Two problems related to engine knocking noise 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.
I was trying to pass a car doing a little over 55 mph and heard a loud bang noise. I pulled over and stop the as as quickly as possible. The oil light came on and there was oil was pouring out from underneath the motor. The oil service was kept up to date and was just changed. The car was towed and the engine had thrown a rod. Motor needed to be replace. (after doing some research this seems to be a problem with 4 runner engines when they reach 75000 mles or more. I am not alone in this problem. ) I was lucky that I didn't get into an accident and that I wasn't on the expressway in chicago. I have emailed Toyota.
Driving car and heard loud bang noise car immediately starts slowing down and oil light comes on after car stops oil is pouring out from underneath the motor. We send car to the dealership they say the engine has thrown a rod. Motor needs to be replaced the car has 72,000 miles on it . A person in the service dept says they have had a lot of problems with this motor it is very weak. We call other mechanics to get estimates they say they to have seen a lot of problems with this motor. We haven't done anything with the car we are still hoping for some help from Toyota. Also we gave the dealership all of our oil change records that were done on time.