Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
460–25K
125–50K
050–75K
075–100K
0100–150K
0150K+
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
What owners actually said
66 reports
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
700 miles · Jan 16, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
ANNOYING ENGINE OR DRIVE TRAIN VIBRATION BETWEEN 1400 AND 2000 RPM. MORE NOTICEABLE ON UPGRADES. RELEASING ACCELERATOR PEDAL RESULTS IN ELIMINATING THE VIBRATION AS THE ENGINE SPEED DECREASES. THE VEHICLE IS A 2004 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER V8 LIMITED. THIS ISSUE WAS INITIALLY NOTICED AT ABOUT 700 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. *CB
NHTSA ODI #10054303
1 miles · Jan 10, 2004
Power Train
I OWN AN 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SPORT WITH THE V8/AWD. TOOK IT ON A LONG ROAD TRIP OVER X-MAS AND NOTICED AT EXACTLY 71MPH YOU START TO HEAR A CYCLICAL NOISE (ABOUT 2-3 PER SECOND) THAT INCREASES IN FREQUENCY AS VEHICLE SPEED CLIMBS. NO VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL OR PEDALS. BUT BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER FEEL IT IN FLOORBOARDS AND…
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I OWN AN 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SPORT WITH THE V8/AWD. TOOK IT ON A LONG ROAD TRIP OVER X-MAS AND NOTICED AT EXACTLY 71MPH YOU START TO HEAR A CYCLICAL NOISE (ABOUT 2-3 PER SECOND) THAT INCREASES IN FREQUENCY AS VEHICLE SPEED CLIMBS. NO VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL OR PEDALS. BUT BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER FEEL IT IN FLOORBOARDS AND HEAR IT. DISAPPEARS AT 82 - 85 OR SO, AND AS SOON AS FOOT IS REMOVED FROM THE GAS PEDAL. DEALER CLAIMS NO KNOWN ISSUES AND OFFERS NO SOLUTION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10052809
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
200 miles · Nov 21, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
STEERING WHEEL AND PEDALS VIBRATE IN 1600-2000 RPM RANGE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10047344
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.
2004 Toyota 4 Runner Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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