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
414 reports, newest first.
Suspension, Structure, Nov 1, 2014
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
Engine, Oct 27, 2014
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
Structure, Oct 21, 2014
THE FRAME ON THE TRUCK IS RUSTED THROUGH.I HAVE OPENED 2 COMPLAINT CASES AND TOYOTA WILL NOT REPAIR OR REPLACE. *TR
Air bags, Oct 20, 2014
I WANT TO CHECK MY VIN # TO SEE IF IT IS ONE OF THE VEHICLES AFFECTED BY TOYOTA'S DEFECTIVE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS. *TR
Structure, Oct 2, 2014
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
Structure, Oct 2, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V542000 (TIRES). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WHERE THE SPARE TIRE WAS LOCATED WAS CORRODED. AS A RESULT, THE DEALER DECLINED THE RECALL REPAIR DUE TO THE FRAME BEING RUSTED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED PRIOR TO THE RECALL REMEDY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. UPDATED 11/14/14*CN UPDATED 4/29/2015 *JS
Structure, Sep 28, 2014
I WAS AT SHELL STATION GETTING A OIL CHANGE, WHEN THEY WENT TO LIFT MY TRUCK ON THEIR LIFT THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED FRAME CORROSION IN 2 PLACES. THE TECHNICIAN TOLD ME IF I DO NOT FIX IT THE SPRING LEAF COULD FALL OFF. FURTHER MORE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I DO NOT THE MONEY FOR A NEW VEHICLE. JUST BECAUSE I DID NOT GET A NOTICE DOES NOT MEAN THEY SHOULD INCLUDE A CERTAIN BATCH OF TRUCKS IT SHOULD BE ALL TOYOTA'S REGARDLESS. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID FORGET ABOUT IT IF I DID NOT A LETTER. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO DIE JUST TO GET THIS FIXED. *TR
Structure, Sep 5, 2014
I JUST WANTED TO TELL HOW UTTERLY USELESS I THINK THIS ADMINISTRATION IS. I WROTE IN WITH A COMPLAINT ON MY 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA WHICH HAS A RUSTED FRAME AND TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. THERE WERE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS JUST LIKE MINE AND STILL ARE ALL OVER THE INTERNET AND YOU HAVE DONE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. TOYOTA REFUSES TO FIX MY TRUCK AND I NEVER RECEIVED A NOTICE FOR MY TRUCK FRAME AS WELL AS A LOT OF OTHERS. IF I HAD KEPT DRIVING THIS TRUCK ME OR OTHERS COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. I HAVE A CONSCIOUS UNLIKE THIS OFFICE AND TOYOTA. I CONTACTED MY SENATOR AND ASKED HIM HOW MANY COMPLAINTS DO YOU PEOPLE NEED TO DO SOMETHING. I GUESS SOMEBODY HAS TO DIE FIRST WHICH IS SINFUL AND SAD!!! *TR
Structure, Sep 2, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DURING A ROUTINE INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE SUB FRAME HAD HOLES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING HOWEVER NO RESULTS WERE AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Sep 2, 2014
2004 TOYOTA TACOMA V6 3.4L 5VZ-FE WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. TOYOTA ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED THIS VEHICLE WITH A THROTTLE BY WIRE SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY DOES NOT RESPOND TO ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION. TOYOTA ON BOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM DOES NOT DETECT FAULT THUS DOES NOT LOG ANY ERROR CODES OR ILLUMINATE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. OCCURRENCE RATE AND DURATION OF EVENTS IS INTERMITTENT AND INCONSISTENT. VELOCITY OF THE VEHICLE RAPIDLY DECREASES UNEXPECTEDLY AND MOMENTARILY AS IF FOOT WAS TEMPORARILY REMOVED FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. VEHICLE ALSO UNEXPECTEDLY AND MOMENTARILY DOES NOT RESPOND WHEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS DEPRESSED TO BEGIN MOVING OR SUDDENLY DECREASES SPEED WHEN ACCELERATING. THIS IS A POTENTIAL HAZARD IN SITUATIONS SUCH AS CRUISING IN TRAFFIC, CLEARING AN INTERSECTION, CROSSING RAILROAD TRACKS, ETC... OCCURRENCE RATE AND DURATION OF PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE WORSENING OVER TIME OR WITH INCREASED AMBIENT TEMPERATURES. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 31, 2014
WHILE DRIVING ALONG I WOULD SOMETIMES HEAR AN UNUSUAL SOUND, A SLIGHT RINGING SOUND. WHEN I RETURNED HOME AND INSPECTED MY TRUCK I SAW THAT ONE OF THE METAL STRAPS THAT HOLDS THE GAS TANK IN PLACE HAD RUSTED APART, AND THE BRACKET WOULD RUB AGAINST THE DRIVE SHAFT, CREATING THE SOUND. THIS IS ONE OF THE TACOMA'S THAT WAS RE-FRAMED AS PART OF A RECALL. IT APPEARS THE SAME DEFECTIVE METAL USED IN THE FRAME THAT WAS REPLACED WAS ALSO USED IN OTHER COMPONENTS. THE GAS TANK COULD HAVE FALLEN, DROPPED ON TO THE ROAD, OR SIMPLY EXPLODED, NO DOUBT KILLING MYSELF AND MY WIFE. I HAD THE GAS TANK STRAPS REPLACED AT A LOCAL GARAGE. I ALSO HAVE PICTURES OF THE BROKEN STRAP IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEM. *TR
Other or unspecified, Aug 25, 2014
VEHICLE WAS AT DEALER FOR RECALL "EXCESSIVE CORROSION OF THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER LIFT PLATE" SERVICE TECH. NOTED "FRAME HAS A HOLE, WOULD NOT PASS NYSI". IN RESEARCHING THE ISSUE TOYOTA ADMITTED THAT THE FRAME, MANUFACTURED BY [XXX] DID NOT RECEIVE PROPER CORROSION PROTECTION. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Structure, Aug 21, 2014
FRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH IN MANY PLACES. IT WILL NOT PASS STATE INSPECTION. *TR
Structure, Aug 20, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE, THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DISCOVERED RUST AND CORROSION ON THE SUB FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE RUSTING AND CORROSION HAD CREATED 4 HOLES THAT EXTENDED APPROXIMATELY 5-6 FEET AND WERE APPROXIMATELY 4-6 INCHES WIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.
Vehicle speed control, Jul 25, 2014
2004 TOYOTA TACOMA V6 3.4L 5VZ-FE WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. TOYOTA ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED THIS VEHICLE WITH A THROTTLE BY WIRE SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY DOES NOT RESPOND TO ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION. TOYOTA ON BOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM DOES NOT DETECT FAULT THUS DOES NOT LOG ANY ERROR CODES OR ILLUMINATE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. OCCURRENCE RATE AND DURATION OF EVENTS IS INTERMITTENT AND INCONSISTENT. VELOCITY OF THE VEHICLE RAPIDLY DECREASES UNEXPECTEDLY AND MOMENTARILY AS IF FOOT WAS TEMPORARILY REMOVED FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. VEHICLE ALSO UNEXPECTEDLY AND MOMENTARILY DOES NOT RESPOND WHEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS DEPRESSED TO BEGIN MOVING OR SUDDENLY DECREASES SPEED WHEN ACCELERATING. THIS IS A POTENTIAL HAZARD IN SITUATIONS SUCH AS CRUISING IN TRAFFIC, CLEARING AN INTERSECTION, CROSSING RAILROAD TRACKS, ETC... OCCURRENCE RATE AND DURATION OF PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE WORSENING OVER TIME OR WITH INCREASED AMBIENT TEMPERATURES. *TR
Structure, Jul 14, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS EXTREMELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.
Suspension, Structure, Jun 6, 2014
I PURCHASE MY TOYOTA TACOMA USED IN JAN. 2013. I NOTICED LAST MONTH THAT THE FRAME WAS GETTING HOLES IN IT. THE INFORMATION I LOOKED UP SAID THAT TOYOTA DID A RECALL ON THIS PARTICULAR TRUCK. I WAS TOLD BY TOYOTA THAT IT IS NOW TOO LATE TO GET IT TAKEN CARE OF. I WAS NOT AWARE OF THE RECALL OR AN ARBITRARY ENDING DATE. CAN YOU HELP ME GET TOYOTA TO TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM. THE TRUCK IS NOW WORTH NOTHING WITH THE FRAME AS IT IS. [XXX]. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER. THIS IS THE CASE # THAT TOYOTA HAS ASSIGNED TO MY SITUATION: #[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Suspension, Structure, May 29, 2014
I GOT A LETTER FROM TOYOTA MOTORS STATING THAT CERTAIN MODEL YEARS OF TACOMAS HAD RUST DAMAGE TO THE FRAME AND I WAS INFORMED TO BRING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY WOULD PERFORM A RUST TEST ON IT. MINE IS A 2004. THEY SAID THE REST WASN'T BAD ENOUGH TO REPLACE THE TRUCK,OF COURSE AND KEPT IT TO SPRAY ON A RUST PREVENTATIVE ON THE FRAME. WITHIN ONE YEAR THE COATING THEY APPLIED BEGAN TO FALL OFF PEEL OFF AND OBVIOUSLY DIDN'T WORK LIKE PLANNED. MY SISTER HAD A 98 TACOMA WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND YOU COULD PUT YOUR FINGER THROUGH THE FRAME. THEY BOUGHT HER TRUCK BACK AT THE CORPORATE OFFICE AT 150% OF BLUEBOOK VALUE. THAT'S WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN NOW ALSO. I'VE PAID 20K$ FOR THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW AND A MAJOR REASON WAS EVERYONE LIKES THE TACOMA AND ITS FAIRLY EASY OR LETS SAY WAS EASY TO RESALE BEFORE ALL THE PROBLEMS THEY ARE HAVING. NOW I'VE GOTTEN ANOTHER LETTER SAYING THERE IS MORE THAN ONE RECALL AND NOW HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE SPARE TIRE HOLDER PLATE POSSIBLY RUSTING AND FALLING OFF. ITS PRETTY OBVIOUS TO ME AND ALL THE CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE HAD THE PROBLEMS, THAT TOYOTA MUST BE FORCED INTO ACTUALLY REPLACING THE VEHICLE OR PAY THE 150% BOOK VALUE WITHOUT ARGUMENT. IS ANYONE GOING TO MAKE THIS RIGHT? I HAVE HAD 2 MECHANICS TELL ME THE TRUCK IS UNSAFE AND NOT ROAD WORTHY. LUCKILY I HAVE A COMPANY VEHICLE OTHERWISE I WOULD BE VERY CHALLENGED. THE BUMPER ALL THE WAY TO THE FRONT IS TOTALLY RUSTED OUT AND I DON'T WANNA HEAR LIP SERVICE SAYING ITS DUE TO SALT OR SOMETHING I JUST WANT A BILLION DOLLAR COMPANY TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR PRODUCT. I HAVEN'T DRIVEN THE TRUCK BUT 10 TIMES SINCE GETTING THE COATING APPLIED AND THE SAD THING IS I LOVE THE TRUCK AND CANT DRIVE IT. PLEASE HELP US. *TR
Structure, May 23, 2014
TL-THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED T WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED THE SUBFRAME WAS FOUND SEVERELY CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 108,000. RK
Structure, Tires, Wheels, May 16, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V542000 (TIRES). THE DEALER ADVISED THAT CONTACT THAT THE REPAIR COULD NOT BE PERFORMED DUE TO EXTENSIVE RUSTING OF THE WHEELS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000. UPDATED 08/11/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRAME WAS RUSTED. UPDATED 8/13/2014 *JS
Structure, May 14, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR AN UNRELATED REPAIR WHEN THEY NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME WAS COVERED WITH RUST. THERE WAS A VOLUNTARY RECALL ISSUED BY THE MANUFACTURER HOWEVER, THE RECALL HAD EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Air bags, Seat belts, May 13, 2014, crash
WHILE STOPPED IN TRAFFIC, I WAS REAR-ENDED BY A VEHICLE. I HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME AND THAT VEHICLE HIT THE ONE IN FRONT OF IT. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY PASSENGER'S HEAD HIT THE WINDSHIELD EVEN THOUGH SHE WAS WEARING A SEATBELT (THE INTERIOR DESIGN REQUIRED ME TO HAVE THE SEAT POSITIONED QUITE CLOSE TO THE WINDSHIELD). *TR
Air bags, May 8, 2014
I PURCHASED A USED 2004 TACOMA PICK-UP TRUCK FROM AN INDEPENDENT DEALER AND NOTED THE FRONT AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. I FINALLY TOOK IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALER FOR REPAIR IN 2013. THEY REPLACED THE SPIRAL CABLE IN THE STEERING COLUMN WHICH TURNED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT OFF FOR A FEW WEEKS AND THEN IT BECAME ILLUMINATED AGAIN. I TOOK IT BACK AND THEY WORKED ON IT FOR SEVERAL HOURS AND SAID THE ONLY REMEDY IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY FOR $1600. I AM UNSATISFIED SINCE THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL RECALLS ON THE TACOMA AIR BAG SYSTEMS FROM MODELS 2005 AND HIGHER BUT NOT THIS YEAR. HOW CAN SUCH A SIMILAR PROBLEM NOT BE A MANUFACTURING ISSUE? MEANWHILE I PROBABLY DO NOT HAVE PROPER FUNCTIONING AIR BAGS. *TR
Structure, May 7, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ON UNEVEN PAVEMENT, A LOUD BANGING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT WHEN MAKING TURNS, THE VEHICLE WOULD BECOME UNSTABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR SUB FRAME WAS CORRODED AND RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 162,000. UPDATED 7/7/14*CN UPDATED 07/11/2014 *JS
Suspension, Structure, Other or unspecified, May 7, 2014
FRAME IS PERFORATED DUE TO RUST JUST IN FRONT OF REAR AXLE ON BOTH SIDES OF VEHICLE. ABOUT A 1.5" X 6" HOLE ON DRIVER'S SIDE WITH A FRACTURE OF ABOUT 12" GOING TOWARD REAR AXLE. PASSENGER SIDE HAS A FRACTURE ABOUT 18" LONG IN SAME AREA. REAR SUSPENSION MOUNTS AND SPRINGS ARE COMPROMISED. TOYOTA HAD A PROGRAM TO DEAL WITH ISSUE BUT DEADLINE HAD PASSED BY THE TIME I PURCHASED VEHICLE. DEALER TOLD ME TOYOTA HAD CHECKED OUT FRAME ISSUE AND IT PASSED. ACCORDING TO TOYOTA I WAS MISINFORMED. TOYOTA WILL NOT FIX WHAT IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT I NEVER HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEAL WITH PROPERLY. BODY AND BED ARE RUST FREE AND IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. I PAID 11,700 FOR THE TRUCK WITH 88,000 MI., HAVE OWNED IT FOR ONE YEAR AND PUT APPROX. 9,000 MILES ON IT. IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND FOR ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES TOTALED. *TR