Is the 2004 Toyota 4Runner a bad year?
677 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other 4Runner years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2004 Toyota 4Runner are in line with other 4Runner years. Body structure, suspension and brakes stand out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2004 4Runner owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 137,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body structureSTANDS OUT | 310 (46%) | 99k–166k miles · around this mileage | — |
| SuspensionSTANDS OUT | 113 (17%) | 101k–175k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 82 (12%) | 57k–153k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Steering | 31 (5%) | 65k–152k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Engine | 26 (4%) | 79k–146k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical system | 22 (3%) | 37k–167k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Stability control | 15 (2%) | 57k–162k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 14 (2%) | 36k–153k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Air bags | 37 (5%) | 62k–136k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 36 (5%) | 10k–107k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Speed control | 34 (5%) | 51k–119k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Exhaust | 18 (3%) | 0k–6k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Seats | 14 (2%) | 0k–40k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Tires | 12 (2%) | 3k–58k miles · mostly behind | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 137,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 677 complaints: 27 mention a crash · 3 mention a fire · 16 report an injury · 6 say the car was towed.
2 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Jun 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
I was driving on the freeway at 60 MPH and tapped on the gas pedal and it became stuck and rapidly accelerated the car.
I was going 5 MPH and hit my brakes. The control arm was ripped from the frame due to rot/rust. Toyota is aware of this problem for 4RUNNERS, but has only offered assistance on the tacoma and tundras.
I have a 2004 limited 4RUNNER Toyota, all wheel drive, with V8. After about 20 thousand miles, my vehicle began making a very loud noise when coming to a stop, while simultaneously surging forward like I was rear ended.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 137,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2004 Toyota 4Runner: 2
The affected vehicles have an air bag control module that may be improperly programmed, causing the side curtain-shield-air bags to deploy inadvertently. If the side curtain-shield-air bags deploy unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of occupant injury.
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. 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.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Toyota: 104
Repair instructions Toyota sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2004 Toyota 4Runner. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power to the Engine ECM has been…
TechTip: Condition - The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power…
Some vehicles may exhibit a cyclical grinding or groaning noise coming from the front differential in 2WD that goes away when operated in 4WD
The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of the correct torque converter bolts during automatic…
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Frame corrosion
Unintended and Uncontrolled Acceleration
Neighbouring years
2003 4Runner: 694 complaints, keep it · 2005 4Runner: 425 complaints, keep it.
Every Toyota 4Runner year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All 4Runner years side by side
Other Toyota models: Toyota Avalon · Toyota C-HR · Toyota Camry · Toyota Camry Hybrid · Toyota Camry Solara · Toyota Celica · Toyota Corolla · Toyota Corolla Cross · Toyota Corolla Matrix · Toyota Echo · Toyota FJ Cruiser · Toyota Grand Highlander · Toyota Highlander · Toyota Highlander Hybrid · Toyota Matrix · Toyota Prius · Toyota Prius c · Toyota Prius v · Toyota RAV4 · Toyota RAV4 Hybrid · Toyota RAV4 Prime · Toyota Sequoia · Toyota Sienna · Toyota Sienna Hybrid · Toyota Tacoma · Toyota Tundra · Toyota Venza · Toyota Venza Hybrid · Toyota Yaris. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2004 Toyota 4Runner a bad year?
677 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other 4Runner years. At 137,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Toyota 4Runner?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: body structure (310), suspension (113), brakes (82), steering (31), engine (26).
How many recalls does the 2004 Toyota 4Runner have?
2 recall campaigns list this model year: Air bags (NHTSA 16V-065), Speed control (NHTSA 11V-113). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.