Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Toyota 4Runner owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The frame of this 4runner has been experiencing excessive rust since the time I got it used from a dealer. Once their undercoating wore off, my mechanic replaced rusted up brake lines back about 9 years ago. He said it was because the frame was very rusty and they did a new rust treatment. For the past few years I have been battling issues related to the frame. A plate was put in to strengthen an area. It only has 164K on it, I rebuilt the transmission at 125K, and the body is in good shape. Just that the rust is spreading everywhere underneath. We tried to get it addressed in the previous Toyota frame recall but it was not for this age for whatever reason. Every repair has been more difficult due to rusting bolts, mufflers rusting early, brake lines busting due to rust, the tow hitch rusted through. Now there is a gaping hole in the rear side of the frame supporting the cab. …
When I had my state inspection in January of 2020, the machanic told me the frame of the vehicle will not pass inspection again. It is severely rusted through and in his opinion is unsafe to drive. A few weeks later, I was travelling to my father's residence and the brakes gave out. The technician that repaired my brake line also told me and documented on the bill that the truck is really not safe to drive. I have owned this vehicle for 18 years, and only driven it five winters. I wash the truck numerous times during the winter to remove salt. It is my only vehicle, and I cannot afford a new one. Why wasn't this included in the frame recall from Toyota?!? Now I'm nervous about my safety and those on the roadways.
Traction control system malfunctions intermittently while driving around curves. Several times while driving approximately 30-40 miles per hour on a mountain road, the anti skid light illuminates without warning on a dry paved road with a subsequent sudden pull to the right and "grinding" noise. This has happened multiple times without warning. The Toyota dealer can not help, since he can not replicate the problem. The latest occurrence pulled the vehicle across the center line into the oncoming traffic lane. (had there been oncoming traffic this would have been a serious accident)
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.
Vibration from braking causing very decreased vehicle control posing very increased accident risk. Toyota four runner 02 limited, recurrence of pulsing brake pedal and very high vehicle vibration when braking. This occurs after long mountain descents at normal / posted highway speeds under normal passenger loads (not hauling), clear dry conditions. This is the second time this low mileage vehicle has experience this issue. First time, the front rotors were replaced at the dealer at the owners expense under 40K miles. The vehicle is driven at most 5K miles a year. The problem has returned and poses a serious hazard to occupants and other highway travelers. Searching the web, there are numerous complaints of warped rotors which Toyota dealers are saying its driver error / normal use. I have not driven this vehicle much and not hard. My use would easily qualify as normal highway travel. …
I own a 2002 Toyota 4runner with approximately 94,000 miles. The vehicle primary use is driving less than 10 miles a day off highway. The following alarm lights came on: brake light, check engine light, vsc light, trac light, ABS light, and the speedometer quit working. The vehicle was taken to mike calvert Toyota in houston, tx to diagnose the problem. Their scanner was unable to identify a code for the problem. The conclusion was that the ads control module (skid control sensor) was at fault and thus had to be replaced. The assistant service manager, grant miles advised me not to drive the vehicle until the ads control module was replaced. The cost for the parts and labor was quoted as $2377.01. It would take 3 to 5 business days for the part to be ordered and replaced. …
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.
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.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Toyota 4runner. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the contact depressed the brake pedal and all the service lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact had to apply more pressure to stop the vehicle. The contact pulled over and turned the vehicle off. The failure continued after the vehicle was restarted. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the ABS needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were approximately 258,000.
I have a 2002 Toyota 4runner with a severely rusted frame. My vehicle has less than 70K original miles on it, no body rust, but an extremely rusted undercarriage and frame. I feel it is unsafe to continually drive with this problem, as it will only get worse and could affect other components such as steering, suspension, brakes, etc. Seeing as how Toyota has already had a class action lawsuit against their trucks of the same year for unsafe rusted frames, I feel my 4runner should be included in the frame replacement recall.
Brake complaints in other 4Runner years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2002 Toyota 4Runner?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the brakes of the 2002 Toyota 4Runner, 9% of the model year's 225 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Toyota 4Runner brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2002 Toyota 4Runner, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2002 Toyota 4Runner brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 145,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.