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KLUNK

2002 Toyota 4runner

The Verdict

48 Proceed with Caution

The 2002 Toyota 4runner has 251 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (157 complaints) and transmission (34 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 48/100, it earns a "Proceed with Caution" rating. If you're shopping for a Toyota 4runner, consider the 2024 model year which has 96% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2024 has 96% fewer complaints

View the 2024 Toyota 4runner dashboard →

48

Klunk Score: Proceed with Caution

About average for complaint volume. Research the specific issues before buying.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
200035434184739
2001123892030
200215726112334
2003467661711340
200446974514734
200531131243323
200626627362328
20078528191111
2008441071023
200950359
201029119245
201128611185
20126770100
20131351260
201427430141
201535329162
201631525106
2017159731
20182858142
20193058174
2020194611
2021216511
2022235821
2023192522
202442200
20251921521

By Category

Body
157
Transmission
34
Brakes
26
Engine
23
Electrical
11

By Severity

1
117
2
109
4
25

Worst Problems

Compare Against

See how the 2002 Toyota 4runner stacks up against rivals.

Complaints

Body 1

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 debris. I'm now noticing other similar "tear/wear" signs on my other 3 tires on the vehicle. All specifically on the sidewall along the aggressive tread that the AT3W tires were known to have for extra grip. It just seems to be separating over time.

25mo ago
Body 2

Frame rot

36mo ago
Body 2

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.

38mo ago
Body 1

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.

40mo ago
Body 2

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.

47mo ago
Body 2

frame rust saftey hazardous? midas mechanic pointed out to me while work being done on exhaust march 2022

50mo ago
Body 2

The contact owns a 2002 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH through a slight right curve, the vehicle independently shifted from side to side without warning nearly causing the vehicle to flip. The contact had an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle and the mechanic discovered severe corrosion throughout the entire subframe of the vehicle. The mechanic informed him that the entire subframe needed to be replaced to ensure safe driving. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer had been notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

51mo ago
Body 1

Frame rusted through from the inside out. There isnt even any surface rust where the hole started. Its just a hole in the middle of clean metal. The rest of the frame rail is solid. Rear suspension arm mount is also rusted out and starting to come off. The entire structural integrity of the frame is in question, even though externally, theres only slight surface rust. The frame should not be rusting this way.

53mo ago
Body 1

Premature rusted frame throughout, vehicle is garaged and well maintained 117,000 miles on my 2002 Toyota 4Runner. Auto body specialist estimates $3k-$4k to restore, at least.

54mo ago
Body 1

Frame and rear passenger control arm bracket, rotted out .only there, 2 nd time this has happened, same spot but on my previous 2001 4runner

55mo ago
Body 2

Had vehicle inspected on Oct. 1 ,2021 for road trip to North Carolina from Washington, DC. Was informed that my vehicle is unsafe by the automotive shop (name withheld) due to [rusting] frame front suspension components' threads rusted off on bolts that hold suspension, control arms, and shocks on both front and rear areas + body of vehicle located where shocks bolt to the body. I also had two other shops (names withheld) assess the state of the frame and suspension + and was told that the vehicle has maybe 1 year or so until the frame falls apart. Given I am the original owner, have gargage-kept my vehicle, have very low-mileage - 74,000 miles, and have maintained the vehicle immaculately and am aware of rusting problems with other Toyota [truck] frames, etc. this seems to be a defect in the manufacturing process. I know there have been recalls on Toyota's other trucks due to Toyota's failure to add [enough?] rust inhibitor/preventative to the molten steel when forming the frame for many models of their trucks.

57mo ago
Body 2

The contact owns a 2002 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while receiving routine maintenance repair on the vehicle, the independent mechanic informed the contact that the subframe was rusted. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 136,000.

59mo ago
Body 2

After having my 4 runner in for routine maintenance, my mechanic informed me that my frame was in bad condition and rusting through. Doubtful it has a year left and he advised me to junk it as fast as I can. 180;000 miles - so much for Toyota’s lasting a long time.

61mo ago
Body 1

FRAME IS SHOWING EXCESSIVE RUST ALL OVER, A KNOWN PROBLEMS WITH 4RUNNERS AND TOYOTA TRUCKS. AUTO REPAIR SHOP SAYS VEHICLE PROBABLY HAS ONLY 1 YEAR OF LIFE LEFT BEFORE UNSAFE AND UNDRIVABLE. CAR HAS ONLY 100000 MILES ON IT, 1998 4RUNNER WE HAD MADE IT TO 250000 MILES- UNACCEPTABLE.

63mo ago
Body 1

I RECENTLY HAD MY VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE AND TO GET NEW TIRES. WHILE ON THE LIFT, THE MECHANIC POINTED OUT TO ME THAT THE FRAME ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE IS BEGINNING TO RUST THROUGH. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE AND AS I HAVE RESEARCHED POSSIBLE REPAIRS, IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS YEAR AND MODEL. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED.

64mo ago
Body 1

THE FRAME HAS RUSTED AT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR CONTROL ARM MOUNT TO THE POINT OF NOT PASSING INSPECTION.

64mo ago
Body 1

THE FRAME IS RUSTED OUT AND IS MAKING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO BE ON THE ROAD. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS FRAME, IT'S ALREADY BEEN RECALLED ON THE TOYOTA TACOMA AND IT'S THE SAME IDENTICAL FRAME. IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED YEARS AGO. JUST MAKING A NORMAL TURN ON A BEND IN THE ROAD MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO KEEP THE VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL.

64mo ago
Body 2

EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE FRAME. HAVE HEARD OF OTHER TOYOTAS FROM THE SAME TIME THAT WERE RECALLED BUT NOT THE 4RUNNER EVEN THOUGH IT SUFFERS THE SAME ISSUES.

65mo ago
Body 2

HAD THE 4RUNNER WV STATE INSPECTED. NEEDED TO REPLACE THE MUFFLER. NOTICED THE FRAME CRACKED ON FRAME RAIL NEAR MUFFLER LOCATION.

69mo ago
Body 1

FRAME IS RUSTED. DEEMED UNSAFE TO DRIVE

69mo ago

251 total

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