MYRModel Year Report

2004 Toyota 4RUNNER

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2004 Toyota 4RUNNER
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
612
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 2004

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Structure

50% of complaints

Complaints per year

1984: 2 complaints 1984 1985: 2 complaints 1986: 8 complaints 1987: 5 complaints 1988: 9 complaints 1989: 6 complaints 1990: 79 complaints 1990 1991: 43 complaints 1992: 53 complaints 1993: 52 complaints 1994: 12 complaints 1995: 47 complaints 1996: 72 complaints 1996 1997: 139 complaints 1998: 130 complaints 1999: 220 complaints 2000: 379 complaints 2001: 154 complaints 2002: 192 complaints 2003: 527 complaints 2004: 612 complaints 2004 612 2005: 410 complaints 2006: 381 complaints 2007: 154 complaints 2008: 96 complaints 2009: 22 complaints 2010: 145 complaints 2011: 163 complaints 2012: 96 complaints 2013: 36 complaints 2014: 77 complaints 2014 2015: 86 complaints 2016: 79 complaints 2017: 36 complaints 2018: 58 complaints 2019: 65 complaints 2020: 32 complaints 2020 2021: 36 complaints 2022: 39 complaints 2023: 30 complaints 2024: 9 complaints 2025: 59 complaints 2026: 7 complaints 2026
1984: 2 complaints 1984 1985: 2 complaints 1986: 8 complaints 1987: 5 complaints 1987 1988: 9 complaints 1989: 6 complaints 1990: 79 complaints 1990 1991: 43 complaints 1992: 53 complaints 1993: 52 complaints 1993 1994: 12 complaints 1995: 47 complaints 1996: 72 complaints 1996 1997: 139 complaints 1998: 130 complaints 1999: 220 complaints 1999 2000: 379 complaints 2001: 154 complaints 2002: 192 complaints 2003: 527 complaints 2004: 612 complaints 2004 612 2005: 410 complaints 2006: 381 complaints 2007: 154 complaints 2008: 96 complaints 2008 2009: 22 complaints 2010: 145 complaints 2011: 163 complaints 2011 2012: 96 complaints 2013: 36 complaints 2014: 77 complaints 2014 2015: 86 complaints 2016: 79 complaints 2017: 36 complaints 2017 2018: 58 complaints 2019: 65 complaints 2020: 32 complaints 2020 2021: 36 complaints 2022: 39 complaints 2023: 30 complaints 2023 2024: 9 complaints 2025: 59 complaints 2026: 7 complaints 2026
1984: 2 complaints 1984 1985: 2 complaints 1986: 8 complaints 1986 1987: 5 complaints 1988: 9 complaints 1988 1989: 6 complaints 1990: 79 complaints 1990 1991: 43 complaints 1992: 53 complaints 1992 1993: 52 complaints 1994: 12 complaints 1994 1995: 47 complaints 1996: 72 complaints 1996 1997: 139 complaints 1998: 130 complaints 1998 1999: 220 complaints 2000: 379 complaints 2000 2001: 154 complaints 2002: 192 complaints 2002 2003: 527 complaints 2004: 612 complaints 2004 612 2005: 410 complaints 2006: 381 complaints 2006 2007: 154 complaints 2008: 96 complaints 2008 2009: 22 complaints 2010: 145 complaints 2010 2011: 163 complaints 2012: 96 complaints 2012 2013: 36 complaints 2014: 77 complaints 2014 2015: 86 complaints 2016: 79 complaints 2016 2017: 36 complaints 2018: 58 complaints 2018 2019: 65 complaints 2020: 32 complaints 2020 2021: 36 complaints 2022: 39 complaints 2022 2023: 30 complaints 2024: 9 complaints 2024 2025: 59 complaints 2026: 7 complaints 2026

2004: 612 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19842
19852
19868
19875
19889
19896
199079
199143
199253
199352
199412
199547
199672
1997139
1998130
1999220
2000379
2001154
2002192
2003527
2004612
2005410
2006381
2007154
200896
200922
2010145
2011163
201296
201336
201477
201586
201679
201736
201858
201965
202032
202136
202239
202330
20249
202559
20267

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Structure

50% · 309 reports

Most commonly citing body and underbody shields.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Unknown: we were on [XXX] when the car went out of control. It first spun one way and then the other way and then we hit the concrete abutment where the guardrail connects to it. We hit it head on.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-12-13

Also filed under Service brakes and forward collision avoidance

Excessive rust is compromising steering control.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-12-22

Also filed under Steering

Vehicle was being parked alongside the curb when it suddenly jumped the curb, the sidewalk onto the uphill grassy landscape, hit and severed a tree, and almost crashed the house inches away, then bounced back to the street- all in about 3 seconds.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-10-15

Also filed under Service brakes and wheels

Suspension

18% · 108 reports

Most commonly citing rear and lower ball joint.

CRASHINJURY

Service brakes

13% · 77 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Air bags

6% · 36 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The airbags failed to deploy upond impact from a tractor trailer. Car completely totaled.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-08-27

Head-on collision while stopped at light by panel van traveling at 25 MPH, police estimate, front air bags failed to deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 2007-04-13

Dt*: 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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2006-09-19

Vehicle speed control

5% · 30 reports

Most commonly citing accelerator pedal.

CRASHINJURY

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2004Complaint volume 612 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    2010-02-16Recall queryClosed 2011-03-01 Unintended and Uncontrolled Acceleration
  3. R
    2011-04-13Vehicle speed control11V113000 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…

    Remedy: 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2016-12-01Air bags16V065000 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...

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    2018-08-17Defect petitionClosed 2022-03-18 Frame corrosion

Buy-smart checklist

2004 Toyota 4RUNNER — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Structure: 309 reports on file for this year.
  • Suspension: 108 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 77 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 11V113000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 16V065000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2004 Toyota 4RUNNER reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2004 Toyota 4RUNNER is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Toyota 4RUNNER?
The most-reported component is structure, accounting for 50% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2004 Toyota 4RUNNER have?
2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.