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.
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Tacoma years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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.
What owners actually said
414 reportsTL* 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 MANUF…
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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.
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 MANUFACTUR…
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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.
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. …
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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.
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…
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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
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.
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…
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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.
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…
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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
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…
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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.
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 REC…
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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
Official recalls
312V542000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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