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Safety and Reliability Ratings > 2003 > Toyota > 4RUNNER

2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER LTD
4 Dr. Wagon/Sport Utility
All wheel drive


CARFAX has collected the industry's leading used car safety and reliability ratings into one, convenient report. With this report, you'll know the safety and reliability of your next used car. All information presented in this report is specific to the 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER LTD. Please view the CARFAX Vehicle History Report for the detailed history of a specific used TOYOTA.

 

CARFAX Safety Section One  Safety:

This information will help you select a vehicle model that meets your expectations for safety and security.

CARFAX Safety Section Two  Reliability:

Use this information to check how reliable a vehicle model is before you buy.


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NHTSA Crash Test Results National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration
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Frontal Crash: Rating:   NHTSA Five Star Legend
Driver Rating 4 of 5  
Passenger Rating 4 of 5  
Side Crash: Rating:  
Front Seat Rating 5 of 5  
Rear Seat Rating 5 of 5  
Rollover Resistance: Rating:  
Rollover Resistance Rating 3 of 5  

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides 3 different ratings - full-width frontal crash test , side impact crash test , and rollover resistance . The frontal crash test indicates how well the safety features and restraints will protect an occupant in a head-on collision. The side-impact test conveys the chance of a severe chest injury, while the rollover resistance rating estimates the risk of rolling over in a single vehicle crash. Go to NHTSA to learn more about these results.


IIHS Crash Test Results Highway Loss Data Institute
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Frontal Offset Crash Test Rating:   4 star legend
Overall Evaluation   G
Structure/Safety Cage   G
Injury Measures  
Head/Neck   G
Chest   G
Leg/foot, left   G
Leg/foot, right   G
Restraints/dummy kinematics   G
Important: Frontal crash test ratings can be compared only among vehicles of similar weight. The Toyota 4Runner was redesigned for the 2003 model year and the Lexus GX 470 was introduced in the same year. Dummy movement was well controlled. During rebound, the dummy's head hit the B-pillar. Measures taken from the dummy indicate a low risk of any significant injuries in a crash of this severity. Head acceleration from the B-pillar hit was low. 2003 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4wd 4191 none 110 189 74 4.0 L V6 17 24

Crash Tested Vehicle: Details | Vehicle Specifications

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) uses frontal offset and side impact crash tests to estimate the crashworthiness of a vehicle. These results are good indicators of how a frontal and side impact can structurally impact a 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER LTD . The crashworthiness data for this 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER LTD was provided by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute. Learn more about these crash test results.



Low-Speed Damage Repair Highway Loss Data Institute
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Front Crash Description: Front Crash Cost:
Front into flat barrier $ 1538
Front into angle barrier $ 1177
Rear Crash Description: Rear Crash Cost:
Rear into flat barrier $ 952
Rear into pole $ 1317
Average Damage Per Test $ 1246

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts four 5 mph crash tests to assess bumper performance. These results convey how well this 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER LTD bumpers will protect the car body from damage in low-speed collisions. The low-speed damage repair costs for this 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER LTD were obtained from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute. Learn more about these results.


Injury, Collision, & Theft Indicators Highway Loss Data Institute
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Index: Score: Rating:
Injury Index 75 Better than average
Collision Index 75 Better than average
Theft Index 59 Better than average


These scores are stated in relative terms, with 100 being the average for all cars in each category. Scores greater than 100 represent higher risk in each category. For example, an injury indicator score of 122 means that a passenger in this model is 22% more likely to be injured in an accident. The injury, collision, and theft indicators for this 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER LTD are provided by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute. Learn more about these results.



Safety Recalls
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NHTSA Safety Recalls:
Important: The following recalls were issued for the 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER LTD by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA). To find out if a specific 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER LTD still has open recalls that require repair, CARFAX recommends contacting an authorized dealership for more information.

Recall date: 05-05-2003
Units potentially affected: 29,482
NHTSA campaign number: 03V146000
Defective part or component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Description: On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with V6 engines, the fuel pulsation damper, located on the fuel rail, may have been improperly assembled, causing a diaphragm in the pulsation damper to be damaged. If the diaphragm fails, fuel may leak. This could result in an engine compartment fire if a heat source or an ignition source is present. Dealers will replace the pulsation damper. Owner notification began May 5, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.


This 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER LTD safety recall information was provided by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Data Loss Institute and is derived from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration list of safety recalls. Please call the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration Auto Safety Hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236) to report safety defects or to obtain information on cars, trucks, child seats, and highway or traffic safety. CARFAX does not review, validate or edit the information and statements provided by the National Highway Traffic and Saftey Administration, which do not represent the opinion of CARFAX.



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J.D. Power Ratings
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Ownership: Rating:
Initial Ratings (up to 1 year)  
Overall Quality Rating 3.5 of 5
  Mechanical Quality Rating 3.5 of 5
  Feature and Accessory Quality Rating 2.5 of 5
  Body and Interior Quality Rating 3.5 of 5
Overall Appeal Rating 3.5 of 5
  Performance Rating 3.5 of 5
  Comfort Rating 4 of 5
  Feature and Instrument Panel Rating 3.5 of 5
  Style Rating 3.5 of 5
Midterm Ratings (1-3 Years)  
  Mechanical Reliability No data from source
  Feature and Accessory Reliability No data from source
  Body and Interior Reliability No data from source
Long Term Ratings (3-5 Years)  
Overall Dependability Rating 3.5 of 5
  Mechanical Dependability Rating 4.5 of 5
  Feature and Accessory Dependability Rating 2.5 of 5
  Body and Interior Dependability Rating 4 of 5

J.D. Power and Associates uses selected highlights from the firm's quality and customer satisfaction syndicated studies to create the Power Ratings at the model-level. These ratings and awards are based on model rankings within each vehicle segment, whereas Power Circle Ratings compare all models across segments.

All information provided by J.D. Power and Associates is proprietary information owned by J.D. Power and Associates and is protected by U.S. and international copyright law and conventions. Reproduction of this information, in whole or in part, by any means is prohibited without the express written consent of J.D. Power and Associates, other than printing copies of the JDPA content by site visitors for their personal use. J.D. Power and Associates® is a registered trademark of J.D. Power and Associates.



Identifix Reliability Ratings
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Category: Comments: Rating:
Engine Infrequent problems reported, all with low repair costs Minimal Problems
Transmission & Driveline Infrequent problems reported, all with low repair costs Minimal Problems
Steering & Suspension Infrequent problems reported, all with low repair costs Minimal Problems
Brakes Infrequent problems reported, all with low repair costs Minimal Problems
Heating & Air Conditioning An occasional problem on this vehicle is the A/C Compressor Clutch Relay. Failure of the A/C Compressor Clutch Relay will cause the A/C light to flash when the A/C is turned on and the A/C will not cool. The cost to replace the A/C Compressor Clutch Relay is estimated at $60.00 for parts and $13.00 for labor. All prices are estimates based on $65.00 per flat rate hour and do not include diagnostic time or any applicable sales tax. Moderate Problems
Starting & Charging Infrequent problems reported, all with low repair costs Minimal Problems
Accessories Infrequent problems reported, all with low repair costs Minimal Problems
Identifix Legend


This 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER reliability information was provided by Identifix. Identifix is the nation's largest technical support service for the aftermarket auto repair industry. CARFAX does not review, validate or edit the information and statements provided by Identifix, which do not represent the opinion of CARFAX.



Original Manufacturer Warranty
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Coverage: Years/Mileage:
Basic 3 years or 36,000 miles  
Drivetrain 5 years or 60,000 miles  
Emissions 2 years or 24,000 miles  
Corrosion 5 years with Unlimited mileage  
Transferable Transferable: no cost, unlimited owners covered.  
Roadside Assistance No roadside assistance.  
Safety Belt & Inflatable Restraint Safety belt and inflatable restraint system are covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles.  
Specific Components 8 years or 80,000 miles  
Notes: Manufacturer covers emissions components under basic warranty. Emissions coverage may vary by state. Refer to owners manual for specific details. Transferable: no cost, unlimited owners covered. No roadside assistance. Safety belt and inflatable restraint system is covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Basic warranty covers surface corrosion, batteries, and adjustments. Alignments and wheel balance are limited to 1 year or 20,000 miles.  

This 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER LTD warranty information has been provided by J&L Warranty Pros.


New Car Test Drive Review
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Category: Review:
Summary:

All-new, it's the real deal, not a soccer mom's car.
By Mitch McCullough, Editor-in-Chief, NewCarTestDrive.com

The 4Runner has grown up. The all-new Toyota 4Runner is bigger, smoother, and more comfortable than last year's model. It has moved toward the Toyota Land Cruiser in terms of size and technology. Yet it hasn't lost its original intent as a highly capable off-road vehicle. If you want serious off-road capability with Toyota quality, durability, and reliability, then the new 4Runner is an excellent choice. If you rarely venture off-road (and by "off road" we don't mean dirt roads), then you'll find the Toyota Highlander smoother and more comfortable.

Overview:

Completely new from the ground up, the 2003 Toyota 4Runner shares almost nothing with last year's model. In spite of that, its basic mission has not changed. The new 4Runner offers serious off-road capability. While other SUVs are becoming more and more like cars, the 4Runner is, as Toyota says, the "real deal."

It's loaded with the latest off-road electronic technology. Electronic traction control and Downhill Assist Control improve capability off road, while other features improve comfort and handling on the highway. Yet the new 4Runner is built on a rugged ladder frame and uses a live rear axle, a design considered dated as many SUVs move toward unit-body construction and independent rear suspensions. Toyota felt this design offered better off-road capability.

The new 4Runner is much larger and roomier than last year's model and ride quality has been greatly improved. Order the base 4Runner and you have a comfortable, well-equipped, highly capable SUV that can get things done. Order a 4Runner Limited model loaded with leather and it feels like a poor man's Range Rover. Actually, it's more like a poor person's Land Cruiser.

A new Toyota V6 delivers more power than last year's engine for exceptionally good acceleration performance. And a V8 is also available for the 4Runner for the first time. The V8, an option for all models, delivers better acceleration than the V6 when fully loaded, but you won't need it unless you plan to do a lot of towing.

While the new 4Runner may seem old school to people who want an "on-road" sport-utility, it's the hot ticket for drivers who want genuine off-road capability, but don't want to be punished for it on the way to work every day.

Read the complete 2003 Toyota 4Runner review

© 2002 NewCarTestDrive.com

CARFAX does not review, validate or edit the information and statements provided by NewCarTestDrive.com, which do not represent the opinion of CARFAX.



Awards
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View awardees recognized by Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds.com, Polk Automotive, and J.D. Power and Associates.



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