Model year guide

2003 Toyota 4 Runner

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2003 Toyota 4 Runner is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 9 on record.

2003 Toyota 4 Runner — representative photo
Representative photo

2003 Toyota 4 Runner at a glance

Safety recalls3
Combined15–18 mpg

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

2003 Toyota 4 Runner recalls 3

Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal NHTSA Campaign #11V113000 · manufacturer #9LG · 24/02/2011

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.

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.

Fuel System, Gasoline NHTSA Campaign #03V146000 · manufacturer #SSC 30C · 14/04/2003

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.

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 REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Wheels NHTSA Campaign #02V339000 · 17/12/2002

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 INSTALLE…

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.

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.

2003 Toyota 4 Runner safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Frontal — driver★★★★★
Frontal — passenger★★★★★
Side — front seat★★★★★
Side — rear seat★★★★★
Frontal crash test — 2003 Toyota 4Runner 4-DR.Frontal crash test
Side barrier test — 2003 Toyota 4Runner 4-DR.Side barrier test

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2003 Toyota 4Runner 4-DR.. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2003 Toyota 4 Runner MPG & running costs

Combined15–18 mpg
City15 mpg
Highway19 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$4,075
EPA size classSport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd or Automatic 5-spd
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$8,375 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 4 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 2003 Toyota 4 Runner costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$20,375
Fuel only$20,375
Per mile$0.27

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.

2003 Toyota 4 Runner vehicles on record

Other Toyota 4 Runner model years

2003 Toyota 4 Runner — frequently asked questions

Does the 2003 Toyota 4 Runner have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2003 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 2003 Toyota 4 Runner safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2003 Toyota 4 Runner crash-test ratings of frontal 4★, side 5★, rollover 3★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 2003 Toyota 4 Runner get?

The 2003 Toyota 4 Runner has U.S. EPA estimates of 15–18 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (4 versions).

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