2004 Toyota 4Runner Body Problems
- 173
- 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 173 stored complaint records:
- 2 indicate a crash
- 0 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
What owners report
- frame rusted · 21 records
- frame rust · 18 records
- unsafe drive · 16 records
- rust frame · 12 records
- passenger side · 11 records
- frame rusting · 10 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 100–150k mi | 57 |
| 150–400k mi | 42 |
| 60–100k mi | 23 |
| 30–60k mi | 7 |
| 1–30k mi | 2 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Body
Frame left side - drivers front close to wheel well area is rusted through approx size of 8" x 5" during inspection notified this will be a hazard to driving if not addressed since this is part of the frame and can cause serious damage if not addressed. Vehicle is inspected yearly and this is the first time we saw the rust of this magnitude. According to the public database there is an ongoing investigation on this…
ODI 11192766
Body
I brought my 4runner in to have the brakes looked at and the mechanic was not able to put it up on a lift because of the extensive amount of rust on my vehicle, they were concerned that it wouldn't hold. I need this vehicle to get around for work and my company, and i am now terrified it is not safe for me to be driving.
ODI 11193158
Body
I have 2004 toyota 4runner v6 4.0 sr5. Milage 130.000. The frame has a lot of rust. Especially the passenger side thru whole that side. The front radiator mounts are also corroded. Back side of the vehicle frame is also corroded. Basically whole frame is very rusty. If i touch the frame the pieces start to fall down. Everything is ok with vehicle only the frame is very rusty. I do not know how long i can drive like…
ODI 11191108
Body
TRUCK FRAME RUSTED THROUGH
ODI 11190665
Body
Frame is severely rusted with large holes throughout. These vehicles are no longer safe to drive. Toyota has had issues with rusted frames with many trucks and apparently the 4runners is no exception.
ODI 11190281
Body
I started hearing a noise like friction coming from under the car and feeling it through the steering while driving. It would come and go and within a week the car was undrivable. Just after exiting the interstate and on a side road, my brakes went out and there was an incredibly loud metal on metal grinding noise. I pulled over immediately and had the car taken on a rollback to my mechanic. When he put it on the…
ODI 11202552
Body
Writing a complaint due to excessive corrosion of the frame of toyota 4 runner. Got vehicle inspected last year, no recommendation of the frame needing repaired. Now, wont pass inspection this year due to a crack in the welding plate above drivers side rear and severe corrosion. Drivers side frame has completely started to erode and cant find a mechanic willing to weld to pass inspection. Mechanic stated that body…
ODI 11186777
Body
Frame has multible holes in frame and many areas frame week gas tank straps rusted out will not pass inspection
ODI 11182104
Body
Toyota 4 runner in motion, driving the highway and local when noticed noise coming from the back of the vehicle. It was moving unstable like wiggling and slowed down. My husband checked under the car. He found out the chassis was broken.
ODI 11217086
Body · Suspension · Unknown Or Other
Rust crack in frame right front at core support. Cracks in dashboard.
ODI 11175222
Body
This is an addendum to my original complaint submitted on 12/5/2018. After a more thorough inspection of my vehicle's frame, toyota westborough (ma), has identified an area that is significantly compromised. The size of this hole exceeds the threshold used in the related toyota tacoma frame recall several years ago. I believe this is further evidence that 4runners of the same vintage should be considered for a…
ODI 11172526
Body
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota 4runner. While the vehicle was undergoing a state inspection, it was discovered that the subframe was severely rusted and corroded. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 186,000. The vin was invalid.
ODI 11165168
Body
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the frame of the vehicle was extensively rusted and corroded. Suburban toyota of farmington hills ([redacted], farmington hills, mi 48335, [redacted]) was notified and indicated that the manufacturer was aware of the failure. The dealer stated that an appointment needed to be scheduled for diagnostic testing and repair. The vehicle was not diagnosed…
ODI 11231891
Body
Frame is rusting ,toyota dealer said dangerase to drive,dealer said they are thuosands of these out there but no recalls!!!! Whey do people need to die before toyota does something? I ,m losing thousands of dollars for there mistakes,this suv has less than 100,000 on it!!! Sad!!!!
ODI 11189736
Body
Frame and underneath of vehicle excessively rusting with holes completely through entire frame like swiss cheese. Will not pass inspection because of this problem. Deemed unsafe to use vehicle any more.
ODI 11195289
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
Body
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…
ODI 11163383
Body
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.
ODI 11161301
Body
My 2004 toyota 4runner frame has holes and have seen dozens of others with the same or worse frames. I work at a toyota dealership and all the truce that have frames except the 4runners have recalls for the frames. When i asked toyota why that is the case they said it was because the trucks were built in japan. What i don't understand is if the 4runner were built in japan and have worse frames than the tacomas…
ODI 11183274
Body · Steering · Suspension
Excessive rust is compromising steering control.
Crash reported
ODI 11163086
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
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
Body
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…
ODI 11156073
Body
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.
ODI 11156502
Body
Excess rust on frame. It was concluded by repair shop not able to pass inspection due to safety.
ODI 11156408