Model year record

2004 Toyota Tacoma recalls & problems

The 2004 Toyota Tacoma has 5 safety recalls and 415 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is structure (205 complaints).

Recalls5safety recalls

Complaints415filed by owners

Crashes · fires27 · 3reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths23 · 0reported in complaints

2004 Toyota Tacoma in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

TiresNov 23, 2012

Temporary/emergency spare tire

Recall 12V542000150,000 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
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 Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.

Exterior lightingJul 17, 2006

Exterior lighting

Recall 06E0650003,593 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: 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. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Risk: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.

Exterior lightingMar 23, 2006

Exterior lighting

Recall 06E02600061,944 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: 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 SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
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.

SuspensionMay 17, 2005

Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint

Recall 05V225000768,379 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Risk: THE LOWER BALL JOINT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE KNUCKLE CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
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.

Seat beltsMay 5, 2004

Front

Recall 04V2140008 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD.
Fix: DEALERS HAVE REPLACED THE SEAT BELTS. NO VEHICLES WERE SOLD TO CONSUMERS.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2004 Toyota Tacoma Regular Cab

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	28.3%

2004 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	28.3%

2004 Toyota Tacoma Extended Cab

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	28.3%

2004 Toyota Tacoma NHTSA side crash test — NHTSA side barrier crash test

2004 Toyota Tacoma NHTSA side pole crash test — NHTSA side pole crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Tacoma 2WD

22mpg combined

City / highway	20 / 25 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.4 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel

Tacoma 2WD

21mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

Tacoma 2WD

19mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.4 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

Tacoma 2WD

18mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 20 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.7 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

Tacoma 4WD

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 19 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.7 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

Tacoma 4WD

17mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 20 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.7 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

Tacoma 2WD

16mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 19 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.4 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

Tacoma 4WD

16mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 18 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.4 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

Tacoma 4WD

16mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 18 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.4 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
StructureBody; Frame and members › Underbody shields	205	5	1	4	119,000 mi
SuspensionFront › Control arm › Lower ball joint; Front	89	7	0	0	119,938 mi
Unknown or other	32	2	0	2	120,000 mi
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal; Cruise control	30	5	0	3	54,005 mi
SteeringColumn; Rack and pinion › Rack	29	1	0	0	63,000 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift; Driveline	22	0	0	0	43,500 mi
Electrical systemWiring; Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers	17	0	1	0	107,500 mi
Air bagsFrontal	15	10	0	13	113,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	15	0	0	0	117,500 mi
TiresSidewall; Temporary/emergency spare tire	13	0	0	0	20,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	13	1	0	0	35,000 mi
WheelsLugs/nuts/bolts/studs	11	2	0	2	140,000 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Suspension
LOWER BALL JOINT FAILURE.
Sep 1, 2026
Structure › Body
Immediately after the manufacturer recall requiring full frame replacement (completed November 2017 by the same dealership referenced below), the vehicle developed abnormal handling not present before the repair, including improper tracking and rear end instability. No warning lights/diagnostic messages were present. These issues were reported to the servicing dealership within weeks and repeatedly over the following years. Despite multiple short initial inspections and two extended service periodsâtotaling approximately fourteen months in the dealershipâs possessionâthe dealership repeatedly reported no defect found and continued to advise that the vehicle was safe to operate. Due to…
Nov 20, 2017
Suspension
I was turning into a gas station and all the sudden the vehicle came to a complete stop i was unable to move the vehicle and sat there until the tow truck was able to show up. Looked under the vehicle and on the passenger side front suspension the lower ball joint was no longer where it belongs.
Jan 31, 2026
Power train
My 2004 Toyota Tacoma was part of the frame replacement back in the fall of 2018 when Bobby Rahal Toyota in Mechanicsburg, PA has by truck for over 6 months while they replaced my frame.Â It has been determined that my rear differential is rusted and is now to the point of needing replaced.Â For over the last year I have tried working with Bobby Rahal to come to and understanding on having this repaired due to the fact that my mechanic believes that this rust is in fact the same issue as the frame and should have been replaced when the frame was.Â All they will tell me is that the recall is closed and there is nothing they can do.Â Â Very disappointed in the fact that this was handled when…
Nov 18, 2018
Structure › Body
The frame broke
Sep 1, 2025
Tires › Bead
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma equipped with Toyo Tires, Tire Line: Open Country HT, Tire Size: 265/70/R16, DOT Number: CXLJA881918. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel was shuddering significantly. The vehicle was taken to Walmart for the tires to be balanced and the wheels rotated. The mechanic informed the contact that the service could not be performed because the front tires were out of round, the tires belts were separated, and the tire beads were fractured. The tires were not replaced. The tires were replacement tires. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the tire warranties were not transferable from the…
Apr 18, 2025 · 20,000 miles
Unknown or other
I am writing to report a safety related issue with a 2004 Toyota Tacoma that I purchased from an auction on 12/21/2022. The vehicle has an expired recall that I believe has not been properly addressed, potentially affecting the safety of the vehicle. I have attempted to resolve this issue through Toyota's customer service and local dealership, but I have been informed that the recall is no longer active and will not be addressed. It has a Virginia rebuilt title. It failed inspection due to rust on the frame.
Dec 21, 2022
Structure › Body
The vehicle has an open recall (NHTSA Recall #12V542) for the spare tire carrier lift plate. I brought the vehicle to a Toyota dealership to have the recall addressed, but the dealership refused to perform the repair, stating that the frame is too rusted to proceed safely. They recommended a full frame replacement due to severe rust damage, which includes holes and significant structural weakening. Toyota has refused to provide a replacement frame under any existing recall or warranty program. This means the recall cannot be completed, and the vehicle remains unsafe to drive. Additionally, I cannot locate a replacement frame for this vehicle through Toyota or the aftermarket, leaving no…
Dec 13, 2024

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.