MYRModel Year Report

2004 Toyota 4RUNNER

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2004 Toyota 4RUNNER
BUILT 2026-09-02

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Toyota 4RUNNER Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2004 highlighted. 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 2002 2003: 527 complaints 2004: 612 complaints 2004 2005: 409 complaints 2006: 380 complaints 2007: 154 complaints 2008: 96 complaints 2008 2009: 22 complaints 2010: 145 complaints 2011: 163 complaints 2012: 96 complaints 2013: 36 complaints 2014: 77 complaints 2014 2015: 86 complaints 2016: 78 complaints 2017: 36 complaints 2018: 58 complaints 2019: 64 complaints 2020: 32 complaints 2020 2021: 35 complaints 2022: 39 complaints 2023: 30 complaints 2024: 8 complaints 2025: 56 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
2005409
2006380
2007154
200896
200922
2010145
2011163
201296
201336
201477
201586
201678
201736
201858
201964
202032
202135
202239
202330
20248
202556
20267

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

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

STRUCTURE 50%

50% of complaints: structure — 309 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing body and underbody shields.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
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, 20231213

Also filed under SERVICE BRAKES and FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

EXCESSIVE RUST IS COMPROMISING STEERING CONTROL.

NHTSA ODI report, 20181222

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, 20121015

Also filed under SERVICE BRAKES and WHEELS

SUSPENSION 18%

18% of complaints: suspension — 108 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing rear and lower ball joint.

CRASH INJURY
SERVICE BRAKES 13%

13% of complaints: service brakes — 77 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
AIR BAGS 6%

6% of complaints: air bags — 36 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY UPOND IMPACT FROM A TRACTOR TRAILER. CAR COMPLETELY TOTALED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180827

HEAD-ON COLLISION WHILE STOPPED AT LIGHT BY PANEL VAN TRAVELING AT 25 MPH, POLICE ESTIMATE, FRONT AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20070413

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, 20060919

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 5%

5% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 30 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing accelerator pedal.

CRASH INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2004 — complaint volume: 612
I 20100216 — RQ (closed 20110301)

Unintended and Uncontrolled Acceleration

R 20110413 — vehicle speed control

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 POSIT

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 MAT

Campaign 11V113000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20161201 — air bags

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.

Campaign 16V065000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20180817 — DP (closed 20220318)

Frame corrosion

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2004 Toyota 4RUNNER — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for structure issues (309 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for suspension issues (108 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (77 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 11V113000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V065000 (air bags) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2023 ▲ 2020 ▲ 2021

WORST YEARS

■ 2003 ■ 2005 ■ 2006

See all years ranked →

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 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.