Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Toyota 4Runner owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
This 2004 Toyota 4runner had 145000 miles on it when the check engine light came on, along with vsc and vsc trac lights. Engine ran rough/rumbled for few seconds after each start, then the rumbling would stop. At autozone they diagnosed a p0306 error code. Took it to the dealer who scanned code # 0306 #6 cylinder misfire. Further testing showed coolant seeping under headgasket, and dealer recommended replacing cylinder headgasket. Researching the issue, it looks like it's not an uncommon problem with this particular car at this mileage. What made me file this complaint is that each single one of the owners who posted online mentioned this particular diagnosis code of cylinder #6 mifire. I found itinteresting that everybody has the same exact problem, and not even once it was any other cylinder misfire but # 6. …
Vehicle engine light and other lights came on, took to dealer and told me code was po306 code was diagnosed stating there is a misfire in cylinder #6 resulting in a head gasket problem of coolant entering the cylinder & it would cost me 3000 to 5000 dollars to fix. Every time I start car in morning the car has a rough shacking start until warmed up, my car has 135000 miles & reviewing online this is a common problem with this engine around or after 120000 miles and that their are hundreds of complaints with the exact same issue I am having. Please can one get help in getting Toyota accountable for a problem they surely know about as well as because I am not the first and probably not the last on complaining about this issue & that this is not a normal problem for this engine it is a manufactures defect
My 4runner check engine light came on and the vsc trak off lights came on with it. The trouble code indicated #6 cylinder misfire. After checking all the sensors it became obvious that there was a slight loss of coolant. Checked the engine and found that the head gasket for #6 had failed. Looking on line I see that there are hundreds of complaints about similar problems around the 120K miles mark. Isn't Toyota required to report these to NHTSA and should there be a recall on this? This problem seems very similar to an earlier Toyota issue that resulted in a recall. A head gasket should not fail during normal use of a vehicle especially one that is used very lightly and not off road.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the check engine indicator illuminated when the vehicle was started and remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to big island Toyota kailua-kona [phone], located at 74-5504 kaiwi st, kailua, hi 96740) to be diagnosed, but the failure recurred. The contact also stated that the brake fluid level was above normal. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
Had a misfire in #6 cylinder at 155K miles. I took it to a dealer and they told me that I had a head gasket starting to go bad that let coolant into that cylinder after I shut the engine off resulting in a rough cold start. The tech specialist gave me some nice information and after research I learned Toyota knew about the faulty head gaskets in their vehicles and came out with a new redesigned one, but they never told consumers and refuse to fo anything about it. Now my car is in the shop and quoted at $3200.
Blown head gasket at 150K miles. Potential to overheat to overheat while in operation leaving the passengers stranded or start an engine fire. Every local mechanic shop I received estimates from in knoxville was very familiar with this issue for this model year and the internet forum searches have hundreds of complaints for this same issue. No recall has been issued for this problem.
Event occurred at start up. Warning lights >>> check engine, vsc trac, and trac off. Per Toyota dealership >>> found head gasket allowing antifreeze to leak into cylinder 6 causing p0306 replaced both head gaskets cost $2644.91
1. 2004 Toyota 4runner purchased from fred anderson Toyota, 9101 glenwood avenue, raleigh, nc,27622 on 3/18/2004. On 3/29, the service department installed an electrochrmic mirror that had been ordered at the time of purchase. 2. After that I noticed that the engine warning lights, the vsc trac and vsc off light came on in the dash. Also noticed an ammonia smell. 3. I took the vehicle in 4 times for each problem, for a total of 6 times. The first time 4/15, the problem was diagnosed as the purge valve and it was replaced. The second time 4/29, the charcoal cannister was diganosed as the problem, but the part had to be ordered. The third time 5/6, , the charcoal cannister was replaced. The fourth time, 5/24, it was found that the electrochromic mirror was installed incorrectly. The lights have since gone off, but the ammonia smell still occurs intermittenlty during acceleration. …
I've put a down payment of 1200 at premier auto sales . In victoria tx I left feel positive about the vehicle . The sales man told me as soon as they get a mechanic to look at it . It didn't have an inspection either . So I took it to p&h all they did was right in a paper an sent it back with me to the car lot after I picked it up from it being dead the battery terninals where horrible the check engine light came on the oil light after a brand knew oil change kept smoking so took it back so they could look at it to find out they just cleared the codes . Picked it out he following Monday well the vehicle smelt like it was burning had to use my emergency brake to stop . …
While driving, the CEL (check engine light) came on and the vsc trac and vsc off lights came on as well. Apparently Toyota disables vsc when the CEL is triggered. In my case, the 2 times it has occurred has been due to emissions related failures (1st time the cat failed, 2nd time one of the o2 sensors failed). In the 1st case, I immediately took the vehicle to the dealership as I was approaching the end of the emissions warranty. They made the repairs and cleared all the codes so wasn't aware that the vsc system was actually disabled. The 2nd time (o2 failure) I replaced the failed o2 sensor, the CEL has cleared, however the vsc lights are still on and vsc is disabled. I have serious concerns that Toyota disables key safety systems due to emissions related failures especially given the inherent stability problems with SUV's. …
Engine complaints in other 4Runner years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2004 Toyota 4Runner?
NHTSA has 43 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2004 Toyota 4Runner, 6% of the model year's 678 complaints. The component named most often is exhaust system › emission control › catalytic convertor (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Toyota 4Runner engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2004 Toyota 4Runner, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2004 Toyota 4Runner engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 55,000 miles, and 44% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.