2003 Ford Explorer vs 2003 Toyota 4 Runner
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2003 Ford Explorer | 2003 Toyota 4 Runner |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 1,131 | 168 |
| Recall campaigns | 2 | 0 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 122 | 70 |
| Investigations | 3 | 0 |
| Crash reports | 60 | 1 |
| Fire reports | 10 | 0 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 15–17 | 15–18 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 74,000 mi | 6,000 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Ford Explorer | Toyota 4 Runner |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | 354 | 6 |
| Power Train | 335 | 18 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 69 | 75 |
| Visibility | 57 | 13 |
| Suspension | 63 | 5 |
| Wheels | 56 | 4 |
| Electrical System | 54 | 3 |
| Air Bags | 50 | 1 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 65 | 6 |
| Vibration / shaking | 36 | 14 |
| Rust / corrosion | 31 | 0 |
| Check engine light | 25 | 0 |
| Shifting problems | 22 | 0 |
| Hesitation / surging | 20 | 0 |
| Clunking / rattling | 18 | 6 |
| Loss of power | 7 | 0 |
2003 Ford Explorer
2003 Toyota 4 Runner
Compare all Ford Explorer vs Toyota 4 Runner years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.