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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.

1.9

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
86,426 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.

2004 Toyota 4Runner miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2004 Toyota 4Runner Owner Comments (Page 3 of 6)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #70

Oct 262019

4Runner

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Chassis, brakes and all under carriage of 2004 Toyota 4 runner is rusted. Soon the car will not pass inspection. I do not live in a salt water zone. My car has never driven through salt water. I have 71,000 miles on the car. The brakes were so rusted that I had to replace them. The car will be too dangerous to drive soon.

- Lynbrook, NY, USA

problem #69

Jan 022013

4Runner

  • 95,000 miles
Frame rust. The frame on my 2004 Toyota 4R 4D 4X4 SR5/spt has completely rusted under the radiator cross member. Upon further inspection the entire inside of the frame is rusting to the outside in various locations. This will quickly become a safety concern since everything is bolted to the frame. My vehicle had less than 100K miles when the rust was discovered.

- Santa Rita, GU, USA

problem #68

Jul 052019

4Runner

  • 142,000 miles
Frame rail rotting and I've always parked in a garage!

- Edina, MN, USA

problem #67

Jun 252019

4Runner

  • 115,978 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Frame found to be rusting away and can not be safely inspected. Was told by safety mechanic areas are very bad and parts may start falling off.

- Bloomsburg, PA, USA

problem #66

Jun 172019

4Runner

  • 179,000 miles
I own a 2004 Toyota 4runner with significant rust on the frame that has nearly rusted through in some areas. Through my research I determined that this has been an ongoing issue for many Toyota vehicles close to the 2004 model year. Apparently the frame was not properly coated and rust has grown on my vehicle as well as many others at a much faster rate than is typically expected. I am worried about the safety of my vehicle as a result.

- Lexington, KY, USA

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problem #65

May 172005

4Runner

  • miles
Complete frame is rusted out

- Earlysville, VA, USA

problem #64

Apr 262019

4Runner

  • 175,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The frame on my 2004 Toyota is very rusty. It is completely cracked through near the front passenger suspension. My mechanic has warned me not to drive the vehicle anymore. See pics

- Mound, MN, USA

problem #63

Mar 282019

4Runner

  • 200,000 miles
I brought Toyota 4runner 2004 in for a recall and the dealer told me there was major rust on frame. He showed me pictures of the frame rusted through in many areas. He told me it was dangerous to drive. I have a Toyota Tundra which had similar rust on frame and Toyota put on a new frame. This car is unsafe to drive.

- Evanston, IL, USA

problem #62

Mar 252019

4Runner

  • 194,000 miles
The frame of my truck is complete mush! I've taken excellent care of my 4runner as it has been my most favorite vehicle. I'm being warned to get this fixed due to it being a dangerous situation & wouldn't you know I'm driving home & I loose all control over my vehicle on hellacious mountain roads, brakes completely gone! everything rotten! why weren't we notified how dangerous these trucks truly have become?

- Sherman, CT, USA

problem #61

Nov 012018

4Runner

  • 126,465 miles
Frame rust. Will not pass inspection.

- Blacksburg, VA, USA

problem #60

Mar 042019

4Runner

  • 155,789 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

There is a crack in frame on passenger side never in accident. The rust corrosion is horrible almost cracked all the way on drivers side, front hooks gone from rust.

- Pennsburg, PA, USA

problem #59

Jun 012018

4Runner

  • 140,000 miles
A thin metal support plate welded to rear axle connects upper control arms to rear axle. Both support plates totally disintegrated from rust. These plates are a structural component of vehicle suspension system. When the upper control arms failed from failed support plates, the brake warning light came on. The brake line had been damaged most lightly from brake line being hit by control arm. The motion/loud noise of detached control arms contacting metal axle was followed by brake light coming on. Within 2 years of purchase of automobile chassis rust was noticeable and commented by mechanics. When confronting Toyota, their same comment of not being under wauranty prevailed. The last time I contacted them I asked to speak to their engineers because I felt the support plate design is unsafe and to thicken the plate would be a small expense. The vehicle was in motion when the support plates fractured. They told me I could talk to anyone else other than their support line and that the plate would not be changed. I am a degreed engineer with a bachelors and two masters in engineering and am disappointed in how they value pennies over an obvious safety issue. Best regards my name and phone are (xxxx) phone (xxxx) if you would like to discuss. Parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Douglas, MA, USA

problem #58

Jan 022019

4Runner

  • 55,000 miles
Took my 2004 Toyota 4runner in for a brake job and the mechanic asked if their was any recalls on our vehicle for rusted frame.he said that we were going to have trouble with it soon do to frame rusting so bad

- Cynthiana, KY, USA

problem #57

Mar 012018

4Runner

  • 160,000 miles
Upon pre-inspection of my personal vehicle for purchase I found that both rear corners of the frame were totally rotted out. Upon further inspection, after removal of the rear bumper, it turned out that the rust extended almost entirely through the corners of the frame. There was also a major hole in the frame where the factory welds were conjoining pieces of the frame right where the exhaust bracket mounts to the right hand side of the interior facing of the frame. On the front end of the vehicle there was a massive rust hole extending along the right front factory welds connecting the right front body mount to the frame. The rear rotted corners of the frame underneath the bumper and right front body mount were repaired at my father's automotive service station by my dad who has more than 50 years of experience. With a Vermont state inspection license it was concerning to him to see the rotting and rusting centralized around the factory welds, and occurring where the body of the vehicle is mounted to the frame and the rear bumper is preventing serious injury from impact due to a potential collision.

- Shelburne, VT, USA

problem #56

Mar 012018

4Runner

  • miles
Was there a recall or warranty enhancement on 4runners with cracked dashboards"?" my mother owns a 2004 4runner (VIN #[xxx]) and we just learned that there was a warranty enhancement/recall that covered the replacement of this item however, she never received any notification in the mail advising of such. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Columbia, SC, USA

problem #55

Feb 012019

4Runner

  • 165,000 miles
Rust crack in frame right front at core support. Cracks in dashboard.

- Cross Lanes, WV, USA

problem #54

Dec 012018

4Runner

  • 160,000 miles
Frame rust issue..... very bad frame rust behind the front bumper, below the radiator support. Rusting so bad that radiator support will need to be reinforced.

- Lebanon, OH, USA

problem #53

Aug 082018

4Runner

  • miles
After washing the car one day, and spraying off the underside of the vehicle. I noticed a quarter sized hole in the passenger side frame. It looks to be rusted. I further examined the car and found further premature rust throughout the vehicle.

- Asheville, NC, USA

problem #52

Nov 302018

4Runner

  • 120,000 miles
Transmission failed due to rusted transmission lines. Leads up to finding out that frame is completely rusted out. Unable to fix it due to frame rust. Suspension are of frame rusted as well...barely holding on. Traveling from tn to pa when all this happened.

- Byrdstown, TN, USA

problem #51

Nov 112018

4Runner

  • 201,401 miles
The frame of the vehicle is developing a hole on the bottom right side frame rail around where the trans mission cross-member mounts to the frame

- Collegeville, PA, USA

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