FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED, TOYOTA HAS REPLACED FRAMES ON THOUSANDS OF THESE VEHICLES BUT WONT REPLACE MINE BECAUSE MY VIN IS NOT IN THEIR "PROGRAM" BECAUSE IT WAS ORIGINALLY SOLD IN HAWAII. YET DEALER TELLS ME CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE.
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Tacoma years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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.
What owners actually said
414 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE MAKING LEFT AND RIGHT TURNS, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE ORIGIN OF THE NOISE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED, AND THE STABILIZER BAR, PASSENGER SIDE STEERING ROD, STRUTS, AND SHOCKS NEEDE…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE MAKING LEFT AND RIGHT TURNS, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE ORIGIN OF THE NOISE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED, AND THE STABILIZER BAR, PASSENGER SIDE STEERING ROD, STRUTS, AND SHOCKS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,678.
I HAVE READ MANY, MANY OTHER PEOPLE ONLINE ARE HAVING THIS IDENTICAL ISSUE AND IS CAUSING CARS TO STALL OUT AND HAVE TO NEARLY REBUILD THE ENGINE. CYLINDER NUMBER 6 IS MISFIRING CONSISTENTLY AFTER 175,000 MILES AND TO FIX IT, THE HEADS HAVE TO BE SHAVED AND IS COSTING THE CONSUMER AROUND $4500 MINIMUM TO FIX THE ISSUE. THE STALL…
Read full complaint
I HAVE READ MANY, MANY OTHER PEOPLE ONLINE ARE HAVING THIS IDENTICAL ISSUE AND IS CAUSING CARS TO STALL OUT AND HAVE TO NEARLY REBUILD THE ENGINE. CYLINDER NUMBER 6 IS MISFIRING CONSISTENTLY AFTER 175,000 MILES AND TO FIX IT, THE HEADS HAVE TO BE SHAVED AND IS COSTING THE CONSUMER AROUND $4500 MINIMUM TO FIX THE ISSUE. THE STALLING OF THE ENGINE PUT MYSELF IN DANGER ON A PUBLIC ROAD WHEN IT HAPPENED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS NOT OFFERED ANY ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE RECALL EXPIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA C…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS NOT OFFERED ANY ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE RECALL EXPIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V542000 (TIRES). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR AN ALIGNMENT. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.
TL* THE CONTACT WAS A FRIEND TO THE DRIVER OF A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA EQUIPPED WITH TOYO OPEN COUNTRY TIRES H/T/ TUFF DUTY TIRES, SIZE: 265/70/R16 (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WAS FLAT. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ADD MORE AIR TO THE TIRE, BUT THE TIRE WOULD NOT REMAIN INFLATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT WAS A FRIEND TO THE DRIVER OF A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA EQUIPPED WITH TOYO OPEN COUNTRY TIRES H/T/ TUFF DUTY TIRES, SIZE: 265/70/R16 (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WAS FLAT. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ADD MORE AIR TO THE TIRE, BUT THE TIRE WOULD NOT REMAIN INFLATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER HAD TO CONSTANTLY REFILL THE AIR IN THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TREAD WAS SEPARATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A PIN HOLE IN THE TIRE THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000. THE VIN AND VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT PROVIDED.
TRUCK IS UNFIT TO DRIVE DUE TO RUSTED OUT FRAME. PLEASE HELP WITH RECALL ON TOYOTA TACOMA TRUCKS. THANKS, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEVERE CORROSION ON THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE COATED WITH AN ANTI-CORROSIVE ADHESIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHILE BEING OPERATED AT 2 MPH. A POLICE REPO…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEVERE CORROSION ON THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE COATED WITH AN ANTI-CORROSIVE ADHESIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHILE BEING OPERATED AT 2 MPH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THERE WERE HOLES IN THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO IT HAVING A REBUILT TITLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 115,000.
2004 TOYOTA TACOMA, PURCHASED NEW FROM CALIFORNIA DEALER. MAJORITY OF VEHICLE LIFE SPENT IN COLD STATES. EXCESSIVE CORROSION TO FRAME HAS NOW LED TO CRACKING OF THE FRAME. ONLY 77,000 MILES AND NOW UNSAFE TO DRIVE. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AT TWO DIFFERENT TOYOTA DEALERS DURING ACTIVE PERIOD OF SERVICE ('RECALL') WHEN TOYOTA WAS REP…
Read full complaint
2004 TOYOTA TACOMA, PURCHASED NEW FROM CALIFORNIA DEALER. MAJORITY OF VEHICLE LIFE SPENT IN COLD STATES. EXCESSIVE CORROSION TO FRAME HAS NOW LED TO CRACKING OF THE FRAME. ONLY 77,000 MILES AND NOW UNSAFE TO DRIVE. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AT TWO DIFFERENT TOYOTA DEALERS DURING ACTIVE PERIOD OF SERVICE ('RECALL') WHEN TOYOTA WAS REPLACING FRAMES AND ADDING PROTECTIVE COATINGS ON FRAMES OF THIS MODEL AND YEAR. NO SUCH ACTIONS WERE TAKEN ON MY VEHICLE. NOW TOYOTA CLAIMS NO RECORD OF PRIOR SERVICE AT ALL. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECENT CLASS ACTION INVOLVING 2005 MODELS AND LATER. CONDITION WAS DISCOVERED DURING STATIONARY INSPECTIONS AT A LOCAL AUTO REPAIR SHOP, AND CONFIRMED BY INSPECTION AT TOYOTA DEALER.
GAS TANK, TANK SHEID BRACKET HOLDING TANK UP ALMOST COMPLETLY RUSTED OFF WITH HARDLY HOLDING GAS TANK ON! MAJOR ISSUE!
Official recalls
312V542000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
Illustration