Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
2004 Toyota 4Runner SR5 - Frame rust: currently not drivable due to complete breakage from the rust. Driving 2 hours home on the highway I almost lost control, pressing/releasing the brake and/or gas pulls the steering side to side and sways the truck (fish tail) due to damage from the frame rust/breaking. There is no control of the rear end. Truck was in great condition prior to the frame snapping. Vehicle has been inspected by multiple mechanics (including Firestone, Welding/fabricating Auto Repair shops and small owned mechanic shops), possibly won't be able to weld due to the amount of rust. Firestone won't perform any service if the vehicle needs to go in the air (tires, oil..etc) due to frame rust. This has been a huge problem with Toyota, they addressed other models around the same year but excluded the 4Runner for unknown reasons. …
There is excessive rust/corrosion on the frame of the truck. The skid plates completely rusted off the truck in 2010. The transmission lines have corroded to the point they have to be replaced. The engine oil cooler and radiator supports have rusted through. The exhaust rusted off the truck in 2010 as well. Currently there is extensive corrosion on the frame of the truck and the suspension components. These issues appeared in 2010 and I have been fighting them ever since. Mechanically the truck runs great, never a problem, however the vehicle's frame is disintegrating due to corrosion.
Excessive frame rust. Replaced complete rear end in 2013. Told by hyannis Toyota that it was unsafe to drive because of excessive rust. The rear end is now rusted out again in 2019 and needs replacing. In April 2019 could not have suspension replaced until frame welding was completed. Additional work of cutting out rear upper trailing arm brackets and weld in place and fabricate fuel tank strap mount and weld in place. Complete frame and underside of this vehicle is completely rusted out. We had this work down because the gas tank was falling out and we could not drive this vehicle.
I was going 5 MPH and hit my brakes. The control arm was ripped from the frame due to rot/rust. Toyota is aware of this problem for 4runners, but has only offered assistance on the tacoma and tundras. The body of my vehicle has no rust anywhere, and the mileage is extremely low. I cannot even find a mechanic to fix it, because the frame is so bad. I was told, if it gets fixed, another part of the frame May fail when I'm cruising on the highway and people could get hurt or killed. No mechanic wants this liability in doing a repair.
Transmission would not shift in motion leaving from a stop sign. I later found out my transmission lines had corroded away leaking a large amount of transmission fluid. After replacing brakes and adding brake fluid I noticed the brake fluid had leaked from bottom. I had to replace all brake lines and fittings due to corrosion.
Transmission failed due to rusted transmission lines. Leads up to finding out that frame is completely rusted out. Unable to fix it due to frame rust. Suspension are of frame rusted as well...barely holding on. Traveling from tn to pa when all this happened.
Takata recall frame is completely rusted. Causing all the undercarriage to rust out and make the vehicle very dangerous to drive. Even the body is starting to rust away. Only has 116,000 miles on it which is crazy.
I have a 2004 limited 4runner Toyota, all wheel drive, with v8. After about 20 thousand miles, my vehicle began making a very loud noise when coming to a stop, while simultaneously surging forward like I was rear ended. This noise also has a distinct metallic sound and jarring vibration each and every time. If the brake is not presses firmly, the car will lounge forward. This noise and "clanking" also occurs when lifting my foot off of the brake when the car was stopped and not in neutral. I first reported this problem to Toyota about a year ago and they said that it was a lubrication and maintenance issue. The tried to charge me 500 dollars for a four-wheel drive service. When I protested that this was not in the manual, they admitted that they lubricated the propeller shaft and that they wouldn't charge this time. Toyota invoice # w55722. …
I have an ongoing problem with our 2004 Toyota 4runner. It started about 4 years ago when the maryland state emmission test facility plugged into my odbi2 port. All the dash lights were on and I went in to the office and complained. I filed a form with emissions. I work out of town, my wife is a teacher and we have two small kids. Going to the dealer was not an option until school was our. In the mean time the truck drove fine other than no four wheel drive and the tires spinning if you hit the peddle to hard (no traction control or stability control. Took the truck to the dealer over the summer and they had to reset the values for $110.00 the four wheel drive would no longer engage. Toyota dealer said all the values being erased was a common problem with that year and mva cheep scanners. Maryland said they called Toyota and no one had ever had that problem. …
Four months ago I purchased a 2004 Toyota 4runner limited with approx. 82,000 miles. A month or so later, I approached a stop sign and as I braked, the vehicle suddenly accelerated. I stepped as hard as I could on the brake and fortunately, the vehicle stopped. At the time, I was scared but thought that maybe by mistake, my foot was spanning both pedals (I didn't think so but couldn't be 100% positive). Yesterday, I approached another intersection with my foot clearly on the brake pedal as I was coming to a controlled stop when, suddenly, the vehicle accelerated aggressively. Again, I was able to slow the vehicle down by almost standing on the brake pedal, though not enough to stop me from going through the intersection without stopping. This time there was no doubt - the vehicle accelerated on its own. The pedal did not stick as my foot was on the brake as I was coasting to a stop. …
Transmission complaints in other 4Runner years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2004 Toyota 4Runner?
NHTSA has 36 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2004 Toyota 4Runner, 5% of the model year's 678 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Toyota 4Runner transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles, and 30% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.