2002 Toyota 4RUNNER Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 4%of 225 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 70,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the air bags of the 2002 Toyota 4RUNNER, 4% of the 225 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,000 miles. 7 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Airbag did not deploy and Toyota would not give the name and type and brand and the maker names of the airbag. Toyota is asking me to go to court to have the court order them to release the airbag specifications and the type and brand and the maker. Can you make Toyota give me this information?”
NHTSA complaint #11000680, filed 2017-06, 112,000 miles“In october '02 I was involved in a frontal collision with another vehicle that was turning from south to west as I was travelling north. My vehicle ended up colliding with the other vehicle at its passenger front axle and my driver side front end. As contact occurred, I had my wheels turned hard to the right thusly causing my vehicle to gradually whip the back end around causing a side impact as well. The other vehicle was pushed northward approx. 15-25 feet before the collision came to an end. …”
NHTSA complaint #10003054, filed 2003-01, 16,553 miles“Airbag did not deploy in total loss accident. Sensor was damaged, yet did not deploy the airbag Toyota company would not give the make and name of the airbag”
NHTSA complaint #11055734, filed 2017-12, 111,000 miles“Takata recall: I received a notice regarding this recall but when I check it says my vehicle has not yet been recalled. There is a class action suit. If my vehicles come has these airbags it needs to be recalled as well so I can get it fixed. I have children that need protected”
NHTSA complaint #11042901, filed 2017-11“The contact owns a 2002 Toyota 4RUNNER. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, she crashed into a light pole and the vehicle flipped over three times. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained a head injury, a broken arm, and sustained cuts on her legs from the broken glass that were stitched. The contact required medical attention. The vehicle was towed and declared totaled. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000. The VIN was not available.”
NHTSA complaint #10610807, filed 2014-07, 80,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10244113Aug 17, 2023TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most…
- 10190460Mar 17, 2021Toyota Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
- 10132410Jul 20, 2017TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 20, 2017 Rev1: Applicability has been updated to exclude 2007 ? 2017 model year Avanza vehicles. Some hazardous material treatment and handling…
- 10131961Jan 14, 2014Toyota vehicles are equipped with Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS), including various airbags and in some models, seat belt pre-tensioners, to help reduce the risk of injury…
- 10132055Nov 4, 2013Beginning in 1998, Toyota introduced side airbags as optional equipment. Toyota does NOT recommend replacement of original seat covers with non-Toyota leather or other seat cover…
- 10042555Sep 6, 2011Toyota: information provided for replacing the seat covers for vehicles equipped with side airbags.
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 5% |
| 2024 | 2 | 20% |
| 2023 | 2 | 6% |
| 2022 | 6 | 15% |
| 2021 | 1 | 3% |
| 2020 | 5 | 15% |
| 2019 | 5 | 8% |
| 2018 | 8 | 13% |
| 2017 | 3 | 8% |
| 2016 | 10 | 12% |
| 2015 | 17 | 20% |
| 2014 | 8 | 10% |
| 2013 | 9 | 25% |
| 2012 | 70 | 73% |
| 2011 | 112 | 69% |
| 2010 | 92 | 63% |
| 2009 | 2 | 9% |
| 2008 | 4 | 4% |
| 2007 | 6 | 4% |
| 2006 | 24 | 6% |
| 2005 | 19 | 4% |
| 2004 | 37 | 5% |
| 2003 | 12 | 2% |
| 2002 | 9 | 4% |
| 2001 | 6 | 3% |
| 2000 | 13 | 3% |
| 1999 | 13 | 4% |
| 1998 | 7 | 3% |
| 1997 | 9 | 3% |
| 1996 | 9 | 6% |
| 1995 | 2 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2002 Toyota 4RUNNER
88 complaintsSuspension
49 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
33 complaintsOther or unknown
32 complaintsBrakes
21 complaintsEngine cooling
12 complaintsSteering
12 complaintsVehicle speed control
11 complaintsTires
8 complaintsEngine
5 complaintsElectronic stability control
4 complaintsFuel system
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Toyota 4RUNNER
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology