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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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Mileage unknown · Jan 27, 2021
Structure

RE: DEFECTIVE FRAME ON 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA EXTEND CAB DEAR SIR OR MADAM: I AM REACHING OUT TO YOU FOR ASSISTANCE REGARDING THE DEFECTIVE FRAME ON MY 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA EXTENDED CAB. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED IN 2012 FROM A PRIVATE OWNER. I DID NOT KNOW AT THE TIME, NOR DID THE PREVIOUS OWNER ADVISE ME THAT HE RECEIVED A MAN…

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RE: DEFECTIVE FRAME ON 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA EXTEND CAB DEAR SIR OR MADAM: I AM REACHING OUT TO YOU FOR ASSISTANCE REGARDING THE DEFECTIVE FRAME ON MY 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA EXTENDED CAB. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED IN 2012 FROM A PRIVATE OWNER. I DID NOT KNOW AT THE TIME, NOR DID THE PREVIOUS OWNER ADVISE ME THAT HE RECEIVED A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL ON THE TRUCK FROM TOYOTA IN 2010 REGARDING A CRACKED FRAME BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TREATED DURING MANUFACTURING TO PROHIBIT RUST CORROSION. PLEASE SEE ATTACHED LETTER.

NHTSA ODI #11390414

Mileage unknown · Nov 27, 2020
Fuel/propulsion SystemStructureUnknown Or Other

2004 TACOMA FRAME SO ROTTED THAT UPON HITTING A LARGE HOLE WOULD FINISH OFF THE RUSTED FRAME. THIS TYPE OF RUST AND EROSION IS NOT FROM NORMAL WEAR.. THIS IS DUE TO THE MANUFACTURING OF THE VEHICLE AND THEY WILL NOT REPLACE. THEY SAY THEY ARE AWARE OF IT.. BUT TIME LAPSED TO GET IT FIXED?? SO WHAT NOW I AM OUT $15K ON A 16 YE…

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2004 TACOMA FRAME SO ROTTED THAT UPON HITTING A LARGE HOLE WOULD FINISH OFF THE RUSTED FRAME. THIS TYPE OF RUST AND EROSION IS NOT FROM NORMAL WEAR.. THIS IS DUE TO THE MANUFACTURING OF THE VEHICLE AND THEY WILL NOT REPLACE. THEY SAY THEY ARE AWARE OF IT.. BUT TIME LAPSED TO GET IT FIXED?? SO WHAT NOW I AM OUT $15K ON A 16 YEAR OLD TRUCK. SINCE WHEN DID RECALLS HAVE AN EXPERATION DATE??

NHTSA ODI #11376720

119,000 miles · Oct 19, 2020
Service BrakesStructureSuspension

PURCHASED 2004 TACOMA IN 2016. DEALERSHIP OF PURCHASE SAID VEHICLE WAS NOT AFFECTED BY FRAME RECALL AND DID NOT INFORM ME THAT IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY FOR FRAME RELATED ISSUES. SINCE PURCHASING VEHICLE I'VE ENCOUNTERED COUNTLESS FRAME RELATED ISSUES AND HAVE PUT THOUSANDS INTO FRAME RELATED REPAIRS. I CONTACTED TOYOTA IN 2018 ON S…

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PURCHASED 2004 TACOMA IN 2016. DEALERSHIP OF PURCHASE SAID VEHICLE WAS NOT AFFECTED BY FRAME RECALL AND DID NOT INFORM ME THAT IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY FOR FRAME RELATED ISSUES. SINCE PURCHASING VEHICLE I'VE ENCOUNTERED COUNTLESS FRAME RELATED ISSUES AND HAVE PUT THOUSANDS INTO FRAME RELATED REPAIRS. I CONTACTED TOYOTA IN 2018 ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS TO ASK ABOUT FRAME WARRANTY. TOYOTA SAID VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED. DID NOT LOOK UP VIN OR ANY OTHER INFORMATION RELATED TO VEHICLE. I CONTACTED TOYOTA AGAIN THIS YEAR TO SEE IF THERE'S ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE AS FRAME ISSUES WERE BECOMING SIGNIFICANT AND BEYOND MY FINANCIAL MEANS TO KEEP FIXING. TOYOTA NOTIFIED ME AT THIS TIME THAT THE VEHICLE HAD IN FACT BEEN UNDER WARRANTY BUT THAT NOW THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED 6 MONTHS PRIOR (WHICH WAS WITHIN THE TIMEFRAME THAT I HAD INITIALLY CONTACTED TOYOTA). TOYOTA TOLD ME THAT FRAME HAD BEEN UNDERCOATED WITH CORROSION RESISTANCE TREATMENT IN 2010 AND WARRANTY WAS GOOD FOR 10 YEARS (UNTIL 2020). BECAUSE DEALERSHIP OF PURCHASE FAILED TO COMPLY WITH A WARRANTY LETTER AND TOYOTA ALSO FAILED TO NOTIFY ME AS I WAS NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER, I WAS NOT AWARE THAT I COULD HAVE HAD THE FRAME FIXED. WHICH I WOULD HAVE IF I HAD KNOWN. NOW BECAUSE OF NO FAULT OF MY OWN, THE WARRANTY WINDOW HAS CLOSED AND TOYOTA IS NOT WILLING TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION. I STILL OWE OVER $3K ON A VEHICLE I PAID OVER $11K FOR AND HAVE PUT $4K-$8K INTO FOR REPAIRS. FRAME IS ROTTING FASTER THAN I CAN FIX IT AND IS NOW UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND INELIGIBLE FOR TRADE-IN OR SALE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS ESSENTIALLY WORTHLESS AT THIS POINT. FRAME BOLTS ARE NOW ROTTED, TAILPIPE AND EXHAUST FELL OFF JUST THIS MORNING DUE TO CORROSION, SUSPENSION IS CORRODED, BRACKETS ARE ROTTING OFF FRAME, FLAKES OF CORRODED METAL ARE IN PILES BENEATH VEHICLE- AND THESE ARE JUST THE MOST RECENT ISSUES.

NHTSA ODI #11365078

120,165 miles · Sep 17, 2020
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT APPROXIMATELY 12 YEARS THE VEHICLE WAS TREATED WITH A RUST INHIBITOR HOWEVER, THE SUBFRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WERE SEVERAL RUST HOLES TO THE SUBFRAME. THE CONTACT CONTACTED TOYOTA OF VINELAND (650 N DELSEA DR, VINELAND, NJ 08360, (856) 559-7…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT APPROXIMATELY 12 YEARS THE VEHICLE WAS TREATED WITH A RUST INHIBITOR HOWEVER, THE SUBFRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WERE SEVERAL RUST HOLES TO THE SUBFRAME. THE CONTACT CONTACTED TOYOTA OF VINELAND (650 N DELSEA DR, VINELAND, NJ 08360, (856) 559-7690) WHO STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE THE REPAIR UNDER A RECALL. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND OPENED A CASE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,165. *LN THE CONSUMER SUBMITTED PHOTOS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11355539

141,000 miles · May 30, 2020
Structure

MY 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA HAS FRAME DAMAGE UNDERNEATH (PICTURE ENCLOSED) I LEARNED OF A 15 YEAR MANUFACTURER EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE FRAME OF MY TRUCK WITHIN THE LAST FEW MONTHS. I PUT IN A COMPLAINT TO TOYOTA (I LOST CLAIM NUMBER) AND WAS TOLD THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED IN MAY OF 2019 AND WAS OUT OF LUCK, HE ALSO SAID THAT 15 YEAR …

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MY 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA HAS FRAME DAMAGE UNDERNEATH (PICTURE ENCLOSED) I LEARNED OF A 15 YEAR MANUFACTURER EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE FRAME OF MY TRUCK WITHIN THE LAST FEW MONTHS. I PUT IN A COMPLAINT TO TOYOTA (I LOST CLAIM NUMBER) AND WAS TOLD THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED IN MAY OF 2019 AND WAS OUT OF LUCK, HE ALSO SAID THAT 15 YEAR WARRANTY EXTENSION WERE MAILED OUT IN THE PAST BUT ,TROUBLE IS MY WIFE AND I DO NOT RECALL SEEING THIS INFORMATION DO TO THIS I WAS UNABLE TO GET MY FRAME FIXED UNDER THE WARRANTY AND I CANNOT AFFORD OUT OF POCKET FEE TO FIX MYSELF. WHAT ISSUE I DO HAVE IS I HAD MY VEHICLE AT A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP BEING WORKED ON FOR A "SAFETY RECALL " JULY OF 2018 AND I WAS WONDERING AT LEAST AS A CUSTOMER COURTESY WHY I WASN'T MADE AWARE OF THIS FRAME RECALL WHILE UNDER REPAIR FOR THE SAFETY RECALL, I WOULD HAVE GOT THE WORK DONE HAD I KNOWN AND AS STATED EARLIER KNOWN BY RECEIVING INFORMATION IN THE MAIL ABOUT THIS. THE TOYOTA REP SAID SINCE IT EXPIRED I WAS OUT OF LUCK AND THAT IS WHY I'M REACHING OUT TO YOU ABOUT THIS MATTER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11326589

Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 2020
Structure

TACOMA PURCHASED FEB.2019 WITH SOME RUST FOUND ON FRAME.TRUCK SENT TO BODY SHOP APR. 2020 TO ADDRESS RUST.TRUCK HAD BECOME UNREPAIRABLE DUE TO "SEVERE RUST IN MULTIPLE LOCATIONS ON FRAME","RUST HOLES AND CRACKING BAD ON DRIVER SIDE FRAME NEAR FUEL TANK" AND "FRAME IS RUSTING BAD FROM INSIDE OUT"(QUOTES FROM MECHANIC). TRUCK WILL…

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TACOMA PURCHASED FEB.2019 WITH SOME RUST FOUND ON FRAME.TRUCK SENT TO BODY SHOP APR. 2020 TO ADDRESS RUST.TRUCK HAD BECOME UNREPAIRABLE DUE TO "SEVERE RUST IN MULTIPLE LOCATIONS ON FRAME","RUST HOLES AND CRACKING BAD ON DRIVER SIDE FRAME NEAR FUEL TANK" AND "FRAME IS RUSTING BAD FROM INSIDE OUT"(QUOTES FROM MECHANIC). TRUCK WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION.

NHTSA ODI #11321002

150,000 miles · Feb 13, 2020
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN FOR INSPECTION IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SUB FRAME OF THE VEHICLE HAD SUSTAINED SEVERE RUSTING AND CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND FAILED THE STATE INSPECTION. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN FOR INSPECTION IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SUB FRAME OF THE VEHICLE HAD SUSTAINED SEVERE RUSTING AND CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND FAILED THE STATE INSPECTION. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ODI #11308935

141,000 miles · Feb 7, 2020
StructureSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE UNDERCARRIAGE SHOWED EXTENSIVE CORROSION TO THE SUB FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO INDEPENDENT MECHANICS WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIX THE SUB FRAME OF THE VEHI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE UNDERCARRIAGE SHOWED EXTENSIVE CORROSION TO THE SUB FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO INDEPENDENT MECHANICS WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIX THE SUB FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PRIOR OWNER DECLINED TO HAVE THE CORROSION REPAIRED ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000.

NHTSA ODI #11307691

140,000 miles · Jan 13, 2020
Structure

FRAME AND SOME ASSOCIATED COMPONENTS ARE RUSTED ALMOST THRU. TRUCK APPEARS TO BE VERY UNSAFE. TOYOTA DOES NOT SHOW IT IN RECALL LIST. PLEASE HELP.

NHTSA ODI #11299004

180,000 miles · Nov 27, 2019
Structure

2004 TOYOTA TACOMA FRAME ISSUE FRAME WAS INSPECTED AND PASSED THEY SAID THEY WOULD CONTACT ME WHEN IT WAS TIME TO SEAL IT BUT NEVER DID WHEN I WENT BACK THEY SAID I WAS TOO LATE AND ONLY FIXED TIRE CARRIER RECALL. NOW FRAME IS RUSTING OUT HAD TO BE REPAIRED AND TOYOTA SAID IT'S MY PROBLEM AND THEY WON'T GIVE ME THE EXTENDED 15 Y…

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2004 TOYOTA TACOMA FRAME ISSUE FRAME WAS INSPECTED AND PASSED THEY SAID THEY WOULD CONTACT ME WHEN IT WAS TIME TO SEAL IT BUT NEVER DID WHEN I WENT BACK THEY SAID I WAS TOO LATE AND ONLY FIXED TIRE CARRIER RECALL. NOW FRAME IS RUSTING OUT HAD TO BE REPAIRED AND TOYOTA SAID IT'S MY PROBLEM AND THEY WON'T GIVE ME THE EXTENDED 15 YEAR WARRANTY I CONTACTED THEM LAST YEAR AND AGAIN THIS YEAR

NHTSA ODI #11282592

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.