2004 Toyota 4Runner: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2004 Toyota 4Runner: 2 recalls, 678 owner complaints and up to 18 mpg combined.
Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Speed control / throttle Vehicle recall #11V113000 · 2011 · 1,363,244 vehicles
What's wrong: The accelerator pedal can get stuck in the wide open position due to its being trapped by an unsecured or incompatible driver's floor mat.
Why it matters: A stuck open accelerator pedal May result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.
The fix: The remedy is now available. The safety recall began early April 2011. The remedy will involve modification or replacement of the accelerator pedal and replacement of any Toyota all-weather floor mat.
Airbags Vehicle recall #16V065000 · 2016 · 320,409 vehicles
What's wrong: The affected vehicles have an air bag control module that May be improperly programmed, causing the side curtain-shield-air bags to deploy inadvertently.
Why it matters: If the side curtain-shield-air bags deploy unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of occupant injury.
The fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control module with one that has improved programming, free of charge. The recall began on December 1, 2016.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 3 mention a fire, 20 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Body & structure (310): the most common themes are rust / corrosion (263).
- Other / unknown (116): the most common themes are rust / corrosion (95), leaks (3).
- Suspension (113): the most common themes are rust / corrosion (104), steering problems (8).
- Brakes (57): the most common themes are brake failure / soft pedal (8).
The 2004 Toyota 4Runner has 678 owner complaints, ranking #2 of 37 4Runner model years for complaints (4.3× the average 4Runner year). Complaints peaked in 2019 (98 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 12 years old, at a median of 115,978 miles. Neighboring years: 2003 (695 complaints, 3 recalls), 2005 (425 complaints, 5 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 20 | 18 | Regular |
| 4.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 19 | 17 | Regular |
| 4.7 L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 18 | 16 | Regular |
| 4.7 L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 17 | 15 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2004 Toyota 4Runner.
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FAQ
Does the 2004 Toyota 4Runner have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2004 Toyota 4Runner. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2004 Toyota 4Runner problems?
Owners have filed 678 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are body & structure (310), other / unknown (116), suspension (113).
What gas mileage does the 2004 Toyota 4Runner get?
EPA ratings run up to 18 mpg combined (4.0 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2004 Toyota 4Runner repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.