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2004 Toyota 4 Runner

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2004 Toyota 4 Runner do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 96.5.

About this comparison →
66Owner complaints

Model-year median: 96.5

0Recall campaigns

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0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
31
200132
2002168
200366
200415
2005
Compare all 4 Runner years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Engine And Engine Cooling
18Power Train
9Seats
7Steering
6Tires
6
All reported categories
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
5Suspension
5Vehicle Speed Control
4Electrical System
2Equipment
2Visibility
2Air Bags
1Exterior Lighting
1Interior Lighting
1Latches/locks/linkages
1Seat Belts
1Service Brakes, Air
1Structure
1Unknown Or Other
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

47 reports with mileage · 19 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seats. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports

Exterior Lighting complaints

1 reports
Clear category filter
100 miles · Apr 17, 2004
Exterior Lighting

RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SR5. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT THE DASH LIGHTS COME ON AUTOMATICALLY BUT THE HEADLIGHTS DO NOT. THE DASH LIGHTS MAKES IT APPEAR THE HEADLIGHTS ARE ON. (I TRADED IN AN OLDSMOBILE WITH AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS). I HAVE ON SEVERAL OCCATIONS DRIVEN MANY MILES WITH THE HEADLIGHTS OFF. THIS IS VERY UNSA…

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RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SR5. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT THE DASH LIGHTS COME ON AUTOMATICALLY BUT THE HEADLIGHTS DO NOT. THE DASH LIGHTS MAKES IT APPEAR THE HEADLIGHTS ARE ON. (I TRADED IN AN OLDSMOBILE WITH AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS). I HAVE ON SEVERAL OCCATIONS DRIVEN MANY MILES WITH THE HEADLIGHTS OFF. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE. I BELIEVE THE AUTOMATIC DASH LIGHTS SHOULD BE DISABLED OR AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS REQUIRED IF DASH LIGHTS ARE AUTOMATIC.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10066346

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.