2003 Toyota 4RUNNER Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 89about this part
- Share
- 13%of 696 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 89 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2003 Toyota 4RUNNER, 13% of the 696 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“2003 Toyota 4runner sport ed, 6 cyl.- at 100,400 miles, both my catalytic converters went out. Also the check engine light goes on which disengages the vehicle skid control, so I hear. Repairs are costly. Can't smog car on the first time car ever needs to get smogged. Seems like a recall issue to me?”
NHTSA complaint #10308607, filed 2010-02, 100,400 miles“At certain times I have a sulfur/exhaust smell that enters the vehicle. It is intermittent, I thought maybe it was exhaust from vehicles in front of me emitting bad fumes, but it has also happened when no other vehicles are around me. It hasn't lasted long 30 seconds to a minute and it's gone. But when the smell comes it's very overpowering, making me want to gag at times.”
NHTSA complaint #10107881, filed 2005-01, 34,115 miles“While in process of replacing serpentine belt and idler pulleys on engine, I noticed (after removing lower engine shield under vehicle) significant rust damage to front frame segment under radiator support. The right side tow hook and corner of frame it was mounted to fell off in my hand when I touched it. Upon further inspection, there are other parts of vehicle frame with rust damage, though none appear to be as severe as area of frame underneath radiator. This portion of frame appears to connect the two side frame rails together.”
NHTSA complaint #10577916, filed 2014-04, 120,750 miles“Toyota 4-runner 2003 six cylinder. Excessive sulfur dioxide odor. No events leading up to failure. Sporadic. Dealerships gave me a hard time, wanted $150.00 to run test even though Toyota headquarters informed me that the dealer should just replace parts, so I never have had it fixed but I am concerned. I changed gas stations numerous times and still receive the odor. Odor comes and goes and can be strong at times especially in cold months. Concerns are that it will become worse and the smell is toxic.”
NHTSA complaint #10313782, filed 2010-02, 20,000 miles“Rotten egg sulfur smell in my 2003 Toyota 4 RUNNER. Very bad when any window is down, just bad when all windows are up. Dealer suggested different gas(didn't work), and replaced catalytic converter (didn't work). This problem is giving me and my family headaches while riding in the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10093754, filed 2004-10, 500 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10253223Mar 4, 2024This is to advise of various price adjustments that will affect Toyota Genuine Motor Oil and Long Life Coolant, effective March 1, 2024. These products are ordered through the…
- 10177599Jun 3, 2020These SKUs are Exhaust Manifolds with Catalytic Converters. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory due to a loss of CARB certification. These SKUs can no…
- 10177598Jun 3, 2020These SKUs are Exhaust Manifolds with Catalytic Converters. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory due to a loss of CARB certification. These SKUs can no…
- 10061567Apr 23, 2013Summary to be provided on a future date.
- 10034194Feb 12, 2010Toyota: engine control. Some model vehicles may exhibit a mil on condition with one or more of the following dtcs-p0442, p0455, or p0456.
- 10034284Feb 4, 2010Toyota: techstream ecu flash reprogramming procedure. Flash reprogramming allows the ecu software to be updated without replacing the ecu. Flash calibration updates for specific…
- 10017317May 9, 2006No start in sub-freezing ambient air temperatures.
- 10015535Feb 11, 2005Malfunction indicator lamp (mil) on with diagnostic trouble code (dtc) p0136 and/or p0156 (oxygen sensor circuit).
- 10016090Dec 3, 2004Sfi system (1gr-fe) repair manual correction for the 2003 4runner. 00400-rm103-4u.
- 10016089Dec 3, 2004Sfi system (2uz-fe) repair manual correction for the 2003 4runner. 00400-rm100-u1.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 3% |
| 2015 | 1 | 1% |
| 2009 | 2 | 9% |
| 2008 | 2 | 2% |
| 2007 | 7 | 5% |
| 2006 | 11 | 3% |
| 2005 | 10 | 2% |
| 2004 | 25 | 4% |
| 2003 | 89 | 13% |
| 2002 | 12 | 5% |
| 2001 | 13 | 7% |
| 2000 | 13 | 3% |
| 1999 | 15 | 5% |
| 1998 | 16 | 6% |
| 1997 | 14 | 5% |
| 1996 | 25 | 16% |
| 1995 | 107 | 62% |
| 1994 | 26 | 41% |
| 1993 | 20 | 39% |
| 1992 | 18 | 34% |
| 1991 | 20 | 47% |
| 1990 | 38 | 49% |
| 1989 | 2 | 33% |
| 1988 | 2 | 22% |
| 1986 | 2 | 25% |
Other parts of the 2003 Toyota 4RUNNER
284 complaintsSuspension
114 complaintsOther or unknown
111 complaintsBrakes
74 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
39 complaintsSteering
35 complaintsVehicle speed control
29 complaintsSeats
21 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
18 complaintsWheels
15 complaintsFuel system
13 complaintsAir bags
12 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Toyota 4RUNNER
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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