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Recalls are issued for a make, model and model year. Whether the repair has already been done on one specific car is known only to its manufacturer and dealers. Check your vehicle's official status at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with a dealer.
US 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, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. The spare tire in the subject vehicles is located underneath the rear of the vehicle and held by a spare tire carrier. A lift plate on the carrier is used to help raise, lower and retain the tire. During its manufacture, the lift plate may not have been sufficiently coated with anti-corrosion materials. If the plate is insufficiently coated and the vehicle is operated in cold climate regions where road salts are frequently used, road spray can reach the carrier assembly and corrode the lift plate.
Risk and remedy
Risk: Corrosion of the plate could cause it to break, which could result in detachment of the spare tire from the vehicle. Detachment of the spare tire could result in a road hazard which may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
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. Owners may contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.
Suspension: front, control arm
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk: THE LOWER BALL JOINT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE KNUCKLE CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD.
Remedy: DEALERS HAVE REPLACED THE SEAT BELTS. NO VEHICLES WERE SOLD TO CONSUMERS.
Canadian recalls (2)
Show 2 Canadian recalls
Accessories
2012-11-21 · campaign 2012-390
On certain vehicles, excessive corrosion of the spare tire carrier lift plate may cause the separation of the spare tire stowed under the vehicle. The spare tire falling on the road surface creates a safety hazard that may result in a crash causing personal injury and/or property damage. Correction: To be announced.
Suspension
2005-05-18 · campaign 2005-151
On certain vehicles, a manufacturing issue with the front lower ball joint could result in premature wear. If the vehicle is operated for an extended period of time in this condition, the ball joint may eventually experience excessive wear and looseness, resulting in increased steering effort, reduced vehicle self-centering and noise in the front suspension. In extreme cases, when the driver continues to operate the vehicle in this condition, the lower ball joint may separate from the knuckle causing a loss of vehicle steering control. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the front lower ball joints.
Owner complaints (415)
Owners filed 415 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Toyota Tacoma (27 crashes, 3 fires, 23 injuries reported). Among 32 model years of this model, it ranks #6 for the most complaints (median 243).
| Most-reported problem | Complaints | |
|---|
| Structure | 203 | |
| Suspension | 85 | |
| Unknown or other | 32 | |
| Vehicle speed control | 30 | |
| Steering | 29 | |
| Power train | 22 | |
| Electrical system | 17 | |
| Air bags | 15 | |
Crash test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2004 Toyota Tacoma.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|
| 2004 Toyota Tacoma Extended Cab | – | – | – | 3★ |
| 2004 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab | – | – | – | 3★ |
| 2004 Toyota Tacoma Regular Cab | – | – | – | 3★ |
Fuel economy
EPA ratings for each 2004 Toyota Tacoma version.
| Version | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined | Yearly fuel cost |
|---|
| Tacoma 2WD 2.4 L Automatic 4-spd | 19 | 23 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Tacoma 2WD 2.4 L Manual 5-spd | 20 | 25 | 22 | $3,050 |
| Tacoma 2WD 2.7 L Automatic 4-spd | 17 | 20 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Tacoma 2WD 3.4 L Automatic 4-spd | 15 | 19 | 16 | $4,200 |
| Tacoma 2WD 3.4 L Manual 5-spd | 17 | 22 | 19 | $3,550 |
| Tacoma 4WD 2.7 L Automatic 4-spd | 16 | 19 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Tacoma 4WD 2.7 L Manual 5-spd | 16 | 20 | 17 | $3,950 |
| Tacoma 4WD 3.4 L Automatic 4-spd | 14 | 18 | 16 | $4,200 |
| Tacoma 4WD 3.4 L Manual 5-spd | 15 | 18 | 16 | $4,200 |
Need this data in your app?
Recalls, complaints, crash ratings and fuel economy as a JSON API. Decode up to 50 VINs per call and get a daily feed of new recalls.
Explore the API →Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings, US EPA fuel economy and Transport
Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database (contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada).
Recalls updated 2026-10-30.