Used 2003 Toyota 4Runner Consumer Reviews
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May be buried in this vehicle!
tom4416, 05/31/2018
2003 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4WD 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 4A)
14 of 14 people found this review helpful
Bought this car new, spent 10 winters with it in Virginia and Maryland and now enjoying sunny southwest. Only thing that ever failed was an A/C relay that the dealer tried to tell me was a thousand dollar compressor so $16 later the problem was fixed (thanks Internet car forums!). If you have the 4WD version, you do need to "exercise" the 4WD selection, otherwise the solenoid in the transfer case that brings in the front wheels will lockup and it's not a cheap repair. Just putting it into 4WD once a month prevents the problem. Mileage has been acceptable for its size and the technology in place at time of purchase. I towed a race car and trailer all over the eastern seaboard with this rig, never broke a sweat, never lit up the trans overheat light. However, the transmission fluid is an issue in the 03 version. Dealers will tell you it's a permanent fluid in a sealed system that never needs changing. Not true. I have an independent repair shop that uses the specified Toyota fluid in it and I get it flushed and filled every 60K miles, even though I no longer tow. These electronically controlled transmissions cost almost as much as a new engine so take care of them. If you can find one of these at a reasonable price, you will not regret the purchase.
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230 thousand strong
viper driver, 12/24/2015
2003 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4WD 4dr SUV (4.7L 8cyl 5A)
11 of 11 people found this review helpful
Great vehicle, the best I've owned in the past 32 years. I have the limited version. The all time 4WD (4 hi) is fantastic. Handles like a dream, have not been able to get it stuck yet (live in CA with frequent drives into OR and NV; avid skier in the Sierra Nevada's). Only issues are cosmetic; some of the backlighting behind the temperature controls has burned out, and there's a CD stuck in the CD player (with no way to get it out). Leather seats have held up well; but I'll need to have some stitching repaired on the driver's seat soon.
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Great Quality Mid-size Truck
wheatonbama, 03/08/2014
2003 Toyota 4Runner Sport Edition 4WD 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 4A)
10 of 10 people found this review helpful
I have had my 2003 4runner for 11 years now with 156,000 miles and only had one major mechanical problem, which was replacement of gas tank fuel lines. Other than routine maintenance and wear and tear, the truck is great. I get really good gas mileage on the highway between 23 and 25 mpg even driving 70 mph on the hwy. In some instances I can get 27 mpg just driving 55 mph on cruise control. Hope to keep it for 300k and another 10 or 11 years. Oh yeah I use synthetic oil.
2003 SR5 4WD V6
Ed Rooney, 11/16/2009
2003 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4WD 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 4A)
9 of 9 people found this review helpful
I bought this car new in 2003 to be our family truckster. While it had a rattle here and there, it was always reliable and well-mannered on the road through 125,000 miles. Pretty early on in had an ABS problem, which was quickly fixed under warranty. No problems since. Good cargo space and lots of room for rear-passengers. I could just fit 2 kids in boosters and a grandmother in the backseat. I moved up to a BMW 5-series, and less than a month later I am considering moving back to a 4runner.
The Best SUV for the Money
dcross15, 05/01/2015
2003 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4WD 4dr SUV (4.7L 8cyl 5A)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
Our 4Runner was purchased with 25,000 miles in 2004. It now has 171,000 miles and has required no repairs, other then tires, belts, and brakes. It is a monster in the snow, on the beach, and is very capable off road. With the factory installed towing package it tows my lifted Jeep Cherokee with ease. The 4.7L and an amazing transmission seem to give the car more power the it needs. I enjoy the way this thing drives more then most new SUVs. It still receives many compliments and comes across as a luxury SUV. The front seats could be more comfortable, and the seating position in the front is awkward. These things hold their value extremely well, and are well worth the money.
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