Model year guide

2002 Toyota 4 Runner

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2002 Toyota 4 Runner is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 4 on record.

2002 Toyota 4 Runner — representative photo
Representative photo

2002 Toyota 4 Runner at a glance

Safety recalls3
Combined16 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2002 Toyota 4 Runner recalls 3

Exterior Lighting NHTSA Campaign #06E049000 · 24/05/2006

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Fix: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

Exterior Lighting NHTSA Campaign #06E026000 · 23/03/2006

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Fix: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint NHTSA Campaign #05V225000 · manufacturer #50J · 17/05/2005

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, DUE TO A MANUFACTURING ISSUE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINT, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE SURFACE OF THE BALL OF THE JOINT MAY HAVE BEEN SCRATCHED. THE BALL JOINT MAY EVENTUALLY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE WEAR AND LOOSENESS, RESULTING IN INCREASED STEERING EFFORT.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 5, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2002 Toyota 4 Runner safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Frontal — driver★★★★★
Frontal — passenger★★★★★
Side — front seat★★★★★
Side — rear seat★★★★★
Frontal crash test — 2002 Toyota 4Runner 4-DR.Frontal crash test
Side barrier test — 2002 Toyota 4Runner 4-DR.Side barrier test

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2002 Toyota 4Runner 4-DR.. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2002 Toyota 4 Runner MPG & running costs

Combined16 mpg
City15 mpg
Highway18 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$4,200
EPA size classSport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$9,000 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2002 Toyota 4 Runner costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$21,000
Fuel only$21,000
Per mile$0.28

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2002 Toyota 4 Runner vehicles on record

Other Toyota 4 Runner model years

2002 Toyota 4 Runner — frequently asked questions

Does the 2002 Toyota 4 Runner have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2002 Toyota 4 Runner. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What is the 2002 Toyota 4 Runner safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2002 Toyota 4 Runner crash-test ratings of frontal 4★, side 5★, rollover 2★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 2002 Toyota 4 Runner get?

The 2002 Toyota 4 Runner has a U.S. EPA estimate of 16 mpg combined (15 city / 18 highway).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.