Problems · NHTSA complaints
2002 Toyota 4Runner problems
Owners filed 251 complaints about the 2002 Toyota 4Runner with NHTSA between Jun 2002 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is structure (89).
Complaints
251
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
22
Reported by owners
Fires
3
Reported by owners
Injuries
22
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Structure89
- Suspension52
- Power train37
- Service brakes, hydraulic15
- Engine and engine cooling13
- Steering12
- Vehicle speed control11
- Tires10
- Service brakes10
- Air bags10
- Latches/locks/linkages5
- Engine5
- Wheels4
- Electrical system4
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
10
10
10
20
8
8
6
3
13
8
5
12
17
17
20
16
24
14
11
9
5
3
1
0
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 10 |
| 2003 | 10 |
| 2004 | 10 |
| 2005 | 20 |
| 2006 | 8 |
| 2007 | 8 |
| 2008 | 6 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 13 |
| 2011 | 8 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 12 |
| 2014 | 17 |
| 2015 | 17 |
| 2016 | 20 |
| 2017 | 16 |
| 2018 | 24 |
| 2019 | 14 |
| 2020 | 11 |
| 2021 | 9 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 0 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Structure
89 reports2 crashes
“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.”
Suspension
52 reports5 crashes1 related recall
“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.”
Power train
37 reports
“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.”
Service brakes, hydraulic
15 reports3 crashes
“WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE VEHICLE LOST ALL BRAKING POWER. THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD NOT GO DOWN AND AT THAT MOMENT THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON BUT THAT WAS AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD ALREADY LOST IT'S BRAKES. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO HEADQUATER TOYOTA AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE "HYDRAULIC BRAKES POWER BOOSTER ASSEMBLY" HAD FAILED. IT WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $3127.00.”
Engine and engine cooling
13 reports1 crash2 fires
“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…”
Steering
12 reports1 crash
“I HAVE A 2002 TOYOTA 4RUNNER WITH A SEVERELY RUSTED FRAME. MY VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 70K ORIGINAL MILES ON IT, NO BODY RUST, BUT AN EXTREMELY RUSTED UNDERCARRIAGE AND FRAME. I FEEL IT IS UNSAFE TO CONTINUALLY DRIVE WITH THIS PROBLEM, AS IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE AND COULD AFFECT OTHER COMPONENTS SUCH AS STEERING, SUSPENSION, BRAKES, ETC. SEEING AS HOW TOYOTA HAS ALREADY HAD A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST THEIR TRUCKS OF THE SAME YEAR FOR UNSAFE RUSTED FRAMES, I FEEL MY 4RUNNER SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE FRAME REPLACEMENT RECALL.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.