What are the most common problems with the 2004 Toyota 4Runner?

Structure is the biggest group in NHTSA complaints, followed by unknown or other issues and suspension. See the problems section above.

Does the 2004 Toyota 4Runner have recalls?

Yes. The by-year data shows recalls for this model year. They are listed in the Recalls section of this page.

How many complaints does the 2004 Toyota 4Runner have?

NHTSA has 678 owner complaints on file. These are unverified reports and are not adjusted for sales.

What gas mileage does the 2004 Toyota 4Runner get?

See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.

Is the 2004 Toyota 4Runner reliable?

Owners report problems with structure, suspension and brakes. See the by-year comparison on this page to see how this year stacks up against others.

2004 Toyota 4Runner Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 678 owner complaints on file for the 2004 Toyota 4Runner^[1]. Structure is the largest group^[2].

678owner complaints^[1]

2recalls^[3]

15–18MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

These are the groups owners name most often in NHTSA complaints.

Structure. 310 complaints^[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe frame rust and corrosion, cracking dashboards and a rear hatch that stops closing properly.
Unknown or other. 116 complaints^[5]. These reports do not fit a single named part.
Suspension. 113 complaints^[6]. Owners describe front tires wearing unevenly, shaking in the steering wheel at highway speeds and a front joint that broke apart.
Brakes. 81 complaints^[7]. Owners describe a pulsing or soft pedal, parts worn by rust and moments when the truck did not slow as expected.
Engine. 43 complaints^[8]. Owners describe a vibration at steady cruising speeds and a sulfur smell when they press the gas.
Air bags. 37 complaints^[9].
Power train. 36 complaints^[10].
Speed control. 34 complaints^[11].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2004 4Runner is necessarily included.

Air Bags › Side/Window (16V065), February 2016. About 320,409 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[12]
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal (11V113), February 2011. About 1,363,244 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, death.^[13]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
4Runner 2WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[4]	16 / 20 / 18	$3,700
4Runner 2WD, 4.7L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[14]	15 / 18 / 16	$4,200
4Runner 4WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive^[15]	15 / 19 / 17	$3,950
4Runner 4WD, 4.7L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive^[16]	14 / 17 / 15	$4,450

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
4 DR None^[17]	n/a	n/a	n/a	3	20.4%

Engine and size

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
4RUNNER 4DR SUV 4WD /Limited V6^[18]	188 in	74 in	71 in	110 in	4,288 lb
4RUNNER 4DR SUV 4WD /Limited V8^[19]	188 in	74 in	71 in	109 in	4,420 lb
4RUNNER 4DR SUV 4WD /SR5 V6^[20]	189 in	74 in	71 in	110 in	4,277 lb
4RUNNER 4DR SUV 4WD /SR5 V8^[21]	189 in	74 in	71 in	110 in	4,409 lb

How 2004 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each 4Runner model year. The 2004 is highlighted^[3].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
1995	172	1
1996	161	2
1997	261	1
1998	250	1
1999	330	0
2000	483	0
2001	185	1
2002	225	1
2003	696	3
2004	678	2
2005	425	5
2006	381	5
2007	154	5
2008	96	5
2009	22	6
2010	147	12
2011	163	10
2012	96	8
2013	36	6
2014	77	7
2015	87	9
2016	80	8
2017	36	5
2018	59	5
2019	65	4
2020	33	1
2021	36	1
2022	39	3
2023	33	1
2024	9	1
2025	62	1
2026	7	2

NHTSA's counts for the 4Runner show 678 complaints and 2 recalls for 2004^[3]. Among the 32 model years listed, 30 have fewer complaints than 2004 and 1 have more^[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2026 (7) and the most are for 2003 (696)^[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2004 4Runner?

The complaint record for this truck leans toward body and chassis wear. Structure leads the list^[2], well ahead of suspension^[6] and brakes^[7]. Owners also describe rust in the stories we read, so a close look at the frame matters on any used example. Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for how many were sold^[1]. Use this page as a checklist for an inspection, not as a final judgment.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Toyota 4Runner?: Structure is the biggest group in NHTSA complaints^[2], followed by unknown or other issues^[5] and suspension^[6]. See the problems section above.
Does the 2004 Toyota 4Runner have recalls?: Yes. The by-year data shows recalls for this model year^[3]. They are listed in the Recalls section of this page.
How many complaints does the 2004 Toyota 4Runner have?: NHTSA has 678 owner complaints on file^[1]. These are unverified reports and are not adjusted for sales.
What gas mileage does the 2004 Toyota 4Runner get?: See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.
Is the 2004 Toyota 4Runner reliable?: Owners report problems with structure, suspension and brakes^[2]^[6]^[7]. See the by-year comparison on this page to see how this year stacks up against others.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Toyota 4Runner

1999 330 complaints, 0 recalls
2000 483 complaints, 0 recalls
2001 185 complaints, 1 recall
2002 225 complaints, 1 recall
2003 696 complaints, 3 recalls
2004 this page
2010 147 complaints, 12 recalls
2011 163 complaints, 10 recalls
2014 77 complaints, 7 recalls
2015 87 complaints, 9 recalls
2026 7 complaints, 2 recalls

Compare all model years of the Toyota 4Runner

Other Toyota models from 2004

2004 Toyota Avalon 205 complaints, 3 recalls
2004 Toyota Sequoia 380 complaints, 6 recalls
2004 Toyota Sienna 2,062 complaints, 10 recalls

All Toyota models

Similar cars from 2004: suvs

2004 Chevrolet Tahoe 467 complaints, 2 recalls
2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer 1,342 complaints, 2 recalls
2004 GMC Envoy 704 complaints, 2 recalls
2004 Isuzu Rodeo 39 complaints, 2 recalls
2004 Nissan Xterra 84 complaints, 2 recalls

All suvs we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 678 owner complaints on file for the 2004 Toyota 4Runner (28 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 20 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
310 complaints name the structure component group (5 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 137,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Toyota 4Runner model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for 4Runner 2WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 20 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
116 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 144,000). NHTSA vehicle records
113 complaints name the suspension component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 138,000). NHTSA vehicle records
81 complaints name the brakes component group (6 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 100,500). NHTSA vehicle records
43 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 48,000). NHTSA vehicle records
37 complaints name the air bags component group (14 crashes, 0 fires, 17 injuries, median mileage at failure 76,500). NHTSA vehicle records
36 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 63,000). NHTSA vehicle records
34 complaints name the speed control component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 78,250). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 16V065, filed February 5, 2016: Air Bags › Side / Window. NHTSA recall database
Recall 11V113, filed February 24, 2011: Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for 4Runner 2WD, 4.7L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 18 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for 4Runner 4WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 19 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for 4Runner 4WD, 4.7L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 17 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,450. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 20.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, 4RUNNER 4DR SUV 4WD /Limited V6: length 188 in, width 74 in, height 71 in, wheelbase 110 in, curb weight 4,288 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, 4RUNNER 4DR SUV 4WD /Limited V8: length 188 in, width 74 in, height 71 in, wheelbase 109 in, curb weight 4,420 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, 4RUNNER 4DR SUV 4WD /SR5 V6: length 189 in, width 74 in, height 71 in, wheelbase 110 in, curb weight 4,277 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, 4RUNNER 4DR SUV 4WD /SR5 V8: length 189 in, width 74 in, height 71 in, wheelbase 110 in, curb weight 4,409 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2004 Toyota 4Runner: problems, recalls and fuel economy