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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 5 of 6)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #30

Jan 012018

4Runner

  • 130,000 miles

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

Toyota dashboard cracking / melting after Toyota extended warranty ZE6 closed out. This needs to be a recall I have seen dashboards that have melted and cause window glare. Which affects drives ability to see.

- Enfield, CT, USA

problem #29

Jan 192018

4Runner

  • 164,000 miles
Michelin green X tires, size 265/65/17. With less than 35,000 miles, the tires are splitting on the side walls as well as between the treads. I've been using Michelin tires since the early 90's and these are the worst tires I have ever used. Makes me think twice before I buy another set. The tires were installed in March 2012 and used seasonally due to the location and snow tire requirements imposed while serving overseas. I was advised my mechanic that they needed to be replaced or they would not pass pa safety inspection.

- New Freedom, PA, USA

problem #28

Jan 112018

4Runner

  • miles
Vehicle frame has holes around high stress areas from severe rust and corrosion.

- Jackson, NJ, USA

problem #27

Nov 012016

4Runner

  • 156,000 miles

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

My 2004 Toyota 4runner has extreme amounts of rust on the frame to the point where there are actual holes forming. This is a major structural issue for the vehicle and incredibly unsafe. I worry that this may cause an accident or render my vehicle inoperable in the future.

- Cary, IL, USA

problem #26

Nov 152017

4Runner

  • miles
The under carriage of the Toyota 4 runner is extremely rusted, including frame, frame braces under radiator and several other areas. I do need help from Toyota to correct this problem.

- Rogersville, TN, USA

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problem #25

Jun 152011

4Runner

  • 50,000 miles
Extreme frame rust on my 2004 Toyota 4runner. Has only 82,000 miles and well maintained. Body in good condition, no rust at all. Has a lot of rust in the engine compartment also, tabs, lines etc. I know there was a recall on the Tacoma for frame rust and I am aware that this vehicle is on a Tacoma frame. It is becoming unsafe to drive. I bought this vehicle new because I though the Toyota brand was a well built vehicle, but all this rust makes me think different. I have a 1999 Ford Taurus with well over 100,000 miles on it and has no where near the rust that this Toyota has, as a matter of fact there is no rust on the Ford frame. I am hoping that I can get some help from Toyota in correcting this problem with the frame on my vehicle. When I mentioned it to a Toyota service mgr. When it had much less miles on it his response was "well the vehicle is 7 years old, what do you expect" and would do nothing.

- Covington, KY, USA

problem #24

Jan 012017

4Runner

  • miles

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

Frame and rear axle housing rust - caused the upper control arms, which prevent rotation of the rear axel, to disconnect from the housing/frame. Also, steering has become stiff and bumpy as you turn the wheel. This may be due to front crossmember rust or rust on the steering universal joint.

- Monroe, NY, USA

problem #23

May 302017

4Runner

  • 150,000 miles
The dashboard has been melting and cracking. Its gets sticky, extremely shiny and gooy during hot weather and caused a reflection of the shiny dashboard on the windshield while driving, in atlanta Georgia

- Johns Creek, GA, USA

problem #22

Mar 242017

4Runner

  • 124,000 miles
My 2004 Toyota 4runner is experiencing more-than-normal frame rust. It appears it should have been involved in the Tacoma, sequoia, Tundra recall. Parts are rusting through and the entire frame is covered in rust.

- Columbus, IN, USA

problem #21

Mar 222017

4Runner

  • miles
Unbelievable frame rust to the point it is not safe. Seems to be a common problem that Toyota will not address and correct..

- Oakland, FL, USA

problem #20

Nov 102012

4Runner

  • miles

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

The Toyota dealership does not want to repair the safety recall they did on 2004 4runners Toyota. I called over a year ago and no action has taken place. The recall was over the gas pedal and dashboard, I also have a case number and have called many times and they only tell me to wait. They didn't even bother to check the car and I also went in personally so they could order the parts and they told me they would call when the parts came in, the guy told me to give it six months and now it's been over a year and still have not received any call. I know this recall warranty ends this year 2017 and it seems like the Toyota don mcgill in houston dealership is waiting for the year to end so one can pay for the changes to be made, which is unfair because this is a Toyota recall. I hope you can help because this has taken over a year to fix now and the Toyota don mc gill in houston has been no help what so ever. This is a safety recall and they need to fix it I already did my part I have called, I have a case number and I have gone personally to talk to them and order the parts.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #19

Sep 042014

4Runner

  • 95,000 miles
There is lot of rust on frame, under carriage and its also in the suspension. Its also causing fluids to leak and I had to replace the muffler assembly due to rust. I purchased this car as certified used from prestige Toyota of NJ with only 5000 miles in August of 2005, I purchased this Toyota because of their stellar reputation in the auto industry but I am extremely disappointed with this car. I have less than 109,000 miles and at the way this rust is progressing, I will have to junk the car very soon. I cant risk being on the road with my family and have this rust bucket fall apart on the middle of the road. I have been waiting to see if there is a recall but haven't seen anything come through yet. Please include my car in any vehicle safety recalls, or class action suits against Toyota. Thank you

- New City, NY, USA

problem #18

Sep 232016

4Runner

  • 85,735 miles
The frame of my 2004 4runner has holes perforated through the frame. I purchased this vehicle new and have always serviced it through the Toyota dealer. It only has 86,000 miles on it, has been garage kept, and shouldn't be at the end of it's life as suggested by the Toyota service advisor. I am extremely disappointed in my Toyota vehicle.

- Beaver, PA, USA

problem #17

Aug 012016

4Runner

  • miles
The entire frame and underneath the vehicle is rusted from front to back.

- Banner, KY, USA

problem #16

Sep 082016

4Runner

  • 199,000 miles
I took my vehicle to freedom Toyota in hamburg, pa to get serviced and they told me my frame was rusted that bad that it would not pass inspection, and could not be repaired. This is very upsetting, because it's only 12 years old. I have a 1998 Toyota 4runner previously and that was 14 years old before I got rid of it with 324,000 miles. The bumpers were known to rust out on those, and the frame was rusted on that one also, but not aware of the extent. I can only hope that Toyota will replace my frame, otherwise I will never buy another Toyota again. The service guy, nicky at freedom Toyota said that he didn't know if there would be a recall on the 04 Toyota 4runners or not. I have two young children and I only hope that nothing happens to me or my children due to driving it with a rusted frame until I can get a new vehicle or get my frame replaced by Toyota.

- Orwigsburg, PA, USA

problem #15

Jun 072016

4Runner

  • 119,000 miles
Rust rot on frame of body, will probably not pass next in inspection noted by thompson dealership. Toyota fixed other models, but am ignoring my model.

- New Hope, PA, USA

problem #14

Jun 192016

4Runner

  • 104,000 miles
Driving down road @40 mph, all of a sudden felt like driving ice. Immediately let off gas pedal to remain in control of vehicle. Above 35 mph, can barely stay in control. Thankfully close to home, crawled home under 25 mph. Thank god I wasn't driving on the highway @ 70mph. At highway speeds I certainly don't think I would have been able to stay in control, & would have been the cause of a major possibly deadly accident. I brought it to a reputable repair shop, & was told the rear left control arm & bracket rotted off the frame. Told me it was unsafe to drive & unrepairable, because the frame is too rotted from rust. He also told me it is unsafe to drive. It is the only vehicle I own, I need to drive to work to provide for my family. I am left with vehicle that I can't drive or repair. Yesterday kelly's book value was $12, 000. Today its value is 0. Toyota told me there is no recall so its my problem. I feel betrayed! I've read many complaints online about rotted Toyota 4runner frames. There's a recall on 04 Tundra's for rotted frames, which were manufactured with the same metal & technique's as the 4runner. So why no recall for 4runner's? not enough complaints! Toyota sells many more trucks than SUV's in usa. I can't believe Toyota & the NHTSA can & will allow these unsafe vehicle's to drive through our neighborhoods knowing the risk they pose to innocent people. I gave Toyota alot of my hard earned money on what I thought was a quality vehicle. I checked out my frame today, & can easily put my finger thru frame in many places. It is unacceptable to allow Toyota to leave its customers left with a worthless vehicle without any responsibility for thier inferior product. I urged the NHTSA to open a large scale investigation into the quality or lack there off in 2004 Toyota 4runner frames. I am a hard working honest american, I feel wronged by Toyota! its not right!!

- Dayville, CT, USA

problem #13

May 152015

4Runner

  • miles
I received a letter from Toyota in may of 2015 in reference of a warranty enhancement notification. We have gone to the Toyota dealership many times to ask when our repair would process though and commence. They keep on saying that we were fourth in line. It has been mora that one year and we still haven't received any notifications

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #12

May 242016

4Runner

  • 124,600 miles
2004 4 runner sport, frame rusting out everywhere, N ow front cross member under the radiator is completly rusted thru. This car has been well maintained, Toyota should be standing behind this problem. I had hoped this would be my last car to buy, now at 75 I must look for another vehicle. This car is in massachusett

- Rockland, MA, USA

problem #11

Jan 012014

4Runner

  • 12,000 miles
Dash board crack recall 2 years all dealer says is they don't have the parts

- Port Saint Lucie, FL, USA

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