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.
Vehicle speed control, Jul 11, 2008
VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOSES ENGINE POWER, USUALLY WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC, STARTING FROM A STOPLIGHT OR ATTEMPTING TO PASS ON THE FREEWAY. IN ALL CASES RESULTING IN DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO FIX THE ISSUE ONCE, ACKNOWLEDGING IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLES THROTTLE BODY SYSTEM. AFTER $1000 WORTH OF PARTS THE PROBLEM IS BACK, THEY REFUSE TO WARRANTY ANYTHING PAST THE 3YEAR/36MILE PERIOD. IN RESEARCHING ONLINE THIS APPEARS TO BE AN EXTENSIVE ISSUE WITH SIMILAR TACOMAS. I'VE CONTACTED THE DEALER ABOUT DIAGNOSING THE PROBLEM, THEY REFUSE TO LOOK AT IT CITING THE NEED FOR ANOTHER $1000 WORTH OF PARTS NEEDED. *TR
Structure, Jun 25, 2008
I HAVE A RUST PROBLEM IN THE BED OF MY 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA AND I HAVE A 5 YEAR WARRANTY AGAINST MANUFACTURE DEFECTS THAT TOYOTA WILL NOT HONOR AND THIS IS CLEARLY A DEFECT. *TR
Suspension, Mar 27, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE STEERING WAS VERY TIGHT. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE FELL OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTO SHOP AND REPAIRED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V225000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT). THE MANUFACTURER TOOK A REPORT AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE WOULD BE NOTIFIED BY A TOYOTA REPRESENTATIVE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 77,000.
Parking brake, Mar 11, 2008
PARKING BRAKE LIGHT STAYS ON. VEHICLE IS SLUGGISH. BRAKES ARE SQUEALING. *TR
Electrical system, Feb 18, 2008
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, EXPERIENCED A BURNING SMELL COMING FROM BEHIND THE DASHBOARD. THE STEREO, CLOCK, AND AUTO ALARM CEASED WORKING. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE DOME FUSE WAS THE WRONG SIZE AND REPLACED IT WITH THE CORRECT SIZE. FIXED THE PROBLEM, BUT NOW THE STEREO NO LONGER WORKS. THE FUSE IN QUESTION WAS FROM THE FACTORY. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Jan 31, 2008
PURCHASED 2004 TACOMA FOR $18,000, FROM RIGHT TOYOTA IN SCOTTSDALE, AZ IN JUNE 2006, RECEIVED BILL FOR $25,000+!! SO MUCH FOR AGREEING ON A PRICE! I ALSO PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR $2200 (INCLUDED IN THE $25,000). WEEKS AFTER GETTING THE TRUCK I NOTICED THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SEEMED TO GIVE WHEN TURNING CORNERS. I ASSUMED I NEEDED TO ADJUST TO DRIVING A TRUCK WITH HARD SUSPENSION. UNFORTUNATELY IT PERSISTED SO I TOOK IT INTO CAMELBACK TOYOTA AND HAD THEM CHECK IT OUT. THEY ASSURED ME THAT EVERYTHING WAS IN TIP TOP SHAPE, I GOT THE FEELING THEY NEVER REALLY CHECKED ANYTHING OUT. THEY JUST ASSUMED THAT IT WOULD BE UNUSUAL TO SEE THIS STUFF BREAKDOWN, A VALID THOUGHT, BUT THEY WERE OF NO HELP. HERE IT IS NOW, A YEAR AND A HALF LATER, AND ITS JUST GETTING WORSE! SO I TOOK IT INTO EARNHARDT TOYOTA AND THE FIRST 2 VISITS THEY PERFORMED NEEDED FRONT END ALIGNMENTS AND TIRE BALANCING. THEY LOOKED AT IT RECENTLY AFTER ME YELLING AT THEM, AND TOLD ME THAT MY ENTIRE SUSPENSION SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. APPARENTLY MY LEAF SPRINGS ARE BAD ($1700 PURCHASE AND INSTALL), AND FRONT STRUTS ($650), AND REAR SHOCKS ($450) AS WELL! SO $2800 TO REPAIR A TRUCK THAT I PURCHASED DIRECTLY FROM TOYOTA NOT 1.5 YEARS AGO, AND EVEN PURCHASED A WARRANTY. THEY ASSURED ME THAT EVERYTHING WAS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THEY LIED. NOW I OWE $18000 ON A $14000 TRUCK! STEER CLEAR OF RIGHT TOYOTA, THEY TOTALLY SCAMMED ME. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Dec 31, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD DRAMATICALLY DECELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE UNLESS THE PEDAL WAS COMPLETELY DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE MAFF AIR SENSOR WAS CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE DEALER CLEANED THE SENSOR. THE CONTACT RETURNED TO THE DEALER A WEEK LATER AND THEY STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS MELTED AND WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. AFTER CAREFUL INSPECTION, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CONVERTER WAS NOT MELTED. A PROFESSIONAL MECHANIC STATED THAT THE SUPERCHARGER HEAT OUTPUT EFFECTED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITIONING SENSOR AND WAS CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 17,000. *DSY
Air bags, Dec 28, 2007, crash
2004 TOYOTA TACOMA, AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 26, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN SHAKING AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FELT ROUGH AND WAS VIBRATING. THE CONTACT HEARD METAL RUBBING AGAINST METAL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND A BRAKE INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ROTORS WERE WARPED AND THE REAR BRAKES FAILED BECAUSE THEY WERE IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED. THE CONTACT LATER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO TOYOTA AND THEY COULD NOT MAKE ANY REPAIRS BECAUSE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE CONTACT INFORMED TOYOTA THAT THE REPAIR WAS PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE HAS RECURRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,500. UPDATED 01-11-08. *KB UPDATED 12/12/07
Air bags, Jul 6, 2007, crash
TOYOTA TACOMA-TRD- 2004. HEAD ON COLLISION, SERVERED FRONT DAMAGED. BOTH AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR
Power train, Mar 14, 2007
TL* - THE CONTACT HAS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA TRUCK. THE CONTACT LIVED IN A RURAL AREA AND SHE NEEDED TO BE ABLE TO GO INTO 4-WHEEL DRIVE, BUT WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO GO INTO 4-WHEEL DRIVE THE VEHICLE MADE A GRINDING NOISE AND WOULD NOT GO INTO 4-HEEL DRIVE. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE ONCE BEFORE UNSUCCESSFULLY. THE UNSUCCESSFUL REPAIR WAS DONE UNDER WARRANTY. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THEM TO LET THEM KNOW THAT IT WAS STILL NOT WORKING BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T FIX IT CORRECTLY. THE SERVICE MANAGER REFUSED TO FIX THE VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THE SERVICE MANAGER SUGGESTED THAT SHE PUT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK AND THEN SHIFT INTO 4-WHEEL DRIVE INSTEAD OF FOLLOWING THE OWNER'S MANUAL METHOD WHICH STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE PUT IN NEUTRAL WHEN SHIFTING INTO 4 WHEEL DRIVE, AND THE SERVICE MANAGER SUGGESTED THAT THE VEHICLE OWNER PUT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK AND THEN SHIFT INTO 4 WHEEL DRIVE. EVERY 3,000 MILES WHEN SHE WENT FOR AN OIL CHANGE SHE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE OPERATION OF THE TRANSMISSION AND THE GRINDING AND CLANKING NOISES THAT IT WAS MAKING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NORMALLY MADE THE CLANKING NOISES WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS COMING TO A STOP, AND GRINDING NOISES WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO GO INTO 4-WHEEL DRIVE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000 MILES.*AK UPDATE 4/25/07 *TR
Power train, Jan 8, 2007
AFTER DRIVING IN WET/HEAVY SNOW I CANNOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE OR PARK. WITHOUT SHIFTING INTO PARK THE IGNITION KEY CANNOT BE TURNED ALL THE WAY OFF OR REMOVED. I HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY CABLE TO PREVENT THE BATTERY FROM DYING WHILE THE SNOW MELTED. *NM
Structure, Jan 2, 2007
HEAVY SNOWS IN COLORADO DURING DECEMBER,2006 FORCED MANY VEHICLE DRIVERS TO DRIVE IN UNUSUALLY HEAVY DRIFTS. THE REAR SKID PLATE ON NEWER TOYOTA TACOMA 4X4 TRUCKS CAN BEND AND PEEL AWAY FROM THE FRAME WHEN THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN IN DEEP DRIFTS IN REVERSE. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS THEN DRIVEN FORWARD, THE BENT SKID PLATE ACTS AS A BAFFLE AGAINST SNOW, CAUSING THE TRUCK TO SWERVE AND BECOME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AND CONTROL. THE SKID PLATE IS POORLY DESIGNED FOR DEEP SNOW DRIVING. IT IS HELD ONTO THE FRAME BY TWO SMALL BOLTS IN THE FRONT AND BY NOTHING IN THE REAR. THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE REMOVED THE BENT SKID PLATE AND HAS INFORMED TOYOTA. THE PART IS AVAILABLE. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 22, 2006, crash
DECEMBER 16, 2006 - CLEAR SUNNY DAY, GREAT ROAD CONDITIONS. I WAS 40 FEET BEHIND A VEHICLE GOING 35 MPH WHEN A SUV SLAMMED ON BRAKES. MY 2004 TOYOTA PRERUNNER BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR AND MY TRUCK WOULD NOT STOP. AFTER HITTING THE SUV AND COMING TO A STOP, I RELEASED MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE AND THE PEDAL WENT BACK TO IT'S NORMAL POSITION. *NM
Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 9, 2006
DURING A 23000 MILE SERVICING, CAMELBACK TOYOTA INFORMED ME I WOULD NEED TO HAVE THE BRAKES SERVICED, BECAUSE 95% OF THE PADS HAVE WORN DOWN. I AM AWARE OF A RECALL ON THESE TRUCKS LOWER BALL JOINT, BUT THE SERVICE AGENT DID NOT TELL ME THAT AT THE TIME I BROUGHT IT IN. I WAS NEVER INFORMED BY THE DEALER OF THIS RECALL. NOW, I AM BEING CHARGED FOR REPAIRS, WHILE THE VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, FOR BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE (EXCESSIVE/PREMATURE PAD WEAR), AND I BELIEVE THIS DAMAGE IS BECAUSE OF THE RECALL SUSPENSION ISSUE. *JB
Steering, Sep 27, 2006
POWER STEERING PUMP SEAL FAILED AT 57000 MILES. FAILURE NOTICED BY (LOW FLUID) PUMP NOISE ON 09/19/06. PUMP REPLACED BY DEALER ON 09/23/06 UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. DEALER STATED THAT THEY HAD SEEN SEVERAL POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURES WITH LESS MILEAGE. *JB
Tires, Jun 6, 2006
A WEEK AFTER BUYING MY TACOMA (04) WE WERE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND W/ONLY 496.4 MILES ON IT, THE TRUCK STARTED TO SHAKE CONTINUOSLY, IT STARTED SMOKING AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED UP ON ME. I MANAGED TO AVOID A HUGE CAR ACCIDENT, AND PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WHEN WE GOT OUT WE SAW THAT MY BACK DRIVERS SIDE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY GONE AND HAD A SIDEWALL BLOWOUT W/NOTHING LEFT ON THE TIRE. I CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY WOULD DO NOTHING FOR ME SINCE IT WAS THE TIRE, I HAD TO TAKE IT TO A TIRE COMPANY. I DID GET THE ONE TIRE REPLACED BUT IT WAS A TIRE THAT DIDN'T MATCH MY OTHER 3. I HAD REQUESTED ALL OF MY TIRES TO BE INSPECTED AS WELL AS MY TRUCK BUT NO ONE WOULD COOPERATE.
Engine and engine cooling, May 30, 2006
I PURCHASED MY TACOMA IN 2004 WITH 6000 MILES ON IT. EVERY SINCE I BOUGHT IT, IT HAS BEEN EXTREMELY HIGH ON GAS, ONLY GETTING BETWEEN 240-260 MILES ON A TANK. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT. IT FEELS AS IF IT HAS A SKIP IN IT. I NOW HAVE 20,789 MILES ON IT AND WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY RECOMMENDED A FUEL INJECTION FLUSH SO I HAD THAT DONE BUT IT STILL FEELS AS THOUGH IT STILL HAS A SKIP. THIS IS ONLY A 4 CYLINDER MOTOR SHOULDN'T I BE GETTING BETTER GAS MILEAGE? *NM
Vehicle speed control, May 3, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER RELEASING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE IDLED WHEN THE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AGAIN. THE PEDAL MUST BE RELEASED AND DEPRESSED FOR THE VEHICLE TO RESPOND. THIS OCCURRED ONCE EVERY TWO WEEKS OR SEVERAL TIMES A DAY. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK UPDATED 10/4/2006 - WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL PRESSED THE VEHICLE WOULD DECELERATE. THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE POWER WITHOUT WARNING. *NM
Steering, Suspension, Apr 20, 2006
2004 TOYOTA TACOMA WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION DUE TO WORN STEERING RACK BUSHINGS. ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC (AND CONFIRMED AS PLAUSIBLE BY DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPT), THIS WAS CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE LOWER BALL JOINTS. ALSO, THERE IS A CURRENT SERVICE/RECALL BULLETIN FOR JUST THIS PROBLEM. HOWEVER, DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER REPRESENTATIVES BOTH INSIST THE BULLETIN DOES NOT APPLY TO MY VEHICLE. THIS MAKES NO SENSE AS THE PROBLEM EXISTS. THE BUMPER TO BUMPER DOES NOT APPLY AS THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY 2K OVER. *JB
Steering, Mar 27, 2006
2004 TACOMA RACK AND PINION SYSTEM WAS REPLACED TWICE PER THE SUGGESTION OF THE MECHANIC. MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE STEERING ROD WAS ALSO BROKEN. ALTHOUGH THIS PART WAS BROKEN THE DEALER RETURNED THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE CONSUMER BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PART AVAILABLE TO REPAIR IT. THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS NO DANGER IN DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH A STEERING BROKEN ROD. *TS *NM
Fuel system, Gasoline, Vehicle speed control, Mar 23, 2006
AT A STOP, VEHICLE DOES NOT ACCELERATE AFTER DEPRESSING THE GAS PEDAL. 2 OCCASIONS NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. ALSO, AT CRUISING SPEEDS (60-70 MPH) VEHICLE WILL DECELERATE WITHOUT ANY CHANGE IN PRESSURE TO THE GAS PEDAL. *NM
Steering, Mar 10, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE RACK AND PINION STEERING HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE DUE TO CRACKS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS A FAULTY BUSHING. AFTER THE SECOND REPAIR, THERE WAS A LOT OF PLAY IN THE STEERING, CAUSING REDUCED CONTROL. THE STEERING ROD ALSO FAILED. UPDATED 04/11/06. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Feb 24, 2006
2004 TOYOTA TACOMA [XXX] ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM (ETCS). ON 26 FEB 2005, 14 APR 2005, 17 APR 2005 AND 20 FEB 2005 AFTER PROLONGED DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN STEPPING OFF THE GAS PEDAL TO MAKE A STOP THE ENGINE SPEED WOULD NOT DECREASE AND I WOULD HAVE TO APPLY BOTH FEET TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO TRY TO SLOW DOWN, AND SWERVE TO THE SIDE TO AVOID HITTING VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 5-10 SECONDS THE ENGINE SPEED WOULD SUDDENLY DECREASE AND I COULD REGAIN CONTROL. WHILE STRUGGLING TO KEEP CONTROL DID NOT SHIFT FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL. IN EACH INSTANCE NO WARNING LIGHTS. BEFORE THESE 4 EVENTS OCCURRED THE ENGINE SUFFERED A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE ON 11 APR 2004 WITH ONLY 1,111 MILES. TOYOTA OF CARSON CITY NEVADA EFFECTED THE REPAIRS TO THE CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE BY REPLACING THE LOWER BLOCK AND THE CYLINDER HEADS AMONG OTHER COMPONENTS. I TOOK THE CAR TO TOYOTA OF CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA ON 1 MAR 2005, 20 APR 2005, 5 MAY 2005 AND 23 FEB 2006 FOR THE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE IT AND WOULD NOT REPLACE ANY COMPONENTS. APPARENTLY THE COMPUTER DID NOT REGISTER/STORE ANY DIAGNOSTIC FAILURE CODES. I KNOW BY HAVING READ THE TOYOTA SERVICE MANUAL THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE DOES NOT RECORD ALL FAILURES. I CANNOT TELL IF THIS PROBLEM WAS PRESENT WHEN THE CAR WAS BUILT OR WHETHER IT WAS INDUCED BY REPAIRS FOR THE CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. WHAT I DO KNOW IS THAT I HAVE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT NOT BEING ABLE TO AVOID HITTING A PEDESTRIAN OR ANOTHER VEHICLE. I HAVE EXHAUSTED ALL CONSUMER SUPPORT AVENUES WITH TOYOTA. REFERENCE NUMBER [XXX] WITH ELOISE TOYOTA CUSTOMER SUPPORT 1-800-331-4331 TODAY 24 FEB 2006 INDICATES THAT THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ELSE. I STRONGLY SUSPECT THAT THERE ARE TWO FAILURES. FIRST, THE THROTTLE BODY IS MALFUNCTIONING INTERMITTENTLY CAUSING THE PROBLEM. SECOND, THE ECM IS FAILING TO DETECT AND RECORD THE EVENT. *NM UPDATED 07/17/2012 *JS
Suspension, Jan 26, 2006
ONE OF REAR SHOCKS HAD TO BE REPLACED IN LESS THAN 5,000 MILES ON A NEW 2004 TACOMA. *AK