16 problems related to differential unit have been reported for the 2004 Toyota Tundra. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2004 Toyota Tundra based on all problems reported for the 2004 Tundra.
Rear axle differential has rusted through and is leaking oil. Emergency brake line has rusted and snapped. The rims have oxidated. Leaf springs have also rusted very badly. ## #vpic# 1 - check digit (9th position) does not calculate properly; 2 - VIN corrected, error in one position; 14 - unable to provide information for all the characters in the VIN. #vpic#.
Rusted rear differential. Rusted frame at front right sway bar. Can't pass inspection. Seems to be a common problem just like the 2003 model. I still have payments on this vehicle I can't drive.
Toyota recalled my Tundra for a rusted frame. Dealer took possession of the vehicle in April. They provided a rental car, but no other update or contact until a week ago when the frame arrived. Now nearly complete, they want to charge me $8000 for additional parts not covered by the recall which they claim is necessary to make the vehicle pass inspection and roadworthy yet many of these parts were unaffected prior to the recall. At no time did Toyota ever inform us of additional costs not covered by the recall. Two of the items are critical to the value and drivability of the car. They include the rear axle and differential which I believe failed due to the same rusted issues as the frame. The additional parts affected were the brakes. The front brakes seized from 6 months of non use and maintenance by the dealer, the rear brakes were failed by fluid leak from rear axle while in possession of the dealer for 6 months. In short, after getting a new frame, the dealer was holding trying to charge $8000 in extra repairs or they would return me a truck that had a new frame but was still inoperable in the condition under which it was stored by the dealer. The dealer and Toyota were responsible for maintaining the vehicle and returning it in as good or better condition than they received it, but instead it lost 1005 of its value. I cant drive it, I cant sell it. It has a new frame but now has no differential or brakes it has lost all marketable value, where it could have been traded in or sold prior to the "frame replacement" that was supposed to right all the wrongs" of Toyota's doing. I have full service records showing responsible ownership of the truck for the last 10 years. Needs to make it right and fix my truck so I can drive again, or buy me out, or offer me a trade allowance that is fair and equitable. This Toyota case number is 1504140934.
Excessive rust on frame, under body, and suspension. Rear axle / differential has large flaking rust so bad that it will not hold lubricant. Filed complaint with Toyota on 11/13/2013 and was given a case # and turned in photos at local Toyota dealer in early December 2013. Contacted Toyota in January 2014 and was told that a recall was going to be issued but it would cover frame only and no other components would be covered for rust. I personally took it upon myself not to drive this vehicle because I feel it is unsafe and not road worthy due to rust. I also feel that a company that I had a lot of respect for because of their reputation for quality and safety has let me down. Vehicle has been parked since 11/13/2013 and will not be driven until properly repaired or replaced.
I recently noticed a leak under the rear of the vehicle. Upon inspection, the differential was found to be rusted right through and leaking. I examined the frame as well and noticed severe rusting in various places on the frame. I never received a notice of recall on the frame. Apparently there is not only frame damage to many Tundras, but also to necessary working parts. I have never had an axle rot out on any of my cars and because of the inability to simply repair a seal, the entire axle will need replacing? seems a bit extreme. I like the Tundra and will base my decision to remain a customer on how I'm treated in the recall appointment.
On 9/27/13 when my 2004 Tundra was being checked out for a recall for severe frame rust the ri Toyota dealer brought to my attention the rear differential was rotted through and leaking oil and said that this rust is not covered by recall. The whole axle has to be replaced. My question to you is, shouldn't Toyota be responsible for all the sub-standard steel? shouldn't this be under a safety recall for oil leakage? as far as I know the oil leak cannot be fixed w/o complete axle housing replacement and this is a problem that effects a huge # of Tundras.
The frame has severe rust. Also rear differential is leaking fluid through the steel bowl.
2004 Toyota Tundra worse than 2003 for metal fatigue. Front of rear differential is flaking apart. Tension adjuster for emergency brake is disintegrating. Adjustment bolts are seized. Spare tire attachment is flaking apart. Please help.
Tl-the contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that there was corrosion on the casing of the rear differential that caused the differential fluid to leak. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or repair shop for a diagnostic. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but offered no further assistance. The approximate failure and current mileage was 128,000. Yn.
Frame rusting and rear differential rusting out. Frame is corroding from rust. Rear differential has several pin holes causing fluid to leak. These are both known problems with the gen 1 Tundra's. Contacted Toyota customer care and basically told me there isn't anything they can do since the frame recall campaign ended in 2015. I never received notification of the frame recall. I was told that there wasn't any recall fro the differential but that is a very common problem for Tundra's used in ne USA whereby road salt is used in winter. The salt causes frame and differential rust because material used by Toyota is of poor corrosion resistance quality. The consumer iis on their own. Toyota won't do anything even though it's their failure to build the vehicle fit for it's intended use.
Noticed small oil spot in driveway. The differential was leaking. I took it to colonial Toyota in smithfield, ri and they checked it for a recall and told me there was none. They did note the axle was not in good shape and should probably be replaced as the differential is part of the housing. Not ready to drop 3k for a poorly made product. Research and other recalls tell me that the metal used was of an inferior quality and will not hold up in the northeast. Toyota of course, wants no part of this and will not take responsibility for anything. Also had spare tire fall off on highway due to severe corrosion. I cannot understand how this vehicle is not on any recall list, I guess no one has been killed yet. Leak progressively getting worse.
Excessive rust throughout underbody and drive train components. Porous, rusted through differential now leaking oil. Rust issues started while vehicle still under 3/36 warranty. Belt tensioner bracket, bracket mount and ball joints at 33,921 miles, sway bar linkages rusted through at 45,168 miles. Both issued repaired as warranty matters. Toyota claims current problem not covered but admits defective material and offers to provide replacement parts only, requiring estimated $770 to complete the repair. Have initiated complaint with Toyota, file number available upon request.
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that he noticed a stain in his driveway and took the vehicle to a personal mechanic for a diagnosis. The contact was informed that the rear differential had completely rusted out and was leaking fluid. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection. The dealer acknowledged that there was an issue, but offered no assistance. The manufacturer was notified but offered no assistance. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 50,166.
Excessive rust pretty much everywhere. Just had to replace the rear differential and associated parts because rust caused differential leak. Cost was over 3,500. Replaced rusted brake lines and calipers. Tailgate wire rusted and broke. Opening mechanism to tailgate is rusted and is extremely difficult (if not impossible) to open/close. Rear bumper is rusted through, and not safe to step on. Hitch receiver is completely rusted and cannot remove hitch now. Skid plate and brackets rusted through - skid plate fell off. Dealer just inspected the truck and will be replacing the entire frame because of excessive rust.
Rust on everything under the truck as well as the rear bumper. Parts that have had to be replaced because of rust and/or rust perforation or need to be replaced: 1) entire frame ¿ perforation greater than 10mm found on passenger siderail 2) rear differential (leaking from rust perforation) 3) brake lines 4) power steering line (leaking from rust) 5) skid plate (support brackets rusted - fell off while driving) 6) brake calipers (multiple times) 7) coil springs 8) axles (front and back) 9) control arms 10) cv- joint 11) boots 12) hitch receiver 13) exhaust 14) muffler 15) camber bolt 16) multiple sets of tires (unable to align tires properly due to rusted/seized camber bolt) causing premature tread wear. 17) brake drums (warped and pitted) 18) wheel bearing 19) truck tailgate support wires ¿ wires rusted and broke. Tailgate won¿t open/close without extreme effort because it is not aligned properly. 20) shocks/struts 21) seals, brackets, nuts and bolts - the parts listed above is not complete. Basically, everything you see under the truck is suffering from extreme rust and/or perforated. *truck has had a horrible shimmy for years that no one has been able to figure out, particularly bad when towing. Steering wheel shakes violently as well as the entire truck. Improved slightly when rear differential and axles were replaced. Most likely related to frame warp or instability. *truck has had issues with getting in and out of 4wd. Inconsistent with how long it takes to get in and out of 4wd. There is a loud and jarring clunk when engaging or disengaging 4wd. *truck feels like it is on the verge of going out of control when a hole or bump is hit. The truck will literally jump sideways. *traction stability control comes on randomly when hitting a bump or hole. Another mystery to mechanic.
2004 Toyota Tundra with a limited slip differential. On wet payment, if both wheel spin at the same time ( loose traction), the truck bed will kick left and put the truck into a spin. The truck was taken to the dealer and the dealer said the lsd (limited slip differential) was functioning. He asked me which side the truck kicked. I told him left. The dealer has seen this problem before with this truck kicking left. The dealer stated I had to contact Toyota motor sales and file a complaint. This was done and I was refereed to Toyota regional office in FL. I was contacted by them and they told me that the lsd was functioning correctly and that Toyota has no intention of fixing this problem. This problem need to be fixed!.