Most common 2004 Toyota Tacoma problems
Share of the 414 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Toyota Tacoma complaints by model year
Best Tacoma years: 2014, 2015, 2020. Years to avoid: 2024, 2016, 2025, 2012, 2017. Compare all years →
2004 Toyota Tacoma recalls (3)
Tires › Temporary/emergency spare tire
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,…
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.
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint
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.
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 belts › Front
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.
Remedy: Dealers have replaced the seat belts. No vehicles were sold to consumers.
What 2004 Toyota Tacoma owners say
Body & structure all 203 →
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH and making a right turn, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart after several attempts. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) main fuse had blown due to a short circuit. The dealer replaced the Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) main fuse; however, the failure persisted. Additionally, the dealer diagnosed that the subframe was severely corroded, including transmission components and fuel system components. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as unknown recalls had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. The contact had taken the vehicle to Kolosso Toyota (3000 W Wisconsin Ave, Appleton, WI 54914) to have his exhaust replaced. While there, he was informed that the entire sub frame was corroded with several cracks and holes had formed around both front leaf springs. The mechanic informed him that the vehicle was unsafe to drive due to the failure. Prior to the failure, the contact took the vehicle to another local dealer where the vehicle was inspected under NHTSA Campaign Number: 05V225000 (Suspension). The contact was informed that a special coating was sprayed onto the sub frame to prevent corrosion; however, the recall remedy failed to prevent the corrosion. The manufacturer was contacted but provided no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 51,641.
Suspension all 84 →
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. The contact had taken the vehicle to Kolosso Toyota (3000 W Wisconsin Ave, Appleton, WI 54914) to have his exhaust replaced. While there, he was informed that the entire sub frame was corroded with several cracks and holes had formed around both front leaf springs. The mechanic informed him that the vehicle was unsafe to drive due to the failure. Prior to the failure, the contact took the vehicle to another local dealer where the vehicle was inspected under NHTSA Campaign Number: 05V225000 (Suspension). The contact was informed that a special coating was sprayed onto the sub frame to prevent corrosion; however, the recall remedy failed to prevent the corrosion. The manufacturer was contacted but provided no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 51,641.
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the passenger's side axle fractured and the wheel detached. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who replaced the ball joints. The local dealer was not contacted. On another occasion, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's side axle fractured and the wheel detached. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who replaced the ball joints however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 05V225000 (Suspension). The manufacturer was contacted but provided no assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 190,000.
Speed control & acceleration all 30 →
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 and through expensive hot water heaters and spas. The vehicle continued into the warehouse until it hit an immovable object and stopped. The throttle continued to highly rev the engine and the vehicle was shifted into drive to get out of the warehouse. The vehicle crashed at high speed on the way out, and onto the street. Brakes did not stop the vehicle. The vehicle was eventually shifted into neutral and the throttle resumed normal speed operation. Next day, Toyota dealer could not diagnose the throttle problem because, being a 2004, it did not throw computer failure codes. …
When I was 16 years old my parents got my a new 2004 Toyota Tacoma, which was bought in September 2004. However, I did not get my license until December 21, 2004. I did not start driving right away. I started driving the truck in January. I only drove to school and back, which was about 7 miles away. On day after softball practice, which was held after school, on February 24 2005, I wrecked the Toyota Tacoma. I was not going very fast down the road, but all of the sudden the truck sped up and I felt like I did not have control over the truck. I ran off the road and over corrected twice. The whole time I was hitting the brake but nothing happened. After I overcorrected the second time, I hit a mail box and when about 65 feet off the road and hit a tree, the whole time trying to hit the brake with nothing happening. …
2004 Toyota Tacoma engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 20 / 25 / 22 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 19 / 23 / 21 |
| 3.4L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 17 / 22 / 19 |
| 2.7L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 17 / 20 / 18 |
| 2.7L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 16 / 19 / 18 |
| 2.7L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 16 / 20 / 17 |
| 3.4L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 19 / 16 |
| 3.4L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 18 / 16 |
| 3.4L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 18 / 16 |
EPA ratings. Class: Full-size pickup.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2004 Toyota Tacoma a good car?
Based on 414 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2004 Tacoma rates average: 14% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Tacoma at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2004 Toyota Tacoma?
The body & structure — 203 complaints, 49% of all complaints for this model year, most often about body. Next are the suspension (84) and speed control & acceleration (30).
How many recalls does the 2004 Toyota Tacoma have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2004 Toyota Tacoma, the most recent from November 23, 2012 (temporary/emergency spare tire). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Toyota Tacoma?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2014, 2015 and 2020. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2024, 2016, 2025, 2012 and 2017. See the full Toyota Tacoma years comparison.
At what mileage do 2004 Toyota Tacoma problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 108,000 miles; 22% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.