2004 Toyota Tacoma
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Structure is the leading concern among 414 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 6th highest complaint count among 26 Tacoma model years with reports.
Of the 2004 reports, 27 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 23 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Tires, temporary/emergency spare tireNov 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 12V542000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingJul 17, 2006
CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.
Campaign 06E065000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingMar 23, 2006
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
Campaign 06E026000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, front, control arm, lower ball jointMay 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.
THE LOWER BALL JOINT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE KNUCKLE CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
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.
Campaign 05V225000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat belts, frontMay 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.
THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD.
DEALERS HAVE REPLACED THE SEAT BELTS. NO VEHICLES WERE SOLD TO CONSUMERS.
Campaign 04V214000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: structure
203 reports, newest first. Show all
Structure, Apr 13, 2020
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.
Structure, Feb 13, 2020
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.
Suspension, Structure, Feb 7, 2020
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.
Structure, Jan 13, 2020
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.
Structure, Nov 27, 2019
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
Structure, Nov 21, 2019
THROUGH NO FAULT OF OUR OWN, THE FRAME ON OUR TOYOTA TRUCK HAS BEEN DISCOVERED BY OUR MECHANIC AS RUSTED OR CORRODED TO AN EXTEND OF UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITIONS. TOYOTA IN RESPONSE TO MY COMPLAINT REPLACED THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER AS A SAFETY RECALL THAT NEVER EXPIRES, HOWEVER, THEY ARE TELLING ME THE FRAME IS NO LONGER UNDER A WARRANTY AND IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL ISSUE. THE SUGGESTED I LODGE A COMPLAINT WITH THE NHTSA AS THEY ARE UNABLE AND UNWILLING TO DO SOMETHING FOR US. I UPLOADED 5 PICTURES, NOT SURE IF THEY ARE ALL THERE
Suspension, Structure, Oct 16, 2019
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
Structure, Oct 13, 2019
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/
Structure, Sep 29, 2019
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?
Steering, Suspension, Structure, Jul 18, 2019
FRAME IS RUSTY BEYOND USAGE. AS I ACCELERATE THE BED OF THE TRUCK FLEXES SO I CAN SEE IT IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR
Structure, Jun 4, 2019
THE FRAME IS RUSTING OUT
Structure, May 21, 2019
I HAD TIRES ROTATED,TECHNICIAN TOLD ME FRAME IS EXTREMELY RUSTED(TACOMA PROBLEM) BIG SAFETY PROBLEM.TOYOTA TOLD ME THEY WOULD CHECK IT OUT FOR 98,-- DOLLARS. I DON'T THINK THAT'S RIGHT. TOYOTA PROBLEM
Structure, May 14, 2019
THE DEALER DISCOVERED HOLES IN THE FRAME ON 3/26/19. ACTUALLY IT WAS IN FOR REPAIR OF A GAS TANK STRAP AND I BELIEVE THEY USED A HAMMER ON THE FRAME TO MAKE THE HOLES. THEY WROTE IT UP AS MY TRUCK WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. IT ONLY HAS 81,000 MILES ON IT AND OTHER WISE IN GREAT SHAPE. I HAD IT IN FOR A RECALLED RUSTED SPARE TIRE HOLDER ON 2/11/15 AND THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT THE FRAME LOOKED OK AND IF THE FRAME DEVELOPS HOLES THEY CAN RECOMMEND A GOOD WELDER.
Structure, May 3, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING AN OIL CHANGE, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUTOLAND (170 US-22, SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP, NJ 07081, (800) 288-6526) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 1904301385. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000. *BF
Structure, Apr 24, 2019
TAKATA RECALL, I OWN A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA THAT CAME FROM WEST VIRGINIA WHEN ORIGINALLY PURCHASED, THIS TRUCKS LEAF SPRINGS HAVE NOW BROKE LOSE AND IS VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE FOR MY 17 YEAR OLD SON, WE HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THEY WERE VERY RUDE SO I HAVE NOW CAME TO THIS, THERE IS RUST HOLES IN THE FRAME OF HIS TRUCK THE SIZE OF BASEBALLS AND SCARES ME FOR HIM TO EVER DRIVE IT AT ALL PLEASE HELP US FIGURE OUT WHAT WE CAN DO, HIS UNCLE THAT OWNED THE TRUCK BEFORE WE GOT IT WAS VERY SICK HE LIVED IN WEST VIRGINIA AND WAS NEVER TOLD OR CALLED ABOUT A RECALL FOR THE FRAME MY SON JUST RECENTLY GOT THE TRUCK PAINTED AND WAS TOLD THAT HE NEEDS A NEW FRAME VERY BADLY.
Suspension, Structure, Apr 1, 2019
TAMARA RECALL, MY 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA 4 WHEEL DRIVE CHASSIS HAS BROKEN ON ME TWICE SENSE I BOUGHT THE TRUCK FROM A USED DEALERSHIP, AND THE CHASSIS IS ALSO CRACKED AGAIN ON MY BACK DRIVERS SIDE, WHEN I BOUGHT THE TRUCK I WASN'T TOLD THAT THE CHASSIS WAS RUSTED AND THEY HAD COVERED IT UP. I NEED TO KNOW IF IT'S STILL UNDER WARRANTY TO GET IT REPLACED OR WHAT I NEED TO DO, MY ODOMETER IS SHOWING ONLY 118686 ON IT RIGHT NOW. I'M CONCERNED IF I WERE TO BE IN A WRECK THAT THERE WOULD BE A WORSE OUTCOME VERSES THE CHASSIS NOT BEING RUSTED. WHEN THE CHASSIS BROKE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BOTH TIMES I WAS DRIVING, THE EXHAUST HAS BROKEN OFF AS WELL BECAUSE OF RUST. NOW THE TRUCK SQUEAKS REALLY BAD AND MY SPARE TIRE IS ABOUT TO BREAK OFF AS WELL I BELIEVE. I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE IT IF I COULD GET IT FIXED. I'M NOT SURE HOW MUCH OF THE CHASSIS IS RUSTED OR HOW BAD IT US DUE TO THEM COVERING IT UP. BOTH TIMES THE CHASSIS HAS BROKEN HAVE BEEN WHEN ON A CITY STREET I HAVEN'T DONE AN INSURANCE CLAIM ON IT EITHER, THE SECOND TIME IT BROKE I WAS ALSO BRAKING THE TRUCK. I DON'T KNOW THE NUMBER OF THE RECALL. I BOUGHT THE TRUCK IN MARCH AND ALL THIS HAPPENED IN MAY AND JUNE AND I'M AFRAID IT'S GONNA HAPPEN AGAIN IF IT'S NOT REPLACED AND DUE TO ME MAKING PAYMENTS ON IT AND IT BEING MY DAILY DRIVER I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DUE SENSE I CANNOT SALE IT. I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THE RECALL UNTIL SEPTEMBER, I SEEN SOMETHING ABOUT IT ON FACEBOOK AND JUST STARTED LOOKING INTO IT TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY POSSIBILITY OF GETTING IT FIXED OR REPLACED. THE BED HAS ALSO BEEN REPLACED BEFORE I BOUGHT IT, BUT I'M NOT SURE WHY. THANK YOU FOR READING THIS AND I HOPE TO HEAR SOMETHING SOON ABOUT MY TRUCK. ANY KIND OF OPTIONS AVAILABLE WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL, BECAUSE I DO NOT TRUST THIS TRUCK. IT IS VERY UNSAFE. I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND ANYONE ELSE TO DRIVE MY TRUCK BECAUSE IT IS SO UNTRUSTWORTHY. THANK YOU AGAIN.
Suspension, Structure, Mar 21, 2019
2004 TOYOTA TACOMA, TOOK TRUCK IN TO BE PAINTED WAS INFORMED THAT THERE ARE MULTIPLE BASEBALL SIZE HOLES IN THE FRAME AND THE LEAF SPRING MOUNTS ARE RUSTED AND LEAF SPRINGS ARE ABOUT TO POP OFF. I HAVE CALLED TOYOTA CORP, AND WAS TOLD BECAUSE TRUCK WAS NOT SPRAYED THEY WILL NOT HONOR THE FRAME. I RECENTLY ACQUIRED THIS VEHICLE AND WAS NOT AWARE OF THE RECALL THAT HAD BEEN ISSUED ON THIS TRUCK. TOYOTA AT THIS POINT IS REFUSING TO REPLACE OR REPAIR THE FRAME EVEN THOUGH THIS TRUCK ORIGINATED AND REMAINED IN A COLD CLIMATE STATE FOR MOST OF ITS EXISTENCE. PLEASE ADVISE IF THERE ARE ANY OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO HAVE TOYOTA HONOR THIS VEHICLE. THANK YO U
Structure, Jan 31, 2019
FRAME RUSTING OUT EVEN AFTER HAVING UNDERCOAT SPRAYED IN PREVIOUS RECALL, AFTER LOOKING ONLINE I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS PEOPLE WITH THE SAME YEAR AND MODEL HAVING THEIR FRAME REPLACED BY TOYOTA UNDER A RECALL, BUT I HAVE BEEN TOLD REPEATEDLY THAT THERE IS NOT RECALL AND TOYOTA WILL DO NOTHING.
Structure, Jan 22, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME ABOVE THE REAR TIRES WAS COMPLETED RUSTED AND IN A DANGEROUS STATE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER (TOYOTA OF STAMFORD, 909 E MAIN ST, STAMFORD, CT 06902, (203) 348-3751) CONFIRMED THE MANUFACTURER'S STATEMENT AND SCHEDULED A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
Suspension, Structure, Dec 22, 2018
TOOK TRUCK IN FOR INSPECTION AND THE FRAME IS DETERIORATING TO THE POINT THE BED IS BECOMING DETACHED FROM THE FRAME AND SEPARATING FROM THE CAB. THE SUSPENSION IS COMING LOOSE FROM THE MOUNTS. THIS IS NOT THE ONLY ONE THE MECHANIC HAS SEEN WITH DETERIORATION. THESE TRUCKS ARE NOT SAFE TO DRIVE!!
Steering, Structure, Nov 2, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION PERTAINING TO THE FRAME, WHICH AFFECTED THE RACK AND PINION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE RACK AND PINION AND THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,000.
Structure, Oct 17, 2018
2004 TOYOTA TACOMA XTRACAB. CONSUMER WRITE WITH CONCERN TO VEHICLE NOT BEING COVERED UNDER FRAME PERFORATION WARRANTY EXTENSION. *AS *JS
Suspension, Structure, Aug 18, 2018
TAKATA RECALL FRAME IS RUSTED
Structure, Jul 25, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE CHASSIS FRAME WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO IRA TOYOTA OF DANVERS (99 ANDOVER ST, DANVERS, MA 01923, (978) 739-8300) WHERE AN ANTI-CORROSION SPRAY WAS APPLIED TO THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.
Structure, Jul 16, 2018
I HAVE A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA WITH SEVERE CORROSION UNDERNEATH THE FRAME. IT IS NOT SAFE AND COULD CRACK AT ANYTIME. ESPECIALLY WHERE THE LEAF SPRING MEETS THE FRAME, I CAN LOOSE THE REAR END.