Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that fuel emitted outside of the vehicle; however, there was no fuel visible on the ground. In addition, the front fuel tank strap completely rusted and the fuel tank exhibited a hole. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was repaired, but the repairs were unknown. The contact also mentioned that the gear shifter cable fractured due to rust and corrosion. The failure caused the unoccupied vehicle to roll and crash into an embankment. It was unknown if a police report was filed or not and there were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 114,000.
Vehicle began to accelerate down a steep hill and no matter what I tried to do to stop the vehicle nothing happened. It just kept accelerating. Lost control of vehicle, and was unable to negotiate the right hand turn. Vehicle slammed into a dirt embankment, then rolled over and reversed it's position. Consequently, I was trapped in a running vehicle with gasoline leaking and unable to shut off the engine. Had to wait 30n minutes for ems/fire rescue to arrive. Extrication took another 25-30 minutes. Transported to trauma center, york, pa.
Vehicle's acceleration became uncontrollable. In addition, the brakes and the antilock system seem to failed. The vehicle was in drive and proceeding down an incline, travelling about 30mph when the unintended acceleration occurred.
Frame rusting and rear differential rusting out. Frame is corroding from rust. Rear differential has several pin holes causing fluid to leak. These are both known problems with the gen 1 Tundra's. Contacted Toyota customer care and basically told me there isn't anything they can do since the frame recall campaign ended in 2015. I never received notification of the frame recall. I was told that there wasn't any recall fro the differential but that is a very common problem for Tundra's used in ne USA whereby road salt is used in winter. The salt causes frame and differential rust because material used by Toyota is of poor corrosion resistance quality. The consumer iis on their own. Toyota won't do anything even though it's their failure to build the vehicle fit for it's intended use.
I am disabled and I keep receiving recall notices about airbags, and frame recalls from Toyota, but the local dealers tell me that they do not have the parts to fix them. I am unable to carry anyone in the passenger seat because of safety advisories and this is affecting the value of my vehicle, and risk of injury to myself and any passengers I May carry, and insurance coverage because of the recall notifications. I suffered diligently to pay for this vehicle and now I find it's an unsafe piece of junk that I cannot use. I really want this vehicle fixed or replaced with one that is not unsafe.
Rear end failure due to rust problem known to Toyota. They replaced frame with no consideration for safety of passengers. Drive train locked up while driving down highway. Found bell housing on rear end rusted through allowing fluid to run out! Dangerous. Toyota should take responsibility for bad product! Welded bell housing, cannot repair. Please help!!!! Almost caused wreck! Cars swerved to avoid colision.
The entire frame and under side of the truck to include brackets, cables, fittings, and exhaust are so rusted and flaking off that I'm concerned that the truck May break apart driving down the road. I bought the truck used from lowe Toyota in warner robins, ga and had no idea that the truck was a rusted out disaster waiting for a place to happen !!
Toyota recalled my Tundra for a rusted frame. Dealer took possession of the vehicle in April. They provided a rental car, but no other update or contact until a week ago when the frame arrived. Now nearly complete, they want to charge me $8000 for additional parts not covered by the recall which they claim is necessary to make the vehicle pass inspection and roadworthy yet many of these parts were unaffected prior to the recall. At no time did Toyota ever inform us of additional costs not covered by the recall. Two of the items are critical to the value and drivability of the car. They include the rear axle and differential which I believe failed due to the same rusted issues as the frame. The additional parts affected were the brakes. …
I took my 2004 Toyota Tundra to a local service center because I thought it needed shock absorbers. Once on the lift we found the entire rear section was completely rusted out with several major parts just hanging from the frame. Toyota claims they sent recalls in 2015 however I did not get them. I did receive a very recent recall for an air bag and front coil springs, within a week the truck was taken in for the recall. At no time was I informed of the dangerous issue of the rear suspension. I called Toyota to discuss the matter and was told they would not do anything to correct the problems. I am very lucky I did not have an accident because the rear components could have failed at any time while I was driving. Toyota will not accept any responsibility and they were quite rude when we spoke. …
The 2004 Tundra is available with a fully extended cab, which I own. This model uses a different electronic/mechanical mechanism to shift gears than other models. With 1200 miles on the 2004 Tundra I realized there was a problem if you shift from overdrive to 3rd gear to slow down while going doan a hill, then shift back to overdrive, the transmission will fail to switch. There is a button you drpress on the steering shift knob that electronically shifts in and out of overdrive. If this button is briefly tapped to switch gears, this will cause the transmission not to shift back. Instead, it will reverse so that when the dash light says you are in overdrive you actually are in 3rd gear. When the light says are out of overdrive you are in overdrive. The dealer was able to replicate this problem. They checked with factory and there were no other incidents of this. …
Transmission complaints in other Tundra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2004 Toyota Tundra?
NHTSA has 46 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2004 Toyota Tundra, 10% of the model year's 466 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Toyota Tundra transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 110,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.