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, Apr 28, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING A STATE INSPECTION, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE HOLES IN THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.
Structure, Apr 22, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
Power train, Service brakes, Apr 15, 2016
BOTH REAR AXEL SEALS LEAK GEAR OIL ONTO AND INTO THE REAR BRAKE DRUMS WHICH SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE REAR BRAKES. THIS CONDITION BEGAN AROUND THE 60,000 MILE MARK AND WILL CONTINUE INDEFINITELY UNTIL THE GEAR LUBE IS ALL DRAINED OFF, WHICH THEN WILL MOST CERTAINLY CAUSE SEVERE POWER TRAIN DAMAGE.
Structure, Apr 13, 2016
FRAME IS COMPLETELY ROTTEN 108000 MILES.
Suspension, Apr 11, 2016
LOWER BALL JOINT BROKE ON BOTH DRIVER SIDE AS WELL AS THE PASSENGER SIDE. VIBRATION/HUMMING SOUND WHILE DRIVING AT ALL SPEEDS , HAD TIRES AND FRONTEND CHECKED WITH NO ISSUES FOUND. I SPOKE TO TOYOTA ABOUT THIS ISSUE & THEY REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE & HAVE MENTIONED THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT UNDER RECALL. COSTS CLOSE TO $980.00 TO FIX
Structure, Apr 5, 2016
FRAME RUST. THE FRAME IS ALMOST COMPLETELY RUSTED IN HALF. THE LEAF SPRINGS WHERE THEY CONNECT TO THE FRAME HAS SUNK INTO THE FRAME FROM THE ROTTING OF THE FRAME. THE TRUCK WAS GOING 75 MPH DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN IT HAPPENED. A LOUD BANG AND TERRIBLE JERK BACK.
Structure, Mar 10, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE INSPECTING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS SEVERE CORROSION THAT CAUSED A HOLE ON THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 115,000.
Other or unspecified, Mar 1, 2016
FRAME ROT NOT COVERED BY TOYOTA
Electrical system, Feb 25, 2016
THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN THE TRUCK INSTANTLY BEGAN DECELERATING EVEN THOUGH I HAD THE ACCELERATOR DEPRESSED. THIS PROBLEM RESOLVED AFTER TURNING THE TRUCK OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN. THE PROBLEM RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE STOPPED AND WHILE DRIVING OVER THE COURSE OF THE NEXT MONTH. I WAS NEARLY REAR ENDED AS A RESULT OF THIS FAILURE. UPON READING, AND INSPECTION BY A MECHANIC I WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE THROTTLE SENSOR HAD FAILED, AND THE ENTIRE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS A RESULT. UPON RESEARCHING THIS I DID DISCOVER THAT THIS IS THE CASE THE '03-'04 TACOMA (I HAVE AN 04), FOR WHICH A THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR IS NOT AVAILABLE, AT LEAST IN THE U.S. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE THAT SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT WITH '03-'04 TACOMA TRUCKS. REPLACING THE ENTIRE THROTTLE ASSEMBLY IS AN OBNOXIOUS AND EXPENSIVE CONSEQUENCE FOR A FAULTY ELECTRONIC PART THAT PUTS VEHICLE OWNERS' LIVES AT RISK. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURER!
Structure, Feb 25, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN PARK, THE CONTACT NOTICED CORROSION UNDERNEATH THE RAIL OF THE SUB FRAME AROUND THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 174,000.
Steering, Suspension, Wheels, Feb 10, 2016, crash
WHEN DRIVING HOME FROM HAVING THE TRUCK SERVICED, THE FRONT DRIVERS WHEEL BROKE AND CRASHED INTO A CURB. AFTER TAKING IT TO TOYOTA AND CALLING THERE HELP DESK, THEYE CONFIRMED IT HAD A LOWER AND UPPER BALL JOINT FAILURE. AT THIS TIME TOYOTA WILL NOT HONOR THIS RECALL AND WILL NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIRS.
Structure, Feb 9, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AFTER IDENTIFYING THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V542000 (STRUCTURE). UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REMEDY COULD NOT BE PERFORMED DUE TO EXTREMELY SEVERE RUSTING OF THE SUBFRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
Structure, Jan 27, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND EXHIBITED FRACTURES AT THE REAR WHEELS. THE SUBFRAME WAS PREVIOUSLY TREATED FOR CORROSION UNDER A VOLUNTARY MANUFACTURED RECALL; HOWEVER, THE TREATMENT DID NOT PROVIDE A PERMANENT PROTECTION AGAINST CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE CORROSION RECALL EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 250,000.
Structure, Jan 25, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE EMERGING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
Structure, Jan 15, 2016
BOUGHT VEHICLE, DID A MORE THOROUGH INSPECTION AND FOUND FRAME ROT, (RUST HOLES IN FRAME) WHICH HAS BASICALLY RENDERED THE TRUCK UNSAFE TO DRIVE!!!! WAS TOLD BY TOYOTA DEALER THAT RECALL WAS OVER FOR REPLACING THE FRAME AND NOW I HAVE A TRUCK THAT I WILL NOT LET MY SON DRIVE. I ALSO UNDERSTAND THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA, THE FRAME RUST
Structure, Jan 13, 2016
FRAME ROTTING FROM INSIDE OUT. TOYOTA KNEW ABOUT PROBLEM BUT DIDN'T SEND NOTICES OF CORROSION RESIST SPRAY TO ALL AFFECTED PARTIES. SHOULD HAVE BEEN A FORMAL RECALL SINCE THE TEST IS TO HIT WITH A BALLPEEN HAMMER TO FIND THE RUST THAT CAN'T BE SEEN WITH NAKED EYE.
Other or unspecified, Jan 6, 2016
I BOUGHT MY 2004 TACOMA FROM A USED CAR DEALER IN MAY OF 2014 AND WAS UNAWARE OF AN EARLIER RECALL FOR POSSIBLE EXCESSIVE FRAME CORROSION. MY CURRENT SERVICING TOYOTA DEALER SAID THE RECALL HAD EXPIRED AND COULDN'T HELP ME, BUT REFERRED ME TO TOYOTA, WHO ALSO OFFERED NO HELP. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, SINCE IF THE FRAME FAILS IT WOULD BE EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS TO MYSELF AND OTHER MOTORISTS ON THE ROAD.
Air bags, Dec 30, 2015
TAKATA RECALL? I HAVE A 2004 TACOMA PRE-RUNNER 4DR. V-6. MY AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON APPROX. OCT. 2014 (50,000 MILES). ALL THAT I HAVE READ SO FAR IS THAT IT MIGHT BE A BROKEN "SPIRAL CABLE" WITHIN THE STEERING WHEEL. ALL AIRBAG PROBLEMS I'VE SEEN ARE WITH 2005 & NEWER VEHICLES? AS OF DEC. 2015 (60,K MILES),I STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM BUT HAVE NOT YET VISITED A DEALERSHIP TO IDENTIFY THE FAULT. *JS
Suspension, Dec 21, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE LOWER BALL JOINTS FAILED CAUSING THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE TO DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
Structure, Dec 1, 2015
THE FRAME IS ROTTED AND A CERTIFIED TOYOTA MECHANIC SAID THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERALLY ROTTED AND WAS A SAFETY HAZARD AND WAS TOLD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD BECAUSE IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE TRUCK IS STILL WORTH $8-10,000 AND WE ARE OUT THE MONEY. THERE WAS A SERVICE CAMPAIGN, BUT NO SAFETY RECALL. WE DID NOT RECEIVE A LETTER ON EITHER. IF I DID NOT LOOK UNDER THE TRUCK TO INSPECT A NOISE, I WOULD NEVER HAVE KNOWN THE FRAME WAS ROTTED TO THE DEGREE THAT IT WAS. (SEE PICTURES) I WOULD HAVE CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND PUT MYSELF AND ANYONE ELSE ON THE ROAD IN HARMS WAY. THIS PROBLEM NEEDED TO BE BROUGHT TO OUR ATTENTION; HOWEVER, NO ONE CAN TELL US WHY WE NEVER RECEIVED THE NOTIFICATION OF THIS DEFECT. IT IS MY OPINION THAT THIS SITUATION IS VERY DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL WITH NO EXPIRATION. PLEASE SEE ATTACHED LETTERS AND PHOTOS OF OUR ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE WITH NO RESULTS. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER AS WE FEEL IT CAN SAVE LIVES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION. *TR
Structure, Dec 1, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE INSPECTED, THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V542000 (TIRES) BUT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNABLE TO BE PERFORMED DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUSTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000.
Structure, Nov 26, 2015
EXCESSIVE CORROSION AND HOLES IN FRAME. CONTACTED TOYOTA CORPORATE AND TWO LOCAL DEALERSHIPS. NOTHING CAN BE DONE ACCORDING TO THEM SINCE THE UNDERSIDE WAS NOT SPRAYED, HOWEVER TECH AT HARTFORD TOYOTA INFORMED ME THAT THE SPRAY IS INEFFECTIVE. WILL NOT HONOR 15 YEAR FRAME WARRANTY.
Structure, Nov 9, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED ON THE VEHICLE AND HAD PERFORATIONS ALL OVER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE ISSUE TO A LOCAL DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000.
Structure, Nov 4, 2015
FRAME HAS BADLY CORRODED. TOYOTA HAS RECOGNIZED THE DEFECT IN THESE VEHICLES AND RECEIVED COMPENSATION FROM THEIR FRAME SUPPLIER, AND HAS EXTENDED WARRANTY TO 15 YRS UNLIMITED MILES. PREVIOUS OWNER BROUGHT VEHICLE TO WHITE RIVER JUNCTION TOYOTA (VT), AND THEY INSPECTED IT AND MADE RECORD OF ROTTING, BUT DID NOT SEE NEED TO TREAT IT OR REPLACE IT PER TOYOTA'S OWN PROGRAM GUIDELINES. NOW FRAME HAS COMPLETELY ROTTED THROUGH AND TOYOTA IS SAYING IT IS TOO LATE TO BE REPLACED UNDER THE PROGRAM.... EVEN THOUGH IT IS STILL WELL WITHIN THE 15 YR WARRANTY PERIOD. THEY ARE REFUSING TO HONOR THEIR WARRANTY. I DON'T KNOW IF THE VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE. INTERNET IS REPLETE WITH THOUSANDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS.
Vehicle speed control, Oct 26, 2015
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE THROTTLE SUDDENLY STOPS RESPONDING FOR ABOUT 3-5 SECONDS, THEN RETURNS. WHILE IT IS UNRESPONSIVE, IT SEEMS TO RETURN TO A FULLY CLOSED POSITION AS THE VEHICLE STARTS SLOWING, THEN SUDDENLY REOPENS TO WHERE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS BEING DEPRESSED, AND QUICKLY STARTS ACCELERATING. IT DOESN'T SEEM TO MATTER WHAT TYPE OF ROAD I AM DRIVING ON OR AT WHAT SPEED. IT DOESN'T DO IT UNDER HARD ACCELERATION, ONLY NORMAL DRIVING. I SUSPECT IT IS THE THROTTLE BODY ITSELF THAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM AS INVESTIGATING HAS TOLD ME THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS SAME EXACT ISSUE, ALL WITH A 2003 OR 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA WITH A 3.4L V6. I HAVE ALSO DISCOVERED THAT THESE TWO YEARS A NEWER DRIVE BY WIRE THROTTLE BODY WAS USED, AND WAS CHANGED TO A DIFFERENT DESIGN IN 2005 AND NEWER TACOMAS.