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2004 Toyota 4Runner Problems and Recalls

Owners filed 678 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Toyota 4Runner, most often about the body and structure (46% of complaints, typically around 137,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about 4Runner model year since 2000 and has 2 recalls.

Complaints678
Recalls2
Crashes reported28
Fires reported3
Injuries reported20

Most common 2004 Toyota 4Runner problems

  1. Body and structure

    310 complaints · 46%

    Half of these problems showed up before 137,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.

    The dash board of the vehicle has cracked from one side to the other with multiple cracks in the cover over the passenger air bag. I am concerned whether this will affect the performance of the passenger air bag if it should need to deploy.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2015, at 140,000 miles
    Frame has started rusting near welds and holes. Very poor prevention of rust by Toyota. Skid plates totally rusted out and fuzed bolts. Rear diff housing is also rusty. Car will probably fall apart in a year or two.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2015, at 140,000 miles

  2. Other or unspecified

    116 complaints · 17%

    Half of these problems showed up before 144,000 miles.

    My 2004 4Runner with $144k miles was recently discovered to have a six inch hole in the frame due to rust, and based on md safety inspection requirements, this vehicle presents a significant safety hazard and can not be registered. The dealership informed me the repair would be a complete frame replaced at a cost of…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2015, at 144,000 miles
    Rust on the frame including the rear bumper, crack in the dashboard from drivers side over to the center of car. Drivers seat excessive movement at attachment between seat back and base on external portion of seat. The vehicle was parked at various times when inspected. Repainted rims that paint had flaked and peeled.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2018, at 145,000 miles

  3. Suspension

    113 complaints · 17%

    Half of these problems showed up before 138,000 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear.

    Frame has started rusting near welds and holes. Very poor prevention of rust by Toyota. Skid plates totally rusted out and fuzed bolts. Rear diff housing is also rusty. Car will probably fall apart in a year or two.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2015, at 140,000 miles
    The frame and structure have rusted from the inside out to an alarming degree. Specifically at the frame weld points in midsection and the rear attachments to axle. It is a safety hazard and it has rusted far more quickly and dramatically than any of the other components. None of my other vehicles have deteriorated in…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2018, at 140,000 miles

  4. Brakes

    81 complaints · 12%

    Half of these problems showed up before 99,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, antilock, pedals and linkages, foundation components.

    Suffered sudden, catastrophic failure of vsc/ABS brake system while driving. Vsc, ABS, brake dash indicator lights illuminated with an audible alarm. Vehicle operated normally for about 1 mile, then lost most braking control. Narrowly avoided collision with another vehicle due to having minimal brake system. Had to…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 99,000 miles
    I have had two incidents of brake calipers failure. Under 50k I had a front driver side caliper fail. Then again at 99k the rear passenger side caliper failure. Toyota has a major issue with their brake caliper design on 4-runners. Toyota should extend their warranty, I always bought Toyota's, but never again after…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 99,000 miles

  5. Engine

    43 complaints · 6%

    Half of these problems showed up before 51,500 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system, engine.

    1.) there is a serious "clunk" noise when braking and also the same noise when starting from a complete stop when you take foot off brake. 2.) there is "sulfur smell " in cabin from catalytic converter.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2007, at 55,000 miles
    This incident was 1st noticed 12/9/2009. I started my car in the morning and let it warm up, when I went to get in it a few minutes later, the heater fan would not work. Since then, I find that the heater fan will work off and on, seems to be after vehicle has warmed up a bit -maybe (not sure of the rhythm or reason).…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2009, at 48,000 miles

  6. Air bags

    37 complaints · 6%

    Half of these problems showed up before 76,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window, air bag/restraint control module.

    : the contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle was involved in a collision with a guardrail. There was a 5 second delay in the deployment of the air bag, causing the contact and a passenger to hit the windshield. Both occupants incurred head injuries, lacerations, muscular injuries, and the contact incurred…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2006, at 78,000 miles
    Tl contact owns a 2004 Toyota 4 runner. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the driver and passenger side curtain air bags suddenly deployed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The manufacuter was contacted and informed the contact an inspector would inspect the vehicle for the failure. The inspector stated the…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2011, at 75,000 miles

  7. Transmission

    36 complaints · 5%

    Half of these problems showed up before 72,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline, transfer case (4-wheel drive), axle assembly.

    I was going 5 MPH and hit my brakes. The control arm was ripped from the frame due to rot/rust. Toyota is aware of this problem for 4runners, but has only offered assistance on the tacoma and tundras. The body of my vehicle has no rust anywhere, and the mileage is extremely low. I cannot even find a mechanic to fix…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2015, at 72,000 miles
    There is excessive rust/corrosion on the frame of the truck. The skid plates completely rusted off the truck in 2010. The transmission lines have corroded to the point they have to be replaced. The engine oil cooler and radiator supports have rusted through. The exhaust rusted off the truck in 2010 as well. Currently…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2016, at 70,000 miles

  8. Speed control

    34 complaints · 5%

    Half of these problems showed up before 78,500 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal.

    I have a 2004 Toyota 4Runner and a few months ago the accelerator pedal got stuck under the rubber floor mat. I purchased the rubber floor mat from a Toyota dealer and it was made specifically for the 4 runner. When the pedal got stuck, the engine was running wide open. I managed to get the vehicle in neutral and…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2009, at 78,000 miles
    Tl contact owns a 2004 Toyota 4Runner. While driving at approximately 50 MPH, the contact applied the brakes but the vehicle surged forward. The contact depressed the brake pedal again but the vehicle would not stop. He was able to pull over and turn the vehicle off. Upon restart, the engine revved so the contact shut…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2010, at 78,500 miles

Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

2004 Toyota 4Runner recalls

  1. Air bags: side/window

    NHTSA 16V065000 · February 5, 2016 · 320,409 vehicles

    Risk: If the side curtain-shield-air bags deploy unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of occupant injury.

    Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control module with one that has improved programming, free of charge. The recall began on december 1, 2016. Owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-888-271-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is g0c and glb.

    Full defect summary

    Toyota motor engineering & manufacturing (toyota) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 toyota land cruiser and lexus lx470, 2005-2006 toyota tundra and sequoia, 2004-2006 toyota 4runner and lexus gx470 vehicles equipped with side curtain-shield-air bags. The affected vehicles have an air bag control module that may be improperly programmed, causing the side curtain-shield-air bags to deploy inadvertently.

  2. Speed control: accelerator pedal

    NHTSA 11V113000 · February 24, 2011 · 1,363,244 vehicles

    Risk: A stuck open accelerator pedal may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.

    Fix: The remedy is now available. The safety recall began early april 2011. The remedy will involve modification or replacement of the accelerator pedal and replacement of any toyota all-weather floor mat. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331 or lexus at 1-800-255-3987.

    Full defect summary

    Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2011 lexus lx570, 2003 through 2009 toyota 4runner, and 2006 through 2010 rav4 vehicles. The accelerator pedal can get stuck in the wide open position due to its being trapped by an unsecured or incompatible driver's floor mat.

Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.

NHTSA defect investigations

Questions about the 2004 Toyota 4Runner

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Toyota 4Runner?
By NHTSA owner complaints: body and structure (310 complaints, typically around 137,000 miles); other or unspecified (116 complaints, typically around 144,000 miles); suspension (113 complaints, typically around 138,000 miles).
How many recalls does the 2004 Toyota 4Runner have?
2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from February 5, 2016 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
Is the 2004 a bad year for the Toyota 4Runner?
It is the 2nd most complained-about 4Runner model year since 2000, with 678 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.

Other Toyota 4Runner years

Toyota 4Runner problems by year