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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

Suspension complaints

84 reports
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160,000 miles · Feb 10, 2016
SteeringSuspensionWheelsCrash

WHEN DRIVING HOME FROM HAVING THE TRUCK SERVICED, THE FRONT DRIVERS WHEEL BROKE AND CRASHED INTO A CURB. AFTER TAKING IT TO TOYOTA AND CALLING THERE HELP DESK, THEYE CONFIRMED IT HAD A LOWER AND UPPER BALL JOINT FAILURE. AT THIS TIME TOYOTA WILL NOT HONOR THIS RECALL AND WILL NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIRS.

NHTSA ODI #10825346

170,000 miles · Dec 21, 2015
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE LOWER BALL JOINTS FAILED CAUSING THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE TO DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE LOWER BALL JOINTS FAILED CAUSING THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE TO DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

NHTSA ODI #10811506

120,000 miles · Oct 7, 2015
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR AN UNRELATED SERVICE WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE LEAF SPRING FRACTURED DUE TO FRAME CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #10780532

150,000 miles · Sep 24, 2015
SuspensionUnknown Or Other

THERE IS FRAME ROT ON THE VEHICLE WEAKENING THE FRAME AND SUSPENSION COMPONENTS. THE WORST AREA OF ROT IS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHERE THE REAR LEAF SPRING ATTACHES TO THE FRAME. THIS AREA ALSO HAS THE GAS TANK AND FUEL LINES AND REAR BRAKING LINES. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF A RECALL. UPON DISCOVERY OF THIS HAZARD I NO…

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THERE IS FRAME ROT ON THE VEHICLE WEAKENING THE FRAME AND SUSPENSION COMPONENTS. THE WORST AREA OF ROT IS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHERE THE REAR LEAF SPRING ATTACHES TO THE FRAME. THIS AREA ALSO HAS THE GAS TANK AND FUEL LINES AND REAR BRAKING LINES. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF A RECALL. UPON DISCOVERY OF THIS HAZARD I NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD MY VEHICLES RECALL HAD ENDED. I ALSO NOTIFIED TOYOTA CORPORATE AND WAS TOLD THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. TOYOTA TACOMAS HAVE HAD FRAME ROT ISSUES WITH RECALLS THAT HAVE AFFECTED THE REAR BRAKES FUEL LINES AND TANK. I FEEL IT IS UNFAIR OF TOYOTA TO ADMIT AN ONGOING PROBLEM AND REPLACE FRAMES ON TRUCKS WITH THIS ISSUE, YET DENY ME BECAUSE I WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF IT. HAVING A WINDOW OF TIME ON A RECALL THAT IS A HUGE ISSUE IS NOT FAIR. NOW I HAVE AN UNSAFE VEHICLE, THAT I AM AFRAID TO PUT MY CHILDREN IN, AND NO WHERE TO TURN.

NHTSA ODI #10776483

85,000 miles · Aug 14, 2015
Fuel/propulsion SystemSuspension

THE OWNER FOUND A RECALL ON 2004 TOYOTA TACOMAS ON THE INTERNET. THIS RECALL SPECIFIED THAT THERE WAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE FORMULATION OF THE UNDERCOATING. THIS MANUFACTURING DEFECT RESULTED IN THE RUSTING OF THE SUSPENSION, AND TIRE PLATE. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE BY A TOYOTA DEALER, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE A-F…

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THE OWNER FOUND A RECALL ON 2004 TOYOTA TACOMAS ON THE INTERNET. THIS RECALL SPECIFIED THAT THERE WAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE FORMULATION OF THE UNDERCOATING. THIS MANUFACTURING DEFECT RESULTED IN THE RUSTING OF THE SUSPENSION, AND TIRE PLATE. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE BY A TOYOTA DEALER, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE A-FRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH, THE LEAF SPRINGS ARE FAILING AND ARE BOWED IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION, GAS TANK MOUNTS ARE RUSTED AND THE UNDER BODY OF THE GAS TANK HOUSING IS RUSTING THROUGH. TOYOTA DEEMED THE VEHICLE UNSAFE BUT REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING BECAUSE THE RECALL HAD EXPIRED. THE OWNER NEVER RECEIVED A NOTICE BY MAIL DURING THE RECALL PERIOD. IF THE OWNER WOULD HAVE RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE HE WOULD HAVE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN FOR INSPECTION AND REPAIR. THIS VEHICLE HAS LOW MILEAGE AND IF IT WERE NOT FOR THESE MANUFACTURING DEFECTS, COULD BE DRIVEN FOR ANOTHER 10 YEARS. CONTACT WITH ANY COMMON ROAD HAZARD SUCH AS A BUMP OR POT HOLE COULD CAUSE THE BOW SPRINGS TO FAIL, AND THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF GAS TANK RUPTURE, EXPLOSION AND DEATH.

NHTSA ODI #10748763

220 miles · Jul 9, 2015
Service BrakesSuspensionVehicle Speed Control

GOING 35 MILES AN HOUR THE VEHICLE WILL START TO PULL TO THE SIDE AND THE BALL JOINT WILL COME OUT ALSO THE ABS SENSOR CABLE WILL BRAKE AND YOU WILL HAVE TO REPLACE IT A $2500 DOLLAR SPENCE FOR A TOYOTA MALFUNCTION IN THE SUSPENSION I HAVE A FRIEND IN CALIFORNIA THAT HAS ONE A YEAR EARLY MODEL THAN MINE A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA …

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GOING 35 MILES AN HOUR THE VEHICLE WILL START TO PULL TO THE SIDE AND THE BALL JOINT WILL COME OUT ALSO THE ABS SENSOR CABLE WILL BRAKE AND YOU WILL HAVE TO REPLACE IT A $2500 DOLLAR SPENCE FOR A TOYOTA MALFUNCTION IN THE SUSPENSION I HAVE A FRIEND IN CALIFORNIA THAT HAS ONE A YEAR EARLY MODEL THAN MINE A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA AND HE TOLD ME ABOUT THIS PROBLEM HAD HAPPEN TO HIM IN THE FREEWAY ABOUT 60 MPH TO HIM A HAD TO LEARN THE HARD WAY IF YOU HAVE A TOYOTA TACOMA PLEASE I AM WARNING YOU TO HAVE THE BALL JOINT REPLACE BEFORE ITS TO LATE THE NEW BALL JOINTS ARE WARRANTY FOR LIFE BUT I WILL CHECK IN TO THAT IF I STILL HAVE THE PICK UP IN FOUR YEARS

NHTSA ODI #10732846

99,370 miles · Jul 2, 2015
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR AND FRONT PASSENGER SPRING CHASSIS WERE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SPRING CHASSIS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR AND FRONT PASSENGER SPRING CHASSIS WERE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SPRING CHASSIS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,370.

NHTSA ODI #10731785

228,000 miles · Jun 16, 2015
StructureSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL POPPING NOISE UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED AND THE WHEEL WENT UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FRAME SKIDDING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AWAY, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL POPPING NOISE UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED AND THE WHEEL WENT UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FRAME SKIDDING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AWAY, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 228,000.

NHTSA ODI #10725494

186,080 miles · May 27, 2015
StructureSuspensionWheels

I WAS AT THE LOCAL TIRE SHOP GETTING TWO TIRES INSTALLED AND I NOTICED THAT THE RIGHT REAR OF MY VEHICLE WAS NOT LEVEL WITH THE LEFT. I ASKED THAT THEY DO AN ALIGNMENT TO EVEN THE VEHICLE OUT AND THEY NOTIFIED ME THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERLY RUSTED. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A CAMPAIN RECALL ON THI SAME ISSUE AND MY VIN WAS IN RAN…

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I WAS AT THE LOCAL TIRE SHOP GETTING TWO TIRES INSTALLED AND I NOTICED THAT THE RIGHT REAR OF MY VEHICLE WAS NOT LEVEL WITH THE LEFT. I ASKED THAT THEY DO AN ALIGNMENT TO EVEN THE VEHICLE OUT AND THEY NOTIFIED ME THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERLY RUSTED. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A CAMPAIN RECALL ON THI SAME ISSUE AND MY VIN WAS IN RANGE. WHEN I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY NOTIFIED ME THAT THERE WAS ANOTHER PART OF THIS RECALL, THAT THEY DID NOT DO, SO MY FRAME WAS NOT COVERED. I NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTICE OF EITHER RECALL. I SENT A EMAIL TO TOYOTA AND THEY CALLED BACK WITH THE SAME RESPONCE "YOU NEVER DID THE ANI-CORROSION PART OF THE RECALL SO YOU DO NOT QUALIFY". I HAVE HEARD OF COUNTLESS PERSONS IN MY AREA THAT HAVE JUST PURCHASED THE SAME AGE VEHICLE AND HAD FRAME RUST THAT GOT THERE VEHICLES REPAIRED. IF THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH OR WITHOUT THIS CORROSION SPRAY WHY ARE ONLY CERTAIN VEHICLES COVERED. THIS SPRAY DOES NOT WORK AND THIS SEEMS LIKE A WAY TO GET AROUND REPAIRING VEHICLES. NOT TO MENTION I NEVER RECEIVED ANY RECALL NOTICES AND THEY HAVE NO RECORD OF WHAT ADRESS THE RECALL WAS EVEN SENT TO.

NHTSA ODI #10721771

127,234 miles · May 1, 2015
StructureSuspension

A TECH WAS PERFORMING AN OIL CHANGE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE FRAME ON MY TRUCK HAS RUSTED THROUGH AT THE POINT THAT THE REAR LEAF SPRING ATTACHES ON THE DRIVES SIDE. I AM BEING TOLD THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THEY TELL ME THAT THEY WILL NOT PROVIDE A RESOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10714121

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.