2004 Toyota Tacoma: common problems and reliability

The 2004 Toyota Tacoma has 414 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are structure and suspension. Owners most often flag *for 2016-2017 models:.

Safety record for the 2004 model year

414
Owner complaints
5
Recalls
27
Crash reports
3
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2004 Toyota Tacoma vehicles (US, public record).

Where owners report problems

structure
203
suspension
84
vehicle speed control
30
steering
29
power train
22

Recalls affecting the 2004 Tacoma

tires:temporary/emergency spare tire

Campaign 12V542000

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

exterior lighting

Campaign 06E065000

CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL

exterior lighting

Campaign 06E026000

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL T

suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint

Campaign 05V225000

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 EVENT

What owners say across generations

Sentiment is mixed and heavily dependent on the specific model year and generation. Long-term owners of older generations (e.g., 2003 with the 3.4L V6) report high satisfaction with durability and ease of maintenance, with vehicles reaching high mileage (over

  • *For 2016-2017 Models:
  • Engine defects (coolant pipe leaks, timing cover leaks, cylinder wall damage) — Frequency: recurrent.
  • *For 2024-2026 Models:
  • Rough-shifting/failing 8-speed automatic transmission — Frequency: very frequent.
  • Driveshaft defect (recall issued) — Frequency: very frequent.

Owner insights cover all generations of the Tacoma.

Typical used price

Used Tacoma listings typically run $27,275–$40,236 across 2015 to 2026 model years.

Other Tacoma model years