CarRecallDB

2002 Toyota 4RUNNER recalls and problems

1 recall and 225 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2002 Toyota 4RUNNER.

1
recalls
225
owner complaints
19
complaints mentioning a crash
3
mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2002 Toyota 4RUNNER recalls

Suspension: front, control arm, lower ball joint

NHTSA campaign 05V225000 · reported May 17, 2005 · TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC. · 768,379 vehicles potentially affected

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

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Oct 8, 2026 · Power train · 200,000 miles

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…

Jun 17, 2024 · Tires

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…

Jul 13, 2023 · Structure

Frame rot

May 19, 2023 · Structure · 160,000 miles

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…

Mar 9, 2023 · Latches/locks/linkages · 150,000 miles

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…

4RUNNER model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2000 0483301
2001 1185101
2002 1225193
2003 3696180
2004 2678283
2005 5425193

Across all years, the 2003 4RUNNER has the most complaints (696). All Toyota 4RUNNER years →

Questions

Does the 2002 Toyota 4RUNNER have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2002 Toyota 4RUNNER, the most recent reported on May 17, 2005 (Suspension: front, control arm, lower ball joint). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Toyota 4RUNNER?
Owners have filed 225 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is structure (88 complaints), followed by suspension (49).
How many 2002 Toyota 4RUNNER complaints mention a crash or fire?
19 of 225 complaints report a crash and 3 a fire; 20 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received October 8, 2026.