Structure. Review the 203 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Suspension. Review the 84 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

27 crash reports3 fire reports15 injury reports

Equipment complaints

1 reports

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20,000 miles · Dec 16, 2005

EquipmentSuspension

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I WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD IN MY 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA WHEN I SAW MY TIRE GO ROLLING AHEAD OF MY VEHICLE, THE TRUCK LEANED OVER TO THE LEFT, SKIDDED SIDEWAYS AND THEN STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I GOT OUT OF THE TRUCK AND MY TIRE WAS IN THE DITCH AND MY CHASSIS WAS ON THE GROUND ON THE LEFT SIDE. I CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND THEY SAID IT LOOKED LIKE MY BALL JOINTS JUST SEPARATED. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID THE BALL JOINTS LOOKED LIKE THEY GAVE WAY AND THIS ALLOWED THE WHEEL TO FALL OFF. I HAVE MECHANICAL BREAKDOWN THROUGH MY INSURANCE COMPANY GIEICO AND THEY TOLD ME I WOULD HAVE TO GET A LETTER FROM TOYOTA STATING IF IT WASN'T UNDER WARRANTY FROM OUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP IN TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA LEGACY AND SPOKE WITH A SERVICE MEMBER (ROBB) HE TOLD MY THAT THERE WASN'T A RECALL ON 2004 TOYOTA TACOMAS AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE IT TOWED IN TO CHECK AND SEE IF IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THIS OCCURRED ON 12/13/05 AND AS OF 12/15/2005 THERE STILL WASN'T A DETERMINATION WHETHER OR NOT IT IS UNDER WARRANTY. MY CONCERN IS AFTER READING ABOUT A RECALL ON THE INTERNET STATING THAT THE BALL JOINT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE KNUCKLE, THAT MY VEHICLE SHOULD BE A PART OF THE RECALL AND THE WHEEL FALLING OFF COULD BE A RESULT FROM A DEFECT. THE DEALERSHIP ISN'T ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE RECALL OR EVEN LOOKING AT THE VEHICLE IN THIS REGARDS. IF THEY DON'T WARRANTY THE BALL JOINTS, THEN MY MECHANIC WILL FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT I WILL KEEP ALL OF THE OLD PARTS IN CASE THEY NEED TO BE EXAMINED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10145434

Official recalls

12V542000 · Tires:temporary/emergency Spare Tire

Nov 23, 2012

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2004 Tacoma light trucks manufactured from August 28, 2000, through August 27, 2004, and originally sold, or currently registered, in the following cold climate states with high road salt usage: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. The spare tire in the subject vehicles is located underneath the rear of the vehicle and held by a spare tire carrier. A lift plate on the carrier is used to help raise, lower and retain the tire. During its manufacture, the lift plate may not have been sufficiently coated with anti-corrosion materials. If the plate is insufficiently coated and the vehicle is operated in cold climate regions where road salts are frequently used, road spray can reach the carrier assembly and corrode the lift plate.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Corrosion of the plate could cause it to break, which could result in detachment of the spare tire from the vehicle. Detachment of the spare tire could result in a road hazard which may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace the spare tire carrier lift plate as necessary, free of charge. The recall began in February 2013. Owners may contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.

05V225000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint

May 17, 2005

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, DUE TO A MANUFACTURING ISSUE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINT, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE SURFACE OF THE BALL OF THE JOINT MAY HAVE BEEN SCRATCHED. THE BALL JOINT MAY EVENTUALLY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE WEAR AND LOOSENESS, RESULTING IN INCREASED STEERING EFFORT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE LOWER BALL JOINT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE KNUCKLE CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 5, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

04V214000 · Seat Belts:front

May 5, 2004

CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, 'SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES.' THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT HAS INCORRECT MARKINGS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD.

Remedy: DEALERS HAVE REPLACED THE SEAT BELTS. NO VEHICLES WERE SOLD TO CONSUMERS.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.