Model year record

2004 Toyota 4Runner recalls & problems

The 2004 Toyota 4Runner has 2 safety recalls and 678 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is structure (310 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints678filed by owners

Crashes · fires28 · 3reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths20 · 0reported in complaints

2004 Toyota 4Runner in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Air bagsFeb 5, 2016

Side/window

Recall 16V065000320,409 vehicles

Problem: 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 curtain-shield-air bags. The affected vehicles have an air bag control module that may be improperly programmed, causing the side curtain-shield-air bags to deploy inadvertently.
Risk: If the side curtain-shield-air bags deploy unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of occupant injury.
Fix: 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. Toyota's number for this recall is G0C and GLB.

Vehicle speed controlFeb 24, 2011

Accelerator pedal

Recall 11V1130001,363,244 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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 POSITION DUE TO ITS BEING TRAPPED BY AN UNSECURED OR INCOMPATIBLE DRIVER'S FLOOR MAT.
Risk: A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
Fix: 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. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 OR LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2004 Toyota 4Runner 4-DR.

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	20.4%

2004 Toyota 4Runner NHTSA side crash test — NHTSA side barrier crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

4Runner 2WD

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 20 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

4Runner 4WD

17mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 19 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

4Runner 2WD

16mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 18 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.7 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

4Runner 4WD

15mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 17 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.7 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
StructureBody; Frame and members	310	5	1	1	137,000 mi
Unknown or other	116	0	0	0	144,000 mi
SuspensionFront; Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint	113	2	0	1	138,000 mi
Service brakes	57	4	0	1	137,000 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Driveline › Driveshaft	39	0	0	1	63,000 mi
Air bagsFrontal; Side/window	37	14	0	17	76,500 mi
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal	34	4	0	1	78,500 mi
SteeringSteering wheel/handle bar; Hydraulic power assist system	32	4	0	0	100,003 mi
Engine and engine coolingExhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor; Exhaust system	27	0	0	0	2,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Pedals and linkages	23	1	1	1	66,000 mi
Electrical systemWiring › Interior/under dash; Instrument cluster/panel	22	1	1	0	121,000 mi
Engine	18	0	0	0	136,500 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Unknown or other
I was informed by my mechanic that my vehicle has extensive rust and corrosion on the vehicle frame.I understand there was a recall on this issue by Toyota but did not include this model year. This issue affects not only driver safety but also resale value.
May 27, 2026
SuspensionCrash1 injury
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Response: Frame, Suspension, Airbags / Yes it is available for inspection. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Response: Safety was put at risk due to frame & suspension failure due to severe rust. Also due to failure of deployment of AirBags. Rusted Frame Failure subsequently caused safety of Injured Party and other motorists to be at risk due to the Injured Partyâs 4Runner to dart across oncoming lane of traffic with no warning other than a swaying motion felt immediately before losing control. Once the Injured Party lost control of the 4Runner it crossed into oncoming…
Dec 28, 2025
Unknown or other
The body frame on this vehicle is almost completely rushed out. I donât know what to do. If I should have the frame replaced I know thereâs been a couple recalls on similar Toyota models.
Aug 21, 2025
Structure › Frame and members
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in for service, the independent mechanic discovered rust on the front driver's side subframe. Additionally, the subframe had developed holes due to rust. The cause of the failures was not yet determined, and the vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 120,000.
Aug 29, 2023 · 120,000 miles
Structure
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota 4-Runner. The contact stated that the frame was severely rusted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or a dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000.
Aug 19, 2025 · 108,000 miles
Power train
2004 Toyota 4Runner SR5 - Frame rust: currently not drivable due to complete breakage from the rust. Driving 2 hours home on the highway I almost lost control, pressing/releasing the brake and/or gas pulls the steering side to side and sways the truck (fish tail) due to damage from the frame rust/breaking. There is no control of the rear end. Truck was in great condition prior to the frame snapping. Vehicle has been inspected by multiple mechanics (including Firestone, Welding/fabricating Auto Repair shops and small owned mechanic shops), possibly wonât be able to weld due to the amount of rust. Firestone wonât perform any service if the vehicle needs to go in the air (tires, oil..etc)…
Jul 27, 2025
Unknown or other
Rusting frame, no specific incident date. Used todayâs date.
Jul 27, 2025
Structure › Body
Frame rust. Huge problems on the 4th gen 4runners. Can't believe there's not a recall on this issue.
Jan 1, 2025

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

Frame corrosionClosed
On August 7, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a defect petition from Mr. Gary Weinreich alleging premature frame corrosion failure in model year (MY) 2002 - 2006 Toyota 4Runner vehicles. The petitioner based his request upon a corrosion-related front suspension failure he experienced in his MY 2005 Toyota 4Runner, a class action lawsuit settlement involving other Toyota products, and other complaints of underbody corrosion in Toyota 4Runner vehicles that he found in NHTSA?s online complaint database. The petitioner submitted a complaint to NHTSA documenting his experience (NHTSA ID 11098055). On August 17, 2018, ODI opened DP18-002 to evaluate the petitioner?s request. ODI?s evaluation included information provided by the petitioner regarding his vehicle, facts related to the class action lawsuit cited by the petitioner, and consumer complaint data received by…
DP18002 · opened Aug 17, 2018 · closed Mar 18, 2022
Unintended and Uncontrolled AccelerationClosedLed to recall 11V112000
On February 16, 2010, NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened RQ10-003 to determine whether the scope of prior Toyota recalls relating to potential unintended acceleration were sufficiently broad, including, among others, Toyota recalls 07E-082, 09V-388, 10V-017, and 10V-023.NHTSA also requested information regarding potential electronic causes of unintended acceleration in Toyota and Lexus vehicles.I. Pedal Interference from Floor mats, Carpet Covers and Plastic Pads in Carpets.During the RQ10-003 investigation, ODI reviewed a large volume of documents to assess whether additional vehicles should be recalled.Following the agency's analysis, NHTSA requested that Toyota recall additional vehicles.Toyota complied with the agency's request.The details of these recalls are set forth more fully in Toyota's reports to NHTSA pursuant to 49 CFR Part 573.These recalls are as…
RQ10003 · opened Feb 16, 2010 · closed Mar 1, 2011