CarComplaints.com Notes: Although it has a stellar record in terms of vehicle problems, initially the 4th generation (2003 - 2009) 4Runner didn't earn our top "Seal of Awesome" rating because it received poor crash test ratings for rear impacts. However it's proven to have one of the lowest driver death rates out of all vehicles (not just SUVs), so we've bumped it back up to our top award.
My 2004 4 Runner check engine light came on and the track off lights came on with it. I went the closest Toyota Dealership that replace #6 spark plug for $493.00. The lights went off. A few days later the lights returned and my vehicle start up jerking. I went back to the same dealership. They told me had to bring the vehicle back because it need a compression test. They had to order a new testing machine and would give me a loner because they would have to keep my vehicle overnight May 2 2018. I stop driving the vehicle, they said I could but was afraid I could cause more damage to my vehicle or it would break down on me.
May 11, 2018, I have not heard from the dealership if they had the new machine and loner for me drive, therefore I took my vehicle to them with another vehicle following me. I left my vehicle with the dealership for them to check the return problem they repaired. May 15, 2018, I went to check on my vehicle, no call from them, they had my vehicle in the shop supposedly checking the problem.
After waiting a while, they performed compression test on engine after misfire returned found coolant leaking into cyl 6 causing misfire due to head gasket. Est cost to check engine block and replace head gasket $4300 to replaced engine $5980 to $7200. I almost had a heart attack, I knew my blood pressure was high.
I left the dealership upset and not trusting what was told to me. I made an appointment to the dealership where I brought the 4 Runner new and whom had service the vehicle since I had it 14 years. May 21, 2018 they locate the head gasket leak and the replacement cost is $3200. Still a shock , but I had to have my vehicle and could not replace it right now, therefore I accept the repair cost. I was told by friends to check to see if there is recall to help with the cost.
The first dealership service personal said they never had a repair like that before and kept asking me have my vehicle ever ran hot, I told them no! I went checking the internet different web site, I was very upset to find out a large number of 2004 4Runner owners had the same costly problem. What I don't understand, why not a recall because this is certainly a manufacture defect.
My check engine light has been on and off for months. I keep getting misdiagnosis's so I decided to go to a local Toyota Dealership thinking they have the diagnostic equipment to test it and figure out what is wrong once and for all. I've had the spark plugs replaced three times and one ignition coil replaced, the dealership replaced the other five ignition coils and the check engine light came on the next day!! I took it right back and they ran a block test and a compression test, this is where they came up with the head gasket problem.
I demanded my money back because they didn't fix anything! Did I mention they also happened to have my old, original ignition coils laying around their shop for the week and decided to put them back in since they were giving me a refund....are you kidding me??!!! Who does this?!!! I demanded a full refund since they didn't fix anything!!!
I'm now working with an independent mechanic who informed me Toyota had a recall back in 2003-2004 about the head gasket and they were fixing them for free! Where is my free fix Toyota?!!!
My 4runner began shaking, from misfire, and the 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.
I've owned this less than a year. I recently changed the coolant and noticed residue in the coolant reservoir. Apparently, the previous owner had use some sealant to fix the problem... and of coarse they did not tell me that when I bought the truck. I check the spark plugs and found that #6 plug had been changed as it was different(iridium) from the other 5(standard)
I talked to one mechanic about this but he wouldn't quote me a price not knowing the condition of the engine block ect..
My 4Runner check engine light came on and the vsc trak lights as well. The code indicated several cylinders misfiring. After a leak test at dealer, they recommended that the head gasket be replaced at a cost of about $3500. Should a head gasket fail at 140k? I think not. Is it odd that the techs at the dealer don't ask if it got hot?? I think their response that the gaskets sometimes have issues goes to the fact that Toyota knows there is a problem.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
My 2004 4 Runner check engine light came on and the track off lights came on with it. I went the closest Toyota Dealership that replace #6 spark plug for $493.00. The lights went off. A few days later the lights returned and my vehicle start up jerking. I went back to the same dealership. They told me had to bring the vehicle back because it need a compression test. They had to order a new testing machine and would give me a loner because they would have to keep my vehicle overnight May 2 2018. I stop driving the vehicle, they said I could but was afraid I could cause more damage to my vehicle or it would break down on me.
May 11, 2018, I have not heard from the dealership if they had the new machine and loner for me drive, therefore I took my vehicle to them with another vehicle following me. I left my vehicle with the dealership for them to check the return problem they repaired. May 15, 2018, I went to check on my vehicle, no call from them, they had my vehicle in the shop supposedly checking the problem.
After waiting a while, they performed compression test on engine after misfire returned found coolant leaking into cyl 6 causing misfire due to head gasket. Est cost to check engine block and replace head gasket $4300 to replaced engine $5980 to $7200. I almost had a heart attack, I knew my blood pressure was high.
I left the dealership upset and not trusting what was told to me. I made an appointment to the dealership where I brought the 4 Runner new and whom had service the vehicle since I had it 14 years. May 21, 2018 they locate the head gasket leak and the replacement cost is $3200. Still a shock , but I had to have my vehicle and could not replace it right now, therefore I accept the repair cost. I was told by friends to check to see if there is recall to help with the cost.
The first dealership service personal said they never had a repair like that before and kept asking me have my vehicle ever ran hot, I told them no! I went checking the internet different web site, I was very upset to find out a large number of 2004 4Runner owners had the same costly problem. What I don't understand, why not a recall because this is certainly a manufacture defect.
- nabowe1, New London, US