2003 Toyota 4RUNNER Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 2%of 696 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 6,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the fuel system of the 2003 Toyota 4RUNNER, 2% of the 696 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 6,000 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
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.
“Check engine light was on, failed my emission test. The computer printed out a paper that stated there was a recall defect # 2059 from Toyota. When I called Toyota they cant find a recall that matches my VIN and told me there not responsible.”
NHTSA complaint #10258302, filed 2009-02, 125,000 miles“2003 4 RUNNER v6 has loud ticking noise coming from engine conmpartment. I ran it by the dealership 1 week after purchase too see what the problem was. Service manager said it was normal. Approximatly 2 months later rear seat was squeaking. Made appointment with dealer had them fix the seat and diagnose the noise coming from engine compartment again. They fixed the seat and was told it was the injectors making the noise. I told the sevice manager that I was not happy with the quality. The 2002 4 RUNNER is very quiet. …”
NHTSA complaint #10045828, filed 2003-11, 100 miles“Vibration in steering. Dealer cannot fix. Went to arbitration and lost due to biased investigator and policy that would not allow arbitrator to drive the vehicle. Two other dealers acknowledge the vibration but say it is designed that way!--also mileage computer inaccurate and excessive wind noise.”
NHTSA complaint #10121429, filed 2005-05, 6,000 miles“I purchased my 2003 4 RUNNER last july and almost immediately noticing a sulfur smell. I was told by the dealer that it was the fuel. I continued to complain and was finally admitted to by Toyota that this is a problem with their metal components and the blending of the fuel. The odor is so strong in my car that clients are complaining and asking about septic issues.”
NHTSA complaint #10068227, filed 2004-05“My 2003 Toyota had emissions issues in that all four oxygen sensors would fail quickly. It took me two years and lots of money later to determine that the cause of this is because transmission fluid is wicking its way through the transmission solenoid harness all the way to the ecu and once there because of the way the ecu is mounted gets into all of the other wiring harnesses of just about every other sensor. I went to Toyota and the first technician never heard that happening before but another overheard our conversation and said I bet you have a 4RUNNER so yeah its happened to others. …”
NHTSA complaint #10823454, filed 2016-02Related recalls
- 03V146000Apr 14, 2003On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with v6 engines, the fuel pulsation damper, located on the fuel rail, may have been improperly assembled, causing a…Covers: Toyota 4RUNNER 2003
Related service bulletins
- 10152124Mar 23, 2018Dealer Letter: March 23, 2018 Parts Ordering section has been updated. Toyota will initiate a Special Service Campaign (SSC) to replace the fuel pulsation damper on certain 2003…
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 14% |
| 2025 | 2 | 3% |
| 2024 | 1 | 10% |
| 2021 | 1 | 3% |
| 2020 | 1 | 3% |
| 2019 | 13 | 20% |
| 2018 | 9 | 15% |
| 2017 | 2 | 6% |
| 2016 | 4 | 5% |
| 2015 | 10 | 11% |
| 2014 | 10 | 13% |
| 2013 | 4 | 11% |
| 2012 | 6 | 6% |
| 2011 | 2 | 1% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2009 | 2 | 9% |
| 2008 | 1 | 1% |
| 2007 | 1 | 1% |
| 2006 | 6 | 2% |
| 2005 | 6 | 1% |
| 2004 | 4 | 1% |
| 2003 | 13 | 2% |
| 2002 | 4 | 2% |
| 2001 | 3 | 2% |
| 2000 | 25 | 5% |
| 1999 | 43 | 13% |
| 1998 | 1 | 0% |
| 1997 | 1 | 0% |
| 1996 | 1 | 1% |
| 1995 | 2 | 1% |
| 1994 | 1 | 2% |
| 1993 | 3 | 6% |
| 1992 | 1 | 2% |
| 1991 | 1 | 2% |
| 1990 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2003 Toyota 4RUNNER
284 complaintsSuspension
114 complaintsOther or unknown
111 complaintsEngine cooling
89 complaintsBrakes
74 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
39 complaintsSteering
35 complaintsVehicle speed control
29 complaintsSeats
21 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
18 complaintsWheels
15 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 29, 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