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2004 Toyota Tacoma

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2004 Toyota Tacoma do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 228.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

315 reports with mileage · 99 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • 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

Structure complaints

203 reports
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109,400 miles · Mar 8, 2013
Structure

3 YEARS AGO TOYOTA SENT US A NOTICED AND CALLED .. ASKING US TO HAVE OUR FRAME INSPECTED DUE TO FRAME FAILURES AND RUST. WE COMPLIED AND HAD THE UNDERCOATING AND FRAME INSPECTED FOR 3 YEARS WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS WOULD PROTECT US IF FUTURE FRAME PROBLEMS WERE IDENTIFIED. THIS YEAR 2012 WE WERE TOLD WE DIDN'T NEED TO …

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3 YEARS AGO TOYOTA SENT US A NOTICED AND CALLED .. ASKING US TO HAVE OUR FRAME INSPECTED DUE TO FRAME FAILURES AND RUST. WE COMPLIED AND HAD THE UNDERCOATING AND FRAME INSPECTED FOR 3 YEARS WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS WOULD PROTECT US IF FUTURE FRAME PROBLEMS WERE IDENTIFIED. THIS YEAR 2012 WE WERE TOLD WE DIDN'T NEED TO HAVE THE FRAME INSPECTED, HOWEVER WHEN WE WERE REPLACING THE BRAKES WE NOTICED SIGNIFICANT RUST ON THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. WE IMMEDIATELY CALLED OUR DEALER FOR A FRAME INSPECTION AND WAS TOLD THE FRAME HAD FAILED AND THAT WE SHOULDN'T DRIVE THE VEHICLE. FOR SAFETY REASONS. I CALLED THE TOYOTA HOTLINE AND RECEIVED A CLAIM NUMBER WAS TOLD WE WERE ELIGIBLE FOR THE A FRAME REPLACEMENT BECAUSE WE HAD RECEIVED THE UNDERCOATING . THEY SET UP AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE TOYOTA REP TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE TODAY MARCH 8TH.. THE REP NEVER SHOWED UP. WE WEREN'T PROVIDED WITH A RENTAL VEHICLE AND THUS HAVING TROUBLE MEETING OUR WORK COMMITMENTS.. AND THEY EXPECT US TO PUT OUR CHILDREN BACK IN A VEHICLE WHICH WE WERE TOLD IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE, I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT HOW MANY OTHER TOYOTA DRIVERS ARE DRIVING UNSAFE VEHICLES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10502145

Mileage unknown · Mar 1, 2013
Structure

ACCORDING TO RECORDS, [XXX], TOYOTA EXTENDED THE CORROSION-RESISTANT TREATMENT (CRT) BEYOND 2010.THE DOCUMENT READS ADDITIONAL 15 YEARS. CURRENTLY I VISITED A TOYATO DEALER AND THEY CLAIMED TOYOTA ENDED THE AGGREEMENT DEC. 2012. NO NOTICE WAS RECIEVED OF CHANGE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION A…

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ACCORDING TO RECORDS, [XXX], TOYOTA EXTENDED THE CORROSION-RESISTANT TREATMENT (CRT) BEYOND 2010.THE DOCUMENT READS ADDITIONAL 15 YEARS. CURRENTLY I VISITED A TOYATO DEALER AND THEY CLAIMED TOYOTA ENDED THE AGGREEMENT DEC. 2012. NO NOTICE WAS RECIEVED OF CHANGE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10500954

78,255 miles · Feb 19, 2013
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND THE CAB MOUNTS WERE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSIST…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND THE CAB MOUNTS WERE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,255.

NHTSA ODI #10498575

120,732 miles · Jan 31, 2013
Power TrainStructureSuspension

FRAME: I HAD MY TACOMA IN FOR WORK (THE CLUTCH WOULD NOT RETURN FULLY TO THE UP POSITION) AND THE DEALER (TJ TOYOTA, POTSDAM, NY) SAID THERE WERE HOLES IN THE FRAME. THERE WAS ONE ON THE LEFT SIDE NEAR THERE SWAY BAR AND TWO ON THE RIGHT SIDE JUST IN FRONT OF THE PASSENGER DOOR. THE DEALER CALLED TOYOTA AN…

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FRAME: I HAD MY TACOMA IN FOR WORK (THE CLUTCH WOULD NOT RETURN FULLY TO THE UP POSITION) AND THE DEALER (TJ TOYOTA, POTSDAM, NY) SAID THERE WERE HOLES IN THE FRAME. THERE WAS ONE ON THE LEFT SIDE NEAR THERE SWAY BAR AND TWO ON THE RIGHT SIDE JUST IN FRONT OF THE PASSENGER DOOR. THE DEALER CALLED TOYOTA AND TOYOTA SAID THE PROGRAM FOR UNDERCOATING THE FRAME ENDED IN DECEMBER AND THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING. I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK IN JANUARY 2011 FROM THE DEALER (TJ TOYOTA, POTSDAM NY) AND THEY DID NOT UNDERCOAT THE FRAME BEFORE THEY SOLD THE TRUCK TO ME (WITH 77,500 MI). I AM CURRENTLY FIGHTING WITH TOYOTA AND BECAUSE MY TRUCK CANT PASS INSPECTION (WHICH EXPIRES TODAY) I CAN NOT LEGALLY DRIVE MY TRUCK TO WORK AND THERE FOR CANT WORK BECAUSE I AM A MECHANIC AND WORK OUT OF MY TRUCK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10496007

45,000 miles · Jan 30, 2013
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS RUST ON THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A RUST ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILUR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS RUST ON THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A RUST ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

NHTSA ODI #10495195

112,000 miles · Jan 27, 2013
Structure

NHTSA:ACTION # 10027968 SERVICE BULLETIN #251424 REPORT DATE NOV.25,2008 - NHTSA # 10030357 [LSC]90D 2001-2004 TACOMA FRAME CORROSION - PREVENTATIVE COMPOUND] I PURCHASED A 04 TACOMA FROM PRESTIGE TOYOTA,KINGSTON,NY ON 10/27/10.I ASKED THE SERVICE MANAGER ABOUT LSC 90D HE STATED THAT THEY DID THE INSPECTION, BUT NOT THE COMPOUND…

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NHTSA:ACTION # 10027968 SERVICE BULLETIN #251424 REPORT DATE NOV.25,2008 - NHTSA # 10030357 [LSC]90D 2001-2004 TACOMA FRAME CORROSION - PREVENTATIVE COMPOUND] I PURCHASED A 04 TACOMA FROM PRESTIGE TOYOTA,KINGSTON,NY ON 10/27/10.I ASKED THE SERVICE MANAGER ABOUT LSC 90D HE STATED THAT THEY DID THE INSPECTION, BUT NOT THE COMPOUND ON 10/16/10.WHAT THE LSC 90D STATES IS THE FRAME IS TO BE INSPECTED AND ONE OF THE FOLLOWING OP. CODES 8630JM OR 8630JN CORROSION-PREVENTATIVE COMPOUND APPLIED. THIS WOULD EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THE FRAME FOR 15 YEARS. THIS VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED 1/3/13 . IT FAILED STATE INSPECTION,I'M FURIOUS. WHEN I CONTACTED DEALER AND TOYOTA "THEY STATED THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING". THAT THE PROGRAM ENDED 12/31/12. LISTED IN LSC 90D STATES THAT" TOYOTA HAS RECEIVED REPORTS THAT A SMALL NUMBER 146,228 OF 2001-2004 TACOMA'S OPERATED IN SEVERE COLD CLIMATE AREAS. 20 STATES LISTED WITH HIGH ROAD SALT USE EXHIBITED EXCESSIVE RUST CORROSION TO THE FRAME,CAUSING PERFORATION OF THE METAL". WELL IF YOUR FRAME IS PERFORATED . WOULDN'T THIS BE A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE!!!! I NEVER RECEIVED ANY OF THE COVER LETTERS. I HAD THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE ON 8/30/11 @ PRESTIGE TOYOTA AGAIN WHY WASN'T THE INSPECTION DONE AND CORROSION-RESISTANT COMPOUND APPLIED. WHEN LSC 90D WAS PASSED ON 4/1/2011. MY FAMILY AND I WHERE SUBJECTED TO FRAME FAILURE WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN DEATH. I USED TO USE THIS TRUCK FOR BUSINESS,NOW WHAT DO I USE IT FOR SCRAP METAL? HOW DO I SERVICE MY CUSTOMERS AND PICKUP MATERIAL WITH OUT THIS TRUCK.WHICH I"M PAYING FOR UNTIL 11/14. PLEASE REPORT TO CONSUMER AFFAIRS ALSO AND BBB. I BELIEVE THE FRAME ON YOUR VEHICLE IS THE MAJOR STRUCTURE OF YOUR VEHICLE WHICH EVERY THING IS ATTACHED TO. THIS VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT NEW IN GLENS FALLS,NY. SO IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN IN NY ONE OF THE 20 STATES LISTED ON LSC 90D SERVICE BULLETIN. TOYOTA RECEIVED 25 MILLION FROM DANA CORP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10494870

136,000 miles · Jan 23, 2013
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME FAILED AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.

NHTSA ODI #10494480

112,000 miles · Jan 14, 2013
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BOTTOM OF THE FRAME BECAME PERFORATED DUE TO SEVERE RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE SERVICE CAMPAIGN ENDED 12-12-12 AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BOTTOM OF THE FRAME BECAME PERFORATED DUE TO SEVERE RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE SERVICE CAMPAIGN ENDED 12-12-12 AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

NHTSA ODI #10492943

Mileage unknown · Dec 6, 2012
Service Brakes, HydraulicStructure

2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BRAKE LINE RUPTURE. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPLACE THE BRAKE LINE UNDER WARRANTY, BECAUSE THE FRAME CAUSED THE BRAKE LINE TO RUPTURE. TOYOTA INFORMED THE CONSUMER, A RECALL WAS ISSUED IN 2010, WHERE THE FRAME WAS SUPPOSED TO BE SPRAYED AND TREATED. THE CON…

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2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BRAKE LINE RUPTURE. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPLACE THE BRAKE LINE UNDER WARRANTY, BECAUSE THE FRAME CAUSED THE BRAKE LINE TO RUPTURE. TOYOTA INFORMED THE CONSUMER, A RECALL WAS ISSUED IN 2010, WHERE THE FRAME WAS SUPPOSED TO BE SPRAYED AND TREATED. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10488261

Mileage unknown · Nov 17, 2012
Structure

I JUST TRADED MY HARLEY DAVIDSON E-GLIDE FOR A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. UNFORTUNATELY I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THE FRAME ISSUES! THE FRAME AND EVERYTHING IS RUSTED BEYOND REPAIR. I CALLED MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THE RECALL FOR THE FRAME ISSUES WAS OVER. IN MY OPINION TOYOTA SHOULD HONOR THE RECALL AS LONG AS THEIR PRODUC…

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I JUST TRADED MY HARLEY DAVIDSON E-GLIDE FOR A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. UNFORTUNATELY I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THE FRAME ISSUES! THE FRAME AND EVERYTHING IS RUSTED BEYOND REPAIR. I CALLED MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THE RECALL FOR THE FRAME ISSUES WAS OVER. IN MY OPINION TOYOTA SHOULD HONOR THE RECALL AS LONG AS THEIR PRODUCT IS OUT TO THE PUBLIC! I LOVE THE TRUCK BUT JUST DON'T WANT TO DRIVE BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY ISSUES OF HOW BAD THE FRAME AND ALL COMPONENTS ARE! I WOULD APPRECIATE ALL THE HELP I CAN GET. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10485033

Official recalls

3

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.