2003 Toyota 4 Runner engine and engine cooling problems
75 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine and engine cooling on the 2003 Toyota 4 Runner — 45% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“I bought a new toyato 4 runner and the vehicle smell constantly. I spoke with toyota and they ask me to change my gas type to a more expensive one. This is ridiculous that I have to be driving my family around in a smelly truck. Help”
filed Feb 21, 2005
“At certain times I have a sulfur/exhaust smell that enters the vehicle. It is intermittent, I thought maybe it was exhaust from vehicles in front of me emitting bad fumes, but it has also happened when no other vehicles are around me. It hasn't lasted long 30 seconds to a minute and it's gone. But…”
filed Jan 25, 2005
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
No start in sub-freezing ambient air temperatures. *tt
04305 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 9, 2006Malfunction indicator lamp (mil) on with diagnostic trouble code (dtc) p0136 and/or p0156 (oxygen sensor circuit). *tt
00505 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 11, 2005
Engine and Engine Cooling problems in other 4 Runner years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 4 Runner | 18 | 27% |
| 2002 4 Runner | 5 | 16% |
| 2001 4 Runner | 8 | 26% |
| 2000 4 Runner | 6 | 6% |
| 1999 4 Runner | 12 | 11% |
| 1998 4 Runner | 15 | 13% |
| 1997 4 Runner | 11 | 9% |
| 1996 4 Runner | 24 | 27% |
| 1995 4 Runner | 77 | 62% |
| 1994 4 Runner | 20 | 38% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2003 Toyota 4 Runner
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.