Body problems of the 2004 Toyota Tacoma - part 1

The frame broke.

The vehicle has an open recall (NHTSA recall #12v542) for the spare tire carrier lift plate. I brought the vehicle to a Toyota dealership to have the recall addressed, but the dealership refused to perform the repair, stating that the frame is too rusted to proceed safely. They recommended a full frame replacement due to severe rust damage, which includes holes and significant structural weakening. Toyota has refused to provide a replacement frame under any existing recall or warranty program. This means the recall cannot be completed, and the vehicle remains unsafe to drive. Additionally, I cannot locate a replacement frame for this vehicle through Toyota or the aftermarket, leaving no practical solution to address the safety risks. The refusal to honor the recall and the lack of available replacement parts put me and others at significant risk. The problem has been confirmed by the Toyota dealership during inspection, and the rust damage makes the vehicle structurally unsound. The unresolved recall, combined with the excessive frame rust, has created a double safety hazard that needs urgent resolution.

Vehicle was taken to dealer with frame rust, crack and holes. Toyota refused to fix , repair or offer parts to repair.

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? the whole frame, the chassis, it is rusty specially in the front how was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? when the rusty becomes worse, it will compromise the entire vehicle estructure, even the suspension and wheel parts. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? yes, I can see Toyota run a recall process until 2019 has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? no, just regular shop service, on which they reported high damage for the suspension and frame parts. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear?. It is making bad noises and suspension parts are difficult to replace.

Frame is badly rusted as a result truck is not driveable. .

Bought the vehicle in may 2022 from a dealer. By November of 2022 it was discovered that the frame was totally rusted. The dealer won't help so I paid $10,000 for a truck that lasted 6 months. I then found out this was a common problem that Toyota knew about so I called them for assistance. They would not help. I have been renting a vehicle at a cost of $800 a month because I don't have the money to buy another vehicle.

Excessive corrison through out the frame. Was informed bu certified mechanic really it is unsafe to drive. What can I do I still owe money on this vehicle.

Financed a 2004 Toyota Tacoma and found that frame of truck is rusted out and not sure what to do, can't afford new frame and still owe a little over 9 grand for it. . . . Please advise what to do next. Thank u.

The frame has rusted and broke behind the cab.

This vehicles frame has rusted and broken. I feel lucky to have made it home just as the frame cracked wide open on one side making the truck un-drivable. Had this happened on the freeway or somewhere out in a rural setting I may have been killed, caused a problem for other drivers or been stranded away from any help. I have sent a photo of the damage to a frame shop but an independent inspection is not, in my opinion, needed since the rusted, broken member is clearly visible to any lay person. There were no warning lights or anything associated with this problem. What I did feel was some serious shaking and bumping as I moved down the road toward my house.

Frame rot on the mid chassis up to the front chassis where the frame begins to curve inward towards the engine. Frame rot is on left and right side of the vehicles inner frame. Failed state inspection.

Defective frame on 2004 Toyota Tacoma extend cab dear sir or madam: I am reaching out to you for assistance regarding the defective frame on my 2004 Toyota Tacoma extended cab. I purchased this vehicle used in 2012 from a private owner. I did not know at the time, nor did the previous owner advise me that he received a manufacturer's recall on the truck from Toyota in 2010 regarding a cracked frame because the vehicle was not treated during manufacturing to prohibit rust corrosion. Please see attached letter.

My 2004 Toyota Tacoma has frame damage underneath (picture enclosed) I learned of a 15 year manufacturer extended warranty on the frame of my truck within the last few months. I put in a complaint to Toyota (I lost claim number) and was told the warranty had expired in may of 2019 and was out of luck, he also said that 15 year warranty extension were mailed out in the past but ,trouble is my wife and I do not recall seeing this information do to this I was unable to get my frame fixed under the warranty and I cannot afford out of pocket fee to fix myself. What issue I do have is I had my vehicle at a Toyota dealership being worked on for a "safety recall " July of 2018 and I was wondering at least as a customer courtesy why I wasn't made aware of this frame recall while under repair for the safety recall, I would have got the work done had I known and as stated earlier known by receiving information in the mail about this. The Toyota rep said since it expired I was out of luck and that is why I'm reaching out to you about this matter.

Tl- the contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while in for inspection it was discovered that the front driver side sub frame of the vehicle had sustained severe rusting and corrosion. The vehicle was deemed unsafe to drive and did not pass inspection. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The local dealer was not notified. The failure mileage was 150,000. Jft.

Tl- the contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that upon inspection of the vehicle, he had discovered corrosion underneath the frame of the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to two independent mechanics who informed him that they could not repair the matter. The contact spoke with the manufacturer who informed him that the prior owner declined to have the corrosion repaired on the vehicle. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 141,000. Jo.

Through no fault of our own, the frame on our Toyota truck has been discovered by our mechanic as rusted or corroded to an extend of unsafe driving conditions. Toyota in response to my complaint replaced the spare tire carrier as a safety recall that never expires, however, they are telling me the frame is no longer under a warranty and is not a safety recall issue. The suggested I lodge a complaint with the NHTSA as they are unable and unwilling to do something for us. I uploaded 5 pictures, not sure if they are all there.

The frame has many holes in it. Was just told by mechanic when went in for rear differential work. They as I were surprised as the body shows no signs of rust. They did not complete work as they said frame so bad it is unsafe. I have owned other 2003 and 2004 Tacoma's over the years which had frames recalled. This one does not have the frame recall and I am wondering is this a mistake or why not?.

The dealer discovered holes in the frame on 3/26/19. Actually it was in for repair of a gas tank strap and I believe they used a hammer on the frame to make the holes. They wrote it up as my truck was unsafe to drive. It only has 81,000 miles on it and other wise in great shape. I had it in for a recalled rusted spare tire holder on 2/11/15 and the service manager told me that the frame looked ok and if the frame develops holes they can recommend a good welder.

2004 Toyota Tacoma, took truck in to be painted was informed that there are multiple baseball size holes in the frame and the leaf spring mounts are rusted and leaf springs are about to pop off. I have called Toyota corp, and was told because truck was not sprayed they will not honor the frame. I recently acquired this vehicle and was not aware of the recall that had been issued on this truck. Toyota at this point is refusing to replace or repair the frame even though this truck originated and remained in a cold climate state for most of its existence. Please advise if there are any options available to have Toyota honor this vehicle. Thank yo u.

Took truck in for inspection and the frame is deteriorating to the point the bed is becoming detached from the frame and separating from the cab. The suspension is coming loose from the mounts. This is not the only one the mechanic has seen with deterioration. These trucks are not safe to drive!!.

About two weeks ago ive taken my truck to price Toyota in new castle DE for a frame inspection. They told me that they were going to call the Toyota manufacture about the frame recall issue but they never got back to me and just recently ive heard a knocking sound on the rear driver side and found a crack in the frame.

I have a 2004 Toyota Tacoma with severe corrosion underneath the frame. It is not safe and could crack at anytime. Especially where the leaf spring meets the frame, I can loose the rear end.

Tamara recall, my 2004 Toyota Tacoma 4 wheel drive chassis has broken on me twice sense I bought the truck from a used dealership, and the chassis is also cracked again on my back drivers side, when I bought the truck I wasn't told that the chassis was rusted and they had covered it up. I need to know if it's still under warranty to get it replaced or what I need to do, my odometer is showing only 118686 on it right now. I'm concerned if I were to be in a wreck that there would be a worse outcome verses the chassis not being rusted. When the chassis broke on the passenger side both times I was driving, the exhaust has broken off as well because of rust. Now the truck squeaks really bad and my spare tire is about to break off as well I believe. I would really appreciate it if I could get it fixed. I'm not sure how much of the chassis is rusted or how bad it us due to them covering it up. Both times the chassis has broken have been when on a city street I haven't done an insurance claim on it either, the second time it broke I was also braking the truck. I don't know the number of the recall. I bought the truck in March and all this happened in may and June and I'm afraid it's gonna happen again if it's not replaced and due to me making payments on it and it being my daily driver I don't know what else to due sense I cannot sale it. I didn't know about the recall until September, I seen something about it on facebook and just started looking into it to see if there was any possibility of getting it fixed or replaced. The bed has also been replaced before I bought it, but I'm not sure why. Thank you for reading this and I hope to hear something soon about my truck. Any kind of options available would be very helpful, because I do not trust this truck. It is very unsafe. I would not recommend anyone else to drive my truck because it is so untrustworthy. Thank you again.

Bought a 2004 Tacoma not knowing about the frame recall. The dealer I bought the vehicle from had puddied the frame to make it look solid. Now I've got an unsafe vehicle. Something that could kill people shouldn't expire. Or Toyota should buy it back since whoever owned it before never took care of the problem. There are probably hundreds of these on our streets today like this!.

While driving I heard an unusual noise coming from underneath the vehicle. Upon self inspection I discovered the fuel tank strap had broke. I noticed also that the fuel tank shield looked like swiss cheese from corrosion. I had a tie down strap that I was able to use to strap the shield and tank up with. I am in the process of looking to repair it. I feel since it is a safety issue Toyota should fix it free of charge. A fuel tank strap should never fail like this.

Drivers side door handle fell off, while stationary. I grabbed handle to open door like normal, and part of it crumbled im my hand and then fell to the ground. It could not be put back on due to excessive corrosion. This is a huge safty risk of someone getting trapped in the vehicle if something happened and the handle fell off at the most importuned time, it could easily cause fatalities. While searching for a replacemet part I met several others with this same problem. The fact that Toyota is charging and exuberant about for the handle assembly's ($4251.

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. While driving approximately 10 mph over a speed bump, the spare tire located on the trunk detached and rolled into the street. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (checkered flag Toyota in virginia beach, virginia) where it was diagnosed that the failure occurred due to severe rust and corrosion on the subframe. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 263,000.

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the rear frame failed. The contact stated that the rear frame and bed were severely corroded. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer where it was determined that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 190,000.

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. While driving approximately 35 mph over some bumps in the road, the contact heard a noise emerging from the rear of the vehicle. The contact stopped and noticed that parts of the subframe detached in the rear of the vehicle due to severe rust. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 158,000.

The vehicle exhibited shimmying while driving on streets and highways. When inspected by a mechanic, significant frame corrosion was identified. Mechanic stated that vehicle was unsafe to operate.

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. While the vehicle was at the dealer to have the catalytic converter system replaced, the mechanic observed that the frame had extensive corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not included in any open recalls. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. While having the brakes repaired on the vehicle, the independent mechanic stated that the subframe was corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was inspected in 2011 for corrosion and passed the inspection. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in any open recalls. The contact filed a complaint with the manufacturer. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. After the vehicle was purchased, the contact took the vehicle for an inspection and was informed that the frame was severely corroded. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer notified the contact that they issued a voluntary recall; however, the campaign had expired. The recall information was not provided. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was 121,000.

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a dealer for an alignment. The technician stated that the frame of the vehicle was severely rusted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

We are the second owners of a 2004 Tacoma, purchased 4 years ago. It currently has 104,000 miles on it. The underside is rusted out! we just got the list of things to fix this morning (rusty muffler and steering components needing replacement) and are devastated. My husband was told he could lose control of steering at any moment if we don't make the repairs of $4000+. The steering is very loose and not steady. I opened a case this morning, but fear because it's a 2004, they won't hold themselves accountable. Why would they design a truck that looks great on the outside, but becomes a rust bucket on the inside? aren't they worried about the safety of their Toyota drivers and others?.