2002 Toyota 4Runner Toyota 4Runner 2002

We are 103,000+ car owners sharing real-world car information.

Join Us

2002 Toyota 4Runner repairs by problem area

Engine (59%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (6%)

Brakes and Traction Control (3%)

Suspension and Steering (12%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (9%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (6%)

Other (6%)

Chart based on 34 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2002 Toyota 4Runner.

2002 Toyota 4Runner repair cost distribution

$2500+ (0%)

$1000 - $2499 (10%)

$500 - $999 (19%)

$100 - $499 (45%)

< $100 (26%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 31 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2002 Toyota 4Runner

Engine not specified

Toyota 4Runner in Michigan, United States
Mar 2011 - May 2011
May 2011

150000 mi
Noticed a large pool of fluid in driveway. Turns out Radiator was blown. And transmission fluid was contaminated. I had my 02 Runner towed, radiator replaced, and trans flushed twice! Luckily no trans damage..drives great now.  

Return to top

2002 Toyota 4Runner 4dr SUV

183-horsepower 3.4L V6 4-speed automatic RWD

Toyota 4Runner in Tennessee, United States
Feb 2016 - Jun 2018
Mar 2016

171000 mi

US $230
Drive belts were worn and needed to be replaced 
Toyota 4Runner in California, United States
Jul 2016 - Jun 2017
Aug 2016

205300 mi

US $300
Key cylinder got replacement 
Toyota 4Runner in California, United States
Sep 2014 - Jun 2022
Apr 2015

165200 mi

US $395
Valve covers leaking. Replaced gaskets and sealed up. No more leaks. 
Toyota 4Runner in California, United States
Jun 2017 - Jun 2022
Jun 2022

400000 mi

US $1100
Oxygen sensor 
Toyota 4Runner in Texas, United States
Dec 2014 - Jun 2018
Aug 2015

179000 mi

US $300
CEL code P0171. Warm start issues and long term fuel trim reading very high. Fuel pump changed 
Dec 2015

184000 mi

US $300
CEL code P0440, P0446. Replaced carbon canister, code still present 
Apr 2017

206000 mi

US $700
Misfire cylinder 3 - diagnosed as bad cable - all cables replaced + new spark plugs as they were ~80K old Oil leak from valve covers - gaskets replaced 
Mar 2018

219000 mi

US $600
Proactively replaced timing belt (previous one had done ~130K), water pump and auxiliary belts 
Toyota 4Runner in Texas, United States
Feb 2013 - Jun 2018
Jul 2013

175700 mi

US $600
Replaced all springs and shocks and aligned front. The springs are always a problem in 4runners,they sag after a while and ride quality was terrible. The shocks were shot too. 
Jun 2016

195000 mi

US $300
replaced intake gaskets and valve cover gaskets. 
Feb 2017

198000 mi
Replaced rear cam seals due to leak both sides. 

Return to top

2002 Toyota 4Runner 4dr SUV

183-horsepower 3.4L V6 4-speed automatic 4WD w/low range

Toyota 4Runner in Minnesota, United States
- Jul 2007
Jul 2007

55500 mi

US $20
Replaced RR door sensor 
Toyota 4Runner in Colorado, United States
Mar 2018 - Jun 2023
Jun 2018

274000 mi

US $500
Leaky valve cover gaskets (rear) 
Toyota 4Runner in Illinois, United States
Jun 2011 - May 2014
May 2014

175000 mi

US $2400
Both transfer case actuators as well as the differential lock were replaced. The truck wouldn't shift out of 4WD until I had it repaired. 
Toyota 4Runner in Connecticut, United States
Apr 2012 - Jul 2018
Jun 2013

115000 mi

US $100
One sway bar link was broken (rust). Replaced both. 
Jun 2015

161000 mi

US $75
Replaced badly rusted rear bumper. 
Jul 2016

181700 mi

US $50
check engine light - o2 sensor. Order a replacement online, will replace myself. 
Nov 2016

190000 mi

US $1500
Also replaced cat back exhaust due to rust. 
Jun 2018

234000 mi

US $25
Check engine light. Ran code and found catalytic converter was the problem. Used a fuel treatment and code cleared itself, for now. 
Jul 2018

234000 mi

US $200
Replaced front chrome bumper during to heavy rust. Replaced rear previously. Most likely due to new England road salt. 
Toyota 4Runner in Arkansas, United States
Jan 2014 - Jul 2014
Jul 2014

222000 mi
The compressor was dead (so no AC). The windows were no longer functioning. 
Toyota 4Runner in Kentucky, United States
Jul 2015 - Jun 2018
Mar 2016

156000 mi

US $301
Replaced driver front axle. Replaced sway bar link. 
Toyota 4Runner in Kansas, United States
Sep 2015 - Apr 2017
Feb 2017

143000 mi

US $850
Timing belt, water pump 
Toyota 4Runner in Arizona, United States
Nov 2010 - Jun 2022
Dec 2012

99000 mi
key fob unusable (broken loop - won't stay on keyring). Dealer said the vehicle does not have record of having a remote, so they could not replace the fob. I have since called a dealer in a large city and they said it could be replaced. 
Sep 2013

103000 mi

US $250
check engine light on. Replaced sensor, air filter, reset computer 
Nov 2014

110000 mi

US $400
check engine light was on, shop made adjustments (running rich) and reset the warning light. 
Dec 2014

110000 mi

US $250
check engine light back on after less than 100 miles. Repair shop changed mass air flow sensor and reset computer. 
Mar 2016

121000 mi

US $300
steering getting loose. replaced steering linkage 
Jun 2016

122000 mi

US $975
Lower control arm bushings 
Feb 2022

163000 mi

US $120
A noise of unknown origin that would occur when going freeway speeds (70+). Mechanic had the vehicle for 1 day and checked out many possibilities but found nothing conclusive. 

Return to top

See TrueDelta's information for all SUVs
See TrueDelta's information for all Toyota models.

2002 Toyota 4Runner Repair Histories

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2002 Toyota 4Runner problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.