Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Toyota 4Runner owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The rust and corrosion underneath the vehicle continually gets worse year after year. The main components of vehicle relating to the engine, powertrain and suspension underneath vehicle are corroded; holes exist in the frame of the truck through out. The frame of truck is rotted due to not being sealed properly during the manufacturing process. Due to the rust and corrosion on the frame of truck, it is impossible to get work done on exhaust and muffler areas. I will send pictures for your reference. This makes driving a safety concern for myself and my son. At this time, I am unable to purchase a new car and do not have money to replace/fix the frame of truck. Inevitably, this problem will get worse and may cause a safety concern for myself and others on the road. …
Vehicle is rusting away. From the inside. Very evident when the Toyota specialist who works on the 4runner has to service it and work on it. They have taken pictures and are supplying us with them. They are a north carolina safety inspector and concerned about the vehicle in a crash. The vehicle's steering is affected and overall ability to control the vehicle along with the frame holding the vehicle parts in place. We have a 2003 Toyota 4runner that doesn't have issues like this one. It has some rust but nothing like this. Started noticing it in 2016 after it had repairs done where you could see the inside of the bottom and frame parts. *this 4runner was built on the tacoma chassis that was recalled. This 4 runner needs to be fixed for it to be safe. My son drives this vehicle. Well, he did. I can't let him now. He has no vehicle. The pictures are disturbing! …
Vehicle was maintained at a Toyota dealership for over a decade before being informed that vehicle is unsafe to drive due to holes forming throughout the entire frame assembly from corrosion. Further research showes the frame of this vehicle resembles that of the Toyota tacoma and tundra models which where recalled due to early and unsafe corrosion leading to components to detach from frame while vehicle is in motion which can lead to serious life hazard. Frame and vehicle were also manufactured in ohio dana company which is the supplier of the recalled frames used in the Toyota tundras and tacoma's.
There is excessive rust on the underbody of my 2003 4runner. It has just 165,000 miles and the frame is extremely rusted. Being only 15 years old I find this to be very sad and unreasonable. The car should be able to last 20-30 years and 300,000 miles. The car has been regularly washed and driven in pennsylvania, illinois, ohio, new york. If there was additional treatment required for the frame it should have been coated, or at the very least notify the customers to make sure they do it. These car should last much much longer and as expensive as the 4runners are they should last.
Frame is completely rotted out rusted, gas tank straps are rotted/rusted. Rear sway bars are rotted off the frame. This vehicle has the same frame issue as the tacoma and sequoia frames that are on recall.
The frame of the car has been rusting at a significant rate in the last 4 years. Mechanic identified major rust issues that would make the vehicle not safe in case of an accident.
My 2003 Toyota 4runner makes a clunk sound that is felt throughout the vehicle when coming to a stop or when beginning to take off. This was first noticed at approximately 40,000 miles. Per the Toyota dealership, removing the driveshaft and greasing the spline yoke quiets the clunk for approximately 20,000 miles. This is partly true, as the greasing quiets it, but it does not go away and the clunk get stronger every day the car is driven until you feel like you are being rear ended. Toyota states this is normal for the operation of the vehicle. It is not normal, and it is absurd to think it is normal. The car should accelerate from a stop without a clunk and come to a stop without a clunk. This problem is widely documented, but Toyota has yet to provide a fix. …
Have had the vehicle for a month now. I went back to the dealer after the first week with noticeable vibration in the steering wheel and the vehicle in general from approx. 45 MPH and above. Dealer balanced wheels. Returned again another week later with same symptoms. Dealer again attemped to balance tires and analyzed rims, speed balance, etc. And determined it was the tires. After the song and dance about the dealer being unable to replace the tires without a long drawn out process, I was directed to the local Bridgestone dealer for tire replacement. Had tires replaced the following Tuesday. Same symptoms re-occurred after a few days. Back to the dealer a third time this past Friday. Re-balanced the new tires again, service manager drove it afterwords and said everything was fine. Left that afternoon on a trip, and the symptoms re-occured again. Have had enough ! …
This condition could be related to item 2. This condition started last winter and is getting worse.) after being at a stop and releasing the brakes, I get a hard shake/thud from the driveline/brakes. This occurs in 90% of stops/starts. (e.g., if it was normal, it would do it all the time to some degree.) there is no metal on metal noise, just the shake/thud like the brakes are releasing too hard or the driveline has too much lash in it. (condition is worse if you come to a hard stop, before starting again.) 2) sometimes (about 20% of the time) after coming to a complete stop at a stop sign or red light, the transmission goes into first gear hard and/or the converter/torsen differential is unlocking/locking incorrectly. It will actually rock the vehicle forward. Sometimes it gives the same sensation as in item 3. …
My wife was driving her 2003 Toyota 4runner limited,v8 when the transmission popped out of gear.she had it in 4d gear for normal driving.she pulled over and put it in 4d gear again and it popped out a second time.the check engine light also appeared. She pulled over again and turned off the air conditioner and she proceeded to drive to her destination without the gear popping out.she called our son to pick up the car to take it to the dealer for service.they found nothing wrong with the vehicle. They said it had to happen while they were testing the car to fix the problem but they couldn't repeat the same thing that happened when my wife was driving it. This situation could be potentially dangerous.where do we go from here,who do we contact? My wife's work number is [phone]
Transmission complaints in other 4Runner years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2003 Toyota 4Runner?
NHTSA has 39 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2003 Toyota 4Runner, 6% of the model year's 696 complaints. The component named most often is driveline (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Toyota 4Runner transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2003 Toyota 4Runner, though it has 3 recalls 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 2003 Toyota 4Runner transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 16,000 miles, and 54% before 25,000 miles.
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.