2003 Toyota 4RUNNER Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 29about this part
- Share
- 4%of 696 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 58,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 29 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2003 Toyota 4RUNNER, 4% of the 696 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 58,000 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was at a complete stop. Right after I let my foot off the brake, the car lunged forward violently. It was a traumatic experience. I don't know if this was an isolated incident, will it happen again or is this common? Also, shortly after I took ownership of my car, the paint started to peel on the rear hatch below the license on the left, where there are somewhat sharp angles. Toyota repainted the rear hatch, excluding the spoiler. I just noticed two rust spots above the rear window. …”
NHTSA complaint #11374367, filed 2020-11, 58,000 miles“We were driving along normally, the vsc, trac, ABS and e-brake lights came on the dashboard, along with an audible alarm. Then we had no brakes. I had to push with all my strength just to slow down at all. We were lucky we did not crash, we could have been killed. I am finding out it is a common problem on this year and model, as well as other Toyota models that use the same brake master cylinder/traction control module.”
NHTSA complaint #10660271, filed 2014-11, 160,000 miles“2003 Toyota 4runner v6 sport. On saturday I floored the gas pedal and when I let up the vehicle continued to accelerate. I pumped the brakes but acceleration continued. I applied strong continuous force to the brakes and after a few seconds the acceleration disengaged. Yesterday's announcement of other non-4runner Toyota models being recalled for exactly the same problem has me very concerned. Is it possible that the 4runner has the same issue and should also be recalled?”
NHTSA complaint #10301853, filed 2010-01, 57,000 miles“On approximately february 28, 2012, the ABS/trac control/vsc lights came on and remained lit on my 2003 Toyota 4RUNNER. I called the dealership and they said to bring it in right away. They diagnosed the car and came up with no sensor reading?. It cost me $150 for the diagnostic test. I picked up the car and a few weeks later I brought it back for the same problem. The computer then indicated that there was a faulty o2 sensor which they replaced my cost was over $650. The next week the lights came on again. …”
NHTSA complaint #10472640, filed 2012-08, 50,000 miles“I was driving normally with no issues on local streets. Suddenly the vsc,trac, and e-brake lights came on the dashboard with a very loud audible alarm. No prior issues with this system. I was able to drive slowly home on side roads (1.5 miles away). I made it to my driveway, pulled in on my upsloping driveway and then I had no brakes. Pedal went all the way to the floor. I was able to get the car into the street and had it towed to the shop. I feel lucky to have had this happen at low speed and in town. There was little to no warning for a critical system failure. …”
NHTSA complaint #10670783, filed 2015-01, 102,000 milesRelated recalls
- 11V113000Feb 24, 2011Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2011 lexus lx570, 2003 through 2009 toyota 4runner, and 2006 through 2010 rav4 vehicles. The accelerator…Covers: Toyota 4RUNNER 2003–2009, RAV4 2006–2010, Lexus LX570 2008–2011
Related 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…
- 10133722Mar 31, 2014On July 24, 2013, the settlement of claims for Economic Loss arising from allegations of unintended acceleration was approved. As part of the settlement Toyota will be launching…
- 10133716Mar 31, 2014As part of the settlement described above, Toyota will install Smart Stop Technology on the above listed model and model year vehicles. This feature will cut engine power in case…
- 10045140Jun 13, 2012Toyota: accelerator pedal sensor assembly information regarding the inspection, removal, and installation, if lubrication or oil, is applied.
Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 3% |
| 2022 | 3 | 8% |
| 2021 | 1 | 3% |
| 2018 | 2 | 3% |
| 2017 | 2 | 6% |
| 2016 | 3 | 4% |
| 2015 | 8 | 9% |
| 2014 | 1 | 1% |
| 2013 | 2 | 6% |
| 2012 | 2 | 2% |
| 2011 | 3 | 2% |
| 2010 | 8 | 5% |
| 2009 | 1 | 5% |
| 2008 | 16 | 17% |
| 2007 | 21 | 14% |
| 2006 | 17 | 4% |
| 2005 | 29 | 7% |
| 2004 | 34 | 5% |
| 2003 | 29 | 4% |
| 2002 | 11 | 5% |
| 2001 | 5 | 3% |
| 2000 | 9 | 2% |
| 1999 | 6 | 2% |
| 1998 | 8 | 3% |
| 1997 | 11 | 4% |
| 1996 | 5 | 3% |
| 1994 | 3 | 5% |
| 1992 | 6 | 11% |
| 1991 | 1 | 2% |
| 1990 | 5 | 6% |
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 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 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