2004 Toyota Tacoma problems and complaints

Owners have filed 414 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Toyota Tacoma. The most-reported areas: Structure (203), Suspension (84), Unknown Or Other (32).

Key takeaways

  • 414 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
  • 27 involve a crash, 3 a fire, 23 reported injuries.
  • Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
Complaints by component
ComponentComplaintsShare
Structure20349%
Suspension8420%
Unknown Or Other328%
Vehicle Speed Control307%
Steering297%
Power Train225%
Service Brakes225%
Electrical System174%
Fuel/Propulsion System154%
Air Bags154%
Tires123%
Wheels113%

One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

NHTSA 5-Star crash ratings
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
2004 Toyota Tacoma Regular CabNot ratedNot ratedNot rated3/5
2004 Toyota Tacoma Double CabNot ratedNot ratedNot rated3/5
2004 Toyota Tacoma Extended CabNot ratedNot ratedNot rated3/5

Latest complaints, as filed

Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.

Structure - filed 2026-03-25

Immediately after the manufacturer recall requiring full frame replacement (completed November 2017 by the same dealership referenced below), the vehicle developed abnormal handling not present before the repair, including improper tracking and rear end instability. No warning lights/diagnostic messages were present. T...

Suspension - filed 2026-02-14

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.

Power Train - filed 2025-11-01

My 2004 Toyota Tacoma was part of the frame replacement back in the fall of 2018 when Bobby Rahal Toyota in Mechanicsburg, PA has by truck for over 6 months while they replaced my frame.  It has been determined that my rear differential is rusted and is now to the point of needing replaced.  For over the last year I ha...

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More for the 2004 Toyota Tacoma

Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.