2003 Toyota 4RUNNER Seats Problems
- Complaints
- 21about this part
- Share
- 3%of 696 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 6,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 21 complaints about the seats of the 2003 Toyota 4RUNNER, 3% of the 696 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 6,500 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.
“I was stopped on the highway behind a truck making a left turn when I was rear ended by another truck going 60 MPH. My 4RUNNER was crushed between them, totaled, and my air bags never deployed. I hit the steering wheel so hard I bounced off of it and broke my seat from the momentum. When I awoke I had slid into the back seat (which is all that was really left of the vehicle). Although I am thankful to be alive, I feel that at that force, the airbags should have deployed!”
NHTSA complaint #10573105, filed 2014-03, 115,000 miles“I was driving the vehicle at a slow speed and made a turn up a hill. Suddenly, I felt the seat jerk backwards and it seemed like the driver's seat went off its track. Later, when the vehicle was parked, I checked the seat in an attempt to resecure it to the track, but I could not improve the situation. It seemed as though the seat is not locked anymore. Whenever I accelerate or come to a stop, it feels as though the driver seat could come loose as it is not secure to the track anymore. I did some research and found out that there is a Toyota technical service bulletin for this issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #10444605, filed 2012-01, 48,000 miles“Driver's seat keeps slipping when increasing/decreasing/stopping. It is a manual seat and dealer informed me that this was nothing to be concerned about and that there had been other complaints. It is a noticable shift in seat position. Dealer suggested that this is a typical manual seat reation. I find this difficult to be comfortable with as I have never had this situation with other vehicles with manual seats. Please notify me via email your findings. Thanks barbara christian.”
NHTSA complaint #10036829, filed 2003-08, 1 miles“There is a whining noise comming from the front differential at all speeds, but noticeable mostly at 80 MPH and hiogher. Toyota aknowledged, but refuses to repair. Also drivers seat is loose and comes out of place during emergency stopping. Again Toyota is aware, but refuses to correct.”
NHTSA complaint #10051461, filed 2004-01, 100 miles“The front driver seat on my 4 RUNNER does not properly lock into place. The seat moves forward and backward on the track in certain positions under braking and/or acceleration. At first the dealer said they would replace the track, but since then they have decided to deny that there is even a problem. The regional manager dropped the case off of their records without even trying to solve the problem. They said it made their averages look bad.”
NHTSA complaint #10064125, filed 2004-03, 500 milesRelated service bulletins
- 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.
Seats: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 | 3% |
| 2018 | 1 | 2% |
| 2017 | 1 | 3% |
| 2016 | 1 | 1% |
| 2015 | 2 | 2% |
| 2011 | 4 | 2% |
| 2010 | 3 | 2% |
| 2009 | 1 | 5% |
| 2007 | 2 | 1% |
| 2006 | 3 | 1% |
| 2005 | 6 | 1% |
| 2004 | 14 | 2% |
| 2003 | 21 | 3% |
| 2002 | 1 | 0% |
| 2001 | 1 | 1% |
| 2000 | 2 | 0% |
| 1999 | 7 | 2% |
| 1998 | 2 | 1% |
| 1997 | 3 | 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 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 30, 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