Is the 2002 Toyota 4Runner a bad year?
225 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other 4Runner years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2002 Toyota 4Runner are in line with other 4Runner years. Body structure and suspension stand out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2002 4Runner owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 140,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body structureSTANDS OUT | 88 (39%) | 114k–178k miles · around this mileage | — |
| SuspensionSTANDS OUT | 49 (22%) | 69k–182k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 33 (15%) | 93k–150k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Brakes | 21 (9%) | 55k–160k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Steering | 12 (5%) | 98k–165k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Engine | 15 (7%) | 47k–132k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Speed control | 11 (5%) | 47k–124k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Air bags | 9 (4%) | 46k–113k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Tires | 8 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 140,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 225 complaints: 19 mention a crash · 3 mention a fire · 13 report an injury · 3 say the car was towed.
1 complaint was filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
4 wheel drive would not work. Vcs lites and check engine lites on. Car engine filled with black smoke and was towed to repair shop.
Recently purchased this vehicle and started cleaning it, after I drove it home and pressure washed undercarriage, pieces of the rear differential started flying off and gear oil started running out of holes.
Check engine light came in, it was diagnosed as a 770 shift solenoid-e and I was told by two different experts that my transmission would need to be replaced.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 140,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2002 Toyota 4Runner: 3
Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the passenger vehicles listed above. Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
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 lower ball joint may separate from the knuckle causing loss of steering control and a crash could occur.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Toyota: 53
Repair instructions Toyota sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2002 Toyota 4Runner. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power to the Engine ECM has been…
TechTip: Condition - The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power…
The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of the correct torque converter bolts during automatic…
The purpose of this bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly to avoid MIL "ON" shifting issues…
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Frame corrosion
Neighbouring years
2001 4Runner: 185 complaints, keep it · 2003 4Runner: 694 complaints, keep it.
Every Toyota 4Runner year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All 4Runner years side by side
Other Toyota models: Toyota Avalon · Toyota C-HR · Toyota Camry · Toyota Camry Hybrid · Toyota Camry Solara · Toyota Celica · Toyota Corolla · Toyota Corolla Cross · Toyota Corolla Matrix · Toyota Echo · Toyota FJ Cruiser · Toyota Grand Highlander · Toyota Highlander · Toyota Highlander Hybrid · Toyota Matrix · Toyota Prius · Toyota Prius c · Toyota Prius v · Toyota RAV4 · Toyota RAV4 Hybrid · Toyota RAV4 Prime · Toyota Sequoia · Toyota Sienna · Toyota Sienna Hybrid · Toyota Tacoma · Toyota Tundra · Toyota Venza · Toyota Venza Hybrid · Toyota Yaris. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2002 Toyota 4Runner a bad year?
225 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other 4Runner years. At 140,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Toyota 4Runner?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: body structure (88), suspension (49), transmission and drivetrain (33), brakes (21), steering (12).
How many recalls does the 2002 Toyota 4Runner have?
3 recall campaigns list this model year: Exterior lighting (NHTSA 06E049000), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 06E026000), Suspension (NHTSA 05V-225). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.