NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
414 reports55,000 miles · Jul 11, 2008
Vehicle Speed Control
VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOSES ENGINE POWER, USUALLY WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC, STARTING FROM A STOPLIGHT OR ATTEMPTING TO PASS ON THE FREEWAY. IN ALL CASES RESULTING IN DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO FIX THE ISSUE ONCE, ACKNOWLEDGING IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLES THROTTLE BODY SYSTEM. AFTER $1000 WORTH OF PAR…
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VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOSES ENGINE POWER, USUALLY WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC, STARTING FROM A STOPLIGHT OR ATTEMPTING TO PASS ON THE FREEWAY. IN ALL CASES RESULTING IN DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO FIX THE ISSUE ONCE, ACKNOWLEDGING IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLES THROTTLE BODY SYSTEM. AFTER $1000 WORTH OF PARTS THE PROBLEM IS BACK, THEY REFUSE TO WARRANTY ANYTHING PAST THE 3YEAR/36MILE PERIOD. IN RESEARCHING ONLINE THIS APPEARS TO BE AN EXTENSIVE ISSUE WITH SIMILAR TACOMAS. I'VE CONTACTED THE DEALER ABOUT DIAGNOSING THE PROBLEM, THEY REFUSE TO LOOK AT IT CITING THE NEED FOR ANOTHER $1000 WORTH OF PARTS NEEDED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10233848
Mileage unknown · Jun 25, 2008
Structure
I HAVE A RUST PROBLEM IN THE BED OF MY 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA AND I HAVE A 5 YEAR WARRANTY AGAINST MANUFACTURE DEFECTS THAT TOYOTA WILL NOT HONOR AND THIS IS CLEARLY A DEFECT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10232259
77,000 miles · Mar 27, 2008
Suspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE STEERING WAS VERY TIGHT. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE FELL OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTO SHOP AND REPAIRED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCL…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE STEERING WAS VERY TIGHT. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE FELL OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTO SHOP AND REPAIRED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V225000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT). THE MANUFACTURER TOOK A REPORT AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE WOULD BE NOTIFIED BY A TOYOTA REPRESENTATIVE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 77,000.
NHTSA ODI #10222526
38,000 miles · Mar 11, 2008
Parking Brake
PARKING BRAKE LIGHT STAYS ON. VEHICLE IS SLUGGISH. BRAKES ARE SQUEALING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10220835
Mileage unknown · Feb 18, 2008
Electrical System
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, EXPERIENCED A BURNING SMELL COMING FROM BEHIND THE DASHBOARD. THE STEREO, CLOCK, AND AUTO ALARM CEASED WORKING. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE DOME FUSE WAS THE WRONG SIZE AND REPLACED IT WITH THE CORRECT SIZE. FIXED THE PROBLEM, BUT NOW THE ST…
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WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, EXPERIENCED A BURNING SMELL COMING FROM BEHIND THE DASHBOARD. THE STEREO, CLOCK, AND AUTO ALARM CEASED WORKING. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE DOME FUSE WAS THE WRONG SIZE AND REPLACED IT WITH THE CORRECT SIZE. FIXED THE PROBLEM, BUT NOW THE STEREO NO LONGER WORKS. THE FUSE IN QUESTION WAS FROM THE FACTORY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10218448
69,000 miles · Jan 31, 2008
SteeringSuspension
PURCHASED 2004 TACOMA FOR $18,000, FROM RIGHT TOYOTA IN SCOTTSDALE, AZ IN JUNE 2006, RECEIVED BILL FOR $25,000+!! SO MUCH FOR AGREEING ON A PRICE! I ALSO PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR $2200 (INCLUDED IN THE $25,000). WEEKS AFTER GETTING THE TRUCK I NOTICED THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SEEMED TO GIVE WHEN TURNING CORNERS. I A…
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PURCHASED 2004 TACOMA FOR $18,000, FROM RIGHT TOYOTA IN SCOTTSDALE, AZ IN JUNE 2006, RECEIVED BILL FOR $25,000+!! SO MUCH FOR AGREEING ON A PRICE! I ALSO PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR $2200 (INCLUDED IN THE $25,000). WEEKS AFTER GETTING THE TRUCK I NOTICED THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SEEMED TO GIVE WHEN TURNING CORNERS. I ASSUMED I NEEDED TO ADJUST TO DRIVING A TRUCK WITH HARD SUSPENSION. UNFORTUNATELY IT PERSISTED SO I TOOK IT INTO CAMELBACK TOYOTA AND HAD THEM CHECK IT OUT. THEY ASSURED ME THAT EVERYTHING WAS IN TIP TOP SHAPE, I GOT THE FEELING THEY NEVER REALLY CHECKED ANYTHING OUT. THEY JUST ASSUMED THAT IT WOULD BE UNUSUAL TO SEE THIS STUFF BREAKDOWN, A VALID THOUGHT, BUT THEY WERE OF NO HELP. HERE IT IS NOW, A YEAR AND A HALF LATER, AND ITS JUST GETTING WORSE! SO I TOOK IT INTO EARNHARDT TOYOTA AND THE FIRST 2 VISITS THEY PERFORMED NEEDED FRONT END ALIGNMENTS AND TIRE BALANCING. THEY LOOKED AT IT RECENTLY AFTER ME YELLING AT THEM, AND TOLD ME THAT MY ENTIRE SUSPENSION SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. APPARENTLY MY LEAF SPRINGS ARE BAD ($1700 PURCHASE AND INSTALL), AND FRONT STRUTS ($650), AND REAR SHOCKS ($450) AS WELL! SO $2800 TO REPAIR A TRUCK THAT I PURCHASED DIRECTLY FROM TOYOTA NOT 1.5 YEARS AGO, AND EVEN PURCHASED A WARRANTY. THEY ASSURED ME THAT EVERYTHING WAS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THEY LIED. NOW I OWE $18000 ON A $14000 TRUCK! STEER CLEAR OF RIGHT TOYOTA, THEY TOTALLY SCAMMED ME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10216649
9,000 miles · Dec 31, 2007
Vehicle Speed Control
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD DRAMATICALLY DECELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE UNLESS THE PEDAL WAS COMPLETELY DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE MAFF AIR SENSOR WAS CA…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD DRAMATICALLY DECELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE UNLESS THE PEDAL WAS COMPLETELY DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE MAFF AIR SENSOR WAS CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE DEALER CLEANED THE SENSOR. THE CONTACT RETURNED TO THE DEALER A WEEK LATER AND THEY STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS MELTED AND WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. AFTER CAREFUL INSPECTION, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CONVERTER WAS NOT MELTED. A PROFESSIONAL MECHANIC STATED THAT THE SUPERCHARGER HEAT OUTPUT EFFECTED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITIONING SENSOR AND WAS CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 17,000. *DSY
NHTSA ODI #10213267
Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 2007
Air BagsCrashInjury
2004 TOYOTA TACOMA, AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10213099
44,500 miles · Nov 26, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN SHAKING AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FELT ROUGH AND WAS VIBRATING. THE CONTACT HEARD METAL RUBBING AGAINST METAL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND A BRAKE INSPECTION WAS PER…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN SHAKING AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FELT ROUGH AND WAS VIBRATING. THE CONTACT HEARD METAL RUBBING AGAINST METAL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND A BRAKE INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ROTORS WERE WARPED AND THE REAR BRAKES FAILED BECAUSE THEY WERE IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED. THE CONTACT LATER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO TOYOTA AND THEY COULD NOT MAKE ANY REPAIRS BECAUSE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE CONTACT INFORMED TOYOTA THAT THE REPAIR WAS PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE HAS RECURRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,500. UPDATED 01-11-08. *KB UPDATED 12/12/07
NHTSA ODI #10209927
Mileage unknown · Jul 6, 2007
Air BagsCrashInjury
TOYOTA TACOMA-TRD- 2004. HEAD ON COLLISION, SERVERED FRONT DAMAGED. BOTH AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10195487
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 ↗