NHTSA has 414 owner complaints on file for the 2004 Toyota Tacoma, received from 2003 to 2026. The most-reported system is structure (203 complaints, 49%), followed by suspension (84) and unknown or other (32). Owners reported 27 crashes, 3 fires, 23 injuries and 0 deaths. Median mileage at failure: 108,000 miles. Complaints peaked in 2015, with 50 received that year. 3 safety recalls cover this model year.
414NHTSA complaints
3safety recalls
27crashes reported
3fires reported
23injuries
0deaths
Quick answers
What is the most common problem with the 2004 Toyota Tacoma?
Owners report structure problems most often: 203 of 414 NHTSA complaints (49%), followed by suspension (84) and speed control (30).
How many recalls does the 2004 Toyota Tacoma have?
NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for the 2004 Toyota Tacoma. The most recent is 12V542000 (tires, 2012-11-23).
At what mileage do 2004 Toyota Tacoma problems happen?
The median mileage at failure is 108,000 miles, across 315 complaints that reported mileage.
Have owners reported crashes or fires in the 2004 Toyota Tacoma?
Yes. Owners reported 27 crashes, 3 fires, 23 injuries and 0 deaths in NHTSA complaints.
Problems by system
System
Complaints
Share
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Median miles
Structure
203
49%
5
1
4
119,000
Suspension
84
20%
7
0
0
120,000
Unknown or other
32
8%
2
0
2
120,000
Speed control
30
7%
5
0
3
54,005
Steering
29
7%
1
0
0
63,000
Fuel system
24
6%
0
1
0
99,000
Power train
22
5%
0
0
0
43,500
Service brakes
22
5%
2
0
0
60,000
Electrical system
17
4%
0
1
0
107,500
Engine
16
4%
1
0
0
70,000
Air bags
15
4%
10
0
13
113,000
Tires
12
3%
0
0
0
20,000
Wheels
11
3%
2
0
2
140,000
Seat belts
6
1%
2
0
4
113,000
Electronic stability control
2
<1%
0
0
0
60,583
Parking brake
2
<1%
1
0
0
38,000
Seats
2
<1%
0
0
1
–
Equipment
1
<1%
0
0
0
20,000
Exterior lighting
1
<1%
0
0
0
–
Latches, locks and linkages
1
<1%
0
0
0
100,000
Visibility and wipers
1
<1%
0
0
0
–
A complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Defect: 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…
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.
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.
Defect: 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.
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.
Defect: 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.
Remedy: Dealers have replaced the seat belts. No vehicles were sold to consumers.
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…
Structure · NHTSA complaint 11726891, received 2026-03-25
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…
Structure · NHTSA complaint 11631075, received 2024-12-16
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.
Suspension · NHTSA complaint 11717952, received 2026-02-14
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…
Suspension · NHTSA complaint 11631075, received 2024-12-16
While in reverse, idling slowly to a stop to pick up a hot water heater, the vehicle suddenly accelerated independently. The vehicle did not respond when the brake pedal was depressed. As a result the vehicle crashed into a plumbing supply warehouse, sending the vehicle through an overhead door…
Speed control · NHTSA complaint 11102755, received 2018-06-20
While driving the vehicle, the throttle suddenly stops responding for about 3-5 seconds, then returns. While it is unresponsive, it seems to return to a fully closed position as the vehicle starts slowing, then suddenly reopens to where the accelerator pedal is being depressed, and quickly starts…
Speed control · NHTSA complaint 10785895, received 2015-10-26
Built from the NHTSA complaints flat file and the NHTSA recalls flat files, data as of 2026-10-22. Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular models collect more of them.