The Lemon Index2004 Toyota 4Runner.
The 2004 Toyota 4Runner is better than average by owner complaints: 80 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 82, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 2 recalls, and it gets 15 to 18 mpg combined. The best Toyota 4Runner year is 2013.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 678 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Toyota 4Runner year. 2004 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 63K to 155K miles on the car (463 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- body structure complaints mostly came at 98K–166K miles
- suspension complaints mostly came at 100K–175K miles
- brakes complaints mostly came at 85K–162K miles
Recalls 2
- airbags 2016
The affected vehicles have an air bag control module that may be improperly programmed, causing the side curtain-shield-air bags to deploy inadvertently.
- speed control 2011
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2011 LEXUS LX570, 2003 THROUGH 2009 TOYOTA 4RUNNER, AND 2006 THROUGH 2010 RAV4 VEHICLES.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Toyota told dealers about
Toyota sent dealers 235 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Countermeasures to the air conditioner (a/c) magnetic clutch relay for a/c light flashing…
- Information on installing manual transmission shift lever or park neutral position switch
- Accelerator pedal sensor assembly information regarding the inspection, removal, and…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedFrame corrosion2018–2022
- ClosedUnintended and uncontrolled acceleration2010–2011
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3550–4300 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 4.0L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
My 2004 sport 4runner has a periodic strong sulfur smell ongoing since I bought the vehicle in august.
2004 Toyota 4Runner owner · NHTSA complaint 10100317
More owner reports
Upon acceleration the exhaust emits a very strong rotten egg smell into the cabin of the vehicle. This especially happens when the rear window is lowered.
NHTSA complaint 10127561
2004 Toyota 4 runner has had a horrible sulfur smell since we bought it. Dealer replaced catalytic converte and now the smell is worse. Dealer now says there is nothing they can do.
NHTSA complaint 10098327
Quick answers
Is the 2004 Toyota 4Runner reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.2× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 82; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Toyota 4Runner year by this measure is 2013.
What are the most common 2004 Toyota 4Runner problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (30%), transmission & drivetrain (19%) and seats (9%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2004 Toyota 4Runner have?
2 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2004 Toyota 4Runner get?
15 to 18 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2004 Toyota 4Runner problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 63,000 and 155,000 miles. The middle report was at 116,000 miles, from 463 complaints.
Does the 2004 Toyota 4Runner have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 19% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2004 Toyota 4Runner cost in fuel a year?
About $3550 to $4300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2004 Toyota 4Runner have?
4.0L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl.
What Toyota 4Runner year is better than the 2004?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2013, 2017 and 2021.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works