TOYOTA 4 RUNNER · model year

2002 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER

45 NHTSA complaints, 12 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2002TOYOTA4 RUNNER carries 45 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 12 crashes, 1 fire, 15 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2002 4 RUNNER is tires with 3 filings, followed by service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (3) and engine and engine cooling:engine (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 51 investigation files overlapping the 2002 4 RUNNER, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

45
Complaints
12
Crashes
1
Fires
15
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

45 filings

Crashes Reported

12 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
TIRES3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE3
SUSPENSION3
SUSPENSION:FRONT3
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2
AIR BAGS2
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM1
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR1
STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM1
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1

Recent Complaints

20061002SUSPENSION:FRONT

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED HAVING OTHER PROBLEMS AFTER RECALL #05V225000 REGARDING SUSPENSION: FRONT: CONTROL ARM: LOWER BALL JOINT WAS PERFORMED IN 07/06. DURING THE MONTH OF 08/06, THERE WAS A BEEPING SOUND AND AN UNKNOWN LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY, WHEN THE VEHICLE MADE LEFT TURNS, OR SWITCHED LANES. THIS OCCURRED MANY TIMES, PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT WHICH OCCURRED ON 08/28/06. WHILE CHANGING LANES AT 55 MPH ON A DRY HIGHWAY ON 08/28/06, THE STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKES LOCKED UP. ALSO, A VIBRATION WAS FELT COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE PULLED OVER AND WAS TURNED OFF. IT RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY AND THE STEERING WHEEL UNLOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE CONTACT DROVE TO WORK, CONTACTED THE DEALER WHO HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE SERVICE MANAGER DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEMS WAS DUE TO THE REAR BRAKES. BOTH REAR BRAKES WERE REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. WHEN DRIVEN OUT OF THE PAR

Mileage: 60,500

20060825ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

DRIVING CAR AND HEARD LOUD BANG NOISE CAR IMMEDIATELY STARTS SLOWING DOWN AND OIL LIGHT COMES ON AFTER CAR STOPS OIL IS POURING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH THE MOTOR. WE SEND CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAY THE ENGINE HAS THROWN A ROD. MOTOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED THE CAR HAS 72,000 MILES ON IT . A PERSON IN THE SERVICE DEPT SAYS THEY HAVE HAD A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS MOTOR IT IS VERY WEAK. WE CALL OTHER MECHANICS TO GET ESTIMATES THEY SAY THEY TO HAVE SEEN A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS MOTOR. WE HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING WITH THE CAR WE ARE STILL HOPING FOR SOME HELP FROM TOYOTA. ALSO WE GAVE THE DEALERSHIP ALL OF OUR OIL CHANGE RECORDS THAT WERE DONE ON TIME. *JB

Mileage: 72,000

20051104ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

2002 TOYOTA 4RUNNER FRONT END MAKES LOUD NOISES, WHEN GOING OVER HIGH BUMPS AND SOME STIFFNESS IN STEERING. *TS THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACE DUE TO LITTLE OR NO FLUIDS, NOISES WERE COMING FROM THE FRONT END, THE SHOCK WERE LEAKING, AND TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS LEAKING. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A REPLACEMENT OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION/LOWER BALL JOINTS AND THE LEAKING SHOCKS AT NO COST. *SC

Mileage: 17,557

20051104SUSPENSION

2002 TOYOTA 4RUNNER FRONT END MAKES LOUD NOISES, WHEN GOING OVER HIGH BUMPS AND SOME STIFFNESS IN STEERING. *TS THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACE DUE TO LITTLE OR NO FLUIDS, NOISES WERE COMING FROM THE FRONT END, THE SHOCK WERE LEAKING, AND TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS LEAKING. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A REPLACEMENT OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION/LOWER BALL JOINTS AND THE LEAKING SHOCKS AT NO COST. *SC

Mileage: 17,557

20051104POWER TRAIN

2002 TOYOTA 4RUNNER FRONT END MAKES LOUD NOISES, WHEN GOING OVER HIGH BUMPS AND SOME STIFFNESS IN STEERING. *TS THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACE DUE TO LITTLE OR NO FLUIDS, NOISES WERE COMING FROM THE FRONT END, THE SHOCK WERE LEAKING, AND TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS LEAKING. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A REPLACEMENT OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION/LOWER BALL JOINTS AND THE LEAKING SHOCKS AT NO COST. *SC

Mileage: 17,557

20051103FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER. THIS SITUATION COULD BE FATAL, AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. LUCKILY, NOBODY WAS INJURED. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED A FAULTY RHEOSTAT IN THE THROTTLE BODY OF THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE RHEOSTATE FAILURE CAUSES THE BUTTERFLY VALVE TO CLOSE, THUS NOT LETTING ENOUGH AIR INTO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. DUE TO THE LACK OF AIR, THE ENGINE "STALLS OUT", CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO DECELERATE VERY QUICKLY. REPLACEMENT OF THE THROTTLE BODY CORRECTED THE PROBLEM, WITH NO FURTHER INCICENTS OCCURING.

Mileage: 41,153

20051019CrashSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

DT: ITHE CONTACT HAD 2002 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER SERVICED AT DEALERSHIP BECAUSE OF BRAKE PROBLEMS AND THE ABS LIGHT WAS ON. HAD BRAKE PROBLEMS SEVERAL TIMES ,AND HAD VEHICLE SERVICED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT TOLD DEALERSHIP WHEELS KEPT LOCKING , AND SHE DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVINGTHE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP LEFT PARTS OFF THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT FOUND THE PARTS IN TRUNK. TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO SAID IT HAPPEND BECAUSE BRAKE FLUID LEAK. ALSO, A TAIL LIGHT WAS OUT. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT TWO WEEKS AGO, DID NOT HIT ANYONE. WAS GOING SOUTH AND ENDED UP GOING WEST. THE WHEELS LOCKED, AND VEHICLE WENT COMPLETELY TO THE RIGHT, HIT THE SHOULDER, AND FLIPPED OVER. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE CONTACT WORE SEAT BELTS, AND WAS TRAVELING 55 MPH. THE ROADS WERE CLEAR AND DRY. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

20051019CrashELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL:AUTOMATIC (ASC)

DT: ITHE CONTACT HAD 2002 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER SERVICED AT DEALERSHIP BECAUSE OF BRAKE PROBLEMS AND THE ABS LIGHT WAS ON. HAD BRAKE PROBLEMS SEVERAL TIMES ,AND HAD VEHICLE SERVICED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT TOLD DEALERSHIP WHEELS KEPT LOCKING , AND SHE DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVINGTHE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP LEFT PARTS OFF THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT FOUND THE PARTS IN TRUNK. TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO SAID IT HAPPEND BECAUSE BRAKE FLUID LEAK. ALSO, A TAIL LIGHT WAS OUT. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT TWO WEEKS AGO, DID NOT HIT ANYONE. WAS GOING SOUTH AND ENDED UP GOING WEST. THE WHEELS LOCKED, AND VEHICLE WENT COMPLETELY TO THE RIGHT, HIT THE SHOULDER, AND FLIPPED OVER. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE CONTACT WORE SEAT BELTS, AND WAS TRAVELING 55 MPH. THE ROADS WERE CLEAR AND DRY. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

20051019CrashEXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS

DT: ITHE CONTACT HAD 2002 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER SERVICED AT DEALERSHIP BECAUSE OF BRAKE PROBLEMS AND THE ABS LIGHT WAS ON. HAD BRAKE PROBLEMS SEVERAL TIMES ,AND HAD VEHICLE SERVICED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT TOLD DEALERSHIP WHEELS KEPT LOCKING , AND SHE DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVINGTHE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP LEFT PARTS OFF THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT FOUND THE PARTS IN TRUNK. TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO SAID IT HAPPEND BECAUSE BRAKE FLUID LEAK. ALSO, A TAIL LIGHT WAS OUT. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT TWO WEEKS AGO, DID NOT HIT ANYONE. WAS GOING SOUTH AND ENDED UP GOING WEST. THE WHEELS LOCKED, AND VEHICLE WENT COMPLETELY TO THE RIGHT, HIT THE SHOULDER, AND FLIPPED OVER. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE CONTACT WORE SEAT BELTS, AND WAS TRAVELING 55 MPH. THE ROADS WERE CLEAR AND DRY. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

20050921ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

DT: 2002 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER - THE OIL IS GETTING THICK AND GELLING. THE VEHICLE IS USING A LOT OF OIL, AND BLOWING BLACK SMOKE CAME FROM THE TAIL PIPE. THE DEALER SAID THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR SOME TOYOTA OF THIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODELS, AND TOYOTA DID HAVE THE HIGHEST AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS ON THE CONSUMER COMPLAINT WEBSITE. IT STARTED TO BLOW THE BLACK SMOKE DRIVING. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS A OIL GELLING PROBLEM. DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE MOTOR WOULD HAVE TO BE TORN TO FIND OUT WHAT CAUSED THIS PROBLEM. THIS WOULD BE AT THE CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. MANUFACTURER SAID THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO HELP THE CONSUMER WITH THIS PROBLEM. THERE WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THIS VEHICLE, AND THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THIS WOULD NOT BE COVERED DUE TO THE MAINTENANCE THAT HAD DONE ON THE VEHICLE. *AK

20050602SUSPENSION

SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING MY 4 RUNNER, I NOTICED A DISTINCT SHAKING AND SHUDDERING OF THE FRNT END AND ESPECIALLY IN THE STEERING WHEEL. IT REALLY BECAME IMPOSSIBLE T TAKE HE VEHICLE OVER 65 MPH. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE AND WAS ALWAYS TOLD THE SAME THING. THERE IS NO PROBLEM . I HAVE HAD NEW TIRES PUT ON THE CAR, NEW BRAKES AND YET THE CAR CONTINUES TO VIBRATE TO THE POINT THAT I AM NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE STERING IS ABSOLUTELY MADDENING AND I FEAR A FATAL CRASH. TOYOTA FOLSOM LAKE REFUSES TO ADMIT THERE IS A PROBLEM AND WILL DO NOTHING. THE 2002 TOYOTA WA RECALLED FOR THE SEALS FAILING ON THE WINDOWS. I TOOK IT IN AND THEY SUPPOSEDLY FIXED THE SEALS. THEY NOW HANG DOWN FOR ALL THE WORLD TO SEE. GREAT IMPRESSION FOR TOYOTA MANUFACTURING COMPANY.WHEN YOU APPLY THE BRAKES THE WHOLE CAR GOES INTO SPASMS LIKE IT IS GOING TO FALL APART. THE TOYOTA 4 RUNNER IS A PIECE OF TRASH AND DEFINITELY A LEMON FROM DAY ONE. I FOR ONE, WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER JAPA

20050602SUSPENSION:FRONT

SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING MY 4 RUNNER, I NOTICED A DISTINCT SHAKING AND SHUDDERING OF THE FRNT END AND ESPECIALLY IN THE STEERING WHEEL. IT REALLY BECAME IMPOSSIBLE T TAKE HE VEHICLE OVER 65 MPH. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE AND WAS ALWAYS TOLD THE SAME THING. THERE IS NO PROBLEM . I HAVE HAD NEW TIRES PUT ON THE CAR, NEW BRAKES AND YET THE CAR CONTINUES TO VIBRATE TO THE POINT THAT I AM NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE STERING IS ABSOLUTELY MADDENING AND I FEAR A FATAL CRASH. TOYOTA FOLSOM LAKE REFUSES TO ADMIT THERE IS A PROBLEM AND WILL DO NOTHING. THE 2002 TOYOTA WA RECALLED FOR THE SEALS FAILING ON THE WINDOWS. I TOOK IT IN AND THEY SUPPOSEDLY FIXED THE SEALS. THEY NOW HANG DOWN FOR ALL THE WORLD TO SEE. GREAT IMPRESSION FOR TOYOTA MANUFACTURING COMPANY.WHEN YOU APPLY THE BRAKES THE WHOLE CAR GOES INTO SPASMS LIKE IT IS GOING TO FALL APART. THE TOYOTA 4 RUNNER IS A PIECE OF TRASH AND DEFINITELY A LEMON FROM DAY ONE. I FOR ONE, WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER JAPA

20050602TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS

SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING MY 4 RUNNER, I NOTICED A DISTINCT SHAKING AND SHUDDERING OF THE FRNT END AND ESPECIALLY IN THE STEERING WHEEL. IT REALLY BECAME IMPOSSIBLE T TAKE HE VEHICLE OVER 65 MPH. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE AND WAS ALWAYS TOLD THE SAME THING. THERE IS NO PROBLEM . I HAVE HAD NEW TIRES PUT ON THE CAR, NEW BRAKES AND YET THE CAR CONTINUES TO VIBRATE TO THE POINT THAT I AM NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE STERING IS ABSOLUTELY MADDENING AND I FEAR A FATAL CRASH. TOYOTA FOLSOM LAKE REFUSES TO ADMIT THERE IS A PROBLEM AND WILL DO NOTHING. THE 2002 TOYOTA WA RECALLED FOR THE SEALS FAILING ON THE WINDOWS. I TOOK IT IN AND THEY SUPPOSEDLY FIXED THE SEALS. THEY NOW HANG DOWN FOR ALL THE WORLD TO SEE. GREAT IMPRESSION FOR TOYOTA MANUFACTURING COMPANY.WHEN YOU APPLY THE BRAKES THE WHOLE CAR GOES INTO SPASMS LIKE IT IS GOING TO FALL APART. THE TOYOTA 4 RUNNER IS A PIECE OF TRASH AND DEFINITELY A LEMON FROM DAY ONE. I FOR ONE, WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER JAPA

20050518CrashSUSPENSION:FRONT

FRONT END FAILED VEHICLE GOT OUT OF CONTROL AND HIT THE WALL TOYOTA 4 RUNNER YR 2002

Mileage: 53,000

20050518SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

MY CAR HAS BEEN SHAKING IN THE FRONT WHEN I APPLY MY BRAKES AND ALSO WHEN I GET TO A SPEED OF ABOUT 70MPH. I REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKES AND ROTERS ON THE CAR, KNOWING THAT THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WRONG WITH THEM, BUT NO MECHANIC COULD FIGURE ANYTHING ELSE OUT AND THEY GAVE THAT A SHOT. I HAVE KEPT THE ORIGINAL BRAKES AND ROTERS TO SHOW THAT THEY WERE ABSOLUTELY FINE. I HAVE SPENT A TOTAL OF ABOUT $133.00 FOR THESE REPAIRS WITH NO SUCCESS. I SEEN THE RECALL THAT WAS POSTED ON THE WORLD NEWS ON 5/17 AND THE SYMPTOMS THAT THEY WERE DESCRIBING MATCHED WHAT MY SUV WAS DOING. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON THIS PROBLEM YET.

Mileage: 65,000

20050504CrashSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

APRIL 28, 2005, NO INJURIES. CONTACT STATES HE WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT. IT WAS RAINY. AND WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH VEHICLE LOST CONTROL AND VEERED TO THE RIGHT. TRIED TO STEER LEFT, BUT STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT GO LEFT. APPLIED BRAKES, AND THEY FAILED. THEN, HIT SEMI TRAILER TRUCK ON LEFT SIDE. CONTACT HAS REGULAR MAINTENANCE HAS SERVICE RECORDS. *AK

Mileage: 45,000

20050504CrashSUSPENSION

APRIL 28, 2005, NO INJURIES. CONTACT STATES HE WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT. IT WAS RAINY. AND WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH VEHICLE LOST CONTROL AND VEERED TO THE RIGHT. TRIED TO STEER LEFT, BUT STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT GO LEFT. APPLIED BRAKES, AND THEY FAILED. THEN, HIT SEMI TRAILER TRUCK ON LEFT SIDE. CONTACT HAS REGULAR MAINTENANCE HAS SERVICE RECORDS. *AK

Mileage: 45,000

20050324FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM

FUEL GAUGE HAND GONE TO FULL AND DROPPED TO EMPTY WHILE DRIVING. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG.*AK

Mileage: 28,000

20050309EQUIPMENT

I BOUGHT A 2002 4RUNNER SPORT FROM JIM BARKLEY TOYOTA IN ASHEVILLE NC. SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE I NOTICED A VIBRATION IN THE BRAKES. I HAD THEM CHECKED AND WAS TOLD THE ROTORS WERE WARPED AND HAD THEM TURNED. A FEW MONTHS LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN ,AND I HAD TO PUT A NEW SET ON. THEN ONCE AGAIN I HAD TO REPLACE THEM, WHEN WE DID WE ALSO REPLACED THE PADS AND THE ENTIRE SYSTEM WAS NOT WORKING AND WE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT, AND THEY WORKED ON IT AND STATED THAT IT WOULD BE $3000 TO FIX IT BECAUSE THE CALIPERS AND ACTUATOR WOULD NEED REPLACING. I AM SURE WHEN I PAY FOR THIS THE PROBLEM WILL COME BACK AND THEY WILL TRY TO GET EVEN MORE MONEY FROM ME.*AK

Mileage: 1,000

20050309SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

I BOUGHT A 2002 4RUNNER SPORT FROM JIM BARKLEY TOYOTA IN ASHEVILLE NC. SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE I NOTICED A VIBRATION IN THE BRAKES. I HAD THEM CHECKED AND WAS TOLD THE ROTORS WERE WARPED AND HAD THEM TURNED. A FEW MONTHS LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN ,AND I HAD TO PUT A NEW SET ON. THEN ONCE AGAIN I HAD TO REPLACE THEM, WHEN WE DID WE ALSO REPLACED THE PADS AND THE ENTIRE SYSTEM WAS NOT WORKING AND WE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT, AND THEY WORKED ON IT AND STATED THAT IT WOULD BE $3000 TO FIX IT BECAUSE THE CALIPERS AND ACTUATOR WOULD NEED REPLACING. I AM SURE WHEN I PAY FOR THIS THE PROBLEM WILL COME BACK AND THEY WILL TRY TO GET EVEN MORE MONEY FROM ME.*AK

Mileage: 1,000

Compare 2002TOYOTA4 RUNNER to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2002 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER have?
The 2002 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER has 45 NHTSA complaints, 12 crashes, 1 fires, 15 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER?
The most-complained component for the 2002 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER is TIRES with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE.
Is the 2002 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.