NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
414 reports220 miles · Jul 9, 2015
Service BrakesSuspensionVehicle Speed Control
GOING 35 MILES AN HOUR THE VEHICLE WILL START TO PULL TO THE SIDE AND THE BALL JOINT WILL COME OUT ALSO THE ABS SENSOR CABLE WILL BRAKE AND YOU WILL HAVE TO REPLACE IT A $2500 DOLLAR SPENCE FOR A TOYOTA MALFUNCTION IN THE SUSPENSION I HAVE A FRIEND IN CALIFORNIA THAT HAS ONE A YEAR EARLY MODEL THAN MINE A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA …
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GOING 35 MILES AN HOUR THE VEHICLE WILL START TO PULL TO THE SIDE AND THE BALL JOINT WILL COME OUT ALSO THE ABS SENSOR CABLE WILL BRAKE AND YOU WILL HAVE TO REPLACE IT A $2500 DOLLAR SPENCE FOR A TOYOTA MALFUNCTION IN THE SUSPENSION I HAVE A FRIEND IN CALIFORNIA THAT HAS ONE A YEAR EARLY MODEL THAN MINE A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA AND HE TOLD ME ABOUT THIS PROBLEM HAD HAPPEN TO HIM IN THE FREEWAY ABOUT 60 MPH TO HIM A HAD TO LEARN THE HARD WAY IF YOU HAVE A TOYOTA TACOMA PLEASE I AM WARNING YOU TO HAVE THE BALL JOINT REPLACE BEFORE ITS TO LATE THE NEW BALL JOINTS ARE WARRANTY FOR LIFE BUT I WILL CHECK IN TO THAT IF I STILL HAVE THE PICK UP IN FOUR YEARS
NHTSA ODI #10732846
99,370 miles · Jul 2, 2015
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR AND FRONT PASSENGER SPRING CHASSIS WERE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SPRING CHASSIS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR AND FRONT PASSENGER SPRING CHASSIS WERE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SPRING CHASSIS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,370.
NHTSA ODI #10731785
101,000 miles · Jul 1, 2015
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING MAINTENANCE, THE TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD EXCESSIVE CORROSION ON THE FRAME AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE DEFECT WAS PART O…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING MAINTENANCE, THE TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD EXCESSIVE CORROSION ON THE FRAME AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE DEFECT WAS PART OF A LIMITED SERVICE CAMPAIGN, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.
NHTSA ODI #10731579
167,000 miles · Jun 25, 2015
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 167,000.
NHTSA ODI #10730397
70,000 miles · Jun 23, 2015
Unknown Or Other
RECALL ON FRAME AND I BROUGHT IT TO DEAL WHERE THEY SAID FRAME WAS NOT DEFECTED. ONE YEAR LATER FRAME IS CORRODED AND RUSTED OUT. CALL DEALER AND SAID IT WAS MY PROBLEM RECALL ENDED 6 MONTHS AGO. HOW CAN THEY GET AWAY WITH THIS!!!
NHTSA ODI #10726733
228,000 miles · Jun 16, 2015
StructureSuspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL POPPING NOISE UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED AND THE WHEEL WENT UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FRAME SKIDDING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AWAY, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL POPPING NOISE UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED AND THE WHEEL WENT UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FRAME SKIDDING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AWAY, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 228,000.
NHTSA ODI #10725494
Mileage unknown · Jun 10, 2015
StructureUnknown Or Other
I PURCHASED A USED 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA 4X4 4 YEARS AGO IN NY. I MOVED TO MA 2 YEARS AGO AND TOOK TRUCK TO A CAPE COD TOYOTA DEALER AND ASKED THEM TO CHANGE OIL AND TELL ME IF THERE WERE ANY ISSUES I NEEDED TO DEAL WITH. TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT THEY TOLD ME ABOUT THE SPARE TIRE RUST RECALL AND MADE THE REPAIR. WHEN WE PICKED UP…
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I PURCHASED A USED 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA 4X4 4 YEARS AGO IN NY. I MOVED TO MA 2 YEARS AGO AND TOOK TRUCK TO A CAPE COD TOYOTA DEALER AND ASKED THEM TO CHANGE OIL AND TELL ME IF THERE WERE ANY ISSUES I NEEDED TO DEAL WITH. TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT THEY TOLD ME ABOUT THE SPARE TIRE RUST RECALL AND MADE THE REPAIR. WHEN WE PICKED UP THE TRUCK THEY GAVE IT A CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH. THEY THEN SAID "BY THE WAY, YOU HAVE A TINY HOLE IN FRAME THAT MAY NEED TO BE TAKEN CARE OF AT SOME POINT-NOT URGENT." FAST FORWARD 2 YEARS- A GARAGED TRUCK THAT ONLY HAD AN ADDITIONAL 7,000 MILES. WE TOOK IT FOR THE MA STATE INSPECTION AND IT FAILED. THEY SAID IT NEEDED A NEW MUFFLER. WE TOOK IT TO OUR LOCAL CAPE COD MECHANIC WHO CALLED AND SAID THE PROBLEM WAS MUCH BIGGER- THE ENTIRE FRAME IS RUSTED OUT AND IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. WE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH TOYOTA CORPORATE AND THEY WON'T DO ANYTHING. THE DEALER CALLED TO SAY COME PICK IT UP EVEN THOUGH THEY KNOW IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. HOW MUCH IS A LIFE WORTH? OBVIOUSLY TOYOTA DOESN'T CARE. HELP PLEASE!!!
NHTSA ODI #10724647
93,000 miles · Jun 8, 2015
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE BED FRAME ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS LOWER THAN THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BED FRAME WAS ROTTED, FRACTURED, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MAN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE BED FRAME ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS LOWER THAN THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BED FRAME WAS ROTTED, FRACTURED, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 93,000.
NHTSA ODI #10724054
130,000 miles · Jun 7, 2015
Structure
HAD 2004 FRAME RECALL TESTED BY DEALER AND THEY APPLIED THE UNDERCOATING IN 2012. THE TRUCK WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION DUE TO HOLES ROTTING THROUGH FRAME AND EXCESSIVE CORROSION. THE TRUCK IS IN PERFECT SHAPE OTHERWISE AS TOTAL BODY WAS REPAINTED AT THE TIME OF THE UNDERCOATING. THIS TERRIBLE INFORMATION TO HEAR WHEN YOU PURCHASED…
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HAD 2004 FRAME RECALL TESTED BY DEALER AND THEY APPLIED THE UNDERCOATING IN 2012. THE TRUCK WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION DUE TO HOLES ROTTING THROUGH FRAME AND EXCESSIVE CORROSION. THE TRUCK IS IN PERFECT SHAPE OTHERWISE AS TOTAL BODY WAS REPAINTED AT THE TIME OF THE UNDERCOATING. THIS TERRIBLE INFORMATION TO HEAR WHEN YOU PURCHASED THE TRUCK BRAND NEW AND PLANNED ON PASSING IT DOWN. ITS 11 YEARS OLD AND A LAWN ORNAMENT.
NHTSA ODI #10723805
120,000 miles · Jun 5, 2015
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other
FROM A DEAD STOP TO ANY SPEED, IT FELT LIKE I NO ACCERATION. I WOULD HAVE TO FEATHER THE GAS PEDAL TO GET UP TO SPEED. I'VE REPLACED FUEL FILTER, 02 SENDER ( FRONT), MAF SENDER ,FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR ,CLEANED ALL GROUNDS, HAD FUEL PUMP TESTED , HAD HEAD GASKET CHECKED ,CHANGED SPARK PLUGS AND WIRE'S, CLEANED THROTTLE BODY AND…
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FROM A DEAD STOP TO ANY SPEED, IT FELT LIKE I NO ACCERATION. I WOULD HAVE TO FEATHER THE GAS PEDAL TO GET UP TO SPEED. I'VE REPLACED FUEL FILTER, 02 SENDER ( FRONT), MAF SENDER ,FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR ,CLEANED ALL GROUNDS, HAD FUEL PUMP TESTED , HAD HEAD GASKET CHECKED ,CHANGED SPARK PLUGS AND WIRE'S, CLEANED THROTTLE BODY AND PRESSURE CLEANED FUEL SYSTEM. EVERY TIME I CHANGE A PART OR DO ANY CLEANING , THE TRUCK WILL RUN FINE, FOR AWHILE , BUT THE PROBLEM RETURNS. I NOW HAVE 150K ON TRUCK ,AND I WANT TO GET 150 K MORE. I FELL THIS IS A EXTREMELY HAZARDS SITUATION. ALL I'M LOOKING FOR IS A ANSWER TO WHAT'S WRONG!!!! TOYOTA IS AWARE OF WHAT'S WRONG ,BUT THE DEALERS ONLY TO KEEP REPLACING PARTS ($) . THE TOYOTA FORUM S ON WEB HAVE 1000S OF ANSWER S, BUT, NOTHING DEFINITE. PLEASE HELP!!!!
NHTSA ODI #10723721
Official recalls
3Nov 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.
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.
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 ↗