Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Toyota Tundra owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that on several occasions, while driving at undisclosed speeds and then parking the vehicle, the contact observed oil leaking from the vehicle. The contact stated that on another occasion, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was inspected, and the contact observed corrosion and holes on the frame of the vehicle, and the motor mounts were rusted, causing the engine to run abnormally low. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the vehicle was flexing due to the holes throughout the frame of the vehicle. The mechanic was unable to lift the vehicle due to the excessive corrosion. The vehicle was deemed unsafe to drive. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that after purchasing tires for replacement, the tire technician stated that the subframe was damaged from corrosion to the front frame, the side members, and the rear subframe. The contact was informed that the most severe corrosion was located on the driver's side front subframe behind the wheel well. The subframe was almost fully rusted through. The contact was referred to a welder by the tire shop. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and issued a customer complaint report. The failure mileage was approximately 114,000.
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated the sub-frame of the vehicle was corroded. The contact also stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V741000 (Air Bags) however, the dealer informed the contact that the frame was cracked in the process of completing the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not provide any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 175,000.
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in for the State Inspection, he was informed that the sub frame underneath the front driver's side door was severely corroded. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and it was determined that the sub frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 171,000.
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware that the sub frame underneath the vehicle was rusted. The contact was concerned that the sub frame could collapse. The vehicle was taking to the dealer to be inspected. The contact was informed that the sub frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 157,000.
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that the vehicle was Emissions tested, and rust was discovered on the driver's and passenger's side subframes. The dealer was notified of the issue, but the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Action Number: PE09049 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Tires, Fuel System, Gasoline, Structure). The failure mileage was 72,000.
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to the dealer for an unknown repair, the contact was informed that the sub-frame underneath the vehicle was severely corroded. The dealer stated that it was too dangerous to go underneath the vehicle to complete the repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 184,000.
I took my truck to a garage for simple tire repair. I had a slow leak. In the process of trying to lift my truck, the technician hear 'crumbling sounds'. They stopped the lift immediately. Upon looking at the my chassis frame, the technicians saw major rust damage. One technician used flashlight to tap against the frame and he poked through it. The technician stated that this was not the first time seeing this problem on this truck model style. I contacted a local dealership. The individual I spoke with at the dealership also confirm rusting issues on the frame of my truck style model. I researched this on the internet to find out multiple complaints concerning the premature rusting of these frames due to poor quality steel and inadequate rust prevention coating. I reached out to my vehicle manufacture "care line". They stated they could not help me. …
I had my truck inspected for the frame recall a few years ago. My current mechanic says the frame should not look as bad as it does for the 125k miles it has on it. They have concerns that using a lift on it will damage the frame. This could make it nearly impossible to remove/change the tires. I look at other trucks from ford/Dodge/GM near the same age and I do not see anything similar on the frames. More of a surface rust then flake. The body and engine look great. Suspect while everything looks good the frame will be unable to perform as designed. I have reached out to Toyota and they want me to contact local dealer. I am concerned as recently a brake line failed and I am not sure if this will cascade into a large repair bill due to rusted components.
I inherited my father's Tundra which now only has 95,000 and almost flawless body. As part of the recall for Tundra frames, I took it to the dealer and they wanted nothing to do with the frame replacement and only put on undercoating. This has made it worse. On my last inspection (May) I was told that this truck frame is failing and I won't be passing another inspection. I called a different dealer in the area and they said they cannot replace the frame now because of the other dealer's coating. Would it be possible to have Toyota still replace the frame because it's a safety issue? There is no reason to scrap the truck seeing as the rest of it is fine. Please advise and thank you for reading this!
Body complaints in other Tundra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2004 Toyota Tundra?
NHTSA has 200 complaints about the body & structure of the 2004 Toyota Tundra, 43% of the model year's 466 complaints. The component named most often is body (141 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Toyota Tundra body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2004 Toyota Tundra, though it has 8 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 Tundra body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 110,000 miles, and 1% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to body & structure 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.