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.
Structure, Nov 27, 2017
MY TOYOTA TACOMA FRAME BROKE DUE TO RUST. THE LEAF SPRING MOUNTING BRACKET BROKE LOOSE FROM THE FRAME AND HE FRAME ITSELF BROKE DUE TO SEVERE RUST. THE TRUCK IS NOW INOPERABLE. THERE AS A RECALL ON SOME TOYOTA FRAMES, BUT APPARENTLY THE RECALL ONLY APPLIES TO "COLD" STATES, NOT HAWAII. MANY OF MY FRIENDS HAVE TACOMAS AND THEY ALL HAVE RUST ISSUES. I ALSO HAVE A 2010 TACOMA WITH LESS THAN 6000 MILES AND I HAVE ALREADY NOTICED THAT THE FRAME IS RUSTING BY THE LEAF SPRING MOUNTS.
Other or unspecified, Oct 9, 2017
MY 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA FRAMES IS RUSTED AND CRACKED. I WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION STICK IN MA THIS YEAR. 2005 -2009 TACOMA VEHICLE ARE HAVING THE FRAME REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP AT TOYOTA'S EXPENSE. WHY THE CUT OFF WITH ONE YEAR IN DIFFERENCE. I WOULD LIKE SOME HELP TO GET THIS FRAME REPLACED LIKE OTHER TOYOTA OWNERS/
Wheels, Oct 5, 2017
IT'S THE TIRES I BOUGHT. THEY BFGOODRICH P255 70R 16 RUGGED TA. I EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THEM FROM THE TIME OF PURCHASE. SAM'S CLUB MOVED THE BAD TIRES FROM THE FRONT TO THE BACK. I THOUGHT THE PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED,UNTIL THE TIRES WERE ROTATED AT THE SCHEDULED INTERVAL. THE PROBLEM WAS BACK. THE TIRES ARE STILL UNDER WARRANTY,BUT I'M GETTING THE RUNAROUND FROM BFGOODRICH ON REPLACEMENT. THE TIRES ARE CAUSING VIBRATIONS ABOVE 50MPH. MY VEHICLE'S STEERING AND RELATED COMPONENTS CHECKED OUT OK,RIMS HAVE SWITCHED,TIRES BALANCED MORE THAN 10 TIMES, WITH THE SAME VIBRATING RESULTS. THE TIRES HAVE BEEN CHECKED OUT AS FAULTY BY A FACILITY BFGOODRICH SENT ME TO. I'M GETTING THE RUNAROUND FROM BFGOODRICH ABOUT ACTUALLY GETTING THEM REPLACED STILL.
Wheels, Sep 16, 2017
YOKAHAMA GEOLANDER HT GO65 275 70R16 TIRE (4ULJ) DEVELOPED A BULGE AFTER APPROXIMATELY 10K MILES
Structure, Other or unspecified, Sep 8, 2017
9/8/2017, WHILE WORKING ON MY 2004 TACOMA I FOUND A 3 INCH AND A 1 INCH RUST HOLES IN THE FRAME NEAR THE LEFT REAR WHEEL. NEAR THE RIGHT WHEEL I FOUND A 1 INCH HOLE. ALL IT TOOK WAS A TAP WITH A HAMMER. HOW SAFE IS THAT?
Structure, Aug 24, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH OVER A SPEED BUMP, THE SPARE TIRE LOCATED ON THE TRUNK DETACHED AND ROLLED INTO THE STREET. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (CHECKERED FLAG TOYOTA IN VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED DUE TO SEVERE RUST AND CORROSION ON THE SUBFRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 263,000.
Structure, Aug 24, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR FRAME FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR FRAME AND BED WERE SEVERELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.
Structure, Aug 22, 2017
I TOOK MY 2004 TACOMA WITH <92,500 MILES INTO THE MECHANIC TO GET SERVICED YESTERDAY. I ASKED HIM TO CHECK IT OVER FOR A ROAD TRIP WE WERE PLANNING THIS WEEKEND. HE CALLED BACK AND SAID IT WAS UNFIT TO DRIVE BECAUSE THERE WAS ABOUT 1 AND 1/2 FEET AND 4 INCHES WIDE PART OF THE FRAME IS RUSTED OUT ABOVE THE REAR AXLE. I AM TRYING TO CONSULT MY CASE MANAGER AT TOYOTA, BUT HE CONVENIENTLY CALLED THE WRONG NUMBER THIS MORNING AND HAS NOT RETURNED MY CALL YET.
Other or unspecified, Jun 26, 2017
FRAME RUSTED THROUGH STATIONARY
Structure, Jun 16, 2017
'04 TOYOTA TACOMA. FRAME RECALL DID NOT APPLY, BUT WAS INSPECTED FOR ISSUE IN 2010 AND GIVEN A CLEAN BILL. HEAR A RATTLE UNDER MY TRUCK AND HAVE A LOOK. SHOCK MOUNT BROKEN, FRAME RUSTED THROUGH AND NEARLY CRACKED IN HALF. UNDRIVEABLE-SAFELY. IF THE FRAME WAS GOOD, AND WAS INSPECTED 7 YEARS AGO, THE FRAME WAS OBVIOUSLY NOT GOOD. MORE IMPORTANTLY, THE INSPECTION (IN THIS CASE) WAS INSUFFICIENT TO DETERMINE AN ADEQUATE SERVICE LIFE ON THE FRAME. THE INSPECTIONS SHOULD BE PERFORMED AGAIN AND THE PROCEDURE MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE GOAL OF THE INSPECTION, WHICH THIS INSPECTION DID NOT.
Structure, Jun 9, 2017
WITH 115,000 MIKES THE FRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH IN SEVERAL SPOTS. THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE MODEL FOR MANY YEARS AND TOYOTA REFUSES TO FIX IT. MY MECHANIC HAS ADVISED ME THAT IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE
Structure, Jun 9, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE HAVING THE BRAKES REPAIRED ON THE VEHICLE, THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED IN 2011 FOR CORROSION AND PASSED THE INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY OPEN RECALLS. THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 107,000. ..UPDATED 08/22/17 *BF *JS
Other or unspecified, Jun 7, 2017
JUST GOT MY TRUCK BACK FROM THE MECHANIC TODAY, 6/7/2017, FOR THE ANNUAL STATE INSPECTION AND HE INDICATED THE FRAME IS NOT LOOKING GOOD AND SAFETY WILL BE A CONCERN SOON. THE TRUCK WAS UNDERCOATED ON THE RECALL, APPLIED DIRECTLY OVER THE EXISTING RUSTED FRAME BACK THEN. I CALLED THE TOYOTA DEALER WHO DID THE UNDERCOATING AND THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME TOYOTA HAS NO FURTHER OBLIGATIONS SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERCOATED. THIS WAS NOT AN AMPLE RESOLUTION TO AN ONGOING DEFECT.I WAS ALSO TOLD AT THE TIME, I HAD NO CHOICE OR SAY IN THE MATTER. I'M HAVING CONCERNS NOW FOR MY SAFETY AND TOYOTA SHOULD RESOLVE THIS RESPONSIBLY. I'M THE ORIGINAL PURCHASER OF THE VEHICLE, IT HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED WITH ABOUT 101,000 CURRENT MILES ON THE ODOMETER.
Structure, May 23, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH OVER SOME BUMPS IN THE ROAD, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE EMERGING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STOPPED AND NOTICED THAT PARTS OF THE SUBFRAME DETACHED IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO SEVERE RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 158,000.
Steering, Structure, May 22, 2017
WE ARE THE SECOND OWNERS OF A 2004 TACOMA, PURCHASED 4 YEARS AGO. IT CURRENTLY HAS 104,000 MILES ON IT. THE UNDERSIDE IS RUSTED OUT! WE JUST GOT THE LIST OF THINGS TO FIX THIS MORNING (RUSTY MUFFLER AND STEERING COMPONENTS NEEDING REPLACEMENT) AND ARE DEVASTATED. MY HUSBAND WAS TOLD HE COULD LOSE CONTROL OF STEERING AT ANY MOMENT IF WE DON'T MAKE THE REPAIRS OF $4000+. THE STEERING IS VERY LOOSE AND NOT STEADY. I OPENED A CASE THIS MORNING, BUT FEAR BECAUSE IT'S A 2004, THEY WON'T HOLD THEMSELVES ACCOUNTABLE. WHY WOULD THEY DESIGN A TRUCK THAT LOOKS GREAT ON THE OUTSIDE, BUT BECOMES A RUST BUCKET ON THE INSIDE? AREN'T THEY WORRIED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THEIR TOYOTA DRIVERS AND OTHERS?
Structure, May 22, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER TO HAVE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER SYSTEM REPLACED, THE MECHANIC OBSERVED THAT THE FRAME HAD EXTENSIVE CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY OPEN RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000.
Structure, May 19, 2017
THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED SHIMMYING WHILE DRIVING ON STREETS AND HIGHWAYS. WHEN INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC, SIGNIFICANT FRAME CORROSION WAS IDENTIFIED. MECHANIC STATED THAT VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO OPERATE.
Steering, Structure, Service brakes, May 17, 2017
LETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN TONKO ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE INSPECTED DUE TO FRAME RUST. THE CONSUMER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF ALL RECALLS. THE LAST RECALL EXPIRED; THEREFORE, THE CONSUMER WAS INELIGIBLE FOR ASSISTANCE.
Structure, May 15, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR AN INSPECTION AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED THE CONTACT THAT THEY ISSUED A VOLUNTARY RECALL; HOWEVER, THE CAMPAIGN HAD EXPIRED. THE RECALL INFORMATION WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000.
Other or unspecified, Apr 22, 2017
REMOTE KEY UNLOCK IS INOP. I'VE ORDERED A NEW REMOTE - 2 IN FACT- NEITHER WILL PROGRAM. VENDOR IS SAYING THAT THERE MUST BE SOMETHING INOPERATIVE INTERNALLY IN THE TACOMA ELECTRONICS. THE LOCK WORKS; HOWEVER THE UNLOCK WILL NOT WORK. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, PARKED IN BOTH OCCASSIONS TESTING THE NEW REMOTE.
Structure, Apr 20, 2017
FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED, TOYOTA HAS REPLACED FRAMES ON THOUSANDS OF THESE VEHICLES BUT WONT REPLACE MINE BECAUSE MY VIN IS NOT IN THEIR "PROGRAM" BECAUSE IT WAS ORIGINALLY SOLD IN HAWAII. YET DEALER TELLS ME CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE.
Suspension, Structure, Apr 14, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE MAKING LEFT AND RIGHT TURNS, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE ORIGIN OF THE NOISE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED, AND THE STABILIZER BAR, PASSENGER SIDE STEERING ROD, STRUTS, AND SHOCKS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,678.
Engine, Apr 8, 2017
I HAVE READ MANY, MANY OTHER PEOPLE ONLINE ARE HAVING THIS IDENTICAL ISSUE AND IS CAUSING CARS TO STALL OUT AND HAVE TO NEARLY REBUILD THE ENGINE. CYLINDER NUMBER 6 IS MISFIRING CONSISTENTLY AFTER 175,000 MILES AND TO FIX IT, THE HEADS HAVE TO BE SHAVED AND IS COSTING THE CONSUMER AROUND $4500 MINIMUM TO FIX THE ISSUE. THE STALLING OF THE ENGINE PUT MYSELF IN DANGER ON A PUBLIC ROAD WHEN IT HAPPENED.
Structure, Tires, Apr 7, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS NOT OFFERED ANY ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE RECALL EXPIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V542000 (TIRES). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Structure, Apr 4, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR AN ALIGNMENT. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.