Structure. Review the 278 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Suspension. Review the 109 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes. Review the 44 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

17 crash reports0 fire reports8 injury reports

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

20 reports

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41,000 miles · Nov 9, 2010

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25-30 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES AND HEARD A SQUEAKING NOISE. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND INSPECTED IT; HE COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BOTTOM TWO FLOATING CALIPER PISTONS WERE LOCKED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 41,000. UPDATED 1/21/11 *CN UPDATED 02/07/11

NHTSA ODI #10365153

96,400 miles · Sep 2, 2010

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

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2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER (V6-4WD) HAD 2 FROZEN FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS. HAD THE BRAKES CHECKED BC INTERMITTENT SQUEALING NOISE AND INCREASED BRAKING DISTANCES. ON EACH SIDE: OUTER BRAKE PAD BARELY HAD ANYTHING LEFT (LITERALLY LESS THAN PAPER THIN) + INNER BRAKE PAD LOOKED GREAT BC NEVER REALLY USED SINCE CALIPERS FROZEN. NEEDED BOTH FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS REPLACED, ALONG WITH 2 CALIPERS (1 EACH SIDE). SO I BASICALLY HAD NO FRONT BRAKES FOR MONTHS AND NO WAY TO TELL UNLESS SOMEONE NOTICES THE OUTER PADS ARE WORN AND GOES TO REPLACE THEM. POOR DESIGN LEADING TO SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10353595

120,000 miles · Jun 28, 2010

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS LEAKING. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE FOLLOWED BY A WARNING CHIME. THE DEALER ADVISED REPLACING THE MASTER CYLINDER BUT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE WITHIN TWENTY-FOUR HOURS. THE CONTACT STATED THE PART WAS STILL NOT AVAILABLE AFTER FIVE WEEKS. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000.

NHTSA ODI #10340367

100,000 miles · Apr 30, 2010

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

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WE HAVE A 2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER LIMITED WITH THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE V8 ENGINE. I NOTICED THAT TOYOTA WAS GOING TO RECALL THE 2003 SEQUOIA FOR BRAKING, SLOWING ISSUES. WE HAVE HAD SIMILAR ISSUES WITH OUR VEHICLE WITH SEEMINGLY AUTOMATIC BRAKING. THE VEHICLE DOES HAVE A DOWN HILL ASSIST BUTTON FOR WHAT I UNDERSTAND TO BE USED IN LOW GEAR ON THE TRANSFER. THE VEHICLE BEING ALL WHEEL DRIVE DOES HAVE A HIGH AND LOW TRANSFER WITH A CENTER LOCKING DIFFERENTIAL. THE VEHICLE WITH SLOW ALMOST WHICH SMALL LUNGES, AS IF THE TRANSMISSION WAS DOWNSHIFTING WITH THE RPM'S BEING TOO HIGH FOR THE GEAR. THAT IS THE BEST I CAN EXPLAIN. IT IS NOT A SUDDEN STOP, NO BRAKE LIGHTS APPEAR, BUT THE VEHICLE DOES SLOW, AS IF ITS DRAGGING, PERHAPS THAT IS SOME AUTOMATIC PULSING OF THE BRAKES. SHOULD I TAKE THE VEHICLE TO TOYOTA. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10328273

45,444 miles · Apr 29, 2010

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHEN STOPPED AND HOLDING DOWN THE BRAKE PEDAL MY 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER LURCHES FORWARD. IT FEELS LIKE THE VEHICLE IS GOING TO LOOSE THE BRAKES BUT THEN CATCHES. THE DEALER CALLS THIS A KNOWN 4RUNNER PROBLEM. THEY SAY THERE IS NO FIX FROM TOYOTA. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10328038

122,000 miles · Feb 19, 2010

Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END CRASH WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE BEGAN PULLING TO THE LEFT WHEN THE LEFT TIRE LOCKED OR TO THE RIGHT WHEN THE RIGHT TIRE LOCKED. BOTH TIRES NEVER LOCKED AT THE SAME TIME. THE ANTI-SKID LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE FAILURE OCCURRED 5 TIMES IN A 4 MILE TRIP. THE FRONT END DAMAGE WAS REPAIRED AT A BODY SHOP. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE YAW RATE SENSOR (IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM) NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER BUT WAS OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 124,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 122,000.

NHTSA ODI #10312211

85,330 miles · Feb 18, 2010

Fuel System, OtherService Brakes, Hydraulic

ERRATIC THROTTLE RESPONSE AND ERRATIC/UNPREDICTABLE/DIFFICULT TO PREDICT BRAKE APPLICATION . *TR

NHTSA ODI #10311750

20,000 miles · Feb 17, 2010

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

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I HAD ISSUES WITH THE BRAKE PEDALS EVER SINCE 2-3 YEARS INTO DRIVING THE VEHICLE. I HAVE A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER AND THE BRAKE PEDAL IS NOT VERY RESPONSIVE. I HAD THE BRAKES, ROTORS AND BRAKE SYSTEM CHECKED AND THERE ARE NO ISSUES. MY BIGGEST ISSUE IS WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL ITSELF. I FEEL WHEN I HIT THE BRAKE, A GENTLE TAP DOESN'T PRODUCE A RESPONSE. ONLY A MILD TO HARD STEP ON THE BRAKES WOULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STOP. IM VERY WARY OF THIS B/C I ALWAYS HAVE TO HIT THE BRAKES HARD TO GET A RESPONSE. I FEEL THE BRAKE PEDAL IS LOOSE BECAUSE IT IS NOT VERY RESPONSIVE AND DOES NOT RESPOND TO TAPPING. IN FACT, IF I HIT THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKES DROP ONE INCH, THERE WOULD BE NO BRAKE RESPONSE. I HAD THE VEHICLE CHECKED BY TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY SAID ITS SOME SORT OF BRAKE PART THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. UPON REPLACING THAT PART, I STILL FEEL THE SAME LOOSENESS IN THE BRAKE PEDAL. MY MOST SERIOUS CONCERN IS THAT WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES SOMETIMES B/C I HAVE TO HIT IT HARD, MY VEHICLE FEELS LIKE IT'S DRIFTING. THE WHEELS WOULD GO LEFT AND RIGHT AND THEN GO STRAIGHT. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN OFTEN, BUT WHEN IT DOES, IT FREAKS ME OUT. AT FREEWAY SPEED, WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES, WHETHER ITS LIGHT OR SOFT, SOMETIMES, THE CAR JUST DOES THE RANDOM DRIFT. I FEEL ITS THE RESULT OF A LOOSE BRAKE PEDAL AND PERHAPS DELAYED RESPONSE TO THE TIRES. I CHANGED THE BRAKE PADS AND I HAD MY BRAKES INSPECTED OFTEN DUE TO THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10311360

900 miles · Apr 6, 2007

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

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TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT BRAKES. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY THE BRAKES WITH GREAT FORCE FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE VEHICLE SLID TO A STOP. THE DEALER'S DIAGNOSES WAS THAT DEBRIS IN THE ROTORS CAUSED THE NOISE. HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE WHY THE VEHICLE COULD NOT STOP WITHOUT SLIDING. THE FRONT BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED, AND THE ROTORS RESURFACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 900 MILES. THE CONTACT HAS THE REPAIR ORDER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000 MILES.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10187176

28,000 miles · Dec 11, 2006

Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH UPHILL, A STRONG ODOR WAS NOTICED. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED, WHO DETERMINED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS PRODUCING THE ODOR. THE EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERED THE REPLACEMENT. ALSO, THE CONTACT WAS ALERTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ABOUT THE FRONT BRAKES. THE MECHANIC MACHINED THE FRONT ROTORS AND INSTALLED NEW PADS. AS A RESULT OF THE BRAKES REPAIR, THE PEDAL WAS TOO LOW WHEN DEPRESSED. THE BRAKES WERE RECHECKED AND THE MECHANIC INFORMED ALL THE BRAKE STANDARDS WERE CORRECT. THE CONTACT ASSUMED THIS WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE DEALERSHIP HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET FOR THE BRAKE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10175810

Official recalls

11V113000 · Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

Feb 24, 2011

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2011 LEXUS LX570, 2003 THROUGH 2009 TOYOTA 4RUNNER, AND 2006 THROUGH 2010 RAV4 VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAN GET STUCK IN THE WIDE OPEN POSITION DUE TO ITS BEING TRAPPED BY AN UNSECURED OR INCOMPATIBLE DRIVER'S FLOOR MAT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy: THE REMEDY IS NOW AVAILABLE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN EARLY APRIL 2011. THE REMEDY WILL INVOLVE MODIFICATION OR REPLACEMENT OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND REPLACEMENT OF ANY TOYOTA ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 OR LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.

03V146000 · Fuel System, Gasoline

Apr 14, 2003

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V6 ENGINES, THE FUEL PULSATION DAMPER, LOCATED ON THE FUEL RAIL, MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY ASSEMBLED, CAUSING A DIAPHRAGM IN THE PULSATION DAMPER TO BE DAMAGED. IF THE DIAPHRAGM FAILS, FUEL MAY LEAK.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE IF A HEAT SOURCE OR AN IGNITION SOURCE IS PRESENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PULSATION DAMPER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 5, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

02V339000 · Wheels

Dec 17, 2002

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FIVE FACTORY ALLOY WHEELS (MODEL 6934 AND 6936), WITH FACTORY LLAT, AND WITH PORT INSTALLED WR4, FOUR ALLOY WHEEL UPGRADE PROCESSED AT THE JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA PORT AND DISTRIBUTED BY SOUTHEAST TOYOTA DISTRIBUTORS IN THE STATES OF ALABAMA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, NORTH AND SOUTH CAROLINA, WHEN THE VEHICLES WERE PROCESSED AT THE PORT, AN ALLOY TIRE/WHEEL UPGRADE WAS INSTALLED. THE UPGRADE INCLUDED 4 ALLOY WHEELS. THE ORIGINAL SPARE TIRE/ALLOY WHEEL WAS NOT CHANGED. THE SPARE TIRE REQUIRES THE USE OF A DIFFERENT STYLE OF WHEEL NUT TO ATTACH IT TO THE VEHICLE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE SPARE TIRE/WHEEL IS INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE USING THE WHEEL NUTS PROVIDED FOR THE UPGRADE ALLOY WHEEL, DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL COULD RESULT AND COULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A LOOSE WHEEL.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH DIFFERENT STYLE LUG NUTS, A WARNING LABEL FOR THE SPARE RE/ALLOY WHEEL, AND AN OWNER'S MANUAL ADDENDUM.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

DP18002 · Frame Corrosion

Opened Aug 17, 2018 · Closed Mar 18, 2022

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure:frame And Members

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 products, and other complaints of underbody corrosion in Toyota 4Runner vehicles that he found in NHTSA?s online complaint database. The petitioner submitted a complaint to NHTSA documenting his experience (NHTSA ID 11098055). On August 17, 2018, ODI opened DP18-002 to evaluate the petitioner?s request. ODI?s evaluation included information provided by the petitioner regarding his vehicle, facts related to the class action lawsuit cited by the petitioner, and consumer complaint data received by NHTSA regarding underbody corrosion in third and fourth-generation Toyota 4Runner vehicles.The undercarriage of the petitioner?s vehicle exhibited severe corrosion damage indicative of seawater immersion. The vehicle?s service history shows that concerns with underbody corrosion were first noted by a Toyota dealer in a multi-point vehicle inspection performed on April 28, 2011. The invoice for that inspection noted ?severe and excessive amount of rust on the undercarriage and on the drive shaft transmission.? Two years later, on October 21, 2013, another multi-point inspection by a Toyota dealer observed further progression of underbody corrosion damage, noting: ?rust on shocks/struts and other components,? ?rust on exhaust system,? ?both splash shields severely rusted,? and ?undercarriage very rusty.? On July 17, 2017, approximately 10 months prior to experiencing the suspension failure incident, an independent repair facility performing routine oil change and brake maintenance informed the Petitioner of a concern with ?excessive frame corrosion? on his vehicle. The service history, severe general corrosion damage, failure age, and environment do not support the petitioner?s allegation of premature corrosion failure.ODI?s analysis of NHTSA complaint data identified fifteen incidents of front lower control arm failure in fourth-generation Toyota 4Runner sport utility vehicles. Two of the failures, including the petitioner?s vehicle, involve vehicles operated in ocean front communities with continuous exposure to aerosolized marine salts and potential exposure to seawater immersion. The remaining thirteen failures all involved vehicles owned or previously registered in states with the greatest use of deicing salts to treat road surfaces in winter months (?Salt states?). On average, the front lower control arm failures occurred after 13.1 years in service in highly corrosive environments. The failure ages and environments do not support the petitioner?s allegation of premature corrosion failure. NHTSA is authorized to issue an order requiring notification and remedy of a defect if the Agency?s investigation shows a defect in design, construction, or performance of a motor vehicle that presents an unreasonable risk to safety. 49 U.S.C. ?? 30102(a)(9), 30118. Since the information before the Agency is not indicative of a vehicle-based defect, it is unlikely that any investigation opened because of granting this petition would result in an order concerning the notification and remedy of a safety-related defect. Therefore, upon full consideration of the information presented in the petition and the potential risks to safety, the petition is denied. The denial of this petition does not foreclose the Agency from taking further action if warranted or the p

RQ10003 · Unintended And Uncontrolled Acceleration

Opened Feb 16, 2010 · Closed Mar 1, 2011

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:software; Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

On February 16, 2010, NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened RQ10-003 to determine whether the scope of prior Toyota recalls relating to potential unintended acceleration were sufficiently broad, including, among others, Toyota recalls 07E-082, 09V-388, 10V-017, and 10V-023.NHTSA also requested information regarding potential electronic causes of unintended acceleration in Toyota and Lexus vehicles.I. Pedal Interference from Floor mats, Carpet Covers and Plastic Pads in Carpets.During the RQ10-003 investigation, ODI reviewed a large volume of documents to assess whether additional vehicles should be recalled.Following the agency's analysis, NHTSA requested that Toyota recall additional vehicles.Toyota complied with the agency's request.The details of these recalls are set forth more fully in Toyota's reports to NHTSA pursuant to 49 CFR Part 573.These recalls are as follows:Recall 11V-112: (1) model year (MY) 2004-2006 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid; and, (2) MY 2004-2007 Lexus RX330,RX350, and RX400h (hybrid model). The total estimated population under this recall is 769,379 vehicles.This recall remedies potential accelerator pedal entrapment caused by a loose floor carpet cover (trim panel). Recall 11V-113: (1) MY 2003-2009 through 2009 Toyota 4Runner; (2) MY 2006-2010 Toyota RAV4; and, (3) MY 2008-2011 Lexus LX570.The total estimated population under this recall is 1,381,000 vehicles.This recall supplements recall 09V-388 and remedies potential accelerator pedal entrapment by an unsecured floor mat.Recall 11V-115: (1) MY 2006-2007 Lexus GS300 (all wheel drive vehicles); and, (2) MY 2006-2007 Lexus GS350 (all wheel drive vehicles). The total estimated population under this recall is 19,647 vehicles.This recall remedies potential accelerator pedal entrapment caused by inadequate clearance between the pedal linkage and a plastic pad embedded in the vehicle's carpet.II. Potential Electronic Causes of Unintended Acceleration.After NHTSA opened RQ10-003, NHTSA launched a ten-month study of potential electronic causes of unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles.NHTSA launched the study in the spring of 2010 in light of concerns aired in Congressional hearings.NHTSA enlisted engineers at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) with expertise in areas such as computer controlled electronic systems, electromagnetic interference and software integrity to assess whether electronic systems or electromagnetic interference played a role in incidents of unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles.That study has concluded.Two reports are associated with the study and are available on NHTSA's website.NASA's report is entitled Technical Support to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on the Reported Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) Unintended Acceleration (UA) Investigation, NESC Assessment No. TI-10-00618 (Jan. 18, 2011).NHTSA's report is entitled Technical Assessment of Toyota Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) Systems (Feb. 2011).Both reports should be read in conjunction with each other. As stated in its report, NASA did not find an electronic cause of large throttle openings that can result in unintended acceleration incidents. NHTSA did not find a vehicle-based cause of unintended acceleration incidents other than the physical pedal interference causes that are being addressed by Toyota's recalls. This RQ is closed.

Additional source detail variants (6)

Electrical System:software

Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal