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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

What owners actually said

414 reports
110,000 miles · Oct 2, 2014
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V542000 (TIRES). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WHERE THE SPARE TIRE WAS LOCATED WAS CORRODED. AS A RESULT, THE DEALER DECLINED THE RECALL REPAIR DUE TO THE FRAME BEING RUSTED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FRAME NE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V542000 (TIRES). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WHERE THE SPARE TIRE WAS LOCATED WAS CORRODED. AS A RESULT, THE DEALER DECLINED THE RECALL REPAIR DUE TO THE FRAME BEING RUSTED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED PRIOR TO THE RECALL REMEDY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. UPDATED 11/14/14*CN UPDATED 4/29/2015 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10640765

188,000 miles · Sep 28, 2014
Structure

I WAS AT SHELL STATION GETTING A OIL CHANGE, WHEN THEY WENT TO LIFT MY TRUCK ON THEIR LIFT THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED FRAME CORROSION IN 2 PLACES. THE TECHNICIAN TOLD ME IF I DO NOT FIX IT THE SPRING LEAF COULD FALL OFF. FURTHER MORE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I DO NOT THE MONEY FOR A NEW VEHICLE. JUST BECAUSE I DID NOT GET A NOTICE DOES…

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I WAS AT SHELL STATION GETTING A OIL CHANGE, WHEN THEY WENT TO LIFT MY TRUCK ON THEIR LIFT THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED FRAME CORROSION IN 2 PLACES. THE TECHNICIAN TOLD ME IF I DO NOT FIX IT THE SPRING LEAF COULD FALL OFF. FURTHER MORE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I DO NOT THE MONEY FOR A NEW VEHICLE. JUST BECAUSE I DID NOT GET A NOTICE DOES NOT MEAN THEY SHOULD INCLUDE A CERTAIN BATCH OF TRUCKS IT SHOULD BE ALL TOYOTA'S REGARDLESS. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID FORGET ABOUT IT IF I DID NOT A LETTER. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO DIE JUST TO GET THIS FIXED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10639618

Mileage unknown · Sep 5, 2014
Structure

I JUST WANTED TO TELL HOW UTTERLY USELESS I THINK THIS ADMINISTRATION IS. I WROTE IN WITH A COMPLAINT ON MY 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA WHICH HAS A RUSTED FRAME AND TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. THERE WERE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS JUST LIKE MINE AND STILL ARE ALL OVER THE INTERNET AND YOU HAVE DONE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. TOYOTA REFUSES TO FIX MY TRUC…

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I JUST WANTED TO TELL HOW UTTERLY USELESS I THINK THIS ADMINISTRATION IS. I WROTE IN WITH A COMPLAINT ON MY 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA WHICH HAS A RUSTED FRAME AND TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. THERE WERE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS JUST LIKE MINE AND STILL ARE ALL OVER THE INTERNET AND YOU HAVE DONE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. TOYOTA REFUSES TO FIX MY TRUCK AND I NEVER RECEIVED A NOTICE FOR MY TRUCK FRAME AS WELL AS A LOT OF OTHERS. IF I HAD KEPT DRIVING THIS TRUCK ME OR OTHERS COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. I HAVE A CONSCIOUS UNLIKE THIS OFFICE AND TOYOTA. I CONTACTED MY SENATOR AND ASKED HIM HOW MANY COMPLAINTS DO YOU PEOPLE NEED TO DO SOMETHING. I GUESS SOMEBODY HAS TO DIE FIRST WHICH IS SINFUL AND SAD!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10630922

124,000 miles · Sep 2, 2014
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DURING A ROUTINE INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE SUB FRAME HAD HOLES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING HOWEVER NO RESULTS WERE AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,00…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DURING A ROUTINE INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE SUB FRAME HAD HOLES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING HOWEVER NO RESULTS WERE AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000.

NHTSA ODI #10630148

45,000 miles · Sep 2, 2014
EngineVehicle Speed Control

2004 TOYOTA TACOMA V6 3.4L 5VZ-FE WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. TOYOTA ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED THIS VEHICLE WITH A THROTTLE BY WIRE SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY DOES NOT RESPOND TO ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION. TOYOTA ON BOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM DOES NOT DETECT FAULT THUS DOES NOT LOG ANY ERROR CODES OR ILLUMINATE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT…

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2004 TOYOTA TACOMA V6 3.4L 5VZ-FE WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. TOYOTA ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED THIS VEHICLE WITH A THROTTLE BY WIRE SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY DOES NOT RESPOND TO ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION. TOYOTA ON BOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM DOES NOT DETECT FAULT THUS DOES NOT LOG ANY ERROR CODES OR ILLUMINATE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. OCCURRENCE RATE AND DURATION OF EVENTS IS INTERMITTENT AND INCONSISTENT. VELOCITY OF THE VEHICLE RAPIDLY DECREASES UNEXPECTEDLY AND MOMENTARILY AS IF FOOT WAS TEMPORARILY REMOVED FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. VEHICLE ALSO UNEXPECTEDLY AND MOMENTARILY DOES NOT RESPOND WHEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS DEPRESSED TO BEGIN MOVING OR SUDDENLY DECREASES SPEED WHEN ACCELERATING. THIS IS A POTENTIAL HAZARD IN SITUATIONS SUCH AS CRUISING IN TRAFFIC, CLEARING AN INTERSECTION, CROSSING RAILROAD TRACKS, ETC... OCCURRENCE RATE AND DURATION OF PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE WORSENING OVER TIME OR WITH INCREASED AMBIENT TEMPERATURES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10630137

45,000 miles · Aug 31, 2014
Fuel/propulsion System

WHILE DRIVING ALONG I WOULD SOMETIMES HEAR AN UNUSUAL SOUND, A SLIGHT RINGING SOUND. WHEN I RETURNED HOME AND INSPECTED MY TRUCK I SAW THAT ONE OF THE METAL STRAPS THAT HOLDS THE GAS TANK IN PLACE HAD RUSTED APART, AND THE BRACKET WOULD RUB AGAINST THE DRIVE SHAFT, CREATING THE SOUND. THIS IS ONE OF THE TACOMA'S THAT WAS RE-FR…

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WHILE DRIVING ALONG I WOULD SOMETIMES HEAR AN UNUSUAL SOUND, A SLIGHT RINGING SOUND. WHEN I RETURNED HOME AND INSPECTED MY TRUCK I SAW THAT ONE OF THE METAL STRAPS THAT HOLDS THE GAS TANK IN PLACE HAD RUSTED APART, AND THE BRACKET WOULD RUB AGAINST THE DRIVE SHAFT, CREATING THE SOUND. THIS IS ONE OF THE TACOMA'S THAT WAS RE-FRAMED AS PART OF A RECALL. IT APPEARS THE SAME DEFECTIVE METAL USED IN THE FRAME THAT WAS REPLACED WAS ALSO USED IN OTHER COMPONENTS. THE GAS TANK COULD HAVE FALLEN, DROPPED ON TO THE ROAD, OR SIMPLY EXPLODED, NO DOUBT KILLING MYSELF AND MY WIFE. I HAD THE GAS TANK STRAPS REPLACED AT A LOCAL GARAGE. I ALSO HAVE PICTURES OF THE BROKEN STRAP IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10629696

Mileage unknown · Aug 25, 2014
Unknown Or Other

VEHICLE WAS AT DEALER FOR RECALL "EXCESSIVE CORROSION OF THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER LIFT PLATE" SERVICE TECH. NOTED "FRAME HAS A HOLE, WOULD NOT PASS NYSI". IN RESEARCHING THE ISSUE TOYOTA ADMITTED THAT THE FRAME, MANUFACTURED BY [XXX] DID NOT RECEIVE PROPER CORROSION PROTECTION. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDO…

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VEHICLE WAS AT DEALER FOR RECALL "EXCESSIVE CORROSION OF THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER LIFT PLATE" SERVICE TECH. NOTED "FRAME HAS A HOLE, WOULD NOT PASS NYSI". IN RESEARCHING THE ISSUE TOYOTA ADMITTED THAT THE FRAME, MANUFACTURED BY [XXX] DID NOT RECEIVE PROPER CORROSION PROTECTION. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10628065

134,500 miles · Aug 21, 2014
Structure

FRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH IN MANY PLACES. IT WILL NOT PASS STATE INSPECTION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10627319

147,000 miles · Aug 20, 2014
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE, THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DISCOVERED RUST AND CORROSION ON THE SUB FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE RUSTING AND CORROSION HAD CREATED 4 HOLES THAT EXTENDED APPROXIMATELY 5-6 FEET AND WERE APPRO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE, THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DISCOVERED RUST AND CORROSION ON THE SUB FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE RUSTING AND CORROSION HAD CREATED 4 HOLES THAT EXTENDED APPROXIMATELY 5-6 FEET AND WERE APPROXIMATELY 4-6 INCHES WIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.

NHTSA ODI #10626724

98,000 miles · Jul 25, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control

2004 TOYOTA TACOMA V6 3.4L 5VZ-FE WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. TOYOTA ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED THIS VEHICLE WITH A THROTTLE BY WIRE SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY DOES NOT RESPOND TO ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION. TOYOTA ON BOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM DOES NOT DETECT FAULT THUS DOES NOT LOG ANY ERROR CODES OR ILLUMINATE CHECK ENGINE LI…

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2004 TOYOTA TACOMA V6 3.4L 5VZ-FE WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. TOYOTA ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED THIS VEHICLE WITH A THROTTLE BY WIRE SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY DOES NOT RESPOND TO ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION. TOYOTA ON BOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM DOES NOT DETECT FAULT THUS DOES NOT LOG ANY ERROR CODES OR ILLUMINATE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. OCCURRENCE RATE AND DURATION OF EVENTS IS INTERMITTENT AND INCONSISTENT. VELOCITY OF THE VEHICLE RAPIDLY DECREASES UNEXPECTEDLY AND MOMENTARILY AS IF FOOT WAS TEMPORARILY REMOVED FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. VEHICLE ALSO UNEXPECTEDLY AND MOMENTARILY DOES NOT RESPOND WHEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS DEPRESSED TO BEGIN MOVING OR SUDDENLY DECREASES SPEED WHEN ACCELERATING. THIS IS A POTENTIAL HAZARD IN SITUATIONS SUCH AS CRUISING IN TRAFFIC, CLEARING AN INTERSECTION, CROSSING RAILROAD TRACKS, ETC... OCCURRENCE RATE AND DURATION OF PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE WORSENING OVER TIME OR WITH INCREASED AMBIENT TEMPERATURES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10616175

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.