2004 Toyota 4RUNNER Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 82about this part
- Share
- 12%of 678 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 99,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 82 complaints about the brakes of the 2004 Toyota 4RUNNER, 12% of the 678 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 99,000 miles. 6 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11322167, filed 2020-04, 190,000 miles“While driving, an alarm began sounding and the brake light, asb light and vsc lights all came on, we stopped and checked the brake fluid and found it was full. We then continued to drive home. Within 2 miles the brakes went out. There had been absolutely no indication of anything wrong up to that point. It is a miracle that we were not in an accident.”
NHTSA complaint #11001282, filed 2017-06, 168,000 miles“The frame of my truck is complete mush! I've taken excellent care of my 4RUNNER as it has been my most favorite vehicle. I'm being warned to get this fixed due to it being a dangerous situation & wouldn't you know I'm driving home & I loose all control over my vehicle on hellacious mountain roads, brakes completely gone! Everything rotten! Why weren't we notified how dangerous these trucks truly have become?”
NHTSA complaint #11191413, filed 2019-03, 194,000 miles“I was driving at a speed of 50 MPH on pooler parkway in heavy traffic and a buzzer went off. All of a sudden my dashboard gives off multiple warning signals: vasc trac, trac off, ABS (I) brake. I do not know what the problem is so I pull off the road and try to stop the car, but the brakes fail. I had to have the car towed. Chatham Toyota in savannah ga tells me it's about $4,000.00 to repair this. This failure could have killed my whole family.”
NHTSA complaint #11297112, filed 2020-01, 155,000 miles“I have had two incidents of brake calipers failure. Under 50k I had a front driver side caliper fail. Then again at 99k the rear passenger side caliper failure. Toyota has a major issue with their brake caliper design on 4-runners. Toyota should extend their warranty, I always bought Toyota's, but never again after this last incident. Toyota does not build cars like they use to.”
NHTSA complaint #10614845, filed 2014-07, 99,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10214323Mar 17, 2022TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions
- 10210375Mar 9, 2022TSB: This Service Bulletin includes procedures to replace damaged or loose front carpet floor retainer(s) without replacing the carpet assembly. Follow the Repair Procedure in…
- 10190453Mar 12, 2021TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
- 10187241Dec 14, 2020TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
- 10186195Dec 14, 2020TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
- 10133723Apr 1, 2014It has been brought to our attention that claim processing for LSC BST Phase 3 (2003-2009 4Runner and 2007-2010 Tundra vehicles) we be delayed until Monday April 7, 2014.
- 10133716Mar 31, 2014As part of the settlement described above, Toyota will install Smart Stop Technology on the above listed model and model year vehicles. This feature will cut engine power in case…
- 10131928Feb 5, 2014A key part to maintain the proper function and safe operation of the vehicle's braking system is to perform a visual inspection when installing brake pads, calipers, and discs…
- 10131984Sep 9, 2013A new Special Service Tool (SST 09709-00002) has been introduced to aid in the inspection procedure for certain vehicles equipped with a floor pedal-type parking brake system…
- 10061620Sep 9, 2013Summary to be provided on a future date.
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 26 | 43% |
| 2024 | 2 | 20% |
| 2023 | 2 | 6% |
| 2022 | 5 | 13% |
| 2021 | 6 | 17% |
| 2020 | 5 | 15% |
| 2019 | 5 | 8% |
| 2018 | 7 | 12% |
| 2017 | 9 | 25% |
| 2016 | 5 | 6% |
| 2015 | 4 | 5% |
| 2014 | 5 | 6% |
| 2013 | 5 | 14% |
| 2012 | 7 | 7% |
| 2011 | 8 | 5% |
| 2010 | 11 | 7% |
| 2008 | 15 | 16% |
| 2007 | 29 | 19% |
| 2006 | 34 | 9% |
| 2005 | 32 | 8% |
| 2004 | 82 | 12% |
| 2003 | 74 | 11% |
| 2002 | 21 | 9% |
| 2001 | 9 | 5% |
| 2000 | 33 | 7% |
| 1999 | 26 | 8% |
| 1998 | 13 | 5% |
| 1997 | 29 | 11% |
| 1996 | 18 | 11% |
| 1995 | 6 | 3% |
| 1994 | 6 | 9% |
| 1993 | 8 | 16% |
| 1992 | 12 | 23% |
| 1991 | 6 | 14% |
| 1990 | 9 | 12% |
| 1987 | 2 | 40% |
| 1986 | 2 | 25% |
Other parts of the 2004 Toyota 4RUNNER
310 complaintsOther or unknown
121 complaintsSuspension
113 complaintsAir bags
37 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
36 complaintsVehicle speed control
34 complaintsSteering
32 complaintsEngine cooling
25 complaintsElectrical system
22 complaintsEngine
18 complaintsElectronic stability control
15 complaintsSeats
14 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Toyota 4RUNNER
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology