Toyota 4Runner 2003–2009 problems by year and mileage
4th generation · N210
NHTSA data through 18 October 20262,452 complaints, 1,711 with mileageMethod
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 2003 Toyota 4Runner
Close- Median failure report
- 106,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 696
- Recalls naming this year
- 3
Most reported on the 2003
- Body structure284 reports · median 138,000 mi
- Suspension114 reports · median 149,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise101 reports · median 135,000 mi
Recall areas Vehicle speed control — accelerator pedal · Fuel system, gasoline · Wheels
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2004 Toyota 4Runner
Close- Median failure report
- 116,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 678
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
Most reported on the 2004
- Body structure310 reports · median 137,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise116 reports · median 144,000 mi
- Suspension113 reports · median 138,000 mi
Recall areas Air bags — side/window · Vehicle speed control — accelerator pedal
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2005 Toyota 4Runner
Close- Median failure report
- 105,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 425
- Recalls naming this year
- 5
Most reported on the 2005
- Body structure185 reports · median 128,000 mi
- Suspension77 reports · median 128,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise67 reports · median 150,000 mi
Recall areas Seats — front assembly · Air bags — side/window · Vehicle speed control — accelerator pedal
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2006 Toyota 4Runner
Close- Median failure report
- 101,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 381
- Recalls naming this year
- 5
Most reported on the 2006
- Body structure143 reports · median 127,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise74 reports · median 136,000 mi
- Suspension65 reports · median 125,000 mi
Recall areas Seats — front assembly · Air bags — side/window · Vehicle speed control — accelerator pedal
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2007 Toyota 4Runner
Close- Median failure report
- 70,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 154
- Recalls naming this year
- 5
Most reported on the 2007
- Body structure40 reports
- Problems owners could not categorise21 reports
- Throttle and speed control21 reports
Recall areas Seats — front assembly · Vehicle speed control — accelerator pedal · Equipment — other
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2008 Toyota 4Runner
Close- Median failure report
- 53,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 96
- Recalls naming this year
- 5
Most reported on the 2008
- Transmission and driveline27 reports
- Body structure16 reports
- Throttle and speed control16 reports
Recall areas Seats — front assembly · Vehicle speed control — accelerator pedal · Equipment — other
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2009 Toyota 4Runner
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 22
- Recalls naming this year
- 6
Most reported on the 2009
- Transmission and driveline10 reports
- Electrical system4 reports
- Body structure3 reports
Recall areas Seats — front assembly · Seats · Vehicle speed control — accelerator pedal
Check the VIN at NHTSA
Tiles: each year’s median failure mileage. Latest: the 2004; earliest: the 2008, and the 2004 is 4 years older (part of the gap is age). 1 of these years carries fewer than 30 reports with an odometer reading and shows no median at all, rather than one computed from a handful.
The short answer
“Is the 2003–2009 Toyota 4Runner reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 100,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 186,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 1,711
- Recalls
- 9
Most reported
- Body structure40.0% of complaints · median 130,000 mi
- Suspension16.2% of complaints · median 132,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise16.0% of complaints · median 139,000 mi
Owners filed 2,452 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003–2009 Toyota 4Runner; body structure leads with 40% of them, and half of the 1,711 that record an odometer reading came by 100,000 miles — complaints, not a failure rate.
No single peak: the middle half runs 48,000 to 150,000 miles.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2003–2009 Toyota 4Runner last?
On the 2003–2009 Toyota 4Runner, half of the 1,711 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 100,000 miles and 90% by 186,000 miles (why that is not a lifespan).
444 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 119 past 200,000 — each one proof that a 4Runner reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Toyota 4Runner 2003–2009 · 1,711 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
5,000-mile bins, 0 to 200,000 miles, linear scale; tallest bar 162 complaints
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 119 complaints (7.0%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 5,000
- 25%
- 48,000
- Median
- 100,000
- 75%
- 150,000
- 90%
- 186,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 162 | 9.5% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 37 | 2.2% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 40 | 2.3% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 27 | 1.6% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 37 | 2.2% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 21 | 1.2% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 23 | 1.3% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 25 | 1.5% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 34 | 2.0% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 33 | 1.9% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 39 | 2.3% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 33 | 1.9% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 30 | 1.8% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 35 | 2.0% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 30 | 1.8% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 44 | 2.6% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 40 | 2.3% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 42 | 2.5% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 48 | 2.8% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 41 | 2.4% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 67 | 3.9% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 29 | 1.7% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 29 | 1.7% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 39 | 2.3% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 47 | 2.7% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 60 | 3.5% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 50 | 2.9% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 38 | 2.2% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 50 | 2.9% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 37 | 2.2% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 50 | 2.9% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 38 | 2.2% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 50 | 2.9% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 42 | 2.5% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 22 | 1.3% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 23 | 1.3% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 40 | 2.3% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 24 | 1.4% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 16 | 0.9% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 20 | 1.2% |
| 200,000+ | 119 | 7.0% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
Common 4Runner problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Toyota 4Runner 2003–2009
When each system fails
Bar: middle half of reports · notch: median · proportional (log) scale (how to read it)
- Engine and its cooling system146 reportsmedian 1,500middle half 50–28,000
- Transmission and driveline178 reportsmedian 38,000middle half 8,000–103,000
- Throttle and speed control147 reportsmedian 52,000middle half 21,000–90,000
- Brakes164 reportsmedian 117,000middle half 86,000–160,000
- Body structure981 reportsmedian 130,000middle half 95,000–165,000
- Suspension396 reportsmedian 132,000middle half 87,000–166,000
- Problems owners could not categorise393 reportsmedian 139,000middle half 103,000–165,000
- Your odometer, once entered below
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Body structure | 981 | 40.0% | 130,000 | 95,000–165,000 |
| Suspension | 396 | 16.2% | 132,000 | 87,000–166,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 393 | 16.0% | 139,000 | 103,000–165,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 178 | 7.3% | 38,000 | 8,000–103,000 |
| Brakes | 164 | 6.7% | 117,000 | 86,000–160,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 147 | 6.0% | 52,000 | 21,000–90,000 |
| Engine and its cooling system | 146 | 6.0% | 1,500 | 50–28,000 |
| Steering | 134 | 5.5% | 98,000 | 40,000–143,000 |
| Airbag system | 104 | 4.2% | 87,000 | 52,000–138,000 |
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 95 | 3.9% | 42,000 | 16,000–83,000 |
Known problems with the 2003–2009 4Runner
Structure — Frame Corrosion 2003–2009
Severe frame corrosion in salt-exposed regions that can compromise structural integrity. Toyota ran inspection campaigns for early 4th-generation vehicles and offered frame replacement or vehicle buyback for qualifying trucks.
Before you buy a 2003–2009 4Runner: the 3-minute check
Generated from 1,711 mileage-tagged complaints, 9 recall campaigns, 1 documented problem area.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 9 campaigns cover this generation.
- Ask for engine and its cooling system repair records. Reports on this area come at a median of 1,500 miles — on any car this age it already happened or never will; the question is whether it was fixed under warranty.
- Check structure — frame corrosion on 2003–2009 (salt–belt vehicles; early years most affected) cars. What it looks like: Known problems.
- Years differ here: from 22 to 696 complaints a year — compare them by model year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car.
4Runner problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer, or read the table.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi30% below | At 90k mi43% below | At 120k mi58% below | At 150k mi74% below | At 200k mi93% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Body structure | 95,000–165,000 | later | later | in window | in window | earlier |
| Suspension | 87,000–166,000 | later | in window | in window | in window | earlier |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 103,000–165,000 | later | later | in window | in window | earlier |
| Transmission and driveline | 8,000–103,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Brakes | 86,000–160,000 | later | in window | in window | in window | earlier |
| Throttle and speed control | 21,000–90,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Engine and its cooling system | 50–28,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Toyota 4Runner 2003–2009 · 1,711 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Steps at bin edges (how to read it)
- 60,000 mi — 30% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 43% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 58% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 74% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 93% of reports below
- Median (the 50% line)
- Your odometer, once entered
Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
2003–2009 Toyota 4Runner recalls (9)
NHTSA records 9 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation (what a recall is).
The campaigns cluster around seats (3), equipment (2), the airbag system (1) (why one area can repeat).
Jun 2016 · 2005–2009 · SeatsIf damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
The defect. Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 RAV4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011…
What can happen. If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
The free fix. SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact…
Feb 2016 · 2004–2006 · Air BagsIf the side curtain-shield-air bags deploy unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of occupant injury.
The defect. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Toyota Land Cruiser and Lexus LX470, 2005-2006 Toyota Tundra and Sequoia, 2004-2006 Toyota 4Runner and Lexus GX470 vehicles equipped with side curtain-shield-air bags.…
What can happen. If the side curtain-shield-air bags deploy unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of occupant injury.
The free fix. Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control module with one that has improved programming, free of charge. The recall began on December 1, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota…
Nov 2014 · 2007–2009 · SeatsDamage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and…
The defect. Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4…
What can happen. Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.
The free fix. SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected…
Jan 2013 · 2009 · SeatsIf the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may…
The defect. Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and…
What can happen. If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This…
The free fix. Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact…
Feb 2011 · 2003–2009 · Vehicle Speed ControlA stuck open accelerator pedal may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop the…
The defect. 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…
What can happen. 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.
The free fix. 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…
Feb 2010 · 2005–2009 · EquipmentA driver may overload a vehicle which may increase the risk of a crash.
The defect. Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 passenger vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "Tire selection and rims." These vehicles were sold without the requisite load carrying…
What can happen. A driver may overload a vehicle which may increase the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. The safety recall began on may 27, 2010. Owners may contact…
Feb 2010 · 2005–2009 · EquipmentThis does not meet the standard requirements.
The defect. Gulf states Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "Tire selection and rims." These vehicles were sold between september 1, 2005 and june 2, 2008…
What can happen. This does not meet the standard requirements.
The free fix. Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. Dealers will also correct the owner's manual. The safety…
Apr 2003 · 2003 · Fuel System, GasolineThis could result in an engine compartment fire if a heat source or an ignition source is present.
The defect. 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.
What can happen. This could result in an engine compartment fire if a heat source or an ignition source is present.
The free fix. 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…
Dec 2002 · 2003 · WheelsIf the spare tire/wheel is installed on the vehicle using the wheel nuts provided for the upgrade alloy…
The defect. 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…
What can happen. 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.
The free fix. Owners will be provided with different style lug nuts, a warning label for the spare re/alloy wheel, and an owner's manual addendum.
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
Out of 2,452 complaints against this generation, owners also reported:
- Crashes
- 114 (4.6%)
- Fires
- 15
- Injury reports
- 67
- Fatality reports
- 0
4Runner problems by model year
The 2003 drew the most complaints of this generation, 696, most of them about body structure, and the 2009 the fewest, 22. A typical year drew about 381.
The first year of the generation, 2003, drew more complaints than a typical year (what a yearly count can and cannot say).
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 696 | 470 | 106,000 | Body structure (284) | 3 |
| 2004 | 678 | 463 | 116,000 | Body structure (310) | 2 |
| 2005 | 425 | 301 | 105,000 | Body structure (185) | 5 |
| 2006 | 381 | 269 | 101,000 | Body structure (143) | 5 |
| 2007 | 154 | 111 | 70,000 | Body structure (40) | 5 |
| 2008 | 96 | 77 | 53,000 | Transmission and driveline (27) | 5 |
| 2009 | 22 | 20 | under 30 reports | Transmission and driveline (10) | 6 |
What 4Runner owners reported
Odometer Fraud. The contact investigated a 2003 Toyota 4 Runner. The contact stated that during the investigation, he discovered a fraudulent scheme of approximately 15 vehicles with odometer fraud. The contact stated that the suspects targeted Facebook Marketplace victims by spraying oil on the engine prior to…
2003 · 306,000 miles · Electrical system
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in for service, the independent mechanic discovered rust on the front driver's side subframe. Additionally, the subframe had developed holes due to rust. The cause of the failures was not yet determined, and the vehicle was not yet…
2004 · 120,000 miles · Body structure
The contact owns a 2005 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle briefly hesitated and was unable to accelerate, prompting the contact to discontinue driving the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic…
2005 · 205,000 miles · Engine
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated while pulling out of a parking spot and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle accelerated unintendedly. The contact stated that she might have shifted into park(P) and stopped the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated while at a complete stop in an…
2008 · 60,000 miles · Throttle and speed control
Built from 1,711 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-10-20 · open data · how it is built
Other 4Runner generations
- 4Runner 1996–2002 1,165 reports with mileage, most about body structure
- 4Runner 2010–2024 400 reports with mileage, most about the airbag system