2002 Toyota 4Runner Reliability
The 2002 Toyota 4Runner has 251 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about body structure and suspension. Compared with nearby 4Runner model years (2000–2004), it rates as a year to avoid: its complaint rate runs well above the 4Runner's typical year.
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-04 · Source: NHTSA
251
NHTSA owner complaints
3
Recall campaigns
22
Complaints citing a crash
3
Complaints citing a fire
2002 Toyota 4Runner complaints by component
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2002 model year, filed between 2002 and 2026. A complaint can name more than one component.
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Body structure | 89 | 35% |
| Suspension | 52 | 21% |
| Powertrain / transmission | 37 | 15% |
| Unknown or other | 31 | 12% |
| Service brakes | 26 | 10% |
| Engine & cooling | 13 | 5% |
| Steering | 12 | 5% |
| Speed control / throttle | 11 | 4% |
2002 Toyota 4Runner recalls
3 recall campaigns on NHTSA record for the 2002 model year, by the date NHTSA received the manufacturer's report. Recall repairs are free at a dealer.
| NHTSA campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 05V225000 | May 17, 2005 | Suspension — front / control arm / lower ball joint | 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… |
| 06E026000 | Mar 23, 2006 | Exterior lighting | Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to federal motor vehicle… |
| 06E049000 | May 24, 2006 | Exterior lighting | Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to… |
How the 2002 compares with nearby 4Runner years
Verdicts compare these 4Runner model years with each other.
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 493 | 2 | Body structure | Avoid |
| 2001 | 190 | 3 | Body structure | Caution |
| 2002 (this page) | 251 | 3 | Body structure | Avoid |
| 2003 | 708 | 3 | Body structure | Avoid |
| 2004 | 678 | 2 | Body structure | Avoid |
Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, so they compare years of the same model rather than different models.
What to check on a used 2002 Toyota 4Runner
- Body: look under the car for rust or damaged subframe and rocker areas, and check panel gaps for signs of repair.
- Suspension: listen for clunks over bumps, look for leaking struts and uneven tire wear.
- Transmission: test-drive from cold through every gear, feel for slipping, harsh or delayed shifts and shudder, and ask whether the fluid has been serviced.
- Brakes: check pedal feel, pulling and grinding, and look at rotor and pad wear; ask when the brake fluid was last changed.
- Recalls: confirm each of the 3 campaigns above was completed on this VIN; open recalls are repaired free at a dealer.
- History: run the VIN for salvage, theft and odometer records, and have an independent mechanic inspect the car before you pay.
Check this exact car
Any 2002 Toyota 4Runner can be better or worse than its model year. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015. Free preview first; the full report is $12.99, one time.
2002 Toyota 4Runner reliability FAQ
Is the 2002 Toyota 4Runner reliable?
The 2002 Toyota 4Runner has 251 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about body structure and suspension. Compared with nearby 4Runner model years (2000–2004), it rates as a year to avoid: its complaint rate runs well above the 4Runner's typical year.
What are the most common 2002 Toyota 4Runner problems?
The most-reported problem areas in NHTSA owner complaints for the 2002 Toyota 4Runner are body structure (89), suspension (52), powertrain / transmission (37), unknown or other (31). One complaint can name more than one component.
Does the 2002 Toyota 4Runner have recalls?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2002 Toyota 4Runner, including 05V225000 (suspension — front / control arm / lower ball joint) and 06E026000 (exterior lighting). Recall repairs are free at a dealer, and whether one was done is tracked by VIN.
How does the 2002 Toyota 4Runner compare with the 2001 and 2003 models?
By NHTSA records, the 2001 has 190 complaints and 3 recalls (caution); the 2003 has 708 complaints and 3 recalls (avoid). The 2002 has 251 complaints and 3 recalls.
How do I check a specific used 2002 Toyota 4Runner?
Run its VIN. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015, with a free preview first and the full report at $12.99, one time. Pair it with an independent pre-purchase inspection.
More Toyota 4Runner research
Other Toyota 4Runner model years:
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation owner complaints (all body-style listings for the 2002 4Runner, de-duplicated by complaint number) and NHTSA recall campaigns, retrieved 2026-11-04.