10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
88,575 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.

problem #39

Oct 302022

Tacoma

  • 176,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while looking underneath the vehicle, he noticed that the subframe was rusted. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 176,000.

- Homosassa, FL, USA

problem #38

Dec 012021

Tacoma

  • 165,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the underside of the vehicle started to flake and fall off in pieces. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with needing the frame replaced however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 165,000.

- Eleele, HI, USA

problem #37

Jul 042018

Tacoma

  • 66,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. While the vehicle was being serviced by an independent mechanic, the mechanic informed the contact that the chassis frame was corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to ira Toyota of danvers (99 andover St, danvers, MA 01923, (978) 739-8300) where an anti-corrosion spray was applied to the frame. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 66,000.

- East Boston, MA, USA

problem #36

Sep 012014

Tacoma 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 190,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the transmission rear differential was corroded and leaking transmission fluid while the local mechanic performed routine maintenance. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 190,000. Updated 7/14/15

- East Stroudsburg, PA, USA

problem #35

Apr 272015

Tacoma 4WD 6-cyl

  • 127,234 miles
A tech was performing an oil change and discovered that the frame on my truck has rusted through at the point that the rear leaf spring attaches on the drives side. I am being told the vehicle is unsafe to drive. I contacted Toyota and they tell me that they will not provide a resolution to the problem.

- Cheyenne, WY, USA

problem #34

Oct 152014

Tacoma

  • 127,059 miles
My 2004 Tacoma has ~127,500 miles and has been subject to frame corrosion and spare tire retainer corrosion recalls. My dealer recently advised that the left rear leaf spring is broken which is resulting in an unpredictable response when driving, especially in 4WD in snowy weather. This lack of steering control is a safety issue. I believe this fracture is directly linked to the corrosion issues in the Tacoma frame and suspension design on the Tacoma. Toyota usa has reviewed the case and is unwilling to cover the cost of the leaf spring repairs. This is despite an extensive recall on 2005+up Tacoma's for distressed leaf springs.

- Amston, CT, USA

problem #33

Sep 232014

Tacoma 4WD 6-cyl

  • miles
2004 Toyota Tacoma. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle frame rust recall notice. The dealer informed the consumer, the frame needed to be replaced. However, the recall had ended and there was nothing they could do.

- Scott Depot, WV, USA

problem #32

Jan 012015

Tacoma 4WD 6-cyl Diesel

  • miles
2004 Toyota Tacoma. When recall came out for vehicle, it was sent to wrong address and that campaign ended in 2012 and they (Toyota) won't do anything for customer. The consumer stated during a safety inspection, he was the frame on his vehicle was severely rusted. At that time, he was informed a recall had been issued for the problem. Toyota informed the consumer it was not a recall, but a campaign.

- Hopewell Junction, NY, USA

problem #31

Nov 052014

Tacoma 4WD 6-cyl

  • 147,200 miles
The Toyota Tacoma trucks had a customer service advisory for the frame rusting on the vehicle. The csa advised the current owner that the frame could rust and needed to be inspected. If the vehicle was inspected Toyota would either spray the frame or replace it if rusted. I purchased this vehicle from an authorized Toyota dealer I was assured the frame had been checked and taken care of. A week later I had to install a blown out muffler and come to find out the frame was not looked at and the fix was not completed. Being the new owner of the truck I was told that the csa had expired December 2011 and there is nothing that can be done. I was hoping Toyota would have a program in place for people that purchase a vehicle like I did that did not have the frame fixed. They do not. Therefore I now own a truck that is unsafe to drive. Toyota needs to make this a recall instead of a csa.

- Martinsburg, WV, USA

problem #30

Nov 112014

Tacoma 4WD 4-cyl

  • 157,000 miles
The frame is so rotted it wont pass state inspection, this truck was recalled for this problem a few years ago, I took it to the dealer for inspection at that time and they said it was fine, now like two years later its totally rotten, I contacted Toyota head quarters and filed a case # 1411101661 and they basically told sorry its to late recall is over, I told them it was at the dealer for this recall and they did nothing but look at it, can you help and there are 1000S of these rotten trucks on the road today a major safety issue thanks [xxx]. information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Acton, ME, USA

problem #29

Nov 012014

Tacoma 4WD 6-cyl

  • 280,000 miles
The frame is rusted through.I called Toyota they said they sent a recall.I told them I didn't receive one.they said it was not there fault.it was the post office fault.I can't have any work done on the truck because of the rust.I don't have a lot of money I expected this truck to last a while.they knew they were making substandard frames.by just looking at my frame.

- Blairstown, NJ, USA

problem #28

May 142014

Tacoma 4WD 6-cyl

  • 98,000 miles
The frame on the truck is rusted through.I have opened 2 complaint cases and Toyota will not repair or replace.

- Southwick, MA, USA

problem #27

Aug 042014

Tacoma 4WD 4-cyl

  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 12V542000 (tires). The contact stated that the frame where the spare tire was located was corroded. As a result, the dealer declined the recall repair due to the frame being rusted. The dealer stated that the frame needed to be repaired prior to the recall remedy. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000. Updated 11/14/14 updated 4/29/2015

- North Tazewell, VA, USA

problem #26

Sep 282014

Tacoma 4WD 6-cyl

  • 188,000 miles
I was at shell station getting a oil change, when they went to lift my truck on their lift the technician noticed frame corrosion in 2 places. The technician told me if I do not fix it the spring leaf could fall off. Further more it is a safety issue. I do not the money for a new vehicle. Just because I did not get a notice does not mean they should include a certain batch of trucks it should be all Toyota's regardless. I called the dealership and they said forget about it if I did not a letter. I should not have to die just to get this fixed.

- Centreville, VA, USA

problem #25

Aug 052014

Tacoma 6-cyl

  • 134,500 miles
Frame is rusted through in many places. It will not pass state inspection.

- Beverly, WV, USA

problem #24

Apr 232014

Tacoma 4-cyl

  • miles
I purchase my Toyota Tacoma used in Jan. 2013. I noticed last month that the frame was getting holes in it. The information I looked up said that Toyota did a recall on this particular truck. I was told by Toyota that it is now too late to get it taken care of. I was not aware of the recall or an arbitrary ending date. Can you help me get Toyota to take care of this problem. The truck is now worth nothing with the frame as it is. [xxx]. thank you for your assistance in this matter. This is the case # that Toyota has assigned to my situation: #[xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Scio, NY, USA

problem #23

Apr 022014

Tacoma

  • 75,800 miles
I purchased my 2004 Tacoma as the second owner. The vehicle had the frame replaced. Upon my initial inspection prior to the purchase, everything underneath looked fine aside from what I considered normal rust on other parts such as the skid plates. Today while driving down the road, the gas tank fell out of the bottom, ran into and drive-shaft, and came 3 inches from scraping across the pavement. A line split on the top of my tank, leaking gas all over. I've contacted Toyota, and they set me up with a case number, informing me that someone will be in touch tomorrow to discuss further.

- Saugerties, NY, USA

problem #22

Feb 012014

Tacoma 6-cyl

  • 100,000 miles
I have a 2004 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck. This has had a very bad for a year. The other day the mount for the right rear broke and the front end of the rear spring was rusted away from the frame. This is the same problem my 1996 Toyota pickup had. That one the bought back and I now have this one. The rest of the truck is pretty good. The rack and pinion steering also rusted away and started to leak fluid. This leak was under the right mount of the rack. This was also fixed by me. This is my work truck and personal way of getting around. These are both very serious safety problems !!! I contacted the CEO of Toyota, Toyota sales in califorina and girard Toyota. They said I slipped through the cracks and I did not get any notices !!! they are putting tons of frames on for other peoples but I have been singled out some how and I cannot get one. This problem has been going on for 20 years !!! this with out question should be a recall and all items concerned should be replaced free of charge. Please help with this serious problem. Thank you.

- Clinton, CT, USA

problem #21

Jan 032014

Tacoma 4WD 4-cyl

  • miles
2004 Toyota Tacoma. Consumer writes in regards to frame rust recall. The consumer stated he had no knowledge of the recall, when he purchased the vehicle. An inspection revealed, severe rust on the bottom passenger and driver side frame rail. Also, holes were found in the frame. The consumer was informed, the recall had expired.

- Springwater, NY, USA

problem #20

Jan 132014

Tacoma 4WD 4-cyl

  • 125,000 miles
I was driving along and hit a pothole. The truck made a very loud metallic crunching sound under the cab behind me. After that, when I hit a bump, a similar loud metallic crunching sound occurs. I went to my mechanic, and he said that a body-frame mount had rusted through, and that there was also excessive rust in many other places. I had earlier replaced a shield over the gas tank that had completely rusted away and was banging against the drive shaft. I checked with Toyota on my mechanic's advice, and there was a safety recall on my truck for exactly this problem (excessive frame rust), but it had expired in December of 1012. My mechanic says that my truck may be unsafe to drive. I bought the truck in July, 2012 from a Subaru dealer, ruge's in rhinebeck, NY. I was not told about the rust condition, or about a recall. I never received any communication from Toyota about this. I would like to know what if any options I have here.

- Bronx, NY, USA

Read the next 19 complaints »