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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.

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
Mileage unknown · Oct 16, 2019
StructureSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V542000(SUSPENSION). THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO CUMBERLAND TOYOTA (1540 INTERSTATE DR, COOKEVILLE, TN 38501, (931) 272-3719) AND WAS INFORMED THAT HER VEHICLE DID NOT NEED A REMEDY AND WAS SAFE TO OPERATE. THE CONTAC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V542000(SUSPENSION). THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO CUMBERLAND TOYOTA (1540 INTERSTATE DR, COOKEVILLE, TN 38501, (931) 272-3719) AND WAS INFORMED THAT HER VEHICLE DID NOT NEED A REMEDY AND WAS SAFE TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE SAME DEALER A FEW YEARS LATER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE SERVICED DUE TO THE CORROSION THAT HAD ACCUMULATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED HER THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *PM*JB

NHTSA ODI #11269043

Mileage unknown · Oct 13, 2019
Structure

EXTREME RUST ON LEFT SIDE OF THE FRAME WITH EXTENSIVE LOSS OF METAL. CONTACTED TWO TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS AND TOYOTA CORPORATION. THEY REFUSE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. ALL DOCUMENTED HERE: HTTPS://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/GROUPS/1637547983201647/

NHTSA ODI #11268229

Mileage unknown · Sep 29, 2019
Structure

THE FRAME HAS MANY HOLES IN IT. WAS JUST TOLD BY MECHANIC WHEN WENT IN FOR REAR DIFFERENTIAL WORK. THEY AS I WERE SURPRISED AS THE BODY SHOWS NO SIGNS OF RUST. THEY DID NOT COMPLETE WORK AS THEY SAID FRAME SO BAD IT IS UNSAFE. I HAVE OWNED OTHER 2003 AND 2004 TACOMA'S OVER THE YEARS WHICH HAD FRAMES RECALLED. THIS ONE DOES NOT H…

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THE FRAME HAS MANY HOLES IN IT. WAS JUST TOLD BY MECHANIC WHEN WENT IN FOR REAR DIFFERENTIAL WORK. THEY AS I WERE SURPRISED AS THE BODY SHOWS NO SIGNS OF RUST. THEY DID NOT COMPLETE WORK AS THEY SAID FRAME SO BAD IT IS UNSAFE. I HAVE OWNED OTHER 2003 AND 2004 TACOMA'S OVER THE YEARS WHICH HAD FRAMES RECALLED. THIS ONE DOES NOT HAVE THE FRAME RECALL AND I AM WONDERING IS THIS A MISTAKE OR WHY NOT?

NHTSA ODI #11258846

198,726 miles · Sep 4, 2019
Suspension

SEPTEMBER 29, 2018 I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE MY TACOMA'S FRONT END WOULD FEEL LIKE IT WOULD FLOAT OFF THE GROUND OR LIFT UP OFF THE INTERSTATE. I MADE IT BACK TO THE TOWN I LIVE IN AND STOPPED AT A GAS STATION FOR SOME GAS. AS I LEFT, TO GO PICK UP MY FIANC AND OUR 2 GIRLS TO GET BACK ON THE INTERSTATE AND DRIVE BACK WIT…

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SEPTEMBER 29, 2018 I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE MY TACOMA'S FRONT END WOULD FEEL LIKE IT WOULD FLOAT OFF THE GROUND OR LIFT UP OFF THE INTERSTATE. I MADE IT BACK TO THE TOWN I LIVE IN AND STOPPED AT A GAS STATION FOR SOME GAS. AS I LEFT, TO GO PICK UP MY FIANC AND OUR 2 GIRLS TO GET BACK ON THE INTERSTATE AND DRIVE BACK WITH THEM TO WHERE I JUST WAS. I GOT ABOUT 3 BLOCKS FROM THE GAS STATION AS I WAS GOING 30 MPH. ALL OF A SUDDEN MY RIGHT FRONT END GOES DOWN AS IF A TIRE BLEW. WHEN I CAME TO A STOP AND WENT TO LOOK WHAT HAPPEN. I FOUND THAT I DON'T HAVE A FLAT TIRE BUT THAT MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE IS LYING ON ITS SIDE UNDER THE REAR OF THE RIGHT FRONT FENDER. THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINT EACH SNAPPED IN HALF WHICH CAUSED MY TIRE TO BREAK LOOSE AND CAUSED ME TO SKID DOWN THE ROAD. THE RIGHT FRONT AXLE SHAFT, OUTER TIE ROD, STABILIZER BAR LINKS, SPINDLE KNUCKLE WERE ALL DESTROYED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. SO WHEN I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE HEADING HOME TO GET MY FAMILY AND KEPT FEELING LIKE THE FRONT OF MY TRUCK WOULD RANDOMLY FLOAT UP WAS MORE THAN LIKELY BECAUSE MY LOWER BALL JOINT WAS ALREADY BROKEN APART. WHICH DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE PUT ENOUGH STRESS ON THE UPPER BALL JOINT. THAT CAUSED THE UPPER BALL JOINT TO BREAK WHEN IT DID. TO THINK IF IT THE TIRE STAYED ON TILL I PICKED UP MY FAMILY AND GOT BACK ON THE INTERSTATE WITH MY 3 GIRLS AND THAT TIRE BROKE OFF.

NHTSA ODI #11253104

130,000 miles · Aug 23, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMAL ODOR COMING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT DROVE HOME AND PARKED THE VEHICLE. THE FOLLOWING MORNING, THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK ONTO THE DRIVEWAY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMAL ODOR COMING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT DROVE HOME AND PARKED THE VEHICLE. THE FOLLOWING MORNING, THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK ONTO THE DRIVEWAY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ASHLAND HONDA TOYOTA (2301 LAKE SHORE DR E, ASHLAND, WI 54806, (715) 682-5252). THE DEALER ORDERED THE FUEL TANK AND SENT IT THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME AFTER ONE YEAR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.

NHTSA ODI #11246087

269,000 miles · Aug 15, 2019
Service BrakesSteeringSuspension

TAKATA RECALL, I AM WRITING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE I OWN A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA . ON NOVEMBER 2ND I WAS DRIVING HOME , WAS AT A 4WAY STOP, ONCE IT WAS MY TURN TO GO I ACCELERATED AS USUAL AND HAD MY TIRE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DETACH COMPLETELY FROM THE BALL JOINT CAUSING ME TO NEARLY WRECK MY TRUCK, IF I HAD BEEN GOING FASTER I WOU…

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TAKATA RECALL, I AM WRITING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE I OWN A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA . ON NOVEMBER 2ND I WAS DRIVING HOME , WAS AT A 4WAY STOP, ONCE IT WAS MY TURN TO GO I ACCELERATED AS USUAL AND HAD MY TIRE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DETACH COMPLETELY FROM THE BALL JOINT CAUSING ME TO NEARLY WRECK MY TRUCK, IF I HAD BEEN GOING FASTER I WOULD HAVE, THIS WAS ONE OF THE MOST SCARIEST EXPERIENCES I HAVE EVER HAD DRIVING! IT COST ME NEARLY 1000.00 DOLLARS TO FIX AND NOW I AM HAVING TO HAVE THE OTHER PASSENGER SIDE FIXED BECAUSE THE MECHANIC SAYS IT'S HAMMERED...I NOTICED THAT OVER 150,000 TACOMA'S WERE RECALLED DUE TO THIS EXACT PROBLEM, WHEN I ENTERED MY VIN IT SAYS I HAVE NO I REPAIRED RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE! WHICH OBVIOUSLY IS NOT TRUE, OR MY BALK JOINTS WOULD BE GOOD TO GO, I HAVE NEVER TAKEN MY TRUCK OFF ROAD OR EVEN HAD IT IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE, I HAVE NOT BEAT ON MY TRUCK I TAKE EXCELLENT CARE OF MY VEHICLE, I FEEL THIS BALL JOINT PROBLEM SHOULD OF BEEN PART OF YOUR RECALL , I COULD OF BEEN SEVERELY HURT OR EVEN DIED AS WELL AS MY SON WHO WAS RIDING WITH ME, THANK GOD WE WEREN'T...I AM PREPARED TO TURN YOU INTO THE BBB IF I DONT GET A REASONABLE RESPONSE

NHTSA ODI #11244235

155,000 miles · Jul 18, 2019
SteeringStructureSuspension

FRAME IS RUSTY BEYOND USAGE. AS I ACCELERATE THE BED OF THE TRUCK FLEXES SO I CAN SEE IT IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR

NHTSA ODI #11233177

122,500 miles · Jun 12, 2019
Unknown Or Other

MY 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA WAS "RECALLED FOR UNDERCOATINHG" WHICH WAS DONE 02/11. IN 2017, ON ADVICE FROM MY PRIVATE, PROFESSIONAL MECHANIC HE INFORMED ME TO CONTACT TOYOTA ABOUT CORROSIVE RUSTING OF FRAME. IT WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALERSHIP, I PURCHASED IT FROM. IN 2018, IT WAS INSPECTED AND, PASSED, AGAIN. 2 WEEKS AGO, I FOUND A CR…

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MY 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA WAS "RECALLED FOR UNDERCOATINHG" WHICH WAS DONE 02/11. IN 2017, ON ADVICE FROM MY PRIVATE, PROFESSIONAL MECHANIC HE INFORMED ME TO CONTACT TOYOTA ABOUT CORROSIVE RUSTING OF FRAME. IT WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALERSHIP, I PURCHASED IT FROM. IN 2018, IT WAS INSPECTED AND, PASSED, AGAIN. 2 WEEKS AGO, I FOUND A CRACK IN MY FRAME, SLIGTLY IN FRONT OF LEFT REAR, TIRE WELL, BY GAS TANK. I WILL BE TAKING IT TO A DEALERSHIP, FOR FRAME INSPECTION TOMORROW. I DON'T FEEL SAFE, DRIVING IT. I'M DISABLED AND, I AM THE TRUCKS 2ND OWNER. I PURCHASED MY 04 IN, 2006. IT IS IN GREAT CONDITION. MILEAGE, 122,500. IRONICALLY, THE TIRE HANGER PLATE HAS BEEN RECALLED AND, REPLACED AROUND 2014. IN 2017 MY PROTECTIVE PLATE, FELL AND, DROPPED THE GAS TANK. IT WAS, BROKEN IN 1/2. MY MECHANIC SECURED IT AND, UPON INSPECTION IT PASSED AT A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. I ASKED IF IT WAS POSSIBLE TO REPLACE THE PROTECTIVE PLATE AND, I WAS TOLD "NO." I ASKED FOR AN EXPLANATION AND, WASN'T GIVEN ONE. IT WAS THE SAME DEALERSHIP THAT "UNDERCOATED," MY TRUCK. THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED MY TRUCK PERFORMED A 2+HR INSPECTION ON THE FRAME IN 2017. THE DEALERSHIP THAT "UNDERCOATED," MY TRUCK ONLY HAD IT IN THE REPAIR AREA, FOR 15MINS AND, BROUGHT IT BACK OUT, STATING THEY "HAMMER-TESTED" IT AND, IT WAS IN GREAT SHAPE? I'M WORRIED SICK OVER MY OUTCOME, TOMORROW. I'M IN NO FINANCIAL POSTION TO REPLACE MY TRUCK. A TRUCK I WAS TOLD WOULD LAST UP TO 300,000'MILES. I DID COMPLAIN TO TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS IN 2018, WAS GIVEN A CLAIM NUMBER I CALLED THEM WHEN I FOUND THE CRACK, IN THE LEFT-SIDE, REAR OF MY FRAME, THIS, PAST FRIDAY. I HAD BEEN HEARING A "RATTLE," FROM BENEATH MY TRUCK, THE LAST FEW TIMES, I HAD DRIVEN IT. I BARELY HAD TO BEND OVER, TO SEE THE CRACK IN MY FRAME! THIS IS A HORRIFICLY, DANGEROUS CONDITION. (IT WAS PARKED AND, NOT RUNNING, WHEN I FOUND THE CRACK, IN THE FRAME.

NHTSA ODI #11219647

184,034 miles · Jun 7, 2019
SuspensionUnknown Or Other

2004 TOYOTA TACOMA FRAME RUSTED THROUGH, HOLE YOU CAN PUT HAND THROUGH. TOYOTA NEVER ISSUED RECALL, CLAIMS CORROSION CAMPAIGN WAS OVER. I NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTICE, I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. TOYOTA SAYS I AM ON MY OWN FOR REPLACEMENT. FOUND ISSUE AT MY BROTHER'S HAD TO LEAVE TRUCK UNSAFE TO DRIVE. WILL ADD PHOTOS AFTER I GET B…

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2004 TOYOTA TACOMA FRAME RUSTED THROUGH, HOLE YOU CAN PUT HAND THROUGH. TOYOTA NEVER ISSUED RECALL, CLAIMS CORROSION CAMPAIGN WAS OVER. I NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTICE, I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. TOYOTA SAYS I AM ON MY OWN FOR REPLACEMENT. FOUND ISSUE AT MY BROTHER'S HAD TO LEAVE TRUCK UNSAFE TO DRIVE. WILL ADD PHOTOS AFTER I GET BACK TO VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11218567

90,000 miles · Jun 4, 2019
Structure

THE FRAME IS RUSTING OUT

NHTSA ODI #11217886

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.