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.
Tires, Mar 13, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT WAS A FRIEND TO THE DRIVER OF A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA EQUIPPED WITH TOYO OPEN COUNTRY TIRES H/T/ TUFF DUTY TIRES, SIZE: 265/70/R16 (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WAS FLAT. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ADD MORE AIR TO THE TIRE, BUT THE TIRE WOULD NOT REMAIN INFLATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER HAD TO CONSTANTLY REFILL THE AIR IN THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TREAD WAS SEPARATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A PIN HOLE IN THE TIRE THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000. THE VIN AND VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT PROVIDED.
Suspension, Feb 23, 2017
TRUCK IS UNFIT TO DRIVE DUE TO RUSTED OUT FRAME. PLEASE HELP WITH RECALL ON TOYOTA TACOMA TRUCKS. THANKS, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Suspension, Structure, Feb 23, 2017, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEVERE CORROSION ON THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE COATED WITH AN ANTI-CORROSIVE ADHESIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHILE BEING OPERATED AT 2 MPH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THERE WERE HOLES IN THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO IT HAVING A REBUILT TITLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 115,000.
Structure, Feb 20, 2017
2004 TOYOTA TACOMA, PURCHASED NEW FROM CALIFORNIA DEALER. MAJORITY OF VEHICLE LIFE SPENT IN COLD STATES. EXCESSIVE CORROSION TO FRAME HAS NOW LED TO CRACKING OF THE FRAME. ONLY 77,000 MILES AND NOW UNSAFE TO DRIVE. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AT TWO DIFFERENT TOYOTA DEALERS DURING ACTIVE PERIOD OF SERVICE ('RECALL') WHEN TOYOTA WAS REPLACING FRAMES AND ADDING PROTECTIVE COATINGS ON FRAMES OF THIS MODEL AND YEAR. NO SUCH ACTIONS WERE TAKEN ON MY VEHICLE. NOW TOYOTA CLAIMS NO RECORD OF PRIOR SERVICE AT ALL. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECENT CLASS ACTION INVOLVING 2005 MODELS AND LATER. CONDITION WAS DISCOVERED DURING STATIONARY INSPECTIONS AT A LOCAL AUTO REPAIR SHOP, AND CONFIRMED BY INSPECTION AT TOYOTA DEALER.
Structure, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 10, 2017
GAS TANK, TANK SHEID BRACKET HOLDING TANK UP ALMOST COMPLETLY RUSTED OFF WITH HARDLY HOLDING GAS TANK ON! MAJOR ISSUE!
Suspension, Structure, Feb 4, 2017
I BOUGHT MY TOYOTA TRUCK IN MAY 2016. I HAD THE TRUCK SERVICED AT A LOCAL SHOP. THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THE TRUCK HAD A LOT OF RUST NOTED ON THE FRAME AND OTHER PARTS UNDERNEATH THE TRUCK. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER TO HAVE THE SPARE TIRE HANGAR RECALL TAKEN CARE OF. THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THEY COULD NOT SERVICE THE TRUCK BECAUSE OF THE EXTENSIVE RUST NOTED. HE STATED "IF YOU WERE MY FAMILY MEMBER I WOULD NOT LET YOU DRIVE IT" BECAUSE THE FRAME AND OTHER PARTS WERE VERY RUSTY. THE TRUCK HAS BEEN PARKED EVER SINCE UNABLE TO DRIVE DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS THAT THE FRAME WILL COLLAPSE. TOYOTA CORPORATE WILL NOT AGREE TO FIX THE TRUCK.THEY STATE THE TRUCK FRAME RUST REPLACEMENT OFFER HAS LONG PASSED.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jan 5, 2017
MY PICKUP WAS JUST REFRAMED UNDER TOYOTA RECALL AT TOYOTA OF BEDFORD,OHIO. BUT,, THEY OMITTED THE SAFETY SHIELD UNDER THE FUEL TANK.. AKA ..GRAVEL SHIELD.. FIRST SAYING IT NEVER HAD ONE, THEN IT WAS MISSING, THEN IT DIDN'T COME IN THE KIT, I FILED A CASE WITH TOYOTA USA, CORPORATION # 1701033889 AS PER ALL SAFETY ITEMS WERE TO BE MAINTAINED OR REPLACED !! BUT I WAS DENIED BY TOYOTA CORP. SO I WILL HAVE TO PICK UP MY TRUCK UNDER PROTEST AS TOYOTA OF BEDFORD IS THREATENING ME WITH CALLING THE LOANER CAR IN AS STOLEN IF I DON'T TODAY ! SAID SHIELD WAS "RUSTY" BUT MOST WAS ON THE TRUCK WHEN IT WENT IN THERE, AND IM ON SOCIAL SECURITY (SMALL CHECK) WHICH OUR GREAT OBAMA CARE TAKES ALMOST FIVE EIGHTS OF & I REALLY CANT AFFORD THE $ 640.- THEY ARE ASKING JUST FOR THE PART ! I REALLY DON'T FEEL SAFE IN THE TRUCK WITHOUT THE SHIELD , SO IT WILL PROBABLY SIT TILL BETTER WEATHER & I CAN MAKE A SHIELD FOR IT..AND IT WILL BE STRONGER & LAST MUCH LONGER THAN THE PIECE OF "RUSTY TIN, " THAT THEY SAY FELL AWAY. SO AGAIN , IM PICKING IT UP UNDER PROTEST & WILL WRITE THAT ON THE BILLING STATEMENT TODAY 1/52017... [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Structure, Nov 29, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AREA FOR THE SPARE TIRE WAS RUSTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Suspension, Oct 18, 2016
TOOK MY 04 TACOMA TO GET INSPECTED AT TOYOTA THE TECH SAIS THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE . THE RUST / ROTTED CONDITION OF THE FRAME IS EXCESSIVE AND BEYOND REPAIR . TOYOTA DOES NOT WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PROBLEM. THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY CANT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS .
Structure, Sep 26, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A TIRE ROTATION. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO BE DRIVEN DUE TO SEVERE RUST AND THERE WERE HOLES THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000.
Structure, Sep 24, 2016
FRAME RUSTED.
Structure, Sep 20, 2016, crash
WAS REAR-ENDED YESTERDAY. UPON INSPECTION BY INSURANCE INSPECTOR, THE INSPECTOR STATED THE FRAME FAILED, CROSS-MEMBER BROKE OFF FRAME DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST AND REAR OF FRAME WAS ROTTED. THIS VEHICLE HAD RECEIVED FRAME RECALL, BUT WAS ONLY OFFERED UNDERCOATING, WHICH WAS DONE, BUT WAS OBVIOUSLY NOT DONE ON REAR OF FRAME. INSURANCE INSPECTOR KNEW OF THIS RECALL AND STATED TOYOTA SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO GET AWAY WITH THIS. THE TRUCK WAS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION BEFORE ACCIDENT (OTHER THAN FRAME). DUE TO FRAME ROT, INSTEAD OF BEING FIXABLE, IT WAS DEEMED TOTAL LOSS AND WILL NOW COST SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL BURDEN. CALLED LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER I HAVE DEALT WITH BEFORE AND THEIR CUSTOMER RELATIONS DIRECTOR WENT TO INSPECT AND NOTED REAR PART OF FRAME RUSTED OUT, BUT THAT'S WHERE ALL DAMAGE OCCURRED DUE TO BEING REAR-ENDED, SO DIDN'T OFFER MUCH OTHER THAN IT WAS AN "INTERESTING SITUATION". THEN HAD THE NERVE TO ASK IF ONE OF HIS SALES PEOPLE COULD CALL ME TO BUY ANOTHER TOYOTA.
Structure, Sep 10, 2016
FRAME RUST
Seat belts, Sep 7, 2016
THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATBELTS HAVE LOST ITS TENSION TO RETRACT. THE FRONT PASSENGER SEATBELT IS LOCKED AND WILL NOT RELEASE.
Other or unspecified, Aug 15, 2016
THE FRAME OF MY TRUCK HAS RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE OUT AND IS NO LONGER STABLE TO HOLD THE TRUCK TOGETHER. WHEN HAVING TIRES PUT ON THE MECHANIC SHOWED ME THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT THE TRUCK IS TO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. SINCE THEN I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT MANY OWNERS ARE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM AND THE COMPANY IS UNWILLING TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT.
Suspension, Structure, Jul 20, 2016
THE FRAME OF THE TACOMA IS SEVERELY RUSTED. RUST EASILY FALLS OFF THE FRAME OF THE TRUCK. TACOMA MODELS AFTER 2005 RECEIVED RECALL NOTIFICATIONS AND FIXES FROM TOYOTA, BUT THE 2004 MODELS HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY NOTICE EVEN THOUGH THEY EXHIBIT MORE FRAME ROT AND RUSTING.
Structure, Jul 15, 2016
THE FRAME HAS RUSTED AND THE DEALERSHIP IS UNWILLING TO REPLACE EVEN THOUGH THERE CONTINUES TO BE RECALLS ON MORE MODERN VEHICLES AND ANOTHER WILL BE BEGINNING SOON FOR NEWER MODELS. NO NOTICE WAS RECEIVED BY ME ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. NOT SURE IF THIS WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN OR A FULL RECALL, BUT I CANNOT UNDERSTAND HOW A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THE FRAME WOULD NOT QUALIFY FOR A FULL RECALL. THE TRUCK WAS SOLD BY TOYOTA SUGGESTING 300,000 MILES EASILY. I HAVE LESS THAN HALF OF THAT AND THE TRUCK WILL SOON BE UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE OF A FAULTY FRAME.
Structure, Jun 28, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE PAINTED, THE TECHNICIAN FOUND THAT THE SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
Structure, Jun 24, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED FOR SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE, THE MECHANIC FOUND SEVERE RUST ON THE FRAME AND OTHER COMPONENTS OF THE UNDERCARRIAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,616.
Structure, Jun 21, 2016
THE FRAME IS ROTTING, THE CROSS BAR IS ROTTING, THERE ARE HOLES THROUGHOUT, AND THERE ARE AREAS WHERE YOU CAN LITERALLY PUSH YOUR FINGER THROUGH! I DISCOVER THE ISSUES WITH THE FRAME BACK IN 2014. THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT. THE FRAME CAN BE PROBABLY COMPARED WITH SOMETHING THAT SAT UNDER THE SALT WATER FOR A LONG TIME.
Suspension, Jun 13, 2016, crash
THE LOWER BALL-JOINT ON THE DRIVERS FRONT FAILED WHILE DRIVING (APPROX 20MPH ON A STRAIGHT, SMOOTH RESIDENTIAL ROAD (FORTUNATELY UNLOADED TRUCK AND AT LOW SPEEDS) SENDING THE WHEEL SIDEWAYS AND SLAMMING THE SUSPENSION ARM INTO THE GROUND, WHERE I SKIDDED FOR ABOUT 40-50 FEET. THERE IS A RECALL IN EFFECT FOR THIS PROBLEM, YEAR, MAKE, MODEL, MILEAGE RANGE, BUT ONLY THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE MODELS AND 4 RUNNERS. IT NEEDS TO BE EXTENDED TO THE 2 WHEEL DRIVE MODELS AS WELL. I HAD VERY LITTLE INDICATION THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG. IT STARTED FEELING ODD, LIKE THE ALIGNMENT WAS OFF, AND I WAS DRIVING ABOUT A QUARTER OF A MILE TO SAFELY PARK IT UNTIL IT COULD BE LOOKED AT, WHEN IT SUDDENLY FAILED.
Structure, Jun 3, 2016
FRAME BEGAN TO RUST IN REAR OF THE TRUCK.
Power train, Engine, May 23, 2016
PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL ON ACCELERATION, THE THROTTLE DROPS OFF LIKE I LET MY FOOT OFF THE PEDAL, THE DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY PER CUSTOMER REQUEST (ME) AND IT FIXED THE PROBLEM, ONLY TO HAPPEN AGAIN SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, THIS HAPPENED ONE TIME AGAIN, A TOTAL OF 2 NEW THROTTLE BODYS WERE REPLACED, NOW A FEW YEARS LATER IT FAILED AGAIN TRYING TO PASS A CAR AND I ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE THROTTLE FAILED.
Structure, May 17, 2016
THE FRAME HAS RUSTED SO BAD THAT YOU CAN POKE YOUR FINGERS THROUGH IT. ALSO THE FRAME IS RUSTED AROUND WHERE REAR SHOCKS MOUNT CAUSING THE PASSENGER REAR SHOCK TO COME APART. VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. CONTACTED TOYOTA ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING EVEN THOUGH THIS VEHICLE WAS PART OF A RECALL DUE TO RUST ISSUES.
Structure, May 9, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE INSPECTING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS SEVERE CORROSION THAT CAUSED A HOLE ON THE REAR BUMPER. ALSO, THE BRAKE CABLE WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER A RECALL BACK IN 2010, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE SPECIFICS OF THE RECALL WERE NOT PROVIDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.