I HAD TIRES ROTATED,TECHNICIAN TOLD ME FRAME IS EXTREMELY RUSTED(TACOMA PROBLEM) BIG SAFETY PROBLEM.TOYOTA TOLD ME THEY WOULD CHECK IT OUT FOR 98,-- DOLLARS. I DON'T THINK THAT'S RIGHT. TOYOTA PROBLEM
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 reportsRIGHT BALL JOINT BROKE. WHEEL TUCKED UNDER VEHICLE. BROKE CV AXLE
THE DEALER DISCOVERED HOLES IN THE FRAME ON 3/26/19. ACTUALLY IT WAS IN FOR REPAIR OF A GAS TANK STRAP AND I BELIEVE THEY USED A HAMMER ON THE FRAME TO MAKE THE HOLES. THEY WROTE IT UP AS MY TRUCK WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. IT ONLY HAS 81,000 MILES ON IT AND OTHER WISE IN GREAT SHAPE. I HAD IT IN FOR A RECALLED RUSTED SPARE TIRE HOLDE…
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THE DEALER DISCOVERED HOLES IN THE FRAME ON 3/26/19. ACTUALLY IT WAS IN FOR REPAIR OF A GAS TANK STRAP AND I BELIEVE THEY USED A HAMMER ON THE FRAME TO MAKE THE HOLES. THEY WROTE IT UP AS MY TRUCK WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. IT ONLY HAS 81,000 MILES ON IT AND OTHER WISE IN GREAT SHAPE. I HAD IT IN FOR A RECALLED RUSTED SPARE TIRE HOLDER ON 2/11/15 AND THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT THE FRAME LOOKED OK AND IF THE FRAME DEVELOPS HOLES THEY CAN RECOMMEND A GOOD WELDER.
BALL JOINT SEPARATED AND WHEEL TUCKED UNDER CAR. ALSO BROKE CV SHAFT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING AN OIL CHANGE, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUTOLAND (170 US-22, SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP, NJ 07081, (800) 288-6526) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING AN OIL CHANGE, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUTOLAND (170 US-22, SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP, NJ 07081, (800) 288-6526) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 1904301385. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000. *BF
TAKATA RECALL, I OWN A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA THAT CAME FROM WEST VIRGINIA WHEN ORIGINALLY PURCHASED, THIS TRUCKS LEAF SPRINGS HAVE NOW BROKE LOSE AND IS VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE FOR MY 17 YEAR OLD SON, WE HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THEY WERE VERY RUDE SO I HAVE NOW CAME TO THIS, THERE IS RUST HOLES IN THE FRAME OF HIS TRUCK THE SIZE OF …
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TAKATA RECALL, I OWN A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA THAT CAME FROM WEST VIRGINIA WHEN ORIGINALLY PURCHASED, THIS TRUCKS LEAF SPRINGS HAVE NOW BROKE LOSE AND IS VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE FOR MY 17 YEAR OLD SON, WE HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THEY WERE VERY RUDE SO I HAVE NOW CAME TO THIS, THERE IS RUST HOLES IN THE FRAME OF HIS TRUCK THE SIZE OF BASEBALLS AND SCARES ME FOR HIM TO EVER DRIVE IT AT ALL PLEASE HELP US FIGURE OUT WHAT WE CAN DO, HIS UNCLE THAT OWNED THE TRUCK BEFORE WE GOT IT WAS VERY SICK HE LIVED IN WEST VIRGINIA AND WAS NEVER TOLD OR CALLED ABOUT A RECALL FOR THE FRAME MY SON JUST RECENTLY GOT THE TRUCK PAINTED AND WAS TOLD THAT HE NEEDS A NEW FRAME VERY BADLY.
TAMARA RECALL, MY 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA 4 WHEEL DRIVE CHASSIS HAS BROKEN ON ME TWICE SENSE I BOUGHT THE TRUCK FROM A USED DEALERSHIP, AND THE CHASSIS IS ALSO CRACKED AGAIN ON MY BACK DRIVERS SIDE, WHEN I BOUGHT THE TRUCK I WASN'T TOLD THAT THE CHASSIS WAS RUSTED AND THEY HAD COVERED IT UP. I NEED TO KNOW IF IT'S STILL UNDER WARRANT…
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TAMARA RECALL, MY 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA 4 WHEEL DRIVE CHASSIS HAS BROKEN ON ME TWICE SENSE I BOUGHT THE TRUCK FROM A USED DEALERSHIP, AND THE CHASSIS IS ALSO CRACKED AGAIN ON MY BACK DRIVERS SIDE, WHEN I BOUGHT THE TRUCK I WASN'T TOLD THAT THE CHASSIS WAS RUSTED AND THEY HAD COVERED IT UP. I NEED TO KNOW IF IT'S STILL UNDER WARRANTY TO GET IT REPLACED OR WHAT I NEED TO DO, MY ODOMETER IS SHOWING ONLY 118686 ON IT RIGHT NOW. I'M CONCERNED IF I WERE TO BE IN A WRECK THAT THERE WOULD BE A WORSE OUTCOME VERSES THE CHASSIS NOT BEING RUSTED. WHEN THE CHASSIS BROKE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BOTH TIMES I WAS DRIVING, THE EXHAUST HAS BROKEN OFF AS WELL BECAUSE OF RUST. NOW THE TRUCK SQUEAKS REALLY BAD AND MY SPARE TIRE IS ABOUT TO BREAK OFF AS WELL I BELIEVE. I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE IT IF I COULD GET IT FIXED. I'M NOT SURE HOW MUCH OF THE CHASSIS IS RUSTED OR HOW BAD IT US DUE TO THEM COVERING IT UP. BOTH TIMES THE CHASSIS HAS BROKEN HAVE BEEN WHEN ON A CITY STREET I HAVEN'T DONE AN INSURANCE CLAIM ON IT EITHER, THE SECOND TIME IT BROKE I WAS ALSO BRAKING THE TRUCK. I DON'T KNOW THE NUMBER OF THE RECALL. I BOUGHT THE TRUCK IN MARCH AND ALL THIS HAPPENED IN MAY AND JUNE AND I'M AFRAID IT'S GONNA HAPPEN AGAIN IF IT'S NOT REPLACED AND DUE TO ME MAKING PAYMENTS ON IT AND IT BEING MY DAILY DRIVER I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DUE SENSE I CANNOT SALE IT. I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THE RECALL UNTIL SEPTEMBER, I SEEN SOMETHING ABOUT IT ON FACEBOOK AND JUST STARTED LOOKING INTO IT TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY POSSIBILITY OF GETTING IT FIXED OR REPLACED. THE BED HAS ALSO BEEN REPLACED BEFORE I BOUGHT IT, BUT I'M NOT SURE WHY. THANK YOU FOR READING THIS AND I HOPE TO HEAR SOMETHING SOON ABOUT MY TRUCK. ANY KIND OF OPTIONS AVAILABLE WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL, BECAUSE I DO NOT TRUST THIS TRUCK. IT IS VERY UNSAFE. I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND ANYONE ELSE TO DRIVE MY TRUCK BECAUSE IT IS SO UNTRUSTWORTHY. THANK YOU AGAIN.
2004 TOYOTA TACOMA, TOOK TRUCK IN TO BE PAINTED WAS INFORMED THAT THERE ARE MULTIPLE BASEBALL SIZE HOLES IN THE FRAME AND THE LEAF SPRING MOUNTS ARE RUSTED AND LEAF SPRINGS ARE ABOUT TO POP OFF. I HAVE CALLED TOYOTA CORP, AND WAS TOLD BECAUSE TRUCK WAS NOT SPRAYED THEY WILL NOT HONOR THE FRAME. I RECENTLY ACQUIRED THIS VEHICLE…
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2004 TOYOTA TACOMA, TOOK TRUCK IN TO BE PAINTED WAS INFORMED THAT THERE ARE MULTIPLE BASEBALL SIZE HOLES IN THE FRAME AND THE LEAF SPRING MOUNTS ARE RUSTED AND LEAF SPRINGS ARE ABOUT TO POP OFF. I HAVE CALLED TOYOTA CORP, AND WAS TOLD BECAUSE TRUCK WAS NOT SPRAYED THEY WILL NOT HONOR THE FRAME. I RECENTLY ACQUIRED THIS VEHICLE AND WAS NOT AWARE OF THE RECALL THAT HAD BEEN ISSUED ON THIS TRUCK. TOYOTA AT THIS POINT IS REFUSING TO REPLACE OR REPAIR THE FRAME EVEN THOUGH THIS TRUCK ORIGINATED AND REMAINED IN A COLD CLIMATE STATE FOR MOST OF ITS EXISTENCE. PLEASE ADVISE IF THERE ARE ANY OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO HAVE TOYOTA HONOR THIS VEHICLE. THANK YO U
FRAME RUSTING OUT EVEN AFTER HAVING UNDERCOAT SPRAYED IN PREVIOUS RECALL, AFTER LOOKING ONLINE I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS PEOPLE WITH THE SAME YEAR AND MODEL HAVING THEIR FRAME REPLACED BY TOYOTA UNDER A RECALL, BUT I HAVE BEEN TOLD REPEATEDLY THAT THERE IS NOT RECALL AND TOYOTA WILL DO NOTHING.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME ABOVE THE REAR TIRES WAS COMPLETED RUSTED AND IN A DANGEROUS STATE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR EXTENDED W…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME ABOVE THE REAR TIRES WAS COMPLETED RUSTED AND IN A DANGEROUS STATE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER (TOYOTA OF STAMFORD, 909 E MAIN ST, STAMFORD, CT 06902, (203) 348-3751) CONFIRMED THE MANUFACTURER'S STATEMENT AND SCHEDULED A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
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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