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2004 Toyota Tacoma

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2004 Toyota Tacoma do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 228.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

315 reports with mileage · 99 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Structure. Review the 203 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 84 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

27 crash reports3 fire reports15 injury reports

Unknown Or Other complaints

32 reports
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Mileage unknown · Apr 22, 2025
Unknown Or Other

I am writing to report a safety related issue with a 2004 Toyota Tacoma that I purchased from an auction on 12/21/2022. The vehicle has an expired recall that I believe has not been properly addressed, potentially affecting the safety of the vehicle. I have attempted to resolve this issue through Toyota's customer service and lo…

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I am writing to report a safety related issue with a 2004 Toyota Tacoma that I purchased from an auction on 12/21/2022. The vehicle has an expired recall that I believe has not been properly addressed, potentially affecting the safety of the vehicle. I have attempted to resolve this issue through Toyota's customer service and local dealership, but I have been informed that the recall is no longer active and will not be addressed. It has a Virginia rebuilt title. It failed inspection due to rust on the frame.

NHTSA ODI #11656088

Mileage unknown · Nov 9, 2024
Unknown Or Other

Bringing to your urgent attention a significant safety concern regarding a 2004 Toyota Tacoma owned by my brother, [XXX] , bought in 2004, which has severe frame rust affecting the vehicle’s structural integrity and safety. Despite multiple attempts to resolve this matter directly with Toyota, we have been unable to obtain assis…

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Bringing to your urgent attention a significant safety concern regarding a 2004 Toyota Tacoma owned by my brother, [XXX] , bought in 2004, which has severe frame rust affecting the vehicle’s structural integrity and safety. Despite multiple attempts to resolve this matter directly with Toyota, we have been unable to obtain assistance, as Toyota states the Customer Support Notice for this issue has expired. Given the potential risk this poses to both the driver and other motorists, we are seeking your intervention to address this pressing matter. In September 2024, while retrieving an item from under the truck, my brother discovered extensive rust damage on the vehicle’s frame. We promptly took the truck to Antwerpen Toyota on September 4, 2024, where a technician confirmed the severe rust corrosion and deemed the truck unsafe to drive. The dealership informed us that Toyota had previously issued a Customer Support Notice addressing rust issues on this model but explained that the program had expired. They recommended we contact Toyota directly for potential support or compensation to help acquire a safe vehicle. We reported the case to Toyota (Case No. [XXX]) on September 4, 2024, and have since been in regular contact, yet have only been met with repeated delays and dismissals. Toyota representatives acknowledged that a notice had been issued for this problem, but despite knowing the serious nature of the rust and its impact on the vehicle’s safety, they have not provided us with any solution. We have requested escalation to senior management, but those requests have not been honored. Toyota’s refusal to address this safety defect, even with our willingness to discuss options, has left us with no alternative but to turn to your agency for help. We understand that the notice has expired and that my brother was not the vehicle’s original owner. However, this issue goes beyond a typical warranty claim, as it concerns the fundamental safety and road. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT

NHTSA ODI #11624320

200,000 miles · Mar 16, 2023
Unknown Or OtherWheelsCrashInjury

I was driving on a highway at the posted speed and suddenly the front right wheel broke off the vehicle and caused me to roll 6 times on the highway and I was wrongly accused of being at fault.

NHTSA ODI #11512108

Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 2022
Unknown Or Other

Took Toyota Tacoma (2004) to have loud sound coming from under truck checked by a reputable mechanic. Told that the frame was rusted beyond repair & leaf springs were about to fall out. Mechanic said vehicle was not drivable. The recall (which ended in 2019) was never received even though we bought vehicle new & have not chang…

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Took Toyota Tacoma (2004) to have loud sound coming from under truck checked by a reputable mechanic. Told that the frame was rusted beyond repair & leaf springs were about to fall out. Mechanic said vehicle was not drivable. The recall (which ended in 2019) was never received even though we bought vehicle new & have not changed address since 1998. Recall should be extended. Toyota should be forced to fix the problem and not on their timeline. The noise became evident approx. 5 months ago & got louder. The truck is sitting in our garage & could be taken to any interested party for inspection. Thank you

NHTSA ODI #11487300

Mileage unknown · Jun 29, 2021
Unknown Or Other

My frame is rusting out where rear springs connect to the frame. Truck is non inspectable for Maine. There was a recall at some point and I never got recall paperwork.

NHTSA ODI #11422761

Mileage unknown · Jun 5, 2021
Unknown Or Other

The entire frame has rusted from front to rear. Gas and brake lines have also rusted out along with many other parts. Can not find where to find a recall notice.

NHTSA ODI #11419725

Mileage unknown · Nov 27, 2020
Fuel/propulsion SystemStructureUnknown Or Other

2004 TACOMA FRAME SO ROTTED THAT UPON HITTING A LARGE HOLE WOULD FINISH OFF THE RUSTED FRAME. THIS TYPE OF RUST AND EROSION IS NOT FROM NORMAL WEAR.. THIS IS DUE TO THE MANUFACTURING OF THE VEHICLE AND THEY WILL NOT REPLACE. THEY SAY THEY ARE AWARE OF IT.. BUT TIME LAPSED TO GET IT FIXED?? SO WHAT NOW I AM OUT $15K ON A 16 YE…

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2004 TACOMA FRAME SO ROTTED THAT UPON HITTING A LARGE HOLE WOULD FINISH OFF THE RUSTED FRAME. THIS TYPE OF RUST AND EROSION IS NOT FROM NORMAL WEAR.. THIS IS DUE TO THE MANUFACTURING OF THE VEHICLE AND THEY WILL NOT REPLACE. THEY SAY THEY ARE AWARE OF IT.. BUT TIME LAPSED TO GET IT FIXED?? SO WHAT NOW I AM OUT $15K ON A 16 YEAR OLD TRUCK. SINCE WHEN DID RECALLS HAVE AN EXPERATION DATE??

NHTSA ODI #11376720

102,000 miles · Nov 24, 2020
Unknown Or Other

HAD FRAME REPLACED DUE TO RECALL IN 2014 AND NOW THE FRAME IS CRACKED AGAIN. LOCAL TOYOTA WILL NOT REPLACE CLAIMED WARRANTY IS 15 YEARS FROM FIRST OWNERSHIP.

NHTSA ODI #11376146

137,000 miles · Dec 13, 2019
Unknown Or Other

I FOUND A HOLE IN THE FRAME AND WAS ADVISED AS TO NOT DRIVE VEHICLE. I LEARNED THAT A RECALL HAD EXPIRED ONLY 6 MONTHS AGO AND WAS NOT GOING TO BE REPAIRED FROM TOYOTA. $12000 WAS ESTIMATE AND I COMPLAINED THAT I WAS NEVER CONTACTED. I AM THE SECOND OWNER BUT HAD MAINTAINED VEHICLE TO KEEP FOR MANY YEARS. I AM ON SOC SECURITY…

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I FOUND A HOLE IN THE FRAME AND WAS ADVISED AS TO NOT DRIVE VEHICLE. I LEARNED THAT A RECALL HAD EXPIRED ONLY 6 MONTHS AGO AND WAS NOT GOING TO BE REPAIRED FROM TOYOTA. $12000 WAS ESTIMATE AND I COMPLAINED THAT I WAS NEVER CONTACTED. I AM THE SECOND OWNER BUT HAD MAINTAINED VEHICLE TO KEEP FOR MANY YEARS. I AM ON SOC SECURITY AND THIS HAS BEEN A HARDSHIP ON ME. I HOPE THERE IS A WAY OF COMPENSATING ME OR HELPING ME AS THE DEALER OFFERED HALF OF BLUE BOOK FOR A TRADE IN. THANK YOU

NHTSA ODI #11288898

155,000 miles · Nov 14, 2019
Unknown Or Other

THIS VEHICLE HAS EXCESSIVE FRAME ROT LIKE OTHER TACOMAS THAT WERE RECALLED.

NHTSA ODI #11279964

Official recalls

3

12V542000 · Tires:temporary/emergency Spare Tire

Nov 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

05V225000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint

May 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE LOWER BALL JOINT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE KNUCKLE CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: 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.

04V214000 · Seat Belts:front

May 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD.

Remedy: DEALERS HAVE REPLACED THE SEAT BELTS. NO VEHICLES WERE SOLD TO CONSUMERS.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.