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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.

About this comparison →

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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122,500 miles · Jun 12, 2019
Unknown Or Other

MY 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA WAS "RECALLED FOR UNDERCOATINHG" WHICH WAS DONE 02/11. IN 2017, ON ADVICE FROM MY PRIVATE, PROFESSIONAL MECHANIC HE INFORMED ME TO CONTACT TOYOTA ABOUT CORROSIVE RUSTING OF FRAME. IT WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALERSHIP, I PURCHASED IT FROM. IN 2018, IT WAS INSPECTED AND, PASSED, AGAIN. 2 WEEKS AGO, I FOUND A CR…

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MY 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA WAS "RECALLED FOR UNDERCOATINHG" WHICH WAS DONE 02/11. IN 2017, ON ADVICE FROM MY PRIVATE, PROFESSIONAL MECHANIC HE INFORMED ME TO CONTACT TOYOTA ABOUT CORROSIVE RUSTING OF FRAME. IT WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALERSHIP, I PURCHASED IT FROM. IN 2018, IT WAS INSPECTED AND, PASSED, AGAIN. 2 WEEKS AGO, I FOUND A CRACK IN MY FRAME, SLIGTLY IN FRONT OF LEFT REAR, TIRE WELL, BY GAS TANK. I WILL BE TAKING IT TO A DEALERSHIP, FOR FRAME INSPECTION TOMORROW. I DON'T FEEL SAFE, DRIVING IT. I'M DISABLED AND, I AM THE TRUCKS 2ND OWNER. I PURCHASED MY 04 IN, 2006. IT IS IN GREAT CONDITION. MILEAGE, 122,500. IRONICALLY, THE TIRE HANGER PLATE HAS BEEN RECALLED AND, REPLACED AROUND 2014. IN 2017 MY PROTECTIVE PLATE, FELL AND, DROPPED THE GAS TANK. IT WAS, BROKEN IN 1/2. MY MECHANIC SECURED IT AND, UPON INSPECTION IT PASSED AT A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. I ASKED IF IT WAS POSSIBLE TO REPLACE THE PROTECTIVE PLATE AND, I WAS TOLD "NO." I ASKED FOR AN EXPLANATION AND, WASN'T GIVEN ONE. IT WAS THE SAME DEALERSHIP THAT "UNDERCOATED," MY TRUCK. THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED MY TRUCK PERFORMED A 2+HR INSPECTION ON THE FRAME IN 2017. THE DEALERSHIP THAT "UNDERCOATED," MY TRUCK ONLY HAD IT IN THE REPAIR AREA, FOR 15MINS AND, BROUGHT IT BACK OUT, STATING THEY "HAMMER-TESTED" IT AND, IT WAS IN GREAT SHAPE? I'M WORRIED SICK OVER MY OUTCOME, TOMORROW. I'M IN NO FINANCIAL POSTION TO REPLACE MY TRUCK. A TRUCK I WAS TOLD WOULD LAST UP TO 300,000'MILES. I DID COMPLAIN TO TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS IN 2018, WAS GIVEN A CLAIM NUMBER I CALLED THEM WHEN I FOUND THE CRACK, IN THE LEFT-SIDE, REAR OF MY FRAME, THIS, PAST FRIDAY. I HAD BEEN HEARING A "RATTLE," FROM BENEATH MY TRUCK, THE LAST FEW TIMES, I HAD DRIVEN IT. I BARELY HAD TO BEND OVER, TO SEE THE CRACK IN MY FRAME! THIS IS A HORRIFICLY, DANGEROUS CONDITION. (IT WAS PARKED AND, NOT RUNNING, WHEN I FOUND THE CRACK, IN THE FRAME.

NHTSA ODI #11219647

184,034 miles · Jun 7, 2019
SuspensionUnknown Or Other

2004 TOYOTA TACOMA FRAME RUSTED THROUGH, HOLE YOU CAN PUT HAND THROUGH. TOYOTA NEVER ISSUED RECALL, CLAIMS CORROSION CAMPAIGN WAS OVER. I NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTICE, I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. TOYOTA SAYS I AM ON MY OWN FOR REPLACEMENT. FOUND ISSUE AT MY BROTHER'S HAD TO LEAVE TRUCK UNSAFE TO DRIVE. WILL ADD PHOTOS AFTER I GET B…

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2004 TOYOTA TACOMA FRAME RUSTED THROUGH, HOLE YOU CAN PUT HAND THROUGH. TOYOTA NEVER ISSUED RECALL, CLAIMS CORROSION CAMPAIGN WAS OVER. I NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTICE, I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. TOYOTA SAYS I AM ON MY OWN FOR REPLACEMENT. FOUND ISSUE AT MY BROTHER'S HAD TO LEAVE TRUCK UNSAFE TO DRIVE. WILL ADD PHOTOS AFTER I GET BACK TO VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11218567

Mileage unknown · Nov 14, 2018
SuspensionUnknown Or Other

I RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA AND TOOK IT IN FOR AN INSPECTION OF THE FRAME FOR UNDERCOATING. THE BODY SHOP NOTED SEVERE CORROSION OF THE FRAME WITH SUSPENSION PARTS THAT ARE ALSO FULL OF CORROSION. I WAS TOLD THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO THIS RUST ISSUE. I WAS TOLD IF THIS VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN…

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I RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA AND TOOK IT IN FOR AN INSPECTION OF THE FRAME FOR UNDERCOATING. THE BODY SHOP NOTED SEVERE CORROSION OF THE FRAME WITH SUSPENSION PARTS THAT ARE ALSO FULL OF CORROSION. I WAS TOLD THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO THIS RUST ISSUE. I WAS TOLD IF THIS VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT THERE WOULD BE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH BECAUSE OF THIS RUST/CORROSION. I NEED THE MANUFACTURER TO TAKE CARE OF THIS FOR SOME REASON THIS VEHICLE'S FRAME WAS NOT RECALLED BUT THE BODY SHOP STATED THIS SHOULD HAVE HAD A SAFETY RECALL ON THIS FRAME DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF RUST THAT IS NOTED UNDER THE VEHICLE ON THE FRAME AND SUSPENSION PARTS.

NHTSA ODI #11151455

146,510 miles · Mar 27, 2018
SuspensionUnknown Or Other

PURCHASED 04 TACOMA DOUBLE CAB 4X4 ONLYNTO LATER FIND FRAME ROT BY THE SHOCKS AND WHEELS. I DIDN'T SEE THIS INITIALLY UPON INSPECTION. I THOUGHT THERE WAS ONLY SURFACE RUST UNTIL I HAD THE TRUCK ON A LIFT FOR INSPECTION AND WAS ADVISED OF PERFORATIONS. NEEDLESS TO SAY IT WON'T PASS INSPECTION. DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT TO…

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PURCHASED 04 TACOMA DOUBLE CAB 4X4 ONLYNTO LATER FIND FRAME ROT BY THE SHOCKS AND WHEELS. I DIDN'T SEE THIS INITIALLY UPON INSPECTION. I THOUGHT THERE WAS ONLY SURFACE RUST UNTIL I HAD THE TRUCK ON A LIFT FOR INSPECTION AND WAS ADVISED OF PERFORATIONS. NEEDLESS TO SAY IT WON'T PASS INSPECTION. DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT TOYOTA'S CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT ONLY INCLUDED 05-10 TACOMA'S. ALSO FOUND THAT THERE MAY HAVE BEEN A WARRANTY EXTENSION BUT ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, THAT EXPIRED. TOYOTA WON'T DO ANYTHING FOR ME SO NOW IT'S UP TO ME TO REPAIR THE FRAME, IF IT'S EVEN REPAIRABLE. HOW COULD TOYOTA PUT OUT A PRODUCT AND NOT STAND BY IT, OR AT LEAST COVER THE FRAME REPLACEMENT? TOYOTA REALLY NEEDS TO COVER ALL VEHICLES WITH THIS PROBLEM REGARDLESS OF AGE OF VEHICLE AND THIS SHOULD NEVER EXPIRE. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE COST OF A NEW FRAME IS ABOUT $5000, AND WITH LABOR, RUNS UP TO ABOUT $15K. TOYOTA NEEDS ANOTHER CLASS ACTION SUIT FILED AGAINST THEM ASAP!!!

NHTSA ODI #11081440

113,000 miles · Mar 13, 2018
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other

VEHICLE HAS 113,000 MILES ON IT BUT IS UNDRIVEABLE BECAUSE FRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH.

NHTSA ODI #11078860

Mileage unknown · Oct 9, 2017
Unknown Or Other

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/

NHTSA ODI #11032584

112,418 miles · Sep 8, 2017
StructureUnknown Or Other

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?

NHTSA ODI #11022382

113,000 miles · Jun 26, 2017
Unknown Or Other

FRAME RUSTED THROUGH STATIONARY

NHTSA ODI #11001456

Mileage unknown · Jun 7, 2017
Unknown Or Other

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 TH…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10993812

188,000 miles · Apr 22, 2017
Unknown Or Other

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.

NHTSA ODI #10979957

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.