Model year guide

2004 Toyota 4Runner

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2004 Toyota 4Runner is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 137 on record.

2004 Toyota 4Runner — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2004 Toyota 4Runner at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints678
Combined17 mpg
Typical price$7,138

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2004 Toyota 4Runner recalls 2

Air Bags:side/window NHTSA Campaign #16V065000 · 05/02/2016

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Toyota Land Cruiser and Lexus LX470, 2005-2006 Toyota Tundra and Sequoia, 2004-2006 Toyota 4Runner and Lexus GX470 vehicles equipped with side curtain-shield-air bags. The affected vehicles have an air bag control module that may be improperly programmed, causing the side curtain-shield-air bags to deploy inadvertently.

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. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-271-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is G0C and GLB.

Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal NHTSA Campaign #11V113000 · 24/02/2011

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2011 LEXUS LX570, 2003 THROUGH 2009 TOYOTA 4RUNNER, AND 2006 THROUGH 2010 RAV4 VEHICLES. 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.

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. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 OR LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2004 Toyota 4Runner common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 678 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.

2004 Toyota 4Runner safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2004 Toyota 4Runner 4-DR.. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2004 Toyota 4Runner MPG & running costs

Combined17 mpg
City15 mpg
Highway19 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,738

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2004 Toyota 4Runner worth?

Low
$4,600
Typical price
$7,138
High
$10,200

From 136 comparable 2004 Toyota 4Runner listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2004 Toyota 4Runner costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$18,690
Depreciation (5 yrs)$4,450
Total$23,140
Per mile$0.31

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($7,138) with the same model 5 model-years older ($2,683), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2004 Toyota 4Runner trims & engines on record

Trims
SR5 · Limited · Sport Edition
Engines
4.0L 6-cyl · 4.7L 8-cyl 227 hp

2004 Toyota 4Runner vehicles on record

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Other Toyota 4Runner model years

2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1990 1988

2004 Toyota 4Runner — frequently asked questions

Does the 2004 Toyota 4Runner have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for the 2004 Toyota 4Runner. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Toyota 4Runner?

Based on 678 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are structure, suspension, air bags.

What is the 2004 Toyota 4Runner safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2004 Toyota 4Runner crash-test ratings of frontal 4★, side 5★, rollover 3★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 2004 Toyota 4Runner get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2004 Toyota 4Runner at about 17 mpg combined (15 city / 19 highway).

How much is a 2004 Toyota 4Runner worth?

Comparable 2004 Toyota 4Runner listings run roughly $4,600–$10,200, typically around $7,138 (from 136 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.