10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
101,158 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2004 Toyota Tacoma:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #45

Feb 182016

Tacoma

  • 174,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while in park, the contact noticed corrosion underneath the rail of the sub frame around the driver's side of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 174,000.

- Lebanon, WV, USA

problem #44

Feb 062016

Tacoma

  • 200,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer after identifying the VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 12V542000 (structure). Upon inspection, the contact was informed that the remedy could not be performed due to extremely severe rusting of the subframe. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,000.

- High Falls, NY, USA

problem #43

Sep 012015

Tacoma

  • 250,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the subframe was severely corroded and exhibited fractures at the rear wheels. The subframe was previously treated for corrosion under a voluntary manufactured recall; however, the treatment did not provide a permanent protection against corrosion. The manufacturer advised that the corrosion recall expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 250,000.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #42

Jan 012016

Tacoma

  • 200,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. While driving 35 mph, the contact heard a noise emerging from the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was driven to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the frame was severely rusted and needed replacement. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.

- New Philadelphia, OH, USA

problem #41

Jan 142016

Tacoma

  • miles
Bought vehicle, did a more thorough inspection and found frame rot, (rust holes in frame) which has basically rendered the truck unsafe to drive!!!! was told by Toyota dealer that recall was over for replacing the frame and now I have a truck that I will not let my son drive. I also understand this is a problem with Toyota, the frame rust

- Alma, AR, USA

problem #40

Jan 112016

Tacoma

  • 87,000 miles
Frame rotting from inside out. Toyota knew about problem but didn't send notices of corrosion resist spray to all affected parties. Should have been a formal recall since the test is to hit with a ballpeen hammer to find the rust that can't be seen with naked eye.

- Warwick, RI, USA

problem #39

Oct 042015

Tacoma 4WD 4-cyl

  • 104,000 miles
The frame is rotted and a certified Toyota mechanic said that the frame was severally rotted and was a safety hazard and was told to take the vehicle off the road because it was unsafe to drive. The truck is still worth $8-10,000 and we are out the money. There was a service campaign, but no safety recall. We did not receive a letter on either. If I did not look under the truck to inspect a noise, I would never have known the frame was rotted to the degree that it was. (see pictures) I would have continued to drive the vehicle and put myself and anyone else on the road in harms way. This problem needed to be brought to our attention; however, no one can tell us why we never received the notification of this defect. It is my opinion that this situation is very dangerous and should be a safety recall with no expiration. Please see attached letters and photos of our attempt to correct the problem with the vehicle with no results. Please look into this matter as we feel it can save lives. Thank you for your time and attention.

- North Branford, CT, USA

problem #38

Jul 262015

Tacoma

  • 121,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. After the vehicle was taken to be inspected, the technician informed the contact that the frame of the vehicle was rusted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 12V542000 (tires) but the recall repair was unable to be performed due to excessive rusting. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 121,000.

- Stoughton, MA, USA

problem #37

Nov 242015

Tacoma

  • 153,000 miles
Excessive corrosion and holes in frame. Contacted Toyota corporate and two local dealerships. Nothing can be done according to them since the underside was not sprayed, however tech at hartford Toyota informed me that the spray is ineffective. Will not honor 15 year frame warranty.

- Windsor, CT, USA

problem #36

Nov 022015

Tacoma

  • 134,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the frame was rusted on the vehicle and had perforations all over. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the issue to a local dealer who advised that nothing could be done. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 134,000.

- Hoosick Falls, NY, USA

problem #35

Oct 302015

Tacoma

  • 167,000 miles
Frame has badly corroded. Toyota has recognized the defect in these vehicles and received compensation from their frame supplier, and has extended warranty to 15 yrs unlimited miles. Previous owner brought vehicle to white river junction Toyota (vt), and they inspected it and made record of rotting, but did not see need to treat it or replace it per Toyota's own program guidelines. Now frame has completely rotted through and Toyota is saying it is too late to be replaced under the program.... even though it is still well within the 15 yr warranty period. They are refusing to honor their warranty. I don't know if the vehicle is safe to drive. Internet is replete with thousands of similar complaints.

- Meredith, NH, USA

problem #34

Oct 152015

Tacoma

  • 162,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. While parked, the engine warning indicator illuminated. In addition, the contact discovered a hole on the rear driver side leaf spring and it was not connected to the frame. The contact stated that the frame had rusted. The vehicle was driven to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician stated that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 162,000.

- Sprinfiled, VT, USA

problem #33

Oct 142015

Tacoma 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 144,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the metal plate below the fuel tank was hanging loosely. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 144,000. Updated 12/03/15

- Matamoras, PA, USA

problem #32

Sep 142015

Tacoma

  • 99,876 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 12V542000 (tires); however, the manufacturer and the dealer refused to remedy the recall due to excessive corrosion of the subframe. The contact stated that the vehicle received an anti-corrosion coating treatment prior to the recall notification. The contact was informed by the manufacturer that the anti-corrosion treatment was performed outside of the recall; therefore, nullifying the recall remedy to the lift plate for the spare tire. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 99,876.

- Signal Mountain, TN, USA

problem #31

Sep 102015

Tacoma 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 91,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for replacement tires; however; the technician discovered that the structure of the vehicle had excessive corrosion. The contact was informed that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 91,000. Updated 11/19/15

- Riverdale, IL, USA

problem #30

Sep 012015

Tacoma

  • 120,000 miles
Near terminal frame rot. Excessive rusting of frame. No rust on body.

- Dickson City, PA, USA

problem #29

Jun 042015

Tacoma

  • 147,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the frame prematurely rusted. The vehicle was unable to pass an inspection due to the failure. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and provided no remedy. The approximate failure mileage was 147,000.

- Clinton, CT, USA

problem #28

Jul 102014

Tacoma

  • 181,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the skid plate was rusted on the front end of the vehicle and there was extensive rust and corrosion on the frame. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the technician coated the rust, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 181,000.

- Lexington, KY, USA

problem #27

Jul 162015

Tacoma

  • 65,805 miles
The body frame of my Toyota is rusted and I was told by the dealership that Toyota contacted the owners of the vehicles (effected years) to have the frames replaced. I have not be contacted by Toyota about the rust and corrosion on my truck and the rust is very bad. I was told that if the frame cracks while driving, it's a major safety issue. Please help!

- Worcester, MA, USA

problem #26

Jun 272015

Tacoma

  • 101,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. While the vehicle was undergoing maintenance, the technician discovered that the vehicle had excessive corrosion on the frame and stated that the vehicle was unsafe to operate. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the defect was part of a limited service campaign, but the vehicle was not included. The approximate failure mileage was 101,000.

- Signal Mountain, TN, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »