2004 Toyota Tundra problems
Owners have filed 653 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Toyota Tundra. Body & structure is the most reported problem area, at 31% of complaints. Next are suspension (24%) and air bags (8%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 653 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Body & structure 31% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 36 and 1
- Injuries and deaths
- 28 and 1
- Typical mileage
- 104,000 miles 445 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 15 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 26 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 42 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 60 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 64 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 69 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 46 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 56 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 32 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 16 |
| 200k+ miles | 19 |
What the data shows
Of the 445 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 104,000 miles. For body & structure specifically, the median reported mileage is about 110,000 miles (140 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 36 complaints mention a crash; 1 complaint mentions a fire; 28 injuries reported; 1 death reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2004 ranks 10th most-complained-about out of 27 model years of the Toyota Tundra with enough data (151 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 8 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
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. The contact husband was fatally injured and was pronounced dead at the scene. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a lot for further investigation. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The contact referenced the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 15v286000 (air bags).
2004 toyota tundra recall for front ball joints--2006 received notice and took to dealer in bozeman, mt to check...we were told our truck wasn't part of recall....months later, received another notice...called and emailed dealer, but they did not return calls or emails. October 2007 front passenger wheel "broke" while driving and we wrecked.
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 toyota tundra. The contact was driving approximately 35 MPH before approaching a stop sign. There was an unintended acceleration. The brake pedal was engaged and the vehicle continued without slowing down. The ignition key was removed from the ignition and the vehicle crashed into a wall. There were two passengers in the vehicle that sustained injuries. The air bags failed to deploy with the impact involved. A police report was taken. The VIN was unavailable.
The 2004 and earlier toyota tundra has had major corrosion issues and frame recalls. My tundra was just inspected by the local toyota dealer and major corrosion was noted on the vehicle frame. Toyota applied a fiberglass based rustproofing to the frame. However, they would not acknowledge any other corrosion or rot on the vehicle. My vehicles motor mounts are so corroded that I am afraid that the engine will fall out of the vehicle. Also, the mounts that hold the radiator are so corroded they are almost gone.
Massive generalized rust under vehicle. This is affecting the frame, suspension, all lines, exhaust, all metal fittings, wheels, brakes, spare tire. My mechanic does not know how to proceed and suggested we no longer drive this vehicle. Toyota dealer said this is not included in the rust recall which is in effect for tundra trucks exactly like this one , but off by a couple months by manufacturing date.