There are no safety recalls for the 2002 Toyota 4 Runner, but owners have filed 32 complaints with NHTSA.
2002 Toyota 4 Runner problems reported by owners
| Problem area | Reports | |
|---|
| Suspension | 7 | |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 5 | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 5 | |
| Tires | 4 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 | |
| Air Bags | 3 | |
| Fuel System, Other | 3 | |
| Power Train | 3 | |
| Wheels | 2 | |
| Steering | 2 | |
| Electrical System | 2 | |
| Visibility | 1 | |
Most reported parts
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip — 3
- Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 3
- Suspension › Front — 3
- Wheels › Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs — 2
- Fuel System, Other › Fuel Injection System — 2
- Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System — 1
- Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar — 1
- Steering › Linkages › Knuckle › Spindle › Arm — 1
Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 36,900 miles (median of owner reports).
Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.
Recent 2002 Toyota 4 Runner complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.
Suspension · at 60,500 miles · reported Oct 2, 2006
Dt*: the contact stated having other problems after recall #05v225000 regarding suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint was performed in 07/06. During the month of 08/06, there was a beeping sound and an unknown light on the dashboard illuminated intermittently, when the vehicle made left turns, or switched lanes. This occurred many times, prior to the incident which occurred on 08/28/06. While changing lanes at 55 MPH on a dry highway on 08/28/06, the steering wheel and brakes locked up. Also, a vibration was felt coming from the steering wheel. The vehicle pulled over and was turned…
Engine and Engine Cooling · at 72,000 miles · reported Aug 25, 2006
Driving car and heard loud bang noise car immediately starts slowing down and oil light comes on after car stops oil is pouring out from underneath the motor. We send car to the dealership they say the engine has thrown a rod. Motor needs to be replaced the car has 72,000 miles on it . A person in the service dept says they have had a lot of problems with this motor it is very weak. We call other mechanics to get estimates they say they to have seen a lot of problems with this motor. We haven't done anything with the car we are still hoping for some help from toyota. Also we gave the…
Fuel System, Other · at 41,153 miles · reported Nov 3, 2005
While driving down the interstate, the vehicle lost all power. This situation could be fatal, at highway speeds. Luckily, nobody was injured. Further investigation revealed a faulty rheostat in the throttle body of the fuel system. The rheostate failure causes the butterfly valve to close, thus not letting enough air into the intake manifold. Due to the lack of air, the engine "stalls out", causing the vehicle to decelerate very quickly. Replacement of the throttle body corrected the problem, with no further incicents occuring.
Electrical System · at 17,557 miles · reported Nov 2, 2005
2002 toyota 4runner front end makes loud noises, when going over high bumps and some stiffness in steering. The battery needed to be replace due to little or no fluids, noises were coming from the front end, the shock were leaking, and transmission fluid was leaking. The consumer requested a replacement of the front suspension/lower ball joints and the leaking shocks at no cost.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · reported Oct 19, 2005
Dt: ithe contact had 2002 toyota 4-runner serviced at dealership because of brake problems and the ABS light was on. Had brake problems several times ,and had vehicle serviced several times. The contact told dealership wheels kept locking , and she did not feel safe drivingthe vehicle. Dealership left parts off the brakes. The contact found the parts in trunk. Took vehicle back to the dealership who said it happend because brake fluid leak. Also, a tail light was out. The contact's vehicle was involved in an accident two weeks ago, did not hit anyone. Was going south and ended up going west.…
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2002 Toyota 4 Runner have any recalls?
No. NHTSA has no safety recalls for the 2002 Toyota 4 Runner as of this update. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the latest status.
What is the most common problem with the 2002 Toyota 4 Runner?
Owners report suspension problems most often (7 reports), followed by engine and engine cooling (5). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 36,900 miles.
Are Toyota recall repairs free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Toyota dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.