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2004 Toyota 4Runner: common problems and reliability
One of the worst 4Runner years.
One of the Toyota 4Runner years to avoid. All 4Runner years
678 owner complaints, most about structure. 2 recalls.
Should I buy a 2004 4Runner?The 2004 Toyota 4Runner has 678 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are structure and suspension.
Safety record for the 2004 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2004 Toyota 4Runner vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other 4Runner years only. How we score it
Is 2004 a good year for the 4Runner?
Across the 29 4Runner model years we track, complaint volume runs from 22 (2009) to 707 (2003). With 678 complaints, the 2004 4Runner sits above the model's median of 96.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2004 4Runner
air bags:side/window
Campaign 16V065000Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Toyota Land Cruiser and Lexus LX470, 2005-2006 Toyota Tundra and Sequoia, 2004-2006 Toyota 4Runner and Lexus GX470 vehicles equipped with side curtain-shield-air bags. The affected vehicles have an air bag control module that may be improperly programmed, causing the side curtain-shield-air bags to deploy inadvertently.
vehicle speed control:accelerator pedal
Campaign 11V113000TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2011 LEXUS LX570, 2003 THROUGH 2009 TOYOTA 4RUNNER, AND 2006 THROUGH 2010 RAV4 VEHICLES. 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.
What owners say across generations
The sentiment is overwhelmingly positive regarding legendary long-term reliability, durability, and off-road capability, particularly for the 5th generation and older models.
Owner insights cover all generations of the 4Runner. See the full 4Runner owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used 4Runner listings typically run $27,191–$41,297.
Other 4Runner model years
Compare every 4Runner year side by side to see how 2004 ranks against the rest.
Compare the 4Runner against its rivals
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