THE 4RUNNER EVEN THOUGH IT SUFFERS THE SAME ISSUES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11374605November 13, 2020
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
HAD THE 4RUNNER WV STATE INSPECTED. NEEDED TO REPLACE THE MUFFLER. NOTICED THE FRAME CRACKED ON FRAME RAIL NEAR MUFFLER LOCATION.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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