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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

What owners actually said

414 reports
120,000 miles · Mar 15, 2012
SteeringSuspensionWheels

ON JANUARY 19, 2011 AT APPROXIMATELY 7:15 AM, I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH ON A DIRT ROAD, CAME AROUND AN APPROXIMATE 90 DEGREE RIGHT HAND TURN HEADING DOWN HILL, SLID ON MUD OR ICE AND HIT A RUT. AFTER ALL WHEELS HAD PASSED THROUGH THE RUT THE VEHICLE DROVE UP AND OVER A SMALL RISE (BUMP) IN THE ROAD. AFTER COMING OVER…

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ON JANUARY 19, 2011 AT APPROXIMATELY 7:15 AM, I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH ON A DIRT ROAD, CAME AROUND AN APPROXIMATE 90 DEGREE RIGHT HAND TURN HEADING DOWN HILL, SLID ON MUD OR ICE AND HIT A RUT. AFTER ALL WHEELS HAD PASSED THROUGH THE RUT THE VEHICLE DROVE UP AND OVER A SMALL RISE (BUMP) IN THE ROAD. AFTER COMING OVER THE RISE, THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE DOVE INTO THE DIRT AND THE TRUCK CAME TO AN ABRUPT STOP. I TURNED OFF THE TRUCK AND GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE TO INSPECT THE FRONT END. THE RIGHT FRONT BALL JOINT HAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM ... ??? ... WHAT EVER IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE ATTACHED TO. THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL WAS PERPENDICULAR TO THE WHEEL WELL WITH THE INSIDE LEANING TOWARD THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE SEVERAL PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE VEHICLE TAKEN MOMENTS AFTER THE EQUIPMENT FAILURE. I'M GLAD THIS HAPPENED WHERE IT DID BECAUSE ONLY A FEW MILES FURTHER INTO MY TRIP TO WORK, I WOULD HAVE BEEN TRAVELING 75 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. AMEN! I HAD NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATION FROM TOYOTA CONCERNING RECALL NO. 50J. I ONLY ACCIDENTALLY CAME ACROSS THE INFORMATION WHILE SURFING THE WEB WITHIN THE PAST WEEK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10451817

153,000 miles · Feb 1, 2012
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 13 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE WHEEL DETACHED DUE TO A FRACTURE AT THE BALL JOINT. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT FAILED TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE B…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 13 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE WHEEL DETACHED DUE TO A FRACTURE AT THE BALL JOINT. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT FAILED TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V225000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT). NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 153,000.

NHTSA ODI #10446193

Mileage unknown · Jan 26, 2012
Air BagsCrashInjury

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND A CAR WAS IN A ACCIDENT, THE VEHICLE WAS ON ITS SIDE. THE OWNERS OF THE CAR HAD GOT OUT TO SAFETY, BUT HAD TO LEAVE IT TO PROTECT THEMSELVES. IT WAS A BLACK OR VERY DARK COLORED. WITH IN THIS TIME OF MY PASSENGER AND MYSELF IN MY 2004 TOYOTA TRUCK HAD COME UPON IT TO FAST TO STOP. IT WAS A SPLIT …

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I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND A CAR WAS IN A ACCIDENT, THE VEHICLE WAS ON ITS SIDE. THE OWNERS OF THE CAR HAD GOT OUT TO SAFETY, BUT HAD TO LEAVE IT TO PROTECT THEMSELVES. IT WAS A BLACK OR VERY DARK COLORED. WITH IN THIS TIME OF MY PASSENGER AND MYSELF IN MY 2004 TOYOTA TRUCK HAD COME UPON IT TO FAST TO STOP. IT WAS A SPLIT DECISION AND REFLEX TO SLAM ON MY BRAKES. OTHER CARS WHERE AROUND AND I HAD NO OTHER CHOICE BUT TO HIT HEAD ON. I WAS DOING ABOUT 65 MILES AN HOUR AND SLAMMING ON MY BRAKES DID LITTLE TO AVOID OR LESSON MY REDUCTION OF SPEED. THANK GOD MY PASSENGER AND I HAD ON OUR SAFETY BELTS. MY TRUCK COMES WITH AIR BAGS AND WAS LISTED AS A GOOD PRODUCTION OF VEHICLES WITH SAFE AND QUALITY PROTECTION IN AN ACCIDENT. I LOVE MY TRUCK. I WAS NOT PROTECTED AS LED TO BELIEVE. MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY TRUCK IS BEYOND QUESTIONABLE OF MY IMPACT THEY SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. I BARELY HAVE A FRONT PORTION OF A BUMPER. ENGINE WAS SMASHED INTO MY CAB PRACTICALLY. FENDERS CAVED IN. TOTALED.... I NEED HELP UNDERSTANDING THIS. I NEED TO BE INSURED THAT TOYOTA WOULD NOT LET THIS BE OVERLOOKED. IM ASKING FOR THIS AND MAYBE OTHER SAFETY ISSUES TO BE HANDLED AND TAKEN INTO TO SERIOUS CONCERN. IT MIGHT BE WITH THIS MODEL TRUCK ONLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10445530

65,275 miles · Oct 30, 2011
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES IN A HEAVY, WET SNOW, SHIFTER ON AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION COULD NOT BE MOVED PAST REVERSE INTO PARK. PARKING BRAKE COULD NOT BE PULLED. BLOCKAGE OF BOTH COMPONENTS FELT QUITE SOLID. BECAUSE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE PUT INTO PARK, IGNITION COULD NOT BE TURNED OFF AND KEY REMOVED. VEHICLE COULD N…

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AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES IN A HEAVY, WET SNOW, SHIFTER ON AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION COULD NOT BE MOVED PAST REVERSE INTO PARK. PARKING BRAKE COULD NOT BE PULLED. BLOCKAGE OF BOTH COMPONENTS FELT QUITE SOLID. BECAUSE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE PUT INTO PARK, IGNITION COULD NOT BE TURNED OFF AND KEY REMOVED. VEHICLE COULD NOT HAVE BEEN LEFT ON A SLOPE WITHOUT A CHOCK BLOCK. AFTER SNOW FELL OUT/MELTED ALL SYSTEMS RETURNED TO NORMAL OPERATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10433581

78,210 miles · Mar 28, 2011
SuspensionUnknown Or Other

UPON INSPECTION FROM TOYOTA ,FROM THE DEALER BERT WOLFE TOYOTA IN CHARLESTON, WV, THE FRAME ON MY TACOMA WAS FAILED. THE RESULT WAS PERFORATIONS FROM RUST. I HAD PREVIOUSLY RECEIVED A LETTER STATING THE THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY TRUCK. THE LETTER STATED THAT IT NECESSARY TO BE INSPECTED FOR FRAME CORROSION, AND THAT THREE POSS…

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UPON INSPECTION FROM TOYOTA ,FROM THE DEALER BERT WOLFE TOYOTA IN CHARLESTON, WV, THE FRAME ON MY TACOMA WAS FAILED. THE RESULT WAS PERFORATIONS FROM RUST. I HAD PREVIOUSLY RECEIVED A LETTER STATING THE THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY TRUCK. THE LETTER STATED THAT IT NECESSARY TO BE INSPECTED FOR FRAME CORROSION, AND THAT THREE POSSIBLE OUTCOMES WOULD ARISE: 1) UPON THE PASSING OF THE CORROSION TEST AN ANTI-CORROSION TREATMENT WOULD BE APPLIED AND A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE WOULD BE EXTENDED UNTIL THE TREATMENT WAS COMPLETE. 2) UPON THE FAILURE OF THE TEST (MEANING THE FRAME HAD CORROSION) THE FRAME WOULD BE REPLACED, AND A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE WOULD BE RENDERED. 3) UPON FAILURE OF THE TEST TOYOTA MAY REPURCHASE MY VEHICLE AT A PRICE OF 150% OF THE KELLY BLUE BOOK VALUE. NONE OF THESE OUTCOMES WERE INSTITUTED UPON FAILURE OF MY FRAME CORROSION TEST. BERT WOLFE TOYOTA FAILED THE FRAME, STATED THEY WOULD REPLACE THE FRAME , BUT IT WOULD TAKE SIX MONTHS. THEY PLACED ME BACK IN MY TRUCK WHICH FAILED THE TEST, WITHOUT A TEMPORARY REPLACEMENT. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT A) MY TRUCK WILL NEVER BE THE EQUIVALENT, ALL OF THE PARTS THAT WILL BE TAKEN OFF AND/OR REPLACED AND THEN REINSTALLED ON THE NEW FRAME, CAUSES FOR SAFETY CONCERNS. THERE IS A HIGH PROBABILITY THAT SOMETHING WILL BE OVERLOOKED IN THE PROCESS OF REINSTALLATION. B) THAT THE PARTS THAT CONNECT TO THE FRAME OR LOCATED IN IT'S VICINITY WILL CORRODE EVENTUALLY CAUSING SAFETY CONCERNS. C) MY VEHICLE FAILED A TEST IN WHICH THE FRAME IS CONSIDERED UNSAFE, AND I WAS SENT OFF IN THAT SAME VEHICLE WITHOUT A PROVISIONAL REPLACEMENT.

NHTSA ODI #10393493

48,000 miles · Mar 11, 2011
Structure

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE ENTERED THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED THAT THE SEAT BELTS ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WERE WET. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER IT RAINED. THERE WAS NO WATER VISIBLE INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND THE WINDOWS WERE CLOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE ENTERED THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED THAT THE SEAT BELTS ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WERE WET. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER IT RAINED. THERE WAS NO WATER VISIBLE INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND THE WINDOWS WERE CLOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED HIM TO CONTACT TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.

NHTSA ODI #10389853

Mileage unknown · Mar 10, 2011
Steering

LOOSE STEERING ON 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA 4X4. ISOLATED LOOSENESS TO UPPER STEERING SHAFT SPLINE CONNECTION. TACK WELDED SPLINE TO FIX PLAY IN STEERING SHAFT. MY STEERING HAD GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE SO AFTER A LOT OF EXAMINATION I FOUND WHAT APPEARS TO BE THE PROBLEM. I WOULD LIKE TOYOTA TO COME OUT WITH A REDESIGNED STEERIN…

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LOOSE STEERING ON 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA 4X4. ISOLATED LOOSENESS TO UPPER STEERING SHAFT SPLINE CONNECTION. TACK WELDED SPLINE TO FIX PLAY IN STEERING SHAFT. MY STEERING HAD GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE SO AFTER A LOT OF EXAMINATION I FOUND WHAT APPEARS TO BE THE PROBLEM. I WOULD LIKE TOYOTA TO COME OUT WITH A REDESIGNED STEERING COLUMN. I HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ABOUT THIS WITH NO RESOLUTION FROM THEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10389770

110,000 miles · Mar 9, 2011
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 15 MPH IN A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY WHEN THE BALL JOINT FRACTURED IN HALF AND THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL COMPLETELY FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED THEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BALL JOINT WAS DEFECTIVE AND WOULD NE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 15 MPH IN A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY WHEN THE BALL JOINT FRACTURED IN HALF AND THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL COMPLETELY FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED THEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BALL JOINT WAS DEFECTIVE AND WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ODI #10386996

77,000 miles · Feb 28, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control

TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH THE CONTACT APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A METAL POLE AND CAME TO A STOP. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MEC…

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TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH THE CONTACT APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A METAL POLE AND CAME TO A STOP. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THEY WOULD HAVE AN INSPECTOR INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,100. DS

NHTSA ODI #10384766

22,000 miles · Feb 14, 2011
Seat Belts

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WAS DEFECTIVE BECAUSE HE WAS UNABLE TO LATCH THE BELT. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO WARRANTIES ON THE VEHICLE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. TH…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WAS DEFECTIVE BECAUSE HE WAS UNABLE TO LATCH THE BELT. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO WARRANTIES ON THE VEHICLE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 22,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10382645

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.