The vehicle dossier US · 2003

2003 Toyota
4 RUNNERProblems & recalls

168 distinct owner reports in the NHTSA snapshot. Engine appears in 75 of them. Explore what was reported—and which official actions are on file.

Read the evidence Compare years

Snapshot Sep 28, 2026Live NHTSA complaint API How this dossier is compiled

01 / Owner-reported evidence

What owners reported.

Categories attached to 168 distinct reports. A report can mention more than one component, so category totals can overlap.

Engine75 reports

Other components43 reports

Transmission & drivetrain18 reports

Visibility13 reports

Brakes9 reports

Fuel system7 reports

Body & structure6 reports

Suspension5 reports

Steering3 reports

Electrical system3 reports

Air bags1 reports

See original component labels

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM34

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR20

SEATS10

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL7

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE6

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE5

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER5

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION4

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE4

TIRES4

UNKNOWN OR OTHER4

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL4

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING3

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE3

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY3

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT3

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD3

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP3

WHEELS:HUB2

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT2

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR2

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE2

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS2

STEERING2

SUSPENSION2

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC2

SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY2

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER2

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL2

STRUCTURE:BODY2

STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS2

INTERIOR LIGHTING2

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH2

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER2

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT2

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:INTERCONNECTING ASSEMBLY(WIRING)1

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM1

SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER1

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS1

STRUCTURE1

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY1

VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR1

WHEELS:HUBCAP/COVER1

SUSPENSION:FRONT1

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC1

VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR1

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM1

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)1

VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR1

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST1

WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS1

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR1

SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER1

SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM1

EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT1

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY1

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL1

TRAILER HITCHES1

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM1

TIRES:SIDEWALL1

TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE1

CHILD SEAT1

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH1

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE1

These are reports made to NHTSA, not verified diagnoses. More reports can reflect more vehicles, more time on the road, or greater reporting activity.

The reporting timeline

When reports arrived.

Reports by year filed, not by the year a problem occurred. Showing the latest 5 years with reports.

Year filed (last two digits)Latest report: Aug 9, 2006

Mileage, where supplied

600 miles is the median among 89 reports with usable mileage. The middle half spans 25–9,000 miles.

This describes the submitted reports. It does not predict when a vehicle will fail.

02 / Official safety campaigns

0 recall campaigns on file.

A campaign can cover only certain production dates or configurations. The count does not tell you whether an individual car has an open recall.

No campaigns matched this model-year in the imported recall files. This is not confirmation that a particular VIN has no open recalls.

Check this car’s VIN at NHTSA

03 / The manufacturer’s record

Instructions. Updates. Responses.

70 distinct communications list this model-year. Showing the latest 12. A matching model-year does not establish that every engine, trim or reported symptom is covered.

Find a record

May 9, 2006 Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions04305NO START IN SUB-FREEZING AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURES. *TTNHTSA ID 10017317

NO START IN SUB-FREEZING AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURES. *TT

Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

Source record 10017317 at NHTSA

Sep 2, 2005 Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions5211DIAGNOSTICS - SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM. REPAIR MANUAL CORRECTION. 00400-RM100-1U1 '03 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. 00400-RM105-9U1 '04 4RUNNER. *TTNHTSA ID 10016953

DIAGNOSTICS - SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM. REPAIR MANUAL CORRECTION. 00400-RM100-1U1 '03 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. 00400-RM105-9U1 '04 4RUNNER. *TT

Components: AIR BAGS. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

Source record 10016953 at NHTSA

Aug 3, 2005 Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions00405THE BLOWER MOTOR SPEED DOES NOT MATCH THE HVAC DISPLAY INDICATION. *TTNHTSA ID 10017320

THE BLOWER MOTOR SPEED DOES NOT MATCH THE HVAC DISPLAY INDICATION. *TT

Components: EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

Source record 10017320 at NHTSA

Jul 28, 2005 Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions00105STEERING FLUTTER FIELD-FIX PROCEDURE. SOME CUSTOMERS MAY EXPERIENCE A STEERING FLUTTER CONDITION WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *SCNHTSA ID 10017081

STEERING FLUTTER FIELD-FIX PROCEDURE. SOME CUSTOMERS MAY EXPERIENCE A STEERING FLUTTER CONDITION WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *SC

Components: STEERING. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

Source record 10017081 at NHTSA

Jul 11, 2005 Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions00105MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON OR MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP LIGHT FLASHING WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE C1735 STORED IN MEMORY. VEHICLE HEIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM: C1735 EXHAUST SOLENOID VALVE CIRCUIT. *TTNHTSA ID 10016623

MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON OR MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP LIGHT FLASHING WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE C1735 STORED IN MEMORY. VEHICLE HEIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM: C1735 EXHAUST SOLENOID VALVE CIRCUIT. *TT

Components: SUSPENSION. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

Source record 10016623 at NHTSA

Jun 3, 2005 Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions01105COUNTERMEASURES TO THE AIR CONDITIONER (A/C) MAGNETIC CLUTCH RELAY FOR A/C LIGHT FLASHING (INOPERATIVE A/C) ISSUES ON SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A MAGNETIC CLUTCH COMPRESSOR. *TTNHTSA ID 10015482

COUNTERMEASURES TO THE AIR CONDITIONER (A/C) MAGNETIC CLUTCH RELAY FOR A/C LIGHT FLASHING (INOPERATIVE A/C) ISSUES ON SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A MAGNETIC CLUTCH COMPRESSOR. *TT

Components: EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

Source record 10015482 at NHTSA

May 25, 2005 Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions5054DIAGNOSTICS - ABS WITH EBD & BA & TRAC & VSC SYSTEM (FROM NOVEMBER, 2002). 00400-RM105-9U1. 00400-RM100-1U1. *TTNHTSA ID 10016187

DIAGNOSTICS - ABS WITH EBD & BA & TRAC & VSC SYSTEM (FROM NOVEMBER, 2002). 00400-RM105-9U1. 00400-RM100-1U1. *TT

Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

Source record 10016187 at NHTSA

May 4, 2005 Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions5019CTHEFT DETERRENT & DOOR LOCK - POWER DOOR LOCK CONTROL SYSTEM 00400-RM116-5U3. 2004 4RUNNER 00400-RM105-9U2. 2003 4 RUNNER 00400-RM100-1U2. *TTNHTSA ID 10016172

THEFT DETERRENT & DOOR LOCK - POWER DOOR LOCK CONTROL SYSTEM 00400-RM116-5U3. 2004 4RUNNER 00400-RM105-9U2. 2003 4 RUNNER 00400-RM100-1U2. *TT

Components: EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ANTI-THEFT DEVICES. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

Source record 10016172 at NHTSA

Apr 18, 2005 Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions00605CHARGE WARNING LIGHT ON. *SCNHTSA ID 10015834

CHARGE WARNING LIGHT ON. *SC

Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

Source record 10015834 at NHTSA

Feb 11, 2005 Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions00505MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) P0136 AND/OR P0156 (OXYGEN SENSOR CIRCUIT). *TTNHTSA ID 10015535

MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) P0136 AND/OR P0156 (OXYGEN SENSOR CIRCUIT). *TT

Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

Source record 10015535 at NHTSA

Feb 2, 2005 Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions4470REPAIR MANUAL CORRECTION - ABS WITH EBD & BA & TRAC & VSC SYSTEM (DIAGNOSTICS). 00400-RM100-1U1. *TTNHTSA ID 10015558

REPAIR MANUAL CORRECTION - ABS WITH EBD & BA & TRAC & VSC SYSTEM (DIAGNOSTICS). 00400-RM100-1U1. *TT

Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

Source record 10015558 at NHTSA

Jan 12, 2005 Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions00105MOON ROOF REPLACEMENT PARTS. *AKNHTSA ID 10018386

MOON ROOF REPLACEMENT PARTS. *AK

Components: VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

Source record 10018386 at NHTSA

Browse all manufacturer records by page

Records below contain the NHTSA bulk summary unless a document-reviewed explainer is linked. A service bulletin is not a safety recall or a promise of a free repair. Records may be revised or superseded; verify the current document with the manufacturer.

04 / Agency investigations

Official inquiries.

An investigation is an inquiry into a potential concern. Its presence does not establish a defect, and a closed case does not certify a car’s condition.

No investigation records matched this model-year in the snapshot.

Your next step

Take good questions
to the inspection.

Verify the VIN’s current recall status and ask for completion records. Ask for dated service invoices and the car’s maintenance history.Ask for service records and have a qualified mechanic evaluate any engine warning lights, fluid leaks or unusual noises.Review the original component labels and discuss relevant concerns with a qualified mechanic.Ask about shifting concerns, drivetrain work and applicable software updates. Have a qualified mechanic evaluate the vehicle. Ask the manufacturer or dealer which bulletins apply to this exact configuration.

Use these prompts with a qualified inspector. This page is research, not a diagnosis or a substitute for a hands-on inspection.