2003 Toyota 4Runner Interior & seats Problems

My vehicle: 2003 4Runner SR5 2WD VIN: [XXX] Issue: Front driver's side door will not open. Electronic locks are operating, but the door release is not functioning. Safety Concern: What if I was in a situation where I did need to get out of the vehicle immediately? Such as a high-water incident, fire, etc. Especially for a person [XXX], as myself, this would be a big issue. When attempting to exit the car after pulling into the driveway, I could not open the driver's door. The locks would release, but the door latch would not. I had to crawl over the console to get out through the passenger side. This was not easy as I had back fusion surgery and 8 disc replaced, fused. I had to open the sunroof to help with get over and out. After I did get out, I tried the key in the driver's door, it would actuate the door locks on all doors, but the driver's side door latch would still not release. I even disconnected the battery and reconnected. No help. And after knowing more, it was not an electrical issue, but mechanical failure. I now have it at the repair shop after talking with Toyota Service manage who admitted it was a poor design as the repair for this is to destroy the door panel to get to the actuator to attempt to release the door latch. The estimate for this work is 1,150.00. I am beyond frustration, and especially when I see there is no recall for this issue. There are penty of conversations on this same issue on 4Runner forums as well as all over YouTube. Thank you for looking into this. You can reach me at: [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11662305

Incident

May 20, 2025

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTED THAT THERE WERE CRACKS IN THE DASHBOARD NEAR THE AIR VENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER ALSO SENT A LETTER ASKING OWNERS TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE DASHBOARD INSPECTED HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REPAIR PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

NHTSA ID

10969558

Incident

Aug 15, 2014

Mileage

170,000 mi

I WAS STOPPED ON THE HIGHWAY BEHIND A TRUCK MAKING A LEFT TURN WHEN I WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER TRUCK GOING 60 MPH. MY 4RUNNER WAS CRUSHED BETWEEN THEM, TOTALED, AND MY AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. I HIT THE STEERING WHEEL SO HARD I BOUNCED OFF OF IT AND BROKE MY SEAT FROM THE MOMENTUM. WHEN I AWOKE I HAD SLID INTO THE BACK SEAT (WHICH IS ALL THAT WAS REALLY LEFT OF THE VEHICLE). ALTHOUGH I AM THANKFUL TO BE ALIVE, I FEEL THAT AT THAT FORCE, THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED! *TR

NHTSA ID

10573105

Incident

Jan 28, 2011

Mileage

115,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT A SLOW SPEED AND MADE A TURN UP A HILL. SUDDENLY, I FELT THE SEAT JERK BACKWARDS AND IT SEEMED LIKE THE DRIVER'S SEAT WENT OFF ITS TRACK. LATER, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, I CHECKED THE SEAT IN AN ATTEMPT TO RESECURE IT TO THE TRACK, BUT I COULD NOT IMPROVE THE SITUATION. IT SEEMED AS THOUGH THE SEAT IS NOT LOCKED ANYMORE. WHENEVER I ACCELERATE OR COME TO A STOP, IT FEELS AS THOUGH THE DRIVER SEAT COULD COME LOOSE AS IT IS NOT SECURE TO THE TRACK ANYMORE. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS A TOYOTA TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS ISSUE. THE NUMBER IS NVO11-06. I CHECKED WITH THE DEALER, AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALL TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE OWNER MUST PAY FOR PARTS AND LABOR TO FIX, WITH A TOTAL COST EXCEEDING $1500 FOR CARS OUTSIDE OF THE 3 YEAR/36000 MILE WARRANTY. I HAVE A 2003 MODEL VEHICLE THAT I PURCHASED ON 6/2003, AND THIS TSB WAS ISSUED ON 10/2006 FOR MY VEHICLE MODEL, WHICH MEANS THIS TSB WAS INVALID FOR ME AT THE TSB RELEASE. I DISCOVERED THIS PROBLEM AROUND 9/2011 BECAUSE I HAVE VERY LOW MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE. MANY OWNERS ARE NOT AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE EVEN IF YOU ARE WEARING YOUR SEATBELT, THE DRIVER'S SEAT IS NOT SECURE AND SHIFTS DURING NORMAL STOP OF ACCELERATION AND CAN CAUSE WHIPLASH. ALSO, I HAVE FELT DIZZINESS DURING HEAVY STOP AND GO TRAFFIC DUE TO THE ROCKING MOTION BECAUSE THE SEAT IS NOT SECURE TO THE TRACK. IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT, IT IS MORE LIKELY THAT THE SEAT CAN BECOME DISLODGED, THUS RENDERING THE SEAT BELT USELESS DURING A CRASH. I AM A MECHANICAL ENGINEER AND I UNDERSTAND THE ISSUE. I HAVE SURFED ONLINE AND MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOTED THIS ISSUE HAVE RESORTED TO JERRY RIGGING A FIX TO THE SEAT BECAUSE THEY CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR FIXING THIS DEFECT. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND A RECALL FOR TOYOTA TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TT

NHTSA ID

10444605

Incident

Sep 2, 2011

Mileage

48,000 mi

SAFETY RELATED TO 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SPORT EDITION SUV. DRIVER'S DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM FROZE UP FOR THE THIRD TIME IN TWO YEARS. THIS TIME, COULD NOT OPEN DRIVER SIDE DOOR BY ANY MEANS. 63-YEAR OLD DRIVER HAD TO EXIT OVER CONSOLE, THEN THROUGH PASSENGER DOOR. DRIVER LATER HAD TO RE-ENTER FROM PASSENGER SIDE, OVER THE CONSOLE IN ORDER TO DRIVE VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS CHARGED OVER $500 FOR REPAIRS. POTENTIAL OF NOT BEING ABLE TO EXIT VEHICLE. THIS IS A FLAW OR DEFECT IS COMMONLY NOTED ON THE WORLD-WIDE WEB. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A SAFETY RECALL ISSUE WITHOUT CHARGE FOR REPAIRS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10360532

Incident

May 9, 2010

Mileage

116,000 mi

DRIVERS SEAT IS DEFECTIVE. IT ONCE RATTLED AND MOVED ON IT'S OWN (JUST LITTLE BIT). HOWEVER, THE SEAT FRAME HAS NOW COLLAPSED OVER THE TIME PERIOD. (PLEASE NOTE IT HAS BEEN SINKING SLOWLY OVER A LONG TIME PERIOD.. I JUST NOTICED IT IN 2008) THE FRAME MUST HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE AND/OR IS POORLY DESIGNED. I AM PRESENTLY SITTING ON THE ELECTRONICS BOX WHICH I BELIEVE TO BE THE ELECTRONICS FOR THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS. I HOPE SITTING ON THAT DOES NOT PREMATURELY SET OFF THE AIR BAGS WHICH COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. OR SHORT OUT THE AIR BAGS SO THEY WON'T GO OFF WHEN NEEDED. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP A FEW TIMES. I GET THE RUN-AROUND AND NEVER GET A STRAIGHT ANSWER . NOW THEY WON'T RETURN MY CALLS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10273650

Incident

Jan 1, 2008

Mileage

40,000 mi

POWER DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM ON 2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER MALFUNCTIONS AND LOCKS VEHICLE WHILE RUNNING WITH THE INABILITY TO EXIT VEHICLE FROM INSIDE. TOYOTA WAS NOTIFIED OF THIS SAFETY ISSUE AND IS IGNORING THE PROBLEM (COPIES OF E-MAILS FROM TOYOTA CAN BE PROVIDED). CUSTOMER MESSAGE BOARDS INDICATE THIS MAY BE A SYSTEMIC SAFETY ISSUE. I HOPE THIS COMPLAINT INITIATES AN INVESTIGATION. THE INABILITY TO EXIT A VEHICLE COULD POSE AN EXTREME HAZARD TO DRIVER/PASSENGERS. THANK YOU *TR

NHTSA ID

10231575

Incident

Jun 16, 2008

Mileage

99,000 mi

MY DRIVERS SEAT IS BROKEN AND MOVES WHEN I DRIVE IT DEVELOPED OVER A FEW WEEKS. MY SEAT BELT LOCKS SOME TIMES BECAUSE OF THE SEAT SHIFTING I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN ACCIDENT AND ONLY WEIGHT 178 I DON'T KNOW HOW IT BROKE BUT THE DEALERSHIPS SAID IT IS NOT COVERED IN THE WARRANTY I EXPLAINED THAT I THOUGHT IT WAS A SAFETY HAZARD BUT DIDN'T GET ANY RESPONSE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10218243

Incident

Jan 28, 2008

THE DOOR LOCKS ON FRONT-RIGHT AND REAR-LEFT SIDES ARE MALFUNCTIONING. THE DEALER AT BELL TOYOTA INDICATES THAT THERE ARE BAD ACTUATORS. CONSIDERING THAT THE FRONT-RIGHT AND REAR-LEFT LOCKS ARE NOT OPERABLE, I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE ABILITY TO ESCAPE THE VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. ALSO, THE FRONT-RIGHT AND REAR-LEFT DOORS ARE SPARINGLY UTILIZED INDICATING THAT THERE IS A QUALITY ISSUE ASSOCIATED WITH THE MALFUNCTION. *NM

NHTSA ID

10182891

Incident

Aug 30, 2006

ALL FOUR OF MY DOOR LOCKS HAVE STOPPED WORKING WITH THE AUTOMATIC SYSTEM. EACH REQUIRED A NEW LOCK ACTUATOR TO BE INSTALLED ON EACH DOOR. THE FAILURES OCCURRED AT 26,598 (7/16/04) - FRONT DRIVER, 50,327 (6/10/05) - REAR RIGHT, 67,878 (12/30/05) - FRONT RIGHT, 81,435 (05/2006) - REAR DRIVER. IF A USER DOES NOT NOTICE THE FAILURE, THE POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR CHILDREN IN THE BACKSEAT TO OPEN THE DOOR - AS THE DRIVER BELIEVES THAT THE DOOR IS LOCKED, BUT IT IS NOT. *NM

NHTSA ID

10161070

Incident

May 5, 2006

Mileage

81,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE SEATS HEIGHT WAS NOT ADJUSTED PROPERLY. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER WHO ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES BUT WAS UNABLE TO PERMANENTLY CORRECT . *BF *NM

NHTSA ID

10097015

Incident

Feb 16, 2004

FRONT DRIVERS SIDE SEAT RATTLES OR MOVES ABOUT 1/2 INCH WHEN SLOWING DOWN, GOING FAST & GOING OVER BUMPS.*AK

NHTSA ID

10079200

Incident

Jun 29, 2003

Mileage

12,000 mi

CONSUMER STATED REAR SEATS DID NOT LOCK IN PLACE. AS A RESULT, WHEN APPLYING BRAKES SUDDENLY THE SEATS CAME UP. *AK

NHTSA ID

10075531

Incident

Jun 2, 2004

Mileage

8,000 mi

DRIVER'S SEAT BACKREST, MOVES OR HAS A PLAY MAKING IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *AK

NHTSA ID

10068482

Incident

May 1, 2004

THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT ON MY 4 RUNNER DOES NOT PROPERLY LOCK INTO PLACE. THE SEAT MOVES FORWARD AND BACKWARD ON THE TRACK IN CERTAIN POSITIONS UNDER BRAKING AND/OR ACCELERATION. AT FIRST THE DEALER SAID THEY WOULD REPLACE THE TRACK, BUT SINCE THEN THEY HAVE DECIDED TO DENY THAT THERE IS EVEN A PROBLEM. THE REGIONAL MANAGER DROPPED THE CASE OFF OF THEIR RECORDS WITHOUT EVEN TRYING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THEY SAID IT MADE THEIR AVERAGES LOOK BAD.*AK

NHTSA ID

10064125

Incident

Jan 9, 2004

Mileage

500 mi

PREVIOUSLY SUBMITTED AS : 10060723 ,AMMENDING DEALER,PURCHASE DATE AND INCIDENT DATE: DASHBOARD GAUGES, ESCPECIALLY SPEEDOMETER AND FUEL GAUGE, ARE DIFFICULT OR IMPOSSIBLE TO READ IN DAYTIME. SITUATION IS MADE WORSE WHEN WEARING SUNGLASSES. PROBLEM IS THAT GAUGES ARE RECESSED TOO DEEP AND LETTERS ARE NOT CONTRASTED ENOUGH WITH DASH PLATE (IE LIGHT GRAY ON DARK GRAY). TOYOTA ACKNOWLEDGES PROBLEM AS THEY HAVE ISSUED A TSB WHICH ESSENTIALLY KEEPS DASH LIGHTS ON ALL THE TIME. TURNING ON DASHBOARD LIGHTS DOES NOT SOLVE PROBLEM AS LIGHTING IS AN AMBER COLOR. SOLUTION IS TWO STAGE LIGHTING. BRIGHT WHITE IN DAYTIME AND AMBER OR BLUE IN NIGHT.*AK

NHTSA ID

10060727

Incident

Aug 23, 2003

Mileage

2 mi

MANUAL SEAT OF 2003 4 RUNNER SPORT MODEL CONTINUALLY RETRACTS FROM ELEVATED POSITION. THIS MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO USE THE REAR VIEW MIRROR WHEN DRIVING. SINCE THE SEAT LOWERS WITHIN 15-30 MINUTES DEPENDING ON ROAD SURFACE THE SEAT MUST BE CONTINOUSLY RAISED, CREATING ANOTHER UNSAFE DIRVING SITUATION. SERVICE DEALER INDICATES THERE IS NO SOLUTION TO PROBLEM AND IT IS "SOMETHING I WILL HAVE TO LIVE WITH"!!*AK

NHTSA ID

10060724

Incident

Aug 23, 2003

Mileage

50 mi

DASHBOARD GAUGES, ESCPECIALLY SPEEDOMETER AND FUEL GAUGE, ARE DIFFICULT OR IMPOSSIBLE TO READ IN DAYTIME. SITUATION IS MADE WORSE WHEN WEARING SUNGLASSES. PROBLEM IS THAT GAUGES ARE RECESSED TOO DEEP AND LETTERS ARE NOT CONTRASTED ENOUGH WITH DASH PLATE (IE LIGHT GRAY ON DARK GRAY). TOYOTA ACKNOWLEDGES PROBLEM AS THEY HAVE ISSUED A TSB WHICH ESSENTIALLY KEEPS DASH LIGHTS ON ALL THE TIME. TURNING ON DASHBOARD LIGHTS DOES NOT SOLVE PROBLEM AS LIGHTING IS AN AMBER COLOR. SOLUTION IS TWO STAGE LIGHTING. BRIGHT WHITE IN DAYTIME AND AMBER OR BLUE IN NIGHT.*AK

NHTSA ID

10060721

Incident

Sep 1, 2003

Mileage

2 mi

I HAVE NOTICED MOVEMENT IN MY SEAT WHEN BRAKING AND ACCELERATING. MOVEMENT DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME, BUT DOES HAPPEN OFTEN. I HAVE INFORMED MY DEALERSHIP, BUT HEY HAVE NOT FOUND THE PROBLEM WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED. I STILL HAVE THE MOVEMENT PROBLEM AND I INTEND TO DOCUMENT THE PROBLEM ON MY WORK ORDER WHEN I GO IN FOR MY NEXT SERVICING, IN CASE I NEED THE DOCUMENTATION FOR LEMON LAW. HOPEFULLY IT WILL NOT COME TO THAT.

NHTSA ID

10057071

Incident

Nov 18, 2003

03 4 RUNNER DRIVER'S SEAT RATTLES IN BASE OF SEAT. THIS IS A MANUAL ADJUSTMENT SEAT. *LA

NHTSA ID

10054903

Incident

Jan 26, 2004

DRIVER'S SEAT ROCKS BACK AND FORTH WHILE DRIVING. IT BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE BUT THEY REFUSE TO REPAIR IT.*AK

NHTSA ID

10054619

Incident

Oct 29, 2003

Mileage

11,465 mi

THERE IS A WHINING NOISE COMMING FROM THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL AT ALL SPEEDS, BUT NOTICEABLE MOSTLY AT 80 MPH AND HIOGHER. TOYOTA AKNOWLEDGED, BUT REFUSES TO REPAIR.*AK ALSO DRIVERS SEAT IS LOOSE AND COMES OUT OF PLACE DURING EMERGENCY STOPPING. AGAIN TOYOTA IS AWARE, BUT REFUSES TO CORRECT.

NHTSA ID

10051461

Incident

Aug 28, 2003

Mileage

100 mi

DRIVER SEAT WAS TOO LOOSE AND MOVED BACK AND FORTH WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK DRIVER'S SEAT MOVES BACK AND FORTH WHILE DRIVING. DEALERSHIP WAS INFORMED BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.*MR

NHTSA ID

10050531

Incident

Dec 12, 2003

Mileage

12,500 mi

THE REAR SEAT BACK REST ON PASSENGER SIDE SQUEAKS AND MAKES A RATTLING NOISE. IF THE BACK REST IS FOLDED DOWN THE NOISE GOES AWAY. IT SEEMS TO BE THE LOCKING MECHANISM. BASED ON RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. DEALER OFFERED TO LOOK AT IT.*AK

NHTSA ID

10049068

Incident

Dec 1, 2003

Mileage

5,000 mi

THE DRIVER'S SEAT FOR MY 2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER SPORT V8, WHICH HAS A MANUAL ADJUSTMENT FOR THE SEAT BASE FORE-TO-AFT POSITION, HAS TOO MUCH PLAY WHEN LOCKED INTO POSITION. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE MOVEMENT, OR PLAY, WILL OVER TIME COMPROMISE THE LOCKED POSITION OF THE SEAT BASE. PREVIOUS OWNED CARS LIKE A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA AND 1996 TOYOTA RAV4, WHICH BOTH HAD MANUAL SEAT BASE ADJUSTMENTS, DID NOT HAVE THIS ISSUE. I BELIEVE ALL >= 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNERS WITH MANUAL SEAT BASE ADJUSTMENTS HAVE THIS ISSUE - A LOCAL DEALER SHOWED ME 2 4RUNNERS ON THE LOT WHICH ALSO HAD THE SEAT BASE MOVEMENT WHEN LOCKED, AND DECLARED THIS ISSUE "NORMAL". I BELIEVE MANY OTHER 4RUNNER OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS: HTTP://WWW.TOYOTA-4RUNNER.ORG/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?S=&THREADID=676. *AK

NHTSA ID

10045413

Incident

Nov 4, 2003