repaired · 2018 Q1
Air bags: side/window
Risk. If the side curtain-shield-air bags deploy unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of occupant injury.
2004 Toyota 4RUNNERProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 678 owner complaints about the 2004 Toyota 4RUNNER, most often about the structure. It is covered by 2 safety recalls, and for recall 16V-065 the manufacturer reports only 38% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 14, 2026. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 2004 Toyota 4RUNNER has problems
678 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
310Structure6 crash/fire/injury
113Suspension2 crash/fire/injury
57Service brakes5 crash/fire/injury
37Air bags
36Power train
34Vehicle speed control
32Steering
25Engine and engine cooling
23Service brakes, hydraulic
13422 other systems9 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | 310 | 6 |
| Suspension | 113 | 2 |
| Service brakes | 57 | 5 |
| Air bags | 37 | 15 |
| Power train | 36 | 1 |
| Vehicle speed control | 34 | 4 |
| Steering | 32 | 4 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 25 | 0 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 23 | 2 |
| 22 other systems | 134 | 9 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
2 recalls
2004 Toyota 4RUNNER recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal
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…
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Toyota.
Mileage at failure
When do structure problems start?
137kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 198 structure complaints. 25% were reported before 100,000 miles.
3under 30k miles50under 100k miles148100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Service brakes
13 owners mentioned a cost$3,300median
Middle half: $2,600 – $4,000
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2004 vs. every other 4RUNNER year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the 4RUNNER median. How we score
'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2004 Toyota 4RUNNER safety ratings
2004 Toyota 4Runner 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
Side barrierNot rated
- Rollover: 3 stars (20.4% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
2 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2004 Toyota 4RUNNER, and the recalls they led to.
- Frame corrosionNo recall
- Unintended and Uncontrolled AccelerationLed to recall 11V-112
In owners' words
What 4RUNNER owners report
Recent structure complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Response: Frame, Suspension, Airbags / Yes it is available for inspection. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Response: Safety was put at risk due to frame & suspension failure…
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in for service, the independent mechanic discovered rust on the front driver's side subframe. Additionally, the subframe had developed holes due to rust. The cause of the failures was not yet determined, and the…
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota 4-Runner. The contact stated that the frame was severely rusted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or a dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure…
Own a 2004 4RUNNER?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.