2004 Toyota 4Runner Other / unspecified Problems

Something is causing the straps to fray I was informed this is a a problem, checked my seat and sure enough my straps are fraying. Evenflo says it’s my fault.

NHTSA ID

11588810

Incident

May 3, 2024

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH over a bump in the road, she heard an abnormally loud sound and the windshield shattered without impact and the sunroof panel loosened. The contact also stated that the vehicle was shaking uncontrollably. The contact stated that the traction control warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the subframe was rusted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

NHTSA ID

11532660

Incident

Jan 1, 2021

Mileage

160,000 mi

FRAME RUSTING BADLY, ESPECIALLY THE LOWER FRONT RADIATOR SUPPORTS. PAINT CLEAR COAT HAS FAILED. RUST AROUND THE FRONT WINDSHIELD AREA. THE COATING ON THE ALLOY WHEELS STARTED FALLING OFF WITHIN ONE YEAR OF PURCHASE. THE VEHICLE HAS 125000 MILES I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND LIVED IN THE NEW ENGLAND AREA FOR 15 YEARS, 3 YEARS IN FLORIDA.

NHTSA ID

11152319

Incident

Mar 10, 2005

FRAME IS RUSTED BADLY POOR BREAKING SYSTEM I HAD TO REPLACE THE LINES THAT KEEPS MY TOYOTA STABILIZED. I PUT SO MUCH MONEY INTO MY 2004 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER LIMITED. NOW THE RUST HAS TAKEN OVER ON SIDES AND UNDER RADIATOR. TRANSMISSION LINES NOW LEAKING BADLY RUST HAS BEEN AN ON GOING PROBLEM BUT WHEN I HAD IT INSPECITED MECHANIC BROUGHT ME OUT IN THE GARAGE TO SHOW ME.

NHTSA ID

11139870

Incident

Oct 16, 2012

Mileage

94,000 mi

CROSS MEMBER UNDER RADIATOR THAT THE TOW HITCHES CONNECT TO ARE COMPLETELY RUSTING OUT AND FALLING APART AS WELL AS THE SKID PLATE NOTICED THIS HOOKING UP ROPES TO SECURE MY KAYAKS. THE PAINT ON THE TIRE RIMS ARE PEALING AND CORRODING

NHTSA ID

10887995

Incident

Jul 23, 2016

I PURCHASED FOUR (4) NEW BF GOODRICH RADIAL LONG TRAIL T/A SIZE P265/65R17 110T M&S FOR MY 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER IN 08/2011. I HAD APPROX 10,000 MILES ON THE NEW TIRES. TIRES ARE NOW DRY ROTTED/CRACKED ON THE SIZE WALL, ALL AROUND THE WHEEL/FRAME (ON ALL 4 TIRES). *TR

NHTSA ID

10559370

Incident

Jan 10, 2014

VEHICLE WAS BEING PARKED ALONGSIDE THE CURB WHEN IT SUDDENLY JUMPED THE CURB, THE SIDEWALK ONTO THE UPHILL GRASSY LANDSCAPE, HIT AND SEVERED A TREE, AND ALMOST CRASHED THE HOUSE INCHES AWAY, THEN BOUNCED BACK TO THE STREET- ALL IN ABOUT 3 SECONDS. THE TIRES SPUN VIOLENTLY AND LEFT A THICK RESIDUE OF RUBBER AND THICK SMOKE THROUGHOUT. THE BRAKE WAS HARD AND STUCK , AS I MANAGED TO PUT THE STICK TO NEUTRAL AND THEN TO PARK. I WAS TRULY SHOCKED AND SHAKEN THAT I COULD HAVE HURT OR KILLED MYSELF OR OTHERS. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED- THE FIRST IN JULY 22, 2009 WHEN THE SAME ACCELERATION HAPPENED WHEN I WAS MOVING THE VEHICLE INTO THE GARAGE, SURGED IN ABOUT 2 SECS. CRASHING INTO THE STORAGE AND THE GARAGE WALLS. REFERENCE: TOYOTA CLAIM NO.[XXX] (2009) AND NO.[XXX] (2012). IN BOTH CASES TOYOTA DISOWNED ANY RESPONSIBILITY. WHILE TOYOTA ASSURES ME OF THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE, I CANNOT IN MY RIGHT MIND CONTINUE TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE NOR PASS IT ON TO SOMEBODY ELSE EXCEPT TO RETURN IT TO TOYOTA. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

10480595

Incident

Aug 25, 2012

Mileage

40,000 mi

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. IF I'M ON A TRIP WITH MY FAMILY AND AN O2 SENSOR FAILS, OR A CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILS, OR THE GAS CAP FAILS, KEY SAFETY SYSTEMS THAT HELP KEEP MY FAMILY AND I SAFE SHOULD NOT BE DISABLED! I THINK THIS DESERVES AN INVESTIGATION. *TR

NHTSA ID

10456633

Incident

Apr 6, 2011

Mileage

131,000 mi

MY 2004 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER SKIDDED IN STOP LIGHT WHEN THERE WAS LITTLE ICE ON STREET. WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE THE CAR AFTER STOPPING A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE MAKES HUMMING NOISE AND SKID MAKING IT OUT OF CONTROL. IN WINTER 2009, SIMILAR INCIDENT HAPPENED ON I-69 (20 MILES EAST OF FLINT, MI), WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE THE SUV AND LOST CONTROL AS THE CAR SKIDDED OFF THE ROAD CAUSING INJURY. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND I BELIEVE IS A DESIGN DEFECT WITH THE ACCELERATION SYSTEM. THIS MAY BE LIFE THREATENING AS I AM ALWAYS WORRIED TO DRIVE THE CAR. THIS SERIOUS DESIGN PROBLEM WITH 2004 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED FOR SAFETY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10310431

Incident

Feb 7, 2010

Mileage

52,360 mi

WARNING LIGHTS BEGAN COMING ON AROUND 60,000 MILES OR SO. STARTED WITH THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT & NOW HAS PROGRESSED TO THE VSC ON, VSC OFF, ABS WARNING LIGHTS BEING ON ALL THE TIME AND THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT IS STILL ON. I HAVE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE INTO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS TO BE FIXED FOR 40,000 MILES OR AROUND 3 YEARS WHICH AMOUNTS TO MULTIPLE TRIPS TO THE DEALER, WAITING WHILE THEY WORK ON IT OR GOING WITHOUT A VEHICLE FOR DAYS AT A TIME WHILE THEY TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG. THEY HAVE REPLACED ABS SENSORS, ENGINE COMPUTERS, BRAKES, SPEED SENSOR WIRES, RESET COMPUTERS, ORDERED NEW VALVE STEMS FOR THE TIRES. I CAN GET ONLINE & FIND THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE SAME ISSUE IN TOYOTAS & LEXUS VEHICLES SINCE AT LEAST 2001. THE DEALERSHIPS LOOK AT ME LIKE I AM THE VERY FIRST & ONLY PERSON TO EVER MENTION THESE PROBLEMS. THE SOLUTIONS ONLINE HAVE RANGED FROM DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDER/BRAKE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY, FAULTY IGNITION COIL, O2 SENSORS, VSC COMPUTERS, CATALYTIC CONVERTERS & BRAKE PEDAL SWITCHES. ALSO PROBLEMS WITH THE EXHAUST SYSTEM & ACCELERATION MODULE UNDER THE CONSOLE WAS LISTED AS FIXING THESE ISSUES. WHY HAS THIS ISSUE NOT BEEN ADDRESSED AND/OR FIXED IN 8 YEARS ? THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHEN MY BRAKES DID NOT WORK, TIMES WHEN THEY BARELY WORKED, TIMES WHEN I PUT THE BRAKES ON & IT ABRUPTLY PULLS TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT & A COUPLE OF TIMES WHEN MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AS I WAS PULLING ACROSS TRAFFIC. AS I READ OF THESE "FREAK" ACCIDENTS LATELY WITH TOYOTAS, I HAVE TO WONDER IF THEY REALLY ARE "FREAK ACCIDENTS". I DO NOT WANT MY FAMILY OR MYSELF TO BE ONE OF THE TOYOTA FATALITIES THIS YEAR OR ANYTIME. WHEN IS SOMETHING GOING TO BE DONE ? HOW MANY MORE INNOCENT PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE ? *TR

NHTSA ID

10291592

Incident

Oct 1, 2006

Mileage

60,000 mi

I HAVE A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER AND A FEW MONTHS AGO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL GOT STUCK UNDER THE RUBBER FLOOR MAT. I PURCHASED THE RUBBER FLOOR MAT FROM A TOYOTA DEALER AND IT WAS MADE SPECIFICALLY FOR THE 4 RUNNER. WHEN THE PEDAL GOT STUCK, THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING WIDE OPEN. I MANAGED TO GET THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND STOPPED BEFORE HITTING ANYTHING. IT WAS VERY FRIGHTENING. IT APPEARS LIKE THE MAT SLID FORWARD AND THAT WAS WHAT CAUSED THE PEDAL TO GET STUCK. I HAD RECENTLY CLEANED THE MAT AND MAY NOT HAVE HAD IT POSITIONED PROPERLY WHEN I REINSTALLED IT. I THINK THE DESIGN OF THE MAT IS NOT SAFE DUE TO THE THICKNESS OF THE MAT AT THE FRONT NEAR THE PEDAL. FUTURE INCIDENTS ARE LIKELY IF THE MAT IS LOOSE AND SLIDES FORWARD. I DID HAVE A CARPETED MAT UNDER THE RUBBER MAT. THE CARPETED MAT CAME WITH THE 4RUNNER WHEN I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. THIS LIKELY CONTRIBUTED TO THE RUBBER MAT COMING LOOSE AND SLIDING FORWARD. IF NOT INSTALLED PROPERLY, IT APPEARS LIKE THE CARPETED MAT COULD ALSO SLIDE FORWARD AND MAY CAUSE THE ACCELERATOR TO GET STUCK. *TR

NHTSA ID

10286018

Incident

May 12, 2009

Mileage

78,000 mi

I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH A DASH OF 4RUNNER 2004 IS CRACKED SLOWLY UNTIL YOU ARE FULL. TOYOTA TO REPORT ON THE PROBLEM THAT SAID NO RECALL. AND VALE $ 840.00. ALL THE BUS DYED THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10274892

Incident

Jul 1, 2008

Mileage

48,000 mi

1.) THERE IS A SERIOUS "CLUNK" NOISE WHEN BRAKING AND ALSO THE SAME NOISE WHEN STARTING FROM A COMPLETE STOP WHEN YOU TAKE FOOT OFF BRAKE. 2.) THERE IS "SULFUR SMELL " IN CABIN FROM CATALYTIC CONVERTER. *TR

NHTSA ID

10209988

Incident

Sep 1, 2007

Mileage

55,000 mi

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 AM CURRENTLY IN ARBITRATION BECAUSE TOYOTA HAS BEEN LESS THAN WILLING TO COOPERATE WITH ME. I'M ALSO WONDERING WHAT PERMANENT DAMAGE HAS BEEN CAUSED TO THE VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY I HAVE ALSO NOTICED A VIBRATION IN THE STEERING AND NOTED IT AT THE LAST TWO VISITS TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. *MR

NHTSA ID

10073248

Incident

May 24, 2004

Mileage

1,651 mi