2004 Toyota 4RUNNER

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/29/2025· SUSPENSION,AIR BAGS,STRUCTURECrash

  What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Response: Frame, Suspension, Airbags / Yes it is available for inspection. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Response: Safety was put at risk due to frame & suspension failure due to severe rust. Also due to failure of deployment of AirBags. Rusted Frame Failure subsequently caused safety of Injured Party and other motorists to be at risk due to the Injured Party’s 4Runner to dart across oncoming lane of traffic with no warning other than a swaying motion felt immediately before losing control. Once the Injured Party lost control of the 4Runner it crossed into oncoming traffic, progressing into the drainage ditch on the oncoming traffic side of highway. Once the 4Runner impacted the drainage ditch at a 90° angle, the 4Runners momentum dispersed by causing the 4Runner to overturn 3 times landing on its wheels in the adjoining field. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Repaonse: Independent Service Center has confirmed the problem with the Rusted Frame, Rusted Suspension, and Air Bag failure. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Response : Yes Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Repaint: No warning lamps prior to failure. Symptoms indicative of failure were an unknown minor swaying sensation while driving. Injured party was under the impression that there may have been a tire low on air, which was discovered to be incorrect later.

• 12/29/2013· SERVICE BRAKES

  MY WIFE WAS AT THE SCHOOL ZONE TAKING OUR CHILDREN TO SCHOOL, WHEN SHE HEARD A NOISE AND AN ALARM START TO SOUND, THE ABS AND TRACK OFF LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, SHE WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE, FORTUNATELY SHE WAS ON SCHOOL SPEED ZONE AND NOTHING WAS IN FRONT OF HER AND THE VEHICLE STOP BY IT SELF BECAUSE THE LOW SPEED, SHE WAS ABOUT TO ENTER ON THE FREEWAY TO TAKE OUR SON TO OTHER SCHOOL AND I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT COULD HAD HAPPEN IF THE BRAKES WOULD FAILED WHILE SHE WAS AT HIGH SPEED ON THE FREEWAY. WE BEEN SEARCHING ONLINE ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND WE FOUND OUT THAT THIS BEEN HAPPENING TO OTHER 4 RUNNERS OWNERS AND OUR BIGGEST CONCERNS IS THAT THIS CAN END UP TAKING OTHERS PEOPLES LIVES, BECAUSE A MALFUNCTIONS IN THIS VEHICLE, WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND CERTAINLY EXIST AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND SINCE THEN OUR VEHICLE HAS BEEN USELESS IN STORAGE. *TR

• 12/29/2009· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  THIS INCIDENT WAS 1ST NOTICED 12/9/2009. I STARTED MY CAR IN THE MORNING AND LET IT WARM UP, WHEN I WENT TO GET IN IT A FEW MINUTES LATER, THE HEATER FAN WOULD NOT WORK. SINCE THEN, I FIND THAT THE HEATER FAN WILL WORK OFF AND ON, SEEMS TO BE AFTER VEHICLE HAS WARMED UP A BIT -MAYBE (NOT SURE OF THE RHYTHM OR REASON). I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE IN COLD WEATHER ESPECIALLY SINCE I HAVE SMALL CHILDREN AND FEAR GETTING STUCK OR STRANDED WITH NO HEAT! I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN DECEMBER OF 2008 AND DROVE IT ALL LAST WINTER WITH NO PROBLEMS-THEREFORE I AM CONCERNED AS TO WHEN AND WHERE IT WILL MALFUNCTION AGAIN. *TR

• 12/28/2023· SUSPENSION

  Excessive frame rusting. There are holes in the frame from rusting. At this point in time there isn’t anything I can do about the issues. Frame is unrepairable.

• 12/28/2019· SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE

  SEVERE RUST ON FRAME AND SUSPENSION ATTACHMENT POINTS. RUST IS NOT SUPERFICIAL BUT RUSTING FROM INSIDE OF FRAME TUBES.

• 12/28/2014· ENGINE

  CYLINDER 6 MISFIRES CAUSED BY OIL LEAKING INTO CYLINDER 6 COMBUSTION CHAMBER AROUND SPARK PLUG. THE ISSUE IS TRACED BACK TO A HEAD GASKET FAILURE ON THE 2004 4RUNNER V6 ENGINE. CYLINDER 6 IS THE WEAK POINT WHERE SUCH FAILURES OCCUR ESPECIALLY AT START UP AND WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD. THERE IS CLEARLY A DESIGN FLAW IN THE 2004 V6 4RUNNER'S HEAD GASKET WHICH REQUIRES MANY HOURS OF LABOR TO REPAIR AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY TOYOTA. *TR

• 12/27/2015· ENGINE

  THIS 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER HAD 145000 MILES ON IT WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, ALONG WITH VSC AND VSC TRAC LIGHTS. ENGINE RAN ROUGH/RUMBLED FOR FEW SECONDS AFTER EACH START, THEN THE RUMBLING WOULD STOP. AT AUTOZONE THEY DIAGNOSED A P0306 ERROR CODE. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHO SCANNED CODE # 0306 #6 CYLINDER MISFIRE. FURTHER TESTING SHOWED COOLANT SEEPING UNDER HEADGASKET, AND DEALER RECOMMENDED REPLACING CYLINDER HEADGASKET. RESEARCHING THE ISSUE, IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR CAR AT THIS MILEAGE. WHAT MADE ME FILE THIS COMPLAINT IS THAT EACH SINGLE ONE OF THE OWNERS WHO POSTED ONLINE MENTIONED THIS PARTICULAR DIAGNOSIS CODE OF CYLINDER #6 MIFIRE. I FOUND ITINTERESTING THAT EVERYBODY HAS THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM, AND NOT EVEN ONCE IT WAS ANY OTHER CYLINDER MISFIRE BUT # 6. I HAD THE DEALER REPLACE THE HEADGASKET, WHICH TOOK CARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT SINCE IT'S A RECURRING PROBLEM, I THINK TOYOTA SHOULD TAKE OF THIS ISSUE.

• 12/26/2015· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  CALIPER.

• 12/25/2021· STEERING,STRUCTURE

  Rear section of the frame snapped in half during normal driving. Barely driveable extremely hazardous and will remained parked.

• 12/25/2018· STRUCTURE

  EXCESSIVE FRAME RUST I HAVE A 2004 4RUNNER THAT HAS SO MUCH LIFE LEFT EXCEPT FOR THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE RUNS IMPECCABLY, BUT THE FRAME, THE VERY FOUNDATILN ON WHICH IT SITS, IS CRUMBLING. THE FRAME OF MY 4RUNNER HAS RUSTED TO THE POINT WHERE MY MECHANIC RECOMMENDED I REPLACE THE FRAME BEFORE TOWING ANYTHING WITH THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SIDE REAR CORNER OF THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY GONE (NO 90 DEGREE ANGLE TO THE FRAME THERE - THE WHOLE CORNER HAD RUSTED AWAY). MY MECHANIC FABRICATED A NEW CORNER, BUT THEN TOLD ME HE WOULDN'T TOW EVEN THE SMALLEST OF TRAILERS BECAUSE HE WOULD EXPECT THE FRAME TO BE RIPPED OFF THE CAR UNDER ANY LOAD. HE SHOWED ME THE REAR-MOST SECTION OF FRAME EXTENDING FROM THE LEFT TO RIGHT THAT THE HITCH SITS AGAINST AND IT'S FALLING APART AS WELL, AND THEN FROM THE REAR CORNERS OF THE BUMPER, THE FIRST 18 INCHES OF FRAME GOING TOWARDS THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE ARE RUSTED THROUGH AND SEPARATING. THE CROSS-MEMBER NEAR THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE IS SO FRAGILE FROM RUSTING, I COULD TEAR IF OFF WITH MY BARE HANDS. 1/3 OF THE WAY FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE HEADING TOWARD THE REAR IS ANOTHER PART OF THE FRAME THAT'S RUSTED ALL THE WAY THROUGH. THE MECHANIC SAID IF THE FRAME ISN'T REINFORCED, IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED IN ITS ENTIRETY. NO INCIDENT OCCURRED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BEFORE USE, BUT IF I HADN'T INSPECTED IT AND WENT THROUGH WITH MY PLANS TO GIVE THE CAR TO A FRIEND FOR HIM TO TOW A TRAILER WITH FURNITURE FROM PA TO KY, WHO KNOWS WHAT TRAGEDY MAY HAVE OCCURRED.

• 12/23/2010· SEAT BELTS

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED HE NOTICED THAT 85% OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT WAS TORN. HE ORDERED A SEAT BELT FROM A COMPANY OTHER THAN THE DEALER AND IT WAS INSTALLED BY A CERTIFIED TOYOTA TECHNICIAN. FOUR DAYS LATER, 90% OF THAT SEAT BELT WAS TORN. ONLY A QUARTER OF AN INCH OF THE SEAT BELT WAS CONNECTED. THE SECOND SEAT BELT FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,800 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,369

• 12/22/2018· STEERING,SUSPENSION,STRUCTURECrash

  EXCESSIVE RUST IS COMPROMISING STEERING CONTROL.

• 12/22/2015· SUSPENSION

  VEHICLE HAS 129,881 MILES. SEVERE RUST THROUGH OF FRAME UNDERSIDE. HAD PLATED & WELDED. NEW RUST THROUGH HOLES APPEARED WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF PREVIOUS WELD ON SAME FRAME STRUCTURE BUT IN DIFFERENT LOCATIONS POSING IMMINENT RUST THROUGH FAILURE IN CENTER OF VEHICLE. CANNOT PASS SAFETY INSPECTION.

• 12/22/2004· POWER TRAIN

  PURCHASED BRAND NEW 2003 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER 4X4..ON SNOW,ICE AN WET ROADS THE FRONT END VIBRATES AN BUCKS. ITS BEEN BACK TO THE DEALER TWICE, AN TWICE WERE TOLD THE TRUCK CHECKS OUT FINE(OF COURSE THEY ARE GOING TO SAY THAT, BECAUSE THIS PROBLEM ONLY OCCURS IN WEATHER MENTIONED ABOVE) AN THEY HAVE NOT TEST DRIVEN IT IN SUCH WEATHER. *JB

• 12/21/2020· SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE

  PREMATURE AND EXCESSIVE FRAME CORROSION. SIMILAR MODELS WERE COVERED BY EARLIER FRAME RECALL, WHY NOT THE 4RUNNER?

• 12/16/2020· STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  MY 2004 4RUNNER LIMITED V6 HAS SIGNIFICANT RUST BUILD UP ON THE FRAME, CONTROL ARMS, DRIVESHAFT, ETC. I AM THE SECOND OWNER WITH JUST OVER 21K MILES DRIVEN IN THE PAST THREE YEAR AND RIGHT AT 160K TOTAL. I'VE MADE SURE TO GET REGULAR WASHES TO PROTECT THE UNDERCARRIAGE AFTER INCLEMENT WEATHER SINCE I'VE OWNED THE VEHICLE. AFTER RETURNING FROM A 10-MONTH DEPLOYMENT, TWO SHOPS HAVE TOLD ME THE CONDITION IS DANGEROUS AND REQUIRES SIGNIFICANT REPLACEMENT PARTS AND ANTI-CORROSION TREATMENT TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. I DON'T HAVE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO SPEND ON A TRUCK THAT SHOULD LAST ME AT 250K MILES. I WILL NOT LET MY WIFE AND GIRLS RIDE IN THIS VEHICLE, BUT WE NEED TWO CARS. IMAGINE MY SHOCK TO FIND OUT MANY OTHER TOYOTA OWNERS HAVE DEALT WITH THE SAME THING. THIS IS CLEARLY NOT A COINCIDENCE. HOPING FOR TOYOTA TO RECTIFY THIS SERIOUS SAFETY/QUALITY ISSUE.

• 12/16/2018· SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE

  MY 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET AND WAS TURNING INTO A DRIVEWAY AND THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ON PASSENGER SIDE BROKE AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS BECAUSE THE FRAME IS ROTTED. NOT SURE IF I AM ABLE TO FIX DUE TO THE FRAME. I AM NEW TO THE NORTHEAST AND WAS NOT AWARE OF ROTTED FRAMES OUT HERE.

• 12/14/2020· SUSPENSION,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  EXCESSIVE FRAME RUST. OUR 4RUNNER HAS JUST PASSED THE 200K MILE MARK, BUT THE FRAME HAS BEEN RUSTING AT AN ALARMING RATE FOR YEARS NOW. LIVING IN AN AREA WITH SALTED WINTER ROADS, I HAVE BEEN SOMEWHAT MINDFUL OF THIS (NOT PERFECT), BUT THE AMOUNT OF CORROSION SEEMS EXCESSIVE, EVEN IN THIS ENVIRONMENT. THERE HAS BEEN NO MOVING INCIDENT OR CRASH, BUT PARTS OF THE FRAME HAVE BEEN AFFECTED ENOUGH THAT I AM CURRENTLY HAVING TO ASSESS THE DRIVABILITY IN LIGHT OF SAFETY.

• 12/14/2018· STRUCTURE

  THE FRAME IS EXTREMELY RUSTED RESULTING IN NEAR SEPARATION OF DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE FRAME. THE CAR HAS BEEN TO THE TOYOTA DEALER MANY TIMES BUT THIS WAS NOT POINTED OUT. A LOCAL CAR REPAIR SHOP POINTED IT OUT.

• 12/14/2018· SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE

  I TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR BRAKE REPAIR, THE MECHANIC NOTED EXCESSIVE FRAME RUST AND CAUTIONED THAT IT MAY BE UNSAFE TO CONTINUE TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE WITH OUT REMEDY. RECOMMENDED THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF REPAIR WORK. I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THE 4RUNNER, BUT THE SUV SPENT MOST OF ITS LIFE IN ARIZONA, AWAY FROM HARSH WINTERS AND SALTED ROADS. LOYAL TOYOTA CUSTOMER, BUT VERY DISAPPOINTING BECAUSE I PLANNED TO KEEP THIS SUV UNTIL IT WAS VINTAGE, BUT NOW I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT OR SELL IT TO SOMEONE ELSE.

• 12/13/2023· STRUCTURE,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCECrash

  Unknown: we were on [XXX] when the car went out of control. It first spun one way and then the other way and then we hit the concrete abutment where the guardrail connects to it. We hit it head on. It was as if we were on ice or oil, unable to gain control or brake. We checked the road and it was dry. Other cars were going by with no problem. The airbags didn’t deploy. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

• 12/13/2014· SERVICE BRAKES

  DRIVING HOME AND MY BRAKES STOPPED WORKING. I HAD MY MECHANIC LOOK AT IT AND HE SAID THE ABS MODULE HAD FAILED. HE SAID THAT ONLY MY FRONT BRAKES ARE WORKING. I FEEL VERY UNSAFE DRIVING MY CAR. *TR

• 12/12/2008· SEAT BELTS

  SEAT BELTS IN REAR OF TWO TOYOTA VEHICLES FAILED TO ENGAGE LATCH. THIS OCCURRED IN BOTH THE 2004 TOYOTA COROLLA AND THE 2004 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AS THE PASSENGER IS FORCED TO RIDE UNSECURED IN THE VEHICLE. THIS ALSO FACE THE DRIVER TO VIOLATE STATE LAW. I FIND IT IRONIC THAT THE SAME BELT IS USED ON BOTH VEHICLES AND BOTH VEHICLES HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

• 12/11/2018· STRUCTURE,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  THE FRAME HAS SO MUCH RUST ON IT AND OTHER AREAS OF THE UNDERCARGO THAT IT HAS CAUSED MY SPEED AND ABS SENSORS TO WORK IMPROPERLY. SPEEDOMETER WILL JUST QUIT WORKING AND ABS LIGHTS WILL COME ON WITH THE VCS TRAC, VCS OFF, AND ABS LIGHTS ALL COMING ON, THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT WILL ALSO COME ON FROM TIME TO TIME. THERE IS ALREADY A HOLE RUSTED THROUGH THE FRAME AND MECHANIC SAID IT WAS JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE IT RUSTED THROUGH AND BROKE.

• 12/10/2018· STRUCTURE

  THE RUST ON THE FRAME OF MY 2004 4RUNNER IS EXCESSIVE AND VERY CONCERNING TO ME AS I'VE HAD THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND MY PERSONAL MECHANIC TELL ME NOT TO DRIVE IT AT ALL AND IF SO KEEP IT TO A MINIMUM. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO BECAUSE THAT BASICALLY MEANS THE SUV IS NO GOOD... I WAS TOLD THERE IS A RECALL FOR THAT BUT AFTER TYPING IN MY VIN THERE WAS NO FRAME RECALL... WHY IS THE RUST SO BAD IS MY QUESTION AND WHY ARE THERE OTHER PEOPLE DEALING WITH THE SAME THING, IS ALSO SOMETHING I'M FINDING OUT. THE SUV'S OVERALL CONDITION IS GREAT AND IT HAS FAIRLY LOW MILES (126,600) SO THE RUST BEING SO EXCESSIVE IS CONFUSING. JUST LOOKING FOR SOME HELP ON WHAT TO DO AND WHAT MY OPTIONS ARE BECAUSE IT'S DEFINITELY A SAFETY HAZARD.

• 12/10/2003· 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

• 12/09/2019· STRUCTURE

  2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER WITH 110K MILES WITH RUSTED FRAME. THE CAR IS OTHERWISE IN PERFECT SHAPE AND WELL MAINTAINED. THE FRAME RUST MAKES THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE ALL OTHER TOYOTA MODELS WITH THE SAME ISSUE WITH FRAMES FROM THE SAME FACTORY WERE RECALLED. THE 4 RUNNER WAS NOT ADDRESSED

• 12/09/2004· SEATS

  THE DRIVER'S SEAT POPS AND MOVES WHEN BRAKING OR TURNING CURVES (ESPECIALLY WHEN MAKING RIGHT TURNS). IT APPEARS TO BE COMING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE SEAT AND AROUND THE FRONT "THIGH" PORTION OF THE SEAT.*AK

• 12/07/2018· ENGINE

  HAD A MISFIRE IN #6 CYLINDER AT 155K MILES. I TOOK IT TO A DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I HAD A HEAD GASKET STARTING TO GO BAD THAT LET COOLANT INTO THAT CYLINDER AFTER I SHUT THE ENGINE OFF RESULTING IN A ROUGH COLD START. THE TECH SPECIALIST GAVE ME SOME NICE INFORMATION AND AFTER RESEARCH I LEARNED TOYOTA KNEW ABOUT THE FAULTY HEAD GASKETS IN THEIR VEHICLES AND CAME OUT WITH A NEW REDESIGNED ONE, BUT THEY NEVER TOLD CONSUMERS AND REFUSE TO FO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. NOW MY CAR IS IN THE SHOP AND QUOTED AT $3200.

• 12/07/2018· STRUCTURE

  FRAME IS ROTTING IN SEVERAL SPOTS. TOYOTA HAS ISSUED RECALLS ON TACOMAS, BUT NOT THE 4RUNNER WHICH HAS THE SAME FRAME.

• 12/06/2018· STRUCTURE

  FRAME RUST - VEHICLE FAILED INSPECTION DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST ON FRAME WHICH RENDERED UNSAFE TO OPERATE BY THE INSPECTION STATION. THIS WAS PREVIOUSLY REPORTED HOWEVER THE VIN WAS NOT CORRECT.

• 12/06/2016· STRUCTURE,ENGINE

  FRAME HAS WAY TOO MUCH RUST FOR A VEHICLE OF THIS AGE. EXHAUST MANIFOLD TICKING NOISE. BOTH ARE WELL DOCUMENTED ISSUES WITH THIS MODEL YEAR....

• 12/05/2018· STRUCTURE

  EXCESSIVE RUST AND CORROSION ON FRAME AND SUSPENSION COMPONENTS. MY MECHANIC, WHO SEES PLENTY OF LATE MODEL VEHICLES ACROSS NUMEROUS MAKES, WAS AGHAST WHEN HE SAW HOW MUCH RUST AND CORROSION THERE WAS HERE DURING A RECENT TRANSMISSION REPAIR JOB. HE SAID IT'S TO THE POINT THAT HE'D RECOMMEND TAKING IT TO A BODY SHOP FOR A FULL INSPECTION. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW AND HAVE TAKEN GOOD CARE OF IT. THE TRUCK SPENT MOST OF ITS EARLY LIFE DOWN SOUTH AND IN COLORADO WHERE SALTED ROADS ARE RARE. IT WAS ALSO GARAGED DURING TWO YEAR-LONG DEPLOYMENTS. THE LATTER HALF OF ITS LIFE HAS BEEN HERE IN NEW ENGLAND, BUT I SEE LOTS OF PREVIOUS GENERATION 4RUNNERS AROUND THAT PRESUMABLY HAVEN'T RUSTED OUT...

• 12/05/2018· STRUCTURE

  EXCESS RUST ON FRAME. IT WAS CONCLUDED BY REPAIR SHOP NOT ABLE TO PASS INSPECTION DUE TO SAFETY.

• 12/05/2015· SERVICE BRAKES

  WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH ON A CITY STREET, WITH CHILDREN IN VEHICLE, BREAKS FAILED AND LOUD CABIN ALARM SOUND AND ABS, VSC AND TRAC DASH LIGHTS CAME ON. I HAD TO PULL INTO A GRASSY SWALE, APPLY EMERGENCY BREAK AND DOWN SHIFT IN ORDER TO STOP AND AVOID CRASHING INTO TRAFFIC. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. ABS PUMP BREAK MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $3,300. I HAVE READ MANY POSTS IN BLOGS FROM TOYOTA OWNERS WITH SIMILAR ISSUE, AND SOME THAT CAUSED ACCIDENTS. I HAD JUST COME OFF THE HIGHWAY, SO THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT JUST MINUTES EARLIER. MERITS AN INVESTIGATION.

• 12/04/2020· SUSPENSION

  TODAY I FAILED VEHICLE INSPECTION BECAUSE OF RUST AND DETERIORATION OF MY CHASSIS FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT NEW, SELDOM DRIVEN IN ANY AREAS OF SALTED OR SANDED ROADS. IT WAS ALSO MOSTLY GARAGED EITHER AT WORK AND/OR AT HOME. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 175000 WHICH IS LOW CONSIDERING THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. I KNOW THAT MANY TOYOTAS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND SOME MODELS HAVE HAD RECALLS. IN SPITE OF THE MANY PROBLEMS THAT FORERUNNERS HAVE HAD, IT IS YET TO BE RECALLED....AND ALL RECALLS START AT 2005. MINE IS A 2004 AND THE FRAME IS FALLING APART. I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED AND WISH VEHICLES IN MY DEMOGRAPHICS WOULD BE CONSIDERED IN A NEW RECAL......

• 12/04/2019· STRUCTURE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A TIRE SHOP FOR SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. THE MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000.

• 12/04/2017· SUSPENSION,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  MY 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER HAS EXTREME AMOUNTS OF RUST ON THE FRAME TO THE POINT WHERE THERE ARE ACTUAL HOLES FORMING. THIS IS A MAJOR STRUCTURAL ISSUE FOR THE VEHICLE AND INCREDIBLY UNSAFE. I WORRY THAT THIS MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OR RENDER MY VEHICLE INOPERABLE IN THE FUTURE.

• 12/02/2005· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  ALMOST CONSTANT SULPHER SMELL. DEALER STATES THAT THEY HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF PROBLEM, AND NO TSB'S. THEY TELL ME TO KEEP REAR WINDOW CLOSED. WHEN MY WIFE IS A PASSENGER SHE HAS HER EYES BURNING ALL THE TIME. IF YOU NEED TO STEP HARD ON THE GAS THE WHOLE CABIN FILLS AND IS ENOUGH TO MAKE YOU NOXIOUS. TOYOTA NEEDS TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM ASAP, OR A CLASS ACTION SUIT SHOULD BE FILED. THIS PROBLEM HAS SOURED ME ON TOYOTA PRODUCTS FOR GOOD. LIKE THE VEHICLE BUT HAVE A HARD TIME CINVICING MY WIFE TO GO ANYWHERE IN IT, SHE ALWAYS WANTS TO TAKE HER KIA SORENTO, MORE COMFORT AND NICER AMENITIES. 2004 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER V-6 LTD 4X4 NOT ACCEPTABLE UNLESS YOU LIKE SULPHUR SMELL WHILE DRIVING! *NM

• 11/29/2019· STEERING

  PICTURES SHOW SIGNIFICANT RUST DAMAGE ON THE RIGHT BACK FRAME NEAR THE MUFFLER. DEALERSHIP STATED IT WOULD COST $14,000 TO REPLACE THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. CURRENTLY THE CAR HAS 125,000 MILES. VIN UNKNOWN *LN*JB

• 11/29/2018· STRUCTURE

  MY VEHICLE HAS EXCESSIVE FRAME RUST ON THE PASSENGER SIDE MIDDLE OF FRAME AND HAS A HOLE. I'M CONCERNED THE FRAME MAY SPLIT IN HALF WHILE DRIVING.

• 11/29/2011· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30-35 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME JAMMED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE TO 65 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RELEASE THE PEDAL AS THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT DUE TO HER HAVING AFTERMARKET FLOOR MATS, THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 67,200.

• 11/28/2020· STRUCTURE

  FRAME IS ROTTED 115K MILES ON THE CAR, IT SEEMS TO BE ROTTING AT THE WELDS ONLY.

• 11/27/2019· UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE

  CHASSIS, BRAKES AND ALL UNDER CARRIAGE OF 2004 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER IS RUSTED. SOON THE CAR WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION. I DO NOT LIVE IN A SALT WATER ZONE. MY CAR HAS NEVER DRIVEN THROUGH SALT WATER. I HAVE 71,000 MILES ON THE CAR. THE BRAKES WERE SO RUSTED THAT I HAD TO REPLACE THEM. THE CAR WILL BE TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE SOON.

• 11/27/2018· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  EXCESSIVE RUST ON FRAME CREATING ABNORMAL HANDLING CONDITION WHEN IN MOTION, SAFETY IS BECOMING A CONCERN.

• 11/27/2018· STRUCTURE

  FRAME IS RUSTING IN KEY AREAS MAKING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE UNTILL REPAIRS ARE MADE TO THE FRAME. THERE ARE RUST HOLES NEAR THE CROSS ARM AND ABOVE THE REAR CONTROL ARM AND THE SPARE TIRE DETACHED WHILE DRIVING DUE TO RUST.

• 11/26/2018· STRUCTURE

  SIGNIFICANT RUST THROUGHOUT FRAME, AS WELL AS MANY COMPONENTS AROUND THE ENGINE.

• 11/26/2017· STRUCTURE

  UPON VISUAL INSPECTION FRAME FOUND RUSTED THROUGH ON RIGHT SIDE JUST FORWARD OF REAR AXLE AND APPEARS TO HAVE RUSTED FROM INSIDE. SUSPECT LOW QUALITY STEEL WAS USED. EXCESSIVE RUST ON ENTIRE FRAME. BODY AND MECHANICAL SYSTEMS ARE IN EXCELLENT SHAPE WITH 120,000 MILES. TOYOTA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRS AS FRAME SHOULD LAST FOR 20 YEARS.

• 11/26/2007· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,EQUIPMENT

  1.) THERE IS A SERIOUS "CLUNK" NOISE WHEN BRAKING AND ALSO THE SAME NOISE WHEN STARTING FROM A COMPLETE STOP WHEN YOU TAKE FOOT OFF BRAKE. 2.) THERE IS "SULFUR SMELL " IN CABIN FROM CATALYTIC CONVERTER. *TR

• 11/25/2021· SERVICE BRAKES

  Seized front right brake caliper caused vehicle to slide off road during sudden stop to avoid debris in roadway. Took vehicle to a brake shop and they found that right front wheel was locked. This is the third time I have had the EXACT same problem with the brake system. The previous times, the problem occurred during nice weather and with windows open I smelled the burning brake pads and was able to get the problem fixed before it became a hazard. On the first previous incident, the repair required replacement of both front brake caliper, rotors, and pads. On the second previous occasion less than 20,000 miles ago BOTH front and rear calipers, rotors and pads were replaced. This is apparently a known defect in the 2004 Toyota 4Runner, yet Toyota has not conducted a recall to fix an extremely dangerous and ongoing problem. NOTE: I originally purchased the vehicle in New Jersey in 2004 and a Virginia Toyota dealer (Koons Toyota) worked on the brake system multiple times (2005-2006) and finally replaced the entire system.