Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2004 Toyota Tacoma
NHTSA data on file today
The 2004 Toyota Tacoma has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 415 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #12V542000 Spare Tire Carrier may Fail NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06E065000 FMVSS 108/AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06E026000 FMVSS 108/AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #05V225000 BALL JOINT FAILURE NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #04V214000 TOYOTA/MISLABELED DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELTS NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Structure 203 complaints
- Suspension 85 complaints
- Unknown or Other 32 complaints
- Vehicle Speed Control 30 complaints
- Steering 29 complaints
- Power Train 22 complaints
Of the 415 complaints on file, 27 report a crash and 3 a fire; across all 415 complaints, owners report 23 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $6,500–$12,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2004 Toyota Tacoma has a relatively high number of complaints and notable recalls, particularly concerning the structure and suspension. The vehicle's issues with corrosion in cold-weather regions and critical components like the ball joints suggest possible reliability concerns. With several complaints about critical systems like suspension and steering, and multiple recalls, there's significant room for improvement. Despite some strengths, evidence points to reliability challenges.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structure | Unknown | $500–$2,500 | very common |
| Suspension | 80,000–120,000 miles | $300–$1,500 | common |
| Steering | 70,000–100,000 miles | $400–$1,000 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Brake pad replacements
- Timing belt replacement
- Coolant system flush
- Transmission fluid change
- Air filter replacement
- Rotate and balance tires
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Rust or corrosion signs
- Noisy suspension
- Steering wheel play
- Uneven tire wear
- Illuminated warning lights
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2004 Toyota Tacoma at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.