ShifteratiToyota 4Runner · 3rd gen (1996–2002)
2002 Toyota 4Runner
Watch out for
Reputation: what owners and the press report. Tap one to see what to check.
-
Lower ball joints All years. The recall covers 2001–2002 only One source so far
What to check: Raise the front wheel about an inch, pry under the tire and watch the joint for vertical play.
Three members in one thread warn that a failed lower ball joint does wide damage, such as to the fender, tie rod ends and CV axle.
Parts $80 to $150, about 2 hours
Sources 3
-
Coolant in the transmission ("pink milkshake") Automatics One source so far
What to check: Look for pink, milky fluid in the coolant and the transmission fluid.
Five owners in one thread report coolant in the transmission on their own trucks, four of them at about 160,000 to 275,000 miles. Others replaced the original radiator early and never saw it.
Radiator about $110. Transmission $2,000 or more
Sources 4
Recalls
- 05V225000 2001–2002
Front lower ball joints can wear and separate.5
Checked against NHTSA records on 21 October 2026.
Complaints
Owners filed 251 complaints about the 2002 with NHTSA.
22 said there had been a crash and 3 a fire.
The parts named most
- Structure 89
- Suspension 52
- Power train 37
- Unknown or other 31
- Service brakes, hydraulic 15
and 23 other parts
Counted from NHTSA's complaints on 23 October 2026. These are owners' own reports, counted by the parts they named; one complaint can name several. NHTSA's list
Crash-test stars
- 2002 Toyota 4Runner 4-DR. Front: driver 4, passenger 4. Side: driver 5, passenger 5. Rollover: 2.
These stars come from NHTSA's tests before the 2011 model year. NHTSA says never to compare them with stars from its newer tests. Where NHTSA says so
Copied from NHTSA's ratings on 23 October 2026.