Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Toyota Tacoma owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
While driving the vehicle loses pedal response due to the throttle control motor shutting down and the check engine light coming on. The engine either shuts down completely or the becomes very jerky and cannot sustain an idle. Incidents began to occur around 95,000 miles odo but stopped for several years after a mechanic worked on the vehicle and said the throttle position sensor was out of alignment. More recently the truck has again been experiencing the same problem as before: loss of pedal response, and in addition it now shuts the engine down and the gauges shoot up to the top of the charts and tick unresponsively until the key is removed from the ignition. This has occurred multiple times now in traffic and along the roadway where the truck becomes unresponsive and is difficult to drive safely off of the roadway.
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 accelerating. It doesn't seem to matter what type of road I am driving on or at what speed. It doesn't do it under hard acceleration, only normal driving. I suspect it is the throttle body itself that is causing the problem as investigating has told me that other people have had this same exact issue, all with a 2003 or 2004 Toyota Tacoma with a 3.4l v6. I have also discovered that these two years a newer drive by wire throttle body was used, and was changed to a different design in 2005 and newer tacomas.
Going 35 miles an hour the vehicle will start to pull to the side and the ball joint will come out also the ABS sensor cable will brake and you will have to replace it a $2500 dollar spence for a Toyota malfunction in the suspension I have a friend in california that has one a year early model than mine a 2003 Toyota Tacoma and he told me about this problem had happen to him in the freeway about 60 MPH to him a had to learn the hard way if you have a Toyota Tacoma please I am warning you to have the ball joint replace before its to late the new ball joints are warranty for life but I will check in to that if I still have the pick up in four years
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. While idling at a stop, the vehicle suddenly accelerated independently. The vehicle did not respond when the brake pedal was depressed. As a result, the contact crashed the vehicle into another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. No injuries were reported and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure recurred three times. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 131,200. Updated 12/30/14 updated 05/26/2015
I have a 2004 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 with a 3.4 liter v6. I have already filed 1 complaint butt in frustration will try this again. The electronic throttle bodies that come on 2003 and 2004 Toyota tacomas are flawed and need to be investigated and recalled due to safety concerns. The problem is that the accelerator position sensors on these throttle bodies are going out, causing the accelerator to become useless unless depressed greater than 60%. I have all most been in 2 accidents while pulling out into traffic and having this occur. When the sensor fails the throttle valve closes leaving the person driving the vehicle without enough acceleration to get out of the way of on coming traffic. In vehicles with manual transmission it is especially dangerous when on an incline (very difficult not to role backwards and hit something behind you). …
2004 Toyota Tacoma v6 3.4l 5vz-fe with automatic transmission. Toyota originally equipped this vehicle with a throttle by wire system. The vehicle unexpectedly does not respond to accelerator pedal position. Toyota on board diagnostic system does not detect fault thus does not log any error codes or illuminate check engine light. Occurrence rate and duration of events is intermittent and inconsistent. Velocity of the vehicle rapidly decreases unexpectedly and momentarily as if foot was temporarily removed from the accelerator pedal. Vehicle also unexpectedly and momentarily does not respond when accelerator pedal is depressed to begin moving or suddenly decreases speed when accelerating. This is a potential hazard in situations such as cruising in traffic, clearing an intersection, crossing railroad tracks, etc... …
2004 Toyota Tacoma v6 3.4l 5vz-fe with automatic transmission. Toyota originally equipped this vehicle with a throttle by wire system. The vehicle unexpectedly does not respond to accelerator pedal position. Toyota on board diagnostic system does not detect fault thus does not log any error codes or illuminate check engine light. Occurrence rate and duration of events is intermittent and inconsistent. Velocity of the vehicle rapidly decreases unexpectedly and momentarily as if foot was temporarily removed from the accelerator pedal. Vehicle also unexpectedly and momentarily does not respond when accelerator pedal is depressed to begin moving or suddenly decreases speed when accelerating. This is a potential hazard in situations such as cruising in traffic, clearing an intersection, crossing railroad tracks, etc... …
After running the vehicle and shutting it off for about 2 hours the vehicle did not want to start, there was only about 2,000 miles on the truck. The starter is cranking the engine, but the engine is not starting up. I took it to the Toyota service department, and they said nothing was wrong with the vehicle. The same thing happend severl times after I had taken it to Toyota. The only way to start the vehicle would be to crank it up for about 5 minutes, then the vehicle would run rough for about a minute. I took it to the Toyota service department again and this time they worked on it. They said they had to change the throttle position sensor, the engine wiring harness, and the fuel injectors. No old parts were available. Problem has still not been corrected. Vehicle now has about 6,000 miles and every 3-4 days it still doesn't want to start up.
Acceleration complaints in other Tacoma years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2004 Toyota Tacoma?
NHTSA has 30 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2004 Toyota Tacoma, 7% of the model year's 414 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Toyota Tacoma acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2004 Toyota Tacoma, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2004 Toyota Tacoma acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 55,000 miles, and 32% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.