Two problems related to brake hoses, lines/piping, and fittings have been reported for the 2002 Toyota 4Runner. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2002 Toyota 4Runner based on all problems reported for the 2002 4Runner.
When I had my state inspection in January of 2020, the machanic told me the frame of the vehicle will not pass inspection again. It is severely rusted through and in his opinion is unsafe to drive. A few weeks later, I was travelling to my father's residence and the brakes gave out. The technician that repaired my brake line also told me and documented on the bill that the truck is really not safe to drive. I have owned this vehicle for 18 years, and only driven it five winters. I wash the truck numerous times during the winter to remove salt. It is my only vehicle, and I cannot afford a new one. Why wasn't this included in the frame recall from Toyota?!? now I'm nervous about my safety and those on the roadways.
The frame of this 4runner has been experiencing excessive rust since the time I got it used from a dealer. Once their undercoating wore off, my mechanic replaced rusted up brake lines back about 9 years ago. He said it was because the frame was very rusty and they did a new rust treatment. For the past few years I have been battling issues related to the frame. A plate was put in to strengthen an area. It only has 164k on it, I rebuilt the transmission at 125k, and the body is in good shape. Just that the rust is spreading everywhere underneath. We tried to get it addressed in the previous Toyota frame recall but it was not for this age for whatever reason. Every repair has been more difficult due to rusting bolts, mufflers rusting early, brake lines busting due to rust, the tow hitch rusted through. Now there is a gaping hole in the rear side of the frame supporting the cab. After being under the car trying to scrape rust off, and to put some rust restore/protection, I saw the new hole and got fed up. So I see you are now investigating this year 4runner to add to their recall. Please. . . Do! something serious could happen while driving it and it will just stay mostly parked until this is resolved. Brake failure when my son was driving was already scary enough. Thank you.