1. Toyota 4Runner
  2. Problems
  3. 2004
  4. Suspension

2004 Toyota 4Runner Suspension Problems

59
Owner complaint records in our dataset

Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.

Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.

Among these 59 stored complaint records:

  • 1 indicate a crash
  • 0 indicate injury
  • 0 indicate fire

What owners report

  • rust frame · 13 records
  • frame rust · 10 records
  • unsafe drive · 9 records
  • frame rusted · 8 records
  • rusted through · 6 records
  • completely rusted · 6 records

Mileage in stored records

BandRecords
100–150k mi20
150–400k mi18
60–100k mi9
30–60k mi1
1–30k mi1

Complaint records

Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.

  • December 28, 2019

    Body · Suspension

    Severe rust on frame and suspension attachment points. Rust is not superficial but rusting from inside of frame tubes.

    ODI 11291792

  • June 17, 2019 · 179,000 miles

    Body · Suspension · Unknown Or Other

    I own a 2004 toyota 4runner with significant rust on the frame that has nearly rusted through in some areas. Through my research i determined that this has been an ongoing issue for many toyota vehicles close to the 2004 model year. Apparently the frame was not properly coated and rust has grown on my vehicle as well as many others at a much faster rate than is typically expected. I am worried about the safety of my…

    ODI 11220670

  • June 12, 2019 · 190,000 miles

    Body · Electronic Stability Control · Suspension

    Takata recall, the radiator mount and frame supports are rusted out, also the rear shock and air suspension mounts are rusted out. Vehicle was in motion when shock mount broke.

    ODI 11222590

  • May 5, 2019 · 290,000 miles

    Suspension

    Frame rust in 2 areas; mechanic deemed unsafe to drive

    ODI 11218758

  • May 5, 2019 · 290,000 miles

    Suspension

    'frame rust' frame rusted in 2 areas and mechanic deemed unsafe to drive.

    ODI 11218756

  • April 26, 2019 · 175,000 miles

    Suspension · Unknown Or Other

    The frame on my 2004 toyota is very rusty. It is completely cracked through near the front passenger suspension. My mechanic has warned me not to drive the vehicle anymore. See pics

    ODI 11204024

  • April 11, 2019 · 150,000 miles

    Power Train · Suspension

    Excessive frame rust. Replaced complete rear end in 2013. Told by hyannis toyota that it was unsafe to drive because of excessive rust. The rear end is now rusted out again in 2019 and needs replacing. In april 2019 could not have suspension replaced until frame welding was completed. Additional work of cutting out rear upper trailing arm brackets and weld in place and fabricate fuel tank strap mount and weld in…

    ODI 11203339

  • April 6, 2019 · 150,000 miles

    Suspension

    Frame and suspension rust has weakened the parts to the point of failure. Rear upper control arm mounting bracket on rear axle broke while driving on highway while going around a turn. Vehicle's rear wobbled back and forth violently. I almost lost control of the vehicle. There are other pieces that look close to failure.

    ODI 11194987

  • March 25, 2019 · 194,000 miles

    Service Brakes · Suspension · Unknown Or Other

    The frame of my truck is complete mush! I've taken excellent care of my 4runner as it has been my most favorite vehicle. I'm being warned to get this fixed due to it being a dangerous situation & wouldn't you know i'm driving home & i loose all control over my vehicle on hellacious mountain roads, brakes completely gone! Everything rotten! Why weren't we notified how dangerous these trucks truly have become?

    ODI 11191413

  • March 16, 2019 · 150,000 miles

    Suspension

    EXCESSIVE FRAME ROT/RUST

    ODI 11187328

  • March 14, 2019 · 190 miles

    Suspension

    Was driving to work going 50 mph braked to come to a stop and the back end started to turn almost had an accident. Frame is completely rusted out. Too dangerous to drive.

    ODI 11186945

  • February 1, 2019 · 165,000 miles

    Body · Suspension · Unknown Or Other

    Rust crack in frame right front at core support. Cracks in dashboard.

    ODI 11175222

  • January 3, 2019 · 100,000 miles

    Suspension · Unknown Or Other

    I just took the car for annual state safety inspection. It failed and the inspector said it is unsafe to drive. The part of the frame that connects the right front and right rear suspension is so rusted that the car is unsafe to drive. We have been driving this vehicle with no knowledge of this hazard.

    ODI 11165670

  • December 24, 2018

    Body · Suspension

    Rear frame rusted through. I was driving and a piece holding the suspension together rusted off the frame. The vehicle was in motion and it felt like it was going to tip over. It also felt like the front and back wheels were going in different directions. Apparently a very common issue.

    ODI 11165190

  • December 10, 2018 · 250,000 miles

    Body · Steering · Suspension

    Excessive rust is compromising steering control.

    Crash reported

    ODI 11163086

  • December 10, 2018 · 183,000 miles

    Body · Suspension

    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…

    ODI 11161300

  • December 7, 2018 · 145,000 miles

    Body · Suspension

    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.

    ODI 11161846

  • November 30, 2018 · 120,000 miles

    Power Train · Suspension · Unknown Or Other

    Transmission failed due to rusted transmission lines. Leads up to finding out that frame is completely rusted out. Unable to fix it due to frame rust. Suspension are of frame rusted as well...barely holding on. Traveling from tn to pa when all this happened.

    ODI 11169986

  • November 8, 2018 · 117,000 miles

    Service Brakes · Suspension

    Frame is extremely rusted, it just flakes off and after inspecting the joints am afraid that it will soon become a safety hazard also the brake calipers become in-op (frozen) have replaced the 2 front calipers 3 times and the 2 rear calipers twice

    ODI 11150347

  • November 1, 2018 · 120,000 miles

    Power Train · Suspension · Unknown Or Other

    Parts of the vehicles exterior and including frame and subframe components are excessively rusted. Parts are of the suspension and other hard parts are having to be replaced due to corrosion.

    ODI 11152351

  • October 10, 2018 · 134,000 miles

    Suspension · Unknown Or Other

    Extensive rust and corrosion on frame and suspension parts. I am the original owner and the vehicle has 134,000 mile. Advised by technician that this is not normal wear.

    ODI 11140230

  • October 1, 2018 · 121,510 miles

    Suspension

    We have a 2004 toyota 4runner with 121,510 and we're informed that the whole frame is rusted. We learned that toyota had a similar issue with frames in other vehicles for the same reason and it was recalled for those vehicles but there is no recall on the 4runner. My vehicle runs well and has no issues other than the frame which we were told makes the vehicle unsafe. We've had toyota's in the past with well over…

    ODI 11139013

  • September 20, 2018 · 116,000 miles

    Body · Power Train · Suspension

    Takata recall frame is completely rusted. Causing all the undercarriage to rust out and make the vehicle very dangerous to drive. Even the body is starting to rust away. Only has 116,000 miles on it which is crazy.

    ODI 11184991

  • September 7, 2018

    Suspension

    Frame has rotted and has been declared unsafe to drive.

    ODI 11210140

  • September 7, 2018 · 102,000 miles

    Body · Service Brakes · Steering · Suspension

    My 2004 toyota 4 runner is in the dealer for routine maintenance. Most of the car maintenance have been at this local toyota dealership. I just had the cv boots and sway bar bushings replaced this past spring and summer. I have the records for these particular maintenance and repair. My service mechanic mentioned there is significant amount of rust on the frame/ chassis. On september 7, the mechanic at the same…

    ODI 11128096