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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

Structure complaints

1 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Jan 31, 2004
Structure

I PURCHASED A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER JAN. 2004 AND DROVE IT FOR TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE WEATHER PERMITTED ME TO DRIVE IT WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN. I FIRST NOTICED A EXCESSIVE HARMONIC DRUMMING NOISE WHEN I OPENED THE SUN ROOF. I TRIED THE OTHER WINDOWS AND THE NOISE BECAME UNBEARABLE TO THE POINT OF CAUSING EXTREME PAIN TO THE EAR DR…

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I PURCHASED A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER JAN. 2004 AND DROVE IT FOR TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE WEATHER PERMITTED ME TO DRIVE IT WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN. I FIRST NOTICED A EXCESSIVE HARMONIC DRUMMING NOISE WHEN I OPENED THE SUN ROOF. I TRIED THE OTHER WINDOWS AND THE NOISE BECAME UNBEARABLE TO THE POINT OF CAUSING EXTREME PAIN TO THE EAR DRUMS. THE BACK WINDOWS BEING THE WORST. THIS PROBLEM WAS NOT DISCLOSED AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE . I FOUND OUT LATER THAT TOYOTA HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS FOR SOME TIME. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10056229

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.