2003 Toyota 4RUNNER Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 18about this part
- Share
- 3%of 696 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 39,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the visibility of the 2003 Toyota 4RUNNER, 3% of the 696 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 39,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“No heat.4-runner was brought into dealer for service 3 times because blower not working, and dealer is now saying they are not sure how to fix.they are waiting to hear from corporate office on how to repair.we are told this is not an isolated problem and they are getting more of this in other 4-runners.they say moisture is getting into blower and in cold weather it freezes causing it not to work. So we are still waiting to see how they will fix this problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10008153, filed 2003-02, 850 miles“Toyota installed a sunroof that had known design defects in the 2003 4RUNNER, the first model year of the 4th generation 4RUNNER. The sunroof would eventually stop working, and the drainage tubes in the sunroof would clog and back up. This would cause water to rain down on the head of the driver and front seat occupants during acceleration or a sudden stop. Toyota has known about the sunroof issue since at least 2006, and had issued multiple Toyota service bulletins on the assembly without initiating a recall.”
NHTSA complaint #10703900, filed 2015-04, 68,000 miles“Hvac blower fan failed after two years of ownership. Unfortunately vehicle mileage exceeds warranty period. Dealer said that failure was due to not clearing snow from hood, thereby blocking air to fan. However, vehicle is garaged and not subject to elements. Mechanic indicated that he had seen other similar failures and that they were due to seepage of water into blower housing and subsequent freezing.”
NHTSA complaint #10116496, filed 2005-04, 39,000 miles“Shimmy in steering wheel between 60 and 65 MPH. Auto door down & up will not work. Noticed problems after purchased (4 miles on vehicle) dealer balanced tires and still had vibration. Will replace tires to see if this fixes problem. Replace window motor.”
NHTSA complaint #10030514, filed 2003-07, 4 miles“Consumer complained that two front windshields had to be replaced due to poor visibility while driving at night. Consumer stated, the problem was severe glare. Dealer was aware of the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10101042, filed 2004-11, 44,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10142892Jun 20, 2018Warranty Policy Bulletin: Toyota has received reports of customer concerns where the vehicles rear hatch glass broke during defroster operation.
- 10131745Mar 2, 2017Warranty Policy Bulletin POL17-03: Toyota has received reports of customer concerns where the vehicles rear hatch glass broke during defroster operation.
- 10131744Mar 2, 2017Dealer Package: Toyota is announcing a Warranty Enhancement Program to extend the warranty coverage for Broken Rear Hatch Glass on Certain 2003-2009 Model Year 4Runner Vehicles.
- 10131743Mar 2, 2017Dealer Email: Toyota is announcing a Warranty Enhancement Program to extend the warranty coverage for Broken Rear Hatch Glass on Certain 2003-2009 Model Year 4Runner Vehicles.
- 10131742Mar 2, 2017Region Email: Toyota is announcing a Warranty Enhancement Program to extend the warranty coverage for Broken Rear Hatch Glass on Certain 2003-2009 Model Year 4Runner Vehicles.
- 10131801Feb 27, 2017TSB: Some 2003 ? 2009 model year 4Runner vehicles may exhibit back door glass "broken" without external impact. This condition may be associated with rear window defogger usage…
- 10131993Dec 19, 2013This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0185-13.
- 10131988Dec 19, 2013The following procedures are recommended during routine maintenance or in the event of a customer concern for wiper performance.
- 10132136Oct 23, 2013The appearance of spots in tempered glass (when viewed at certain angles) is the result of the heat treating and quick quenching process during manufacturing.
- 10018386Jan 12, 2005Moon roof replacement parts.
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 14% |
| 2025 | 2 | 3% |
| 2023 | 1 | 3% |
| 2021 | 3 | 8% |
| 2020 | 1 | 3% |
| 2019 | 4 | 6% |
| 2018 | 2 | 3% |
| 2016 | 4 | 5% |
| 2015 | 3 | 3% |
| 2014 | 3 | 4% |
| 2011 | 3 | 2% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2008 | 4 | 4% |
| 2007 | 10 | 6% |
| 2006 | 22 | 6% |
| 2005 | 26 | 6% |
| 2004 | 14 | 2% |
| 2003 | 18 | 3% |
| 2002 | 2 | 1% |
| 2001 | 1 | 1% |
| 2000 | 10 | 2% |
| 1999 | 3 | 1% |
| 1998 | 1 | 0% |
| 1997 | 3 | 1% |
| 1996 | 7 | 4% |
| 1995 | 2 | 1% |
| 1994 | 2 | 3% |
| 1993 | 2 | 4% |
| 1992 | 4 | 8% |
| 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 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 28, 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