CarComplaints.com Notes: Although it has a stellar record in terms of vehicle problems, initially the 4th generation (2003 - 2009) 4Runner didn't earn our top "Seal of Awesome" rating because it received poor crash test ratings for rear impacts. However it's proven to have one of the lowest driver death rates out of all vehicles (not just SUVs), so we've bumped it back up to our top award.
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
90,440 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Took 2004 Toyota 4Runner SR5 to Toyota dealership to be serviced. Dealership called me to explain unable to do alignment, due to rear back frame excessive rusted through. Dealership advised waste of money to align new tires just purchased, unable to even do alignment and it was dangerous. Now what is to be done? This is my daily driver for work. How did this happen that its unsafe and dangerous to drive.
The rear tailgate window shattered while vehicle was in driveway as soon as it was turned off. Before it shattered there was an odor of something like plastic burning. Fortunately no one was hurt by the exploding bits of glass. The sound the breaking glass make was loud and startled the passengers. Good thing the vehicle was not in motion on the street or highway. On the internet I saw where other people shared the same problem on their Toyota 4Runner. Then I saw that Toyota had put out, TSB-0189-17, which stated exactly what happened to my 4Runner. Due to this possibly dangerous incident this should be upgraded to a vehicle safety recall.
2004 4Runner rear hatch glass imploded with rear defroster on while driving and glass shattered all inside the vehicle in the back behind rear passenger seat. The loud sound when it imploded sounded like we had got shot at and scared all four of us in the vehicle thinking we were shot at. We pulled the vehicle over at the nearest pull over while driving on a coastal two lane road. We searched for any possible bullets. Did not find any and had to clean up as much possible of shattered glass that had covered all of our clothing and belongings. Had no materials to cover the rear broken window and had to continue our drive to meet family members to attend an early event at 9:00 am.
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. It was as if we were on ice or oil, unable to gain control or brake. We checked the road and it was dry. Other cars were going by with no problem. The airbags didn-??t deploy. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The frame of the vehicle rust just as same as the 03-09 Tacoma and there is nothing I can do the fix it and if I get new parts it ruins my Parts after a short period of time
Frame and body prematurely and aggressively rusted despite constant care and upkeep. Toyota recalled the exact frame on their Tacoma of the same years and did not recall the 4runner frames. It-??s criminal and dangerous to the user and other vehicles on the road.
-The frame is rotted out - If the frame were to break, which my mechanic i saying is very possible, a massive incident could occur - It has been confirmed by an independent service center - It has not been inspected by the manufacturer but is an astonishingly common issue Toyota is very aware of that they continue to ignore. - There were not indicators notifying me of the issue. I wanted to replace my suspension and the mechanic advised not doing so because of the rot.
The frame is damaged from excessive corrosion. The rear cross member that supports the trailer hitch and rear bumper is almost non-existent, which could result in the loss of the trailer being towed, and it will reduce the truck's rear impact resistance. The front right lower control arm has a 2'" x 3/8" lateral hole from corrosion, which could result in a catastrophic failure of the right front suspension system. The longitudinal frame members are compromised by corrosion which has penetrated through the steel in various locations. The front cross-frame member that supports the radiator is severely corroded. The frame to body mounts are showing signs of excessive corrosion which could result in the separation of the the body from the frame in an accident.
The frame is showing significant rust damage throughout the frame. A hole was punctured in the passenger side while using the factory bottle jack. This could have ended badly if someone was underneath when this happened. Furthermore there is deterioration on the front and rear sections that are questionable as to their integrity and resilience in the event of a crash. It is generally accepted by other owners of this generation that lack of adequete drainage throughout the frame has led to water pooling inside and creating excessive rust issues from the inside out.
The truck frame is rusting and making the vehicle unsafe prematurely. My vehicle only has 78 thousand miles and likely needs the frame replaced like many other toyota vehicle because of the lack of corrosion protection.
We took our 2004 4Runner for annual vehicle inspection and the service provider told us the vehicle would not pass safety inspection due to the excessive rusting on the steel frame and the suspension of the vehicle. Welding and patchwork will not fix this issue. My husband depends on this vehicle to work. The attached pictures give a small window into the extent of the damage. There is no current recall for this vehicle and year, but similar Toyota trucks from the same time frame have been recalled for the same exact issue. The entire frame needs to be replaced or worst case scenario, the vehicle is no longer usable. Toyota needs to remedy this issue for their loyal customers immediately.
The body frame is the problem, it has rust all around, the radiator supports are all rusted out almost hanging, front side of the frame and rear side are clearly rusted. Radiator could fall any time. The problem was confirmed by auto shop and inspection shop (independent service center). Vehicle has not been inspected by police or insurance representatives. There were no warning lights or symptoms prior to frame failure, for now.
The frame of my 2004 Toyota 4Runner, which is manufactured by Dana Holding Corporation, is the primary support structure of my vehicle, to which every piece is attached. It is the main protection against injury in a car accident. The excessive rust corrosion of the frame on my Toyota 4Runner greatly hinders the safety, crash-worthiness, and stability of my automobile, as transmission mounts, essential suspension components, and engine mounts are attached to it. Consequently, as it becomes affected by rust, it is significantly more prone to failing to protect me, the driver, in a car accident, and, furthermore, it can also cause serious accidents in and of itself. Depending on the gravity of the impact, not only myself but my passengers (my young children) can experience a wide range of injuries and even death. Because the excessive rusting of the undercarriage of my Toyota 4Runners can cause plenty of vehicle components to fail, there can be multiple causes for an accident. The following are the most common injuries people sustain after a car accident: traumatic brain injuries severe whiplash fractured bones lacerations spinal cord damages paralysis loss of limbs permanent scarring concussions internal bleeding head injuries face injuries compound fractures soft tissue damage back injuries dislocated bones knee injuries shoulder injuries herniated disc psychological injuries Unlike in the case of other models of your vehicles, Toyota Motor Corporation refused to address the problem of 4Runners. Interestingly, your company faced a previous lawsuit in 2016 concerning the same rusting problem in the Tacomas, Sequoias, and Tundras, and it was settled for $3.4 billion in 2020. Nonetheless, your company did not admit it manufactured defective vehicles. According to documentation, Toyota Motor Corporation had been aware of the issue of premature rusting of the undercarriage of their 4Runners for a long time but continued to manufacture and sell defective vehicles.
The body is excessively rusted through. Other vehicles this age or older do not have any where near the amount of excessive rust and holes. Parts have fallen off. Anytime the shop has to work on the truck, there is a pile of rust under it. Broken off rust poses a hazard to owner and others on the road as debris. Known issue on an uncoated frame.
Extreme Rusting on the frame undercarriage of the vehicle. Our mechanic found it today - said it must have been rusting for years & that this is a common problem with 03 - 05 Toyota 4Runners.
Unaware of frame rusting issues to vehicle.. Observed rust through carpet on driver side. Upon research safety is a concern. Due to high volume of this type of issuing occurring a safety recall should be issued. It was not verbalized at time of purchase the make and model of vehicle have these type of issues. Especially, when this issues had been occurring prior to purchase of this vehicle.
The frame is rusted through on this 4Runner. Same frame as the tacomas that were recalled and I-??m wondering why Toyota wouldn-??t recall THE SAME EXACT FRAME WITH MAJOR RUST ISSUES on a different platform. This truck is not abused so it-??s very frustrating to see it falling apart at the frame when everything else is intact and solid. The rot on this frame is inevitable. I-??m going to be very upset if I have to pay out of my own pocket for something that should be 100% covered under recall. This is a huge safety hazard and could lead to serious injury or death.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Harris, MO, USA