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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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

5 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 5, 2005
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

WHEN STEPPING ON BRAKES, PEDAL VIBRATES AND GETS VERY SOFT. VEHICLES STOPPING DISTANCE IS MARGINAL AT BEST. ROTORS HAVE BEEN "CUT" ALREADY WITH JUST 13K ON THE VEHICLES DUE TO RUST BUILD UP.BOCH TOYOTA IN NORWOOD MASS. TELLS ME THAT THE BRAKE ISSUE IS "NORMAL" !! THERE IS ALSO A LOUD WHINING NOISE WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. THEY …

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WHEN STEPPING ON BRAKES, PEDAL VIBRATES AND GETS VERY SOFT. VEHICLES STOPPING DISTANCE IS MARGINAL AT BEST. ROTORS HAVE BEEN "CUT" ALREADY WITH JUST 13K ON THE VEHICLES DUE TO RUST BUILD UP.BOCH TOYOTA IN NORWOOD MASS. TELLS ME THAT THE BRAKE ISSUE IS "NORMAL" !! THERE IS ALSO A LOUD WHINING NOISE WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. THEY TELL ME THIS IS NORMAL ALSO ! ALSO, THE TIRES HAD TO BE REBALANCED AT 13K AS I WAS TOLD THEY WHERE "CUPPING". SOUNDS LIKE THERE IS A FRONT END ISSUE WITH THE 2004 4-RUNNER.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10105812

7,500 miles · Oct 3, 2004
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury

WHEN COMING TO A STOP & BRAKING, CAR ACCELERATED FORWARD. THIS CAUSED ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT WITH MUCH DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF MY CAR. THIS CAUSED ME TO HIT THE BUILDING IN FRONT OF ME WITH EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE BUILDING. IT WAS AMAZING PART OF THE BUILDING DID NOT FALL DOWN ON THE TOP OF MY CAR WHICH WOULD HAVE CAUSED ME SERI…

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WHEN COMING TO A STOP & BRAKING, CAR ACCELERATED FORWARD. THIS CAUSED ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT WITH MUCH DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF MY CAR. THIS CAUSED ME TO HIT THE BUILDING IN FRONT OF ME WITH EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE BUILDING. IT WAS AMAZING PART OF THE BUILDING DID NOT FALL DOWN ON THE TOP OF MY CAR WHICH WOULD HAVE CAUSED ME SERIOUS INJURY.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10093522

1,000 miles · Jul 16, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

CONSUMER COMPLAINED THAT TRACKING SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE. VEHICLE STALLED, AND SOMETIMES WHEN PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR VEHICLE GOT NO POWER AND STOPPED IN MID STREAM. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND CONTACTED MANUFACTURER. SINCE PROBLEM OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY DEALER CLAIMED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO UNLESS IT HA…

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CONSUMER COMPLAINED THAT TRACKING SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE. VEHICLE STALLED, AND SOMETIMES WHEN PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR VEHICLE GOT NO POWER AND STOPPED IN MID STREAM. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND CONTACTED MANUFACTURER. SINCE PROBLEM OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY DEALER CLAIMED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO UNLESS IT HAPPENED WHEN THEY WERE EVALUATING IT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10082162

8,000 miles · Dec 10, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE DRIVER TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR MAINTENANCE. THE MECHANIC NOTICED THE BRAKES AND OTHER PARTS NEEDED REPLACING BECAUSE THEY WERE RUSTED AND CORRODED. *PH *CB *JB

NHTSA ODI #10047853

80 miles · Nov 21, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BREAK PEDAL VIBRATES EVERY OTHER TIME IT IS PRESSED DOWN. IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE HOW HARD YOU PRESS. IT GOES AWAY AFTER FEW SECONDS. IT IS NOT AN ABS RELATED VIBRATION. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10047345

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.