Toyota 4Runner 2003–2009
4th generation · N210
NHTSA data through 13 August 20263,009 complaints, 2,123 with mileageMethod
- Reports with mileage
- 2,123
- Median of reported failures
- 115,000 mi
- Most-reported system
- Body structure (32.5%)
- Recalls
- 7
Before-you-buy checklist ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
On this generation, 58% of failures occur beyond 100,000 miles — a wear pattern.
Figure 1 · Toyota 4Runner 2003–2009 · 2,123 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
Complaints per 5,000-mile bin, 0 to 200,000 miles, equal bins on a linear scale. Tallest bar = 161 complaints.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 161 complaints (7.6%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 21,000
- 25%
- 66,000
- Median
- 115,000
- 75%
- 155,000
- 90%
- 190,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 93 | 4.4% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 30 | 1.4% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 36 | 1.7% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 33 | 1.6% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 43 | 2.0% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 24 | 1.1% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 26 | 1.2% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 25 | 1.2% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 37 | 1.7% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 38 | 1.8% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 44 | 2.1% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 43 | 2.0% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 38 | 1.8% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 46 | 2.2% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 39 | 1.8% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 63 | 3.0% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 49 | 2.3% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 61 | 2.9% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 59 | 2.8% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 56 | 2.6% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 97 | 4.6% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 38 | 1.8% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 38 | 1.8% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 56 | 2.6% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 74 | 3.5% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 79 | 3.7% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 74 | 3.5% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 49 | 2.3% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 69 | 3.3% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 50 | 2.4% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 72 | 3.4% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 55 | 2.6% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 68 | 3.2% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 57 | 2.7% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 27 | 1.3% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 34 | 1.6% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 55 | 2.6% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 35 | 1.6% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 24 | 1.1% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 28 | 1.3% |
| 200,000+ | 161 | 7.6% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain. Complaint counts reflect what owners reported and are not a measure of failure rate per vehicle sold.
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 3,009 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003–2009 Toyota 4Runner, and 2,123 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
58% of failures occur beyond 100,000 miles — a wear pattern. The car generally reaches substantial mileage before trouble starts.
The most-reported areas are body structure (32.5% of complaints, typically around 131,000 miles), problems owners could not categorise (12.9% of complaints, typically around 140,000 miles), the suspension (12.8% of complaints, typically around 134,000 miles).
7 recall campaigns cover this generation.
If you arrived asking “is it reliable?” — this page answers the version of that question the data can support: which problems owners reported, and at what mileage.
How many miles does a 2003–2009 Toyota 4Runner last?
Half of the failure reports on the 2003–2009 Toyota 4Runner were filed by 115,000 miles and 90% by 190,000 miles — figures drawn from 2,123 NHTSA complaints that record an odometer reading, so they time reported failures, not the cars whose owners never filed one.
161 reports (7.6%) came in past 200,000 miles — each one proof a 4Runner reached that mileage, not that it died there.
Before you buy a 2003–2009 4Runner: the 3-minute check
Generated from 2,123 mileage-tagged complaints, 7 recall campaigns, 1 documented problem area. Print this page — the checklist survives print.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 7 campaigns cover this generation; an open recall is a free repair you can make the seller's problem.
- Check structure — frame corrosion on 2003–2009 (salt–belt vehicles; early years most affected) cars. 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…
- Complaint reports are not spread evenly across model years here — see the by-model-year table below before you settle on a year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car. Aggregate data describes the population; the example in front of you has its own history.
For a buyer, a late-failure pattern shifts the question from whether to when. 58% of reported failures occur beyond 100,000 miles, so an example approaching that figure is approaching the range where other owners started reporting problems. The middle half of all failures falls between 66,000 and 155,000 miles.
On inspection, body structure and problems owners could not categorise are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. Body structure in particular shows a median failure mileage of 131,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
What fails, and when
Figure 2 · Toyota 4Runner 2003–2009
When each system fails
Bar spans the middle half of reports; the notch inside each bar is the median. Miles at failure on a proportional scale — equal distances are equal ratios, not equal miles.
- Throttle and speed control136 reports54,00023,000–90,000Throttle and speed control: 136 reports, median 54,000 miles, middle half 23,000 to 90,000 miles.
- Transmission and driveline152 reports59,00016,000–108,000Transmission and driveline: 152 reports, median 59,000 miles, middle half 16,000 to 108,000 miles.
- Steering123 reports100,00065,000–151,000Steering: 123 reports, median 100,000 miles, middle half 65,000 to 151,000 miles.
- Brakes163 reports117,00086,000–160,000Brakes: 163 reports, median 117,000 miles, middle half 86,000 to 160,000 miles.
- Body structure979 reports131,00095,000–165,000Body structure: 979 reports, median 131,000 miles, middle half 95,000 to 165,000 miles.
- Suspension384 reports134,00095,000–173,000Suspension: 384 reports, median 134,000 miles, middle half 95,000 to 173,000 miles.
- Problems owners could not categorise387 reports140,000104,000–165,000Problems owners could not categorise: 387 reports, median 140,000 miles, middle half 104,000 to 165,000 miles.
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it in “Where your car sits”
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first. The first 12,000 miles are shaded: that is the boundary this site uses between a manufacturing defect and ordinary wear, not a property of the world.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Body structure | 979 | 32.5% | 131,000 | 95,000–165,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 387 | 12.9% | 140,000 | 104,000–165,000 |
| Suspension | 384 | 12.8% | 134,000 | 95,000–173,000 |
| Brakes | 163 | 5.4% | 117,000 | 86,000–160,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 152 | 5.1% | 59,000 | 16,000–108,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 136 | 4.5% | 54,000 | 23,000–90,000 |
| Steering | 123 | 4.1% | 100,000 | 65,000–151,000 |
| Airbag system | 101 | 3.4% | 87,000 | 52,000–138,000 |
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 82 | 2.7% | 50,000 | 23,000–85,000 |
| Electrical system | 78 | 2.6% | 112,000 | 50,000–160,000 |
Where your car sits
Failure reports by the odometer reading they were filed at. Pick the anchor nearest your car — or type the exact mileage: your marker lands on this curve and on the timing chart above.
Figure 3 · Toyota 4Runner 2003–2009 · 2,123 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Share of mileage-tagged reports filed at or below each odometer reading. Steps rise only at bin edges, by exact counted shares.
- 60,000 mi — 22% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 36% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 52% of reports below
- Median — the staircase crosses the 50% line here
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it below
The staircase tops out at 92%: the remaining 7.6% of reports (161) came above 200,000 miles.
Nothing is smoothed or interpolated. Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
At 60,000 miles
22% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
In the reporting window
- Transmission and driveline — middle half 16,000–108,000 mi
- Throttle and speed control — middle half 23,000–90,000 mi
Mostly reported later
- Body structure — middle half 95,000–165,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise — middle half 104,000–165,000 mi
- Suspension — middle half 95,000–173,000 mi
- Brakes — middle half 86,000–160,000 mi
- Steering — middle half 65,000–151,000 mi
At 90,000 miles
36% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Throttle and speed control — median 54,000 mi
In the reporting window
- Brakes — middle half 86,000–160,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline — middle half 16,000–108,000 mi
- Steering — middle half 65,000–151,000 mi
Mostly reported later
- Body structure — middle half 95,000–165,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise — middle half 104,000–165,000 mi
- Suspension — middle half 95,000–173,000 mi
At 120,000 miles
52% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Transmission and driveline — median 59,000 mi
- Throttle and speed control — median 54,000 mi
In the reporting window
- Body structure — middle half 95,000–165,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise — middle half 104,000–165,000 mi
- Suspension — middle half 95,000–173,000 mi
- Brakes — middle half 86,000–160,000 mi
- Steering — middle half 65,000–151,000 mi
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 115,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
Body structure accounts for 32.5% of complaints (979 reports, 651 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 131,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 95,000 and 165,000 miles.
A single system taking 32.5% of all complaints is a concentration worth noting. It means that for this generation, most of what owners reported came back to one area of the car rather than being distributed across many small faults.
Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 12.9% of complaints (387 reports, 230 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 140,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 104,000 and 165,000 miles.
The suspension accounts for 12.8% of complaints (384 reports, 246 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 134,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 95,000 and 173,000 miles.
The brakes account for 5.4% of complaints (163 reports, 129 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 117,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 86,000 and 160,000 miles.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 5.1% of complaints (152 reports, 129 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails early — a median of 59,000 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 16,000 and 108,000 miles.
Throttle and speed control accounts for 4.5% of complaints (136 reports, 115 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails early — a median of 54,000 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 23,000 and 90,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2004 model year drew the most — 847 complaints — while 2009 drew the fewest at 33. The median year sits at 520.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 7 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around seats (3), equipment (2), the airbag system (1). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
What owners reported alongside the failure itself, out of 3,009 complaints against this generation:
- Crashes
- 146 (4.9%)
- Fires
- 19
- Injury reports
- 90
- Fatality reports
- 0
These flags are self-reported by complainants and unverified by NHTSA; one report can carry several flags, so the counts overlap and do not sum to a total. They are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. No chart is drawn here on purpose: overlapping counts spanning very different magnitudes cannot be honestly encoded as lengths.
Documented problems
Structure — Frame Corrosion 2003–2009 (salt–belt vehicles; early years most affected)
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.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 718 | 511 |
| 2004 | 847 | 570 |
| 2005 | 553 | 386 |
| 2006 | 520 | 375 |
| 2007 | 204 | 147 |
| 2008 | 134 | 103 |
| 2009 | 33 | 31 |
Recalls (7) — is your car included?
Dec 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. The affected vehicles have an air bag control module that may be improperly programmed, causing the side curtain-shield-air bags to deploy inadvertently.
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 customer service at 1-888-271-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is G0C and GLB.
Jul 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 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
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 SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
Jan 2015 · 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, and 2007-2011 RAV4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.
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 to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.
Mar 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 Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger se
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 could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
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 Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Apr 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 driver's floor mat.
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 mat. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331 or Lexus at 1-800-255-3987.
May 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 capacity modification labels.
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 southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
May 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 without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels.
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 recall began on may 27, 2010. Owners may contact gulf states Toyota at 713-580-3300.
What owners reported
Chassis/frame on 4th generation 4runners have a severe rust problem. Many are documented & discussed at http://www.Toyota-4Runner.Org/4th-gen-t4rs. Similar trucks in Toyota's product line qualified for frame replacement but the 4Runner was ignored. The rest of the truck is 100% rust free except for the frame. Recently…
2003 · Body structure
While pulling into a grocery store parking lot, aloud cabin alarm sound and ABS, VSC and trac and brake warning lights on the dash came on. My vehicle seemed to stop ok so we did our shopping, when we started the car it still had the lights lit up and braked ok. We were close to home so i drove slowly trying to get…
2003 · 2 miles · Brakes
We had just bought the vehicle when the rear end began swaying from side to side and we took it to the mechanic at Toyota and was told that the whole frame was rusted out and was to dangerous to drive but they could not help us. The same frame was on the other 3 makes and was recalled and that ours needs to be…
2003 · 40 miles · Body structure
I have had this vehicle for many years and i "know" it. I noticed that he steering wheel had a vibration albeit slight, this was something new as well as a noise i could hear under the car. I brought it home complained to my husband - he looked under the car & was appalled - the frame is so rusted he was able to stick…
2003 · 217 miles · Body structure
Built from 2,123 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-18 · open data · reproduce this page