The 2004 Toyota Tacoma has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 918,387 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 545 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the structure. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
TIRES12V5420002012-11-23150,000 affected
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,…
Consequence
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.
SUSPENSION05V2250002005-05-17768,379 affected
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.
Consequence
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.
SEAT BELTS04V2140002004-05-058 affected
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.
Consequence
THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD.
Remedy
DEALERS HAVE REPLACED THE SEAT BELTS. NO VEHICLES WERE SOLD TO CONSUMERS.
Complaints by component
STRUCTURE:BODY
128
2crashes2injuries
SUSPENSION
71
5crashes
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
39
1fires
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
32
2crashes2injuries
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
25
4crashes2injuries
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
24
1crashes2injuries
STEERING
23
1crashes
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
15
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
14
POWER TRAIN
14
Total complaints545
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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.”
“The frame broke”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“Bringing to your urgent attention a significant safety concern regarding a 2004 toyota tacoma owned by my brother, [xxx] , bought in 2004, which has severe frame rust affecting the vehicle’s structural integrity and safety. Despite multiple attempts to resolve this matter directly with toyota,…”
“Vehicle was taken to dealer with frame rust, crack and holes. Toyota refused to fix , repair or offer parts to repair.”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2004 Toyota Tacoma as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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