2004 Toyota Tundra
This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 465
- Recalls
- 13
- Investigations
- 6
- Top problem
- Structure
Campaigns on file for 2004
Opened by NHTSA
44% of complaints
Complaints per year
2004: 465 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1999 | 1 |
| 2000 | 1,011 |
| 2001 | 415 |
| 2002 | 482 |
| 2003 | 399 |
| 2004 | 465 |
| 2005 | 376 |
| 2006 | 545 |
| 2007 | 390 |
| 2008 | 327 |
| 2009 | 38 |
| 2010 | 163 |
| 2011 | 134 |
| 2012 | 154 |
| 2013 | 85 |
| 2014 | 93 |
| 2015 | 49 |
| 2016 | 119 |
| 2017 | 78 |
| 2018 | 100 |
| 2019 | 74 |
| 2020 | 46 |
| 2021 | 24 |
| 2022 | 425 |
| 2023 | 405 |
| 2024 | 338 |
| 2025 | 137 |
| 2026 | 31 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Structure
44% · 204 reportsMost commonly citing body and underbody shields.
Show complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that a year go while driving 25 MPH and was going around a corner, the front end of the vehicle jerked, the contact lost control as a result, the vehicle collided with a tree.
NHTSA ODI report, 2020-12-10
Noise in front end. Inspection reveals rust holes on the frame rail near the sway bar bracket. Multiple areas rusted through.
NHTSA ODI report, 2023-10-19
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in for the State Inspection, he was informed that the sub frame underneath the front driver's side door was severely corroded.
NHTSA ODI report, 2023-10-17
Suspension
34% · 156 reportsMost commonly citing lower ball joint and front.
Show complaint excerpts
This is a second compliant. The first compliant did not have the correct home address. The p.o. Box is my mailing address. On 2/24/06 antioch Toyota delivered a 2004 Toyota Tundra to my home.
NHTSA ODI report, 2006-09-28
We have a Toyota Tundra a 2004, my husband said it was steering like something was catching he took it to a repair shop they could not find anything wrong, so we picked it up that same day, took it on a trip, on our way back going 70 MPH on the...
NHTSA ODI report, 2006-03-02
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the front driver's side lower ball joint detached, causing the driver's side wheel to separate from the vehicle, and the vehicle lowered to the ground.
NHTSA ODI report, 2023-09-06
Air bags
11% · 49 reportsMost commonly citing frontal.
Show complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owned a 2004 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated her husband was driving at an unknown speed, when he unexpectedly collided with an embankment and the air bags deployed.
NHTSA ODI report, 2020-08-03
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that the vehicle had been stationary for three months. A passenger attempted to start the vehicle but it would not start.
NHTSA ODI report, 2014-04-15
Power train
10% · 46 reportsMost commonly citing automatic transmission and differential unit.
Show complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2015-08-04
My wife was stopping by the house. She already had her foot on the brake. The vehicle accelerated w/o warning and went through the front of the house.
NHTSA ODI report, 2013-05-29
Service brakes
8% · 36 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic and electric.
Show complaint excerpts
Vehicle began to accelerate down a steep hill and no matter what I tried to stop it, nothing happened, it just kept accelerating.
NHTSA ODI report, 2021-01-09
Safety timeline
13 recalls · 6 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2004Complaint volume 465 complaints filed for this model year.
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2005-05-31Engine and engine cooling05V123000 Certain pickup trucks equipped with both vehicle stability control (Vsc) and the trd dual exhaust systems. The trd dual exhaust system met all clearance specifications on models without vsc…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if so equipped, will replace the trd dual exhaust system free of charge. During this replacement, the dealer will also inspect the specific brake line to assure it has…
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2005-07-05Suspension05V225000 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.…
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.
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2006-04-03Exterior lighting06E026000 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…
Remedy: Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006. Owners may contact pro-a motors at 323-838-2988.
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2006-04-10Recall queryClosed 2006-08-09 Lower ball joint separation
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2006-07-01Exterior lighting06E049000 Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are…
Remedy: Ck motorsport will notify owners and replace the noncompliant lamps free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2006. Owners may contact ck motorsport at 1-909-610-7211.
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2006-07-31Exterior lighting06E065000 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…
Remedy: Aj motorsport will notify owners and offer reimbursement for the lamps. The recall began on July 31, 2006. Owners may contact aj motorsport at 626-618-2026.
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2006-08-02Engineering analysisClosed 2007-02-28 Lower ball joint failure
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2007-01-12Air bags05V254000 Certain pickup trucks fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 225, 'child restraint anchorage systems.' these vehicles have a manual air bag on-off switch…
Remedy: Dealers will remove the manual air bag on-off switch, replace the owner's manual, and affix a new sun visor air bag warning label. The recall began in early January 2007. Owners may contact Toyota…
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2007-02-28Suspension07V013000 On certain trucks and mini vans, due to possible improper finishing of the front suspension lower ball joint, some ball joints may experience an incidental deterioration of the internal lubrication.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front suspension lower ball joints. The recall began on February 28, 2007. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
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2009-07-28Exterior lighting09E025000 Dope, inc. Is recalling 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…
Remedy: Dope, inc. Will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009. Owners may contact dope, inc. At 1-626-272-1798.
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2009-10-06Preliminary evaluationClosed 2010-01-26 Frame corrosion
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2014-06-11Preliminary evaluationClosed 2015-03-02 Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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2015-02-24Engineering analysisOpen Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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2015-07-13Air bags15V285000 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified the agency on May 13, 2015 that they are recalling certain model year 2004 Sequoia vehicles manufactured August 18, 2003, to August 19, 2004, and 2003-2004 Tundra vehicles manufactured March...
Remedy: 2003-2004 Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles that are recalled under both 15V-043 and 15V-285 are under a Do Not Drive advisory. Owners of these vehicles are advised not to drive their vehicles until the recall remedy has been completed.
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2015-07-13Air bags15V286000 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified the agency on May 13, 2015, that they are recalling 2005-2007 Lexus SC, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sequoia, and Pontiac Vibe, and 2005-2006 Toyota Tundra vehicles that were originally...
Remedy: 2003-2004 Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles that are recalled under both 15V-043 and 15V-286 are under a Do Not Drive advisory. Owners of these vehicles are advised not to drive their vehicles until the recall remedy has been completed.
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2019-01-23Air bags18V883000 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2002-2005 Lexus SC and Toyota Sequoia, 2003-2005 Toyota Corolla and Tundra, and 2003-2007 Pontiac Vibe vehicles.
Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota and Lexus owners. General Motors will notify the Pontiac Vibe owners.
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2019-11-20Air bags19V741000 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F,...
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator.
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2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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2022-03-15Suspension22E002000 Tenneco Automotive (DRiV) is recalling certain aftermarket ball joints for 2004-2007 Toyota Sequoia and 2004-2006 Toyota Tundra vehicles, MOOG part number K80521, K80522, NAPA part number NCP2601633, NCP2601634, ACDelco part number 45D2344, and...
Remedy: DRiV will work with distributors to return unsold parts. Dealers will inspect and replace the ball joint as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 17, 2022.
Buy-smart checklist
2004 Toyota Tundra — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Structure: 204 reports on file for this year.
- Suspension: 156 reports on file for this year.
- Air bags: 49 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 05V123000 · Engine and engine cooling
- Recall 05V225000 · Suspension
- Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 06E049000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 06E065000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 05V254000 · Air bags
- Recall 07V013000 · Suspension
- Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 15V285000 · Air bags
- Recall 15V286000 · Air bags
- Recall 18V883000 · Air bags
- Recall 19V741000 · Air bags
- Recall 22E002000 · Suspension
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2004 Toyota Tundra reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2004 Toyota Tundra is rated "significantly worse".
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 Toyota Tundra?
- The most-reported component is structure, accounting for 44% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2004 Toyota Tundra have?
- 13 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.