2004 Toyota Tacoma Problems, Recalls & Reliability
545 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2004 Toyota Tacoma, alongside 5 recall campaigns and 0 defect investigations. It scores 55/100 on the trouble index — one of the years to avoid for this model. Body & structure leads the reports, typically around 119,000 miles.
Avoid this year if you can. The 2004 Toyota Tacoma sits at the top of this model's complaint rankings. Quieter picks in the same family: 1997, 2013–2015, 2020–2022.
Avoid
Where 2004 sits among all Tacoma years
What owners report
“With 115,000 mikes the frame is rusted through in several spots. This is a problem with the model for many years and toyota refuses to fix it. My mechanic has advised me that it is unsafe to drive”— owner report to NHTSA, 2004 Tacoma
“Frame is rusty beyond usage. As i accelerate the bed of the truck flexes so i can see it in the rearview mirror”— owner report to NHTSA, 2004 Tacoma
“Vehicle has 113,000 miles on it but is undriveable because frame is rusted through.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2004 Tacoma
“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…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2004 Tacoma
“When driving home from having the truck serviced, the front drivers wheel broke and crashed into a curb. After taking it to toyota and calling there help desk, theye confirmed it had a lower and upper ball joint failure. At this time toyota will not honor this recall and will not provide any…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2004 Tacoma
“Both rear axel seals leak gear oil onto and into the rear brake drums which substantially reduce the effectiveness of the rear brakes. This condition began around the 60,000 mile mark and will continue indefinitely until the gear lube is all drained off, which then will most certainly cause severe…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2004 Tacoma
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 408 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 109,700 miles. Half of those reports fall between 64,000 and 146,510 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (5)
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,…
Fix: 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…
CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO.…
Fix: AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE…
Fix: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
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…
Fix: 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.
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.
Fix: DEALERS HAVE REPLACED THE SEAT BELTS. NO VEHICLES WERE SOLD TO CONSUMERS.
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2004 Toyota Tacoma reliable?
The 2004 Toyota Tacoma drew 545 complaints in federal safety records — one of the years to avoid for this model. Its trouble index is 55/100, scored against the model's worst year (2006).
What are the most common 2004 Toyota Tacoma problems?
The top reported problems for the 2004 Toyota Tacoma are body & structure (205 complaints), suspension (88), and other (34).
At what mileage do 2004 Toyota Tacoma problems show up?
Owners most often report 2004 Toyota Tacoma problems around 109,700 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 64,000 and 146,510 miles.
Does the 2004 Toyota Tacoma have recalls?
5 recall campaigns apply to the 2004 Toyota Tacoma. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.