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 · Suspension · Unknown Or Other
There is lot of rust on frame, under carriage and its also in the suspension. Its also causing fluids to leak and i had to replace the muffler assembly due to rust. I purchased this car as certified used from prestige toyota of nj with only 5000 miles in august of 2005, i purchased this toyota because of their stellar reputation in the auto industry but i am extremely disappointed with this car. I have less than…
ODI 10926529
Body
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota 4 runner. The contact stated the entire frame was corroded. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician verified the failure and stated that it could not be repaired. The manufacturer was unaware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 73,000.
ODI 10630290
Body
The entire frame and underneath the vehicle is rusted from front to back.
ODI 10970852
Body
Vehicle frame is rotted and unsafe had it looked at , my auto shop said it is unsafe cannot sell the car in the condition of the frame i have owned it for 4 years and it has always been in a heated garage through the winters, have taken good care of the vehicle the only way i found out the frame was rusted was i had new brakes installed and they told me the frame on the vehicle was rotted out. Very unsafe to drive…
ODI 10638351
Body
Inspection of underside of vehicle revealed extensive frame rust and perforation through the sides of the frame. Lower radiator support rusted through, control arm support rusted through. Dealer inspected and verified, no program available for repair. Dealer stated common problem in northeast vehicles. *tr
ODI 10575562
Body
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota 4runner. During routine maintenance, the contact noticed that the frame was rusted out. The vehicle was taken to toyota of bellingham [redacted], located at [redacted], bellingham, wa 98229) and the contact was informed that there was no recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.
ODI 11228956
Body
Extensive frame rust. Unsafe body structure. Multiple holes in the frame due to rust issue.
ODI 10716919
Body
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the dashboard was fractured near the passenger side air bag. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the dashboard needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vin was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.
ODI 10865415
Body
Dashboard cover developed hairline surface cracks. Dashboard cover was still soft to touch and retained a sponge type feel. The thin skin of over the sponge-like core is what cracked. Other complaints for this same issue are reported on toyota owners forum web pages. The dashboard cover is defective. *js
ODI 10690636
Body
The frame has rusted thru making holes and if not repaired will be unsafe to drive. Toyota has not offered a recall which is criminal because there are so many that have this problem. All of their other similar vehicles of all ages have "recalls" but they refuse to do so as "yet" on the 04. Dealers and body shops and internet searches site thousands of these 4runners are affected. *tr
ODI 10632471
Body · Latches/Locks/Linkages
Drivers door latch mechanism would not permit driver to exit the vehicle. Door would not unlock, though all electric and manual actions to unlock the door appear to work, latch handle would not move. This condition was normal for the vehicle when new if the door was locked. All other doors in the vehicle would open from the inside if locked. Drivers door latch failed prohibiting driver from exiting the car and was…
ODI 10509381
Body
I am the original owner of 04 v8 4runner sport and it just passed the 200,000 mile mark. The suv runs great still, but the frame is rusting out so bad that it is becoming dangerous to drive. We had to weld a patch for the radiator support and the front tow/tie down hook broke off, the entire frame is rotting out from the inside out. There are holes in the frame.this is an known issue for toyota and don't know why…
ODI 11103491
Body
FRAME RUST
ODI 11192092
Body · Unknown Or Other
The toyota dealership does not want to repair the safety recall they did on 2004 4runners toyota. I called over a year ago and no action has taken place. The recall was over the gas pedal and dashboard, i also have a case number and have called many times and they only tell me to wait. They didn't even bother to check the car and i also went in personally so they could order the parts and they told me they would…
ODI 10939099
Body · Suspension · Wheels
Frame is rusted badly poor breaking system i had to replace the lines that keeps my toyota stabilized. I put so much money into my 2004 toyota 4 runner limited. Now the rust has taken over on sides and under radiator. Transmission lines now leaking badly rust has been an on going problem but when i had it inspecited mechanic brought me out in the garage to show me.
ODI 11139870
Body · Service Brakes · Wheels
Vehicle was being parked alongside the curb when it suddenly jumped the curb, the sidewalk onto the uphill grassy landscape, hit and severed a tree, and almost crashed the house inches away, then bounced back to the street- all in about 3 seconds. The tires spun violently and left a thick residue of rubber and thick smoke throughout. The brake was hard and stuck , as i managed to put the stick to neutral and then to…
Crash reported
ODI 10480595
Body
Linear cracks appeared seemingly overnight across the entire dash (toyota calls it the safety pad). Car is in pristine condition, and a sunshade was used daily. This must be a defect in materials. *tr
ODI 10459948
Body
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota 4runner. The contact noticed that the entire length of the dashboard exhibited cracks which originated from the driver's side air bag housing. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 97,377.
ODI 10479889
Body · Steering · Unknown Or Other
Suv is unsafe to drive due to excessive rusting of frame and all other undercarriage metal parts. Frame integrity is seriously compromised. Rust is exponentiating over time. Rust leaching to other majors parts like the exhaust. Transmission, radiator, ac, wheels, brakes, exhaust, steering, etc all are compromised and failing due to rust. This has been going on for years. Radiator replaced. Ac leaking. Oct 2011 heat…
ODI 10764189
Body · Suspension · Unknown Or Other
Excessive rust and corrosion to the point where my skid plate came off and transmission fluid lines broke apart, leading to major leak and fix - luckily it came off in driveway and not on highway where someone could have been significantly injured. Shocks have holes in them from rust and corrosion, as do support bars and frame. Can break off pieces of the frame in my hand without effort. Concerned that frame could…
ODI 10773968
Body
Around the end of 2010, i noticed a crack on the dashboard over the passenger side airbag and took the vehicle to my local dealer to see if the factory representative could look at it at his next visit. Instead of the rep looking at it at a later date the service manager had me bring the vehicle back so he could take a picture of it. I got no help from the dealer/manufacturer. Mid 2011 the one crack has developed…
ODI 10444939
Body
FRAME RUST
ODI 11170510
Body · Unknown Or Other · Wheels
Frame rusting badly, especially the lower front radiator supports. Paint clear coat has failed. Rust around the front windshield area. The coating on the alloy wheels started falling off within one year of purchase. The vehicle has 125000 miles i am the original owner and lived in the new england area for 15 years, 3 years in florida.
ODI 11152319