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2002 Toyota 4Runner recalls and problems

The 2002 Toyota 4Runner has 1 safety recall and 193 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Toyota dealer.

Recalls
1
Complaints
193
Crashes / fires
12 / 2
Injuries / deaths
13 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2002 Toyota 4Runner vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2002 Toyota 4Runner recalls

Recall 05V-225: Suspension

Reported May 17, 2005 · 768,379 vehicles affected · TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Problem: On certain sport utility vehicles, due to a manufacturing issue in the front suspension lower ball joint, there is a possibility that the surface of the ball of the joint may have been scratched. The ball joint may eventually experience excessive wear and looseness, resulting in increased steering effort.

Risk: The lower ball joint may separate from the knuckle causing loss of steering control and a crash could occur.

Fix: Dealers will replace the front suspension lower ball joints free of charge. The recall began on july 5, 2005. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

2002 Toyota 4Runner problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Structure90
Suspension44
Power Train30
Unknown or Other30
Steering10
Service Brakes10
Vehicle Speed Control8
Service Brakes, Hydraulic7
Engine and Engine Cooling7
Air Bags6
Engine5
Tires4

Most reported parts

  • Structure › Body — 74
  • Structure › Frame and Members › Underbody Shields — 8
  • Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint — 7
  • Structure › Frame and Members — 5
  • Power Train › Driveline — 2
  • Suspension › Rear — 2
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor — 1
  • Air Bags › Frontal — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 135,000 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 4Runner complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Power Train · at 200,000 miles · reported Oct 8, 2026
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle lost power while depressing the accelerator pedal. The failure initially occurred without warning; however, the VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) message was displayed with an audible beeping sound coming from the vehicle. In addition, there was a red warning light flashing on the instrument panel after the failure. The contact stated that the failure occurred mostly while turning the steering wheel to the left or the right. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the…
Tires · reported Jun 17, 2024
THIS IS FOR TIRE SIZE P265 75 16. To start, I've seen multiple other complaints describing the same scenario and type of incident. Driving along the highway at appropriate speeds, I hear a whoosh/deep pitch rumble, then my vehicle began to vibrate violently. I was luckily able to pull over but had to swerve to regain control of my vehicle once the rumbling and vibration got too severe since it happened so quickly. Witnessed my driver side rear tire completely shredded, no damage along tread material, only on sidewall with multiple tears/punctures. This was a center lane on the highway with no…
Structure · at 160,000 miles · reported May 19, 2023
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while inspecting underneath the vehicle, he noticed that there was a hole in the subframe and that the subframe and sway bar were corroded. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
Latches/Locks/Linkages · at 150,000 miles · reported Mar 9, 2023
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated while pulling the door handle to unlock the doors, the auto unlock function failed to unlock the doors. The contact had to press the unlock button to unlock the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed and the dealer stated that a failure was not found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 150,000.
Structure · reported Sep 1, 2022
Frame is excessively rusted. The recall that already exists for this issue only covers certain frames from Japan made with this steel. However, the same frames were imported to America and a large percentage of 4Runners were made with the same steel and didn’t receive a recall. Mine is one of them.

Other Toyota 4Runner years

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Compare all Toyota 4Runner years · All Toyota models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2002 Toyota 4Runner have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2002 Toyota 4Runner: 05V-225 (suspension). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2002 Toyota 4Runner?

Owners report structure problems most often (90 reports), followed by suspension (44). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 135,000 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.