← New search

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 →

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

What owners actually said

414 reports
89,000 miles · Dec 1, 2014
Suspension

UPON A NORMAL SERVICE INCIDENT I WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRAME ON THE DRIVER SIDE SHOWS A CORROSION PROBLEM THAT HAS EATEN HALF WAY THRU THE FRAME MAKING THE TRUCK UNSAFE DUE TO THE CORROSION PROBLEM AFTER MANY ATTEMPTS TO CONTACT TOYOTA THEIR RESPONSE WAS SORRY NOTHING WE CAN DO FOR YOU.THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT A RECALL WAS …

Read full complaint

UPON A NORMAL SERVICE INCIDENT I WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRAME ON THE DRIVER SIDE SHOWS A CORROSION PROBLEM THAT HAS EATEN HALF WAY THRU THE FRAME MAKING THE TRUCK UNSAFE DUE TO THE CORROSION PROBLEM AFTER MANY ATTEMPTS TO CONTACT TOYOTA THEIR RESPONSE WAS SORRY NOTHING WE CAN DO FOR YOU.THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT A RECALL WAS ISSUED AND EXPIRED IN 2010 WHICH I WAS NOT INFORMED ABOUT.IT IS A RESPONSE THAT DOES NOT SATISFY ME OR MAYBE OTHER OWNERS OF THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE AND IT WAS THERE PRODUCT THAT THEY PRODUCED AND NOW DO NOT WANT TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR. EST REPAIR COST TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM = 14000.00 NOT ACCEPTABLE. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10661412

147,200 miles · Nov 19, 2014
Structure

THE TOYOTA TACOMA TRUCKS HAD A CUSTOMER SERVICE ADVISORY FOR THE FRAME RUSTING ON THE VEHICLE. THE CSA ADVISED THE CURRENT OWNER THAT THE FRAME COULD RUST AND NEEDED TO BE INSPECTED. IF THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED TOYOTA WOULD EITHER SPRAY THE FRAME OR REPLACE IT IF RUSTED. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM AN AUTHORIZED TOYOTA DEA…

Read full complaint

THE TOYOTA TACOMA TRUCKS HAD A CUSTOMER SERVICE ADVISORY FOR THE FRAME RUSTING ON THE VEHICLE. THE CSA ADVISED THE CURRENT OWNER THAT THE FRAME COULD RUST AND NEEDED TO BE INSPECTED. IF THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED TOYOTA WOULD EITHER SPRAY THE FRAME OR REPLACE IT IF RUSTED. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM AN AUTHORIZED TOYOTA DEALER I WAS ASSURED THE FRAME HAD BEEN CHECKED AND TAKEN CARE OF. A WEEK LATER I HAD TO INSTALL A BLOWN OUT MUFFLER AND COME TO FIND OUT THE FRAME WAS NOT LOOKED AT AND THE FIX WAS NOT COMPLETED. BEING THE NEW OWNER OF THE TRUCK I WAS TOLD THAT THE CSA HAD EXPIRED DECEMBER 2011 AND THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE. I WAS HOPING TOYOTA WOULD HAVE A PROGRAM IN PLACE FOR PEOPLE THAT PURCHASE A VEHICLE LIKE I DID THAT DID NOT HAVE THE FRAME FIXED. THEY DO NOT. THEREFORE I NOW OWN A TRUCK THAT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. TOYOTA NEEDS TO MAKE THIS A RECALL INSTEAD OF A CSA. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10659366

131,200 miles · Nov 12, 2014
Air BagsService BrakesVehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE IDLING AT A STOP, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE IDLING AT A STOP, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,200. UPDATED 12/30/14*LJ UPDATED 05/26/2015 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10654452

157,000 miles · Nov 11, 2014
Structure

THE FRAME IS SO ROTTED IT WONT PASS STATE INSPECTION, THIS TRUCK WAS RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM A FEW YEARS AGO, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AT THAT TIME AND THEY SAID IT WAS FINE, NOW LIKE TWO YEARS LATER ITS TOTALLY ROTTEN, I CONTACTED TOYOTA HEAD QUARTERS AND FILED A CASE # 1411101661 AND THEY BASICALLY TOLD SORRY I…

Read full complaint

THE FRAME IS SO ROTTED IT WONT PASS STATE INSPECTION, THIS TRUCK WAS RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM A FEW YEARS AGO, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AT THAT TIME AND THEY SAID IT WAS FINE, NOW LIKE TWO YEARS LATER ITS TOTALLY ROTTEN, I CONTACTED TOYOTA HEAD QUARTERS AND FILED A CASE # 1411101661 AND THEY BASICALLY TOLD SORRY ITS TO LATE RECALL IS OVER, I TOLD THEM IT WAS AT THE DEALER FOR THIS RECALL AND THEY DID NOTHING BUT LOOK AT IT, CAN YOU HELP AND THERE ARE 1000S OF THESE ROTTEN TRUCKS ON THE ROAD TODAY A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THANKS [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10654253

67,960 miles · Nov 5, 2014
Service Brakes

ABS ACTUATOR ASSY FELL OFF THE VEHICLE, IT WAS MOUNTED ON RIGHT REAR AXLE HOUSING, AND BANGED AROUND VEHICLE AND GROUND. VEHICLE APPEARS TO BE OK AND ASSY IS HELD IN PLACE BY WIRE. IS IT SAFE TO DRIVE? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10652776

280,000 miles · Nov 1, 2014
StructureSuspension

THE FRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH.I CALLED TOYOTA THEY SAID THEY SENT A RECALL.I TOLD THEM I DIDN'T RECEIVE ONE.THEY SAID IT WAS NOT THERE FAULT.IT WAS THE POST OFFICE FAULT.I CAN'T HAVE ANY WORK DONE ON THE TRUCK BECAUSE OF THE RUST.I DON'T HAVE A LOT OF MONEY I EXPECTED THIS TRUCK TO LAST A WHILE.THEY KNEW THEY WERE MAKING SUBSTANDA…

Read full complaint

THE FRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH.I CALLED TOYOTA THEY SAID THEY SENT A RECALL.I TOLD THEM I DIDN'T RECEIVE ONE.THEY SAID IT WAS NOT THERE FAULT.IT WAS THE POST OFFICE FAULT.I CAN'T HAVE ANY WORK DONE ON THE TRUCK BECAUSE OF THE RUST.I DON'T HAVE A LOT OF MONEY I EXPECTED THIS TRUCK TO LAST A WHILE.THEY KNEW THEY WERE MAKING SUBSTANDARD FRAMES.BY JUST LOOKING AT MY FRAME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10651820

12,000 miles · Oct 27, 2014
Engine

WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY ABOUT 55MPH MY TRUCK STALLED ON ME TWICE DOE A SECOND. ALSO PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVE I HAD A HESITATION IN ACCELERATION AND ALMOST GOT HIT FROM A ONCOMING VEHICLE. THEY ARE NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THAT COMES ON. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND THEY COULDN'T FIN A ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10650519

98,000 miles · Oct 21, 2014
Structure

THE FRAME ON THE TRUCK IS RUSTED THROUGH.I HAVE OPENED 2 COMPLAINT CASES AND TOYOTA WILL NOT REPAIR OR REPLACE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10649072

Mileage unknown · Oct 20, 2014
Air Bags

I WANT TO CHECK MY VIN # TO SEE IF IT IS ONE OF THE VEHICLES AFFECTED BY TOYOTA'S DEFECTIVE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10648966

164,000 miles · Oct 2, 2014
Structure

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND NOTICED SOME UNUSUAL RATTLING. I STOPPED AND UPON INSPECTION FOUND THAT THE FRAME ON BOTH SIDES HAD CRACKED ALL THE WAY THROUGH DIRECTLY ABOVE THE REAR TIRES. THIS RENDERED THE VEHICLE EXTREMELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I HAD IT TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT A COMPLETE FRAME REPLACEMENT NEE…

Read full complaint

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND NOTICED SOME UNUSUAL RATTLING. I STOPPED AND UPON INSPECTION FOUND THAT THE FRAME ON BOTH SIDES HAD CRACKED ALL THE WAY THROUGH DIRECTLY ABOVE THE REAR TIRES. THIS RENDERED THE VEHICLE EXTREMELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I HAD IT TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT A COMPLETE FRAME REPLACEMENT NEEDS TO BE DONE AND THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AS IS. THEY SAID THE FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. I UNDERSTAND THE VEHICLE CAME OUT OF NEW YORK AND HAS HIGH SALT CONCENTRATIONS BUT THE REST OF THE TRUCK IS VIRTUALLY RUST FREE. I CAN?T BELIEVE THAT A FRAME RUSTING COMPLETELY OUT IS NORMAL IN JUST 10 YEARS. I HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA (CASE NUMBER 1409290440) AND THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT ANY RECALLS PERTAINING TO THIS HAVE EXPIRED. I CAN?T BELIEVE THEY WILL NOT STEP UP AND FIX WHAT IS OBVIOUSLY SHODDY CRAFTSMANSHIP. MY MAIN CONCERN IS THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THEY STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE WITH THE 1995-2000?S THAT HAD THE EXACT SAME ISSUE AND OBVIOUSLY WAS NOT FIXED IN THE 2001-2004 MODELS. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH TOYOTA AND VERY CONCERNED FOR THE SAFELY OF OTHER TACOMA OWNERS AS THIS SEEMS TO BE A PRETTY COMMON ISSUE WITH THESE TRUCKS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10640797

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.