Toyota Tacoma Complaints (2004)

415 consumer complaints on file.

#10195487July 6, 2007
AIR BAGS
TOYOTA TACOMA-TRD- 2004. HEAD ON COLLISION, SERVERED FRONT DAMAGED. BOTH AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10185035March 14, 2007
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
TL* - THE CONTACT HAS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA TRUCK. THE CONTACT LIVED IN A RURAL AREA AND SHE NEEDED TO BE ABLE TO GO INTO 4-WHEEL DRIVE, BUT WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO GO INTO 4-WHEEL DRIVE THE VEHICLE MADE A GRINDING NOISE AND WOULD NOT GO INTO 4-HEEL DRIVE. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE ONCE BEFORE UNSUCCESSFULLY. THE UNSUCCESSFUL REPAIR WAS DONE UNDER WARRANTY. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THEM TO LET THEM KNOW THAT IT WAS STILL NOT WORKING BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T FIX IT CORRECTLY. THE SERVICE MANAGER REFUSED TO FIX THE VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THE SERVICE MANAGER SUGGESTED THAT SHE PUT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK AND THEN SHIFT INTO 4-WHEEL DRIVE INSTEAD OF FOLLOWING THE OWNER'S MANUAL METHOD WHICH STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE PUT IN NEUTRAL WHEN SHIFTING INTO 4 WHEEL DRIVE, AND THE SERVICE MANAGER SUGGESTED THAT THE VEHICLE OWNER PUT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK AND THEN SHIFT INTO 4 WHEEL DRIVE. EVERY 3,000 MILES WHEN SHE WENT FOR AN OIL CHANGE SHE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE OPERATION OF THE TRANSMISSION AND THE GRINDING AND CLANKING NOISES THAT IT WAS MAKING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NORMALLY MADE THE CLANKING NOISES WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS COMING TO A STOP, AND GRINDING NOISES WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO GO INTO 4-WHEEL DRIVE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000 MILES.*AK UPDATE 4/25/07 *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10178127January 8, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT
AFTER DRIVING IN WET/HEAVY SNOW I CANNOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE OR PARK. WITHOUT SHIFTING INTO PARK THE IGNITION KEY CANNOT BE TURNED ALL THE WAY OFF OR REMOVED. I HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY CABLE TO PREVENT THE BATTERY FROM DYING WHILE THE SNOW MELTED. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10177582January 2, 2007
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
HEAVY SNOWS IN COLORADO DURING DECEMBER,2006 FORCED MANY VEHICLE DRIVERS TO DRIVE IN UNUSUALLY HEAVY DRIFTS. THE REAR SKID PLATE ON NEWER TOYOTA TACOMA 4X4 TRUCKS CAN BEND AND PEEL AWAY FROM THE FRAME WHEN THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN IN DEEP DRIFTS IN REVERSE. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS THEN DRIVEN FORWARD, THE BENT SKID PLATE ACTS AS A BAFFLE AGAINST SNOW, CAUSING THE TRUCK TO SWERVE AND BECOME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AND CONTROL. THE SKID PLATE IS POORLY DESIGNED FOR DEEP SNOW DRIVING. IT IS HELD ONTO THE FRAME BY TWO SMALL BOLTS IN THE FRONT AND BY NOTHING IN THE REAR. THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE REMOVED THE BENT SKID PLATE AND HAS INFORMED TOYOTA. THE PART IS AVAILABLE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10176787December 22, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DECEMBER 16, 2006 - CLEAR SUNNY DAY, GREAT ROAD CONDITIONS. I WAS 40 FEET BEHIND A VEHICLE GOING 35 MPH WHEN A SUV SLAMMED ON BRAKES. MY 2004 TOYOTA PRERUNNER BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR AND MY TRUCK WOULD NOT STOP. AFTER HITTING THE SUV AND COMING TO A STOP, I RELEASED MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE AND THE PEDAL WENT BACK TO IT'S NORMAL POSITION. *NM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10172997November 9, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
DURING A 23000 MILE SERVICING, CAMELBACK TOYOTA INFORMED ME I WOULD NEED TO HAVE THE BRAKES SERVICED, BECAUSE 95% OF THE PADS HAVE WORN DOWN. I AM AWARE OF A RECALL ON THESE TRUCKS LOWER BALL JOINT, BUT THE SERVICE AGENT DID NOT TELL ME THAT AT THE TIME I BROUGHT IT IN. I WAS NEVER INFORMED BY THE DEALER OF THIS RECALL. NOW, I AM BEING CHARGED FOR REPAIRS, WHILE THE VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, FOR BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE (EXCESSIVE/PREMATURE PAD WEAR), AND I BELIEVE THIS DAMAGE IS BECAUSE OF THE RECALL SUSPENSION ISSUE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10169417September 27, 2006
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
POWER STEERING PUMP SEAL FAILED AT 57000 MILES. FAILURE NOTICED BY (LOW FLUID) PUMP NOISE ON 09/19/06. PUMP REPLACED BY DEALER ON 09/23/06 UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. DEALER STATED THAT THEY HAD SEEN SEVERAL POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURES WITH LESS MILEAGE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10159157June 6, 2006
TIRES:SIDEWALL
A WEEK AFTER BUYING MY TACOMA (04) WE WERE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND W/ONLY 496.4 MILES ON IT, THE TRUCK STARTED TO SHAKE CONTINUOSLY, IT STARTED SMOKING AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED UP ON ME. I MANAGED TO AVOID A HUGE CAR ACCIDENT, AND PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WHEN WE GOT OUT WE SAW THAT MY BACK DRIVERS SIDE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY GONE AND HAD A SIDEWALL BLOWOUT W/NOTHING LEFT ON THE TIRE. I CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY WOULD DO NOTHING FOR ME SINCE IT WAS THE TIRE, I HAD TO TAKE IT TO A TIRE COMPANY. I DID GET THE ONE TIRE REPLACED BUT IT WAS A TIRE THAT DIDN'T MATCH MY OTHER 3. I HAD REQUESTED ALL OF MY TIRES TO BE INSPECTED AS WELL AS MY TRUCK BUT NO ONE WOULD COOPERATE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10158584May 30, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
I PURCHASED MY TACOMA IN 2004 WITH 6000 MILES ON IT. EVERY SINCE I BOUGHT IT, IT HAS BEEN EXTREMELY HIGH ON GAS, ONLY GETTING BETWEEN 240-260 MILES ON A TANK. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT. IT FEELS AS IF IT HAS A SKIP IN IT. I NOW HAVE 20,789 MILES ON IT AND WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY RECOMMENDED A FUEL INJECTION FLUSH SO I HAD THAT DONE BUT IT STILL FEELS AS THOUGH IT STILL HAS A SKIP. THIS IS ONLY A 4 CYLINDER MOTOR SHOULDN'T I BE GETTING BETTER GAS MILEAGE? *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10156727May 3, 2006
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER RELEASING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE IDLED WHEN THE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AGAIN. THE PEDAL MUST BE RELEASED AND DEPRESSED FOR THE VEHICLE TO RESPOND. THIS OCCURRED ONCE EVERY TWO WEEKS OR SEVERAL TIMES A DAY. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK UPDATED 10/4/2006 - WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL PRESSED THE VEHICLE WOULD DECELERATE. THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE POWER WITHOUT WARNING. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10155746April 20, 2006
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT, STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK
2004 TOYOTA TACOMA WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION DUE TO WORN STEERING RACK BUSHINGS. ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC (AND CONFIRMED AS PLAUSIBLE BY DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPT), THIS WAS CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE LOWER BALL JOINTS. ALSO, THERE IS A CURRENT SERVICE/RECALL BULLETIN FOR JUST THIS PROBLEM. HOWEVER, DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER REPRESENTATIVES BOTH INSIST THE BULLETIN DOES NOT APPLY TO MY VEHICLE. THIS MAKES NO SENSE AS THE PROBLEM EXISTS. THE BUMPER TO BUMPER DOES NOT APPLY AS THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY 2K OVER. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10154130March 27, 2006
STEERING
2004 TACOMA RACK AND PINION SYSTEM WAS REPLACED TWICE PER THE SUGGESTION OF THE MECHANIC. MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE STEERING ROD WAS ALSO BROKEN. ALTHOUGH THIS PART WAS BROKEN THE DEALER RETURNED THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE CONSUMER BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PART AVAILABLE TO REPAIR IT. THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS NO DANGER IN DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH A STEERING BROKEN ROD. *TS *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10153523March 23, 2006
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
AT A STOP, VEHICLE DOES NOT ACCELERATE AFTER DEPRESSING THE GAS PEDAL. 2 OCCASIONS NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. ALSO, AT CRUISING SPEEDS (60-70 MPH) VEHICLE WILL DECELERATE WITHOUT ANY CHANGE IN PRESSURE TO THE GAS PEDAL. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10152408March 10, 2006
STEERING
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE RACK AND PINION STEERING HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE DUE TO CRACKS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS A FAULTY BUSHING. AFTER THE SECOND REPAIR, THERE WAS A LOT OF PLAY IN THE STEERING, CAUSING REDUCED CONTROL. THE STEERING ROD ALSO FAILED. UPDATED 04/11/06. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10151122February 24, 2006
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2004 TOYOTA TACOMA [XXX] ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM (ETCS). ON 26 FEB 2005, 14 APR 2005, 17 APR 2005 AND 20 FEB 2005 AFTER PROLONGED DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN STEPPING OFF THE GAS PEDAL TO MAKE A STOP THE ENGINE SPEED WOULD NOT DECREASE AND I WOULD HAVE TO APPLY BOTH FEET TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO TRY TO SLOW DOWN, AND SWERVE TO THE SIDE TO AVOID HITTING VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 5-10 SECONDS THE ENGINE SPEED WOULD SUDDENLY DECREASE AND I COULD REGAIN CONTROL. WHILE STRUGGLING TO KEEP CONTROL DID NOT SHIFT FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL. IN EACH INSTANCE NO WARNING LIGHTS. BEFORE THESE 4 EVENTS OCCURRED THE ENGINE SUFFERED A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE ON 11 APR 2004 WITH ONLY 1,111 MILES. TOYOTA OF CARSON CITY NEVADA EFFECTED THE REPAIRS TO THE CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE BY REPLACING THE LOWER BLOCK AND THE CYLINDER HEADS AMONG OTHER COMPONENTS. I TOOK THE CAR TO TOYOTA OF CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA ON 1 MAR 2005, 20 APR 2005, 5 MAY 2005 AND 23 FEB 2006 FOR THE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE IT AND WOULD NOT REPLACE ANY COMPONENTS. APPARENTLY THE COMPUTER DID NOT REGISTER/STORE ANY DIAGNOSTIC FAILURE CODES. I KNOW BY HAVING READ THE TOYOTA SERVICE MANUAL THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE DOES NOT RECORD ALL FAILURES. I CANNOT TELL IF THIS PROBLEM WAS PRESENT WHEN THE CAR WAS BUILT OR WHETHER IT WAS INDUCED BY REPAIRS FOR THE CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. WHAT I DO KNOW IS THAT I HAVE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT NOT BEING ABLE TO AVOID HITTING A PEDESTRIAN OR ANOTHER VEHICLE. I HAVE EXHAUSTED ALL CONSUMER SUPPORT AVENUES WITH TOYOTA. REFERENCE NUMBER [XXX] WITH ELOISE TOYOTA CUSTOMER SUPPORT 1-800-331-4331 TODAY 24 FEB 2006 INDICATES THAT THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ELSE. I STRONGLY SUSPECT THAT THERE ARE TWO FAILURES. FIRST, THE THROTTLE BODY IS MALFUNCTIONING INTERMITTENTLY CAUSING THE PROBLEM. SECOND, THE ECM IS FAILING TO DETECT AND RECORD THE EVENT. *NM UPDATED 07/17/2012 *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10148788January 26, 2006
SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER
ONE OF REAR SHOCKS HAD TO BE REPLACED IN LESS THAN 5,000 MILES ON A NEW 2004 TACOMA. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10146714January 2, 2006
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
AFTER SHIFTING FROM SECOND GEAR TO THIRD GEAR, THE GAS PEDAL STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY. SECONDS LATER IT FUNCTIONED NORMALLY, AND AS IF NOTHING HAD HAPPENED. THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE, AND I HAVE IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM AS A FAILURE OF THE THROTTLE BODY MOTOR/SENSOR. I WILL BE ASKING THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TO FIX THE PART. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10146657January 1, 2006
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I HAVE A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA 4X4 WITH A 3.4 LITER V6. I HAVE ALREADY FILED 1 COMPLAINT BUTT IN FRUSTRATION WILL TRY THIS AGAIN. THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODIES THAT COME ON 2003 AND 2004 TOYOTA TACOMAS ARE FLAWED AND NEED TO BE INVESTIGATED AND RECALLED DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE ACCELERATOR POSITION SENSORS ON THESE THROTTLE BODIES ARE GOING OUT, CAUSING THE ACCELERATOR TO BECOME USELESS UNLESS DEPRESSED GREATER THAN 60%. I HAVE ALL MOST BEEN IN 2 ACCIDENTS WHILE PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC AND HAVING THIS OCCUR. WHEN THE SENSOR FAILS THE THROTTLE VALVE CLOSES LEAVING THE PERSON DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITHOUT ENOUGH ACCELERATION TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF ON COMING TRAFFIC. IN VEHICLES WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION IT IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS WHEN ON AN INCLINE (VERY DIFFICULT NOT TO ROLE BACKWARDS AND HIT SOMETHING BEHIND YOU). ALSO, NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS CAME ON WHEN THIS HAS OCCURRED. I HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF LETTERS ON THE INTERNET FROM PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. IS IT GOING TO TAKE SOMEONE GETTING KILLED OR A HEALTHY LAW SUIT TO MAKE TOYOTA TAKE ACTION? *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10146664January 1, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2004 TOYOTA TACOMA 4X4 WITH 3.4L ENGINE AND MANUAL TRANS. HAVING THROTTLE BODY ISSUES. THE ACCELERATOR POSITION SENSOR IS FAILING CAUSING THE TRUCK TO STALL FOR A SECOND AND THEN PICK BACK UP. TRUCK DOES NOT THROW A CHECK ENGINE CODE WHEN THIS OCCURS, SO DEALER HAS INFORMED ME ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS THAT NOTHING IS WRONG. I WAS ALMOST RAN OVER THE OTHER DAY TRYING TO PULL OUT INTO TRAFFIC WHEN THE THROTTLE BODY FAILED. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AND TOYOTA NEEDS TO ADDRESS IT IMMEDIATELY!!!!!!!! WHAT'S IT GOING TO TAKE, SOMEONE GETTING SERIOUSLY INJURED OR A HEALTHY LOW SUIT FOR TOYOTA TO TAKE ACTION? *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10145814December 21, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:SHOES/LININGS, POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
#1. 2004 TACOMA DBL CAB TRD: I'M ON MY 3RD SET OF ROTORS AND DRUMS AT JUST 40,000 MILES. EACH SET OF ROTORS WARPED AT JUST OVER 10,000 MILES CAUSING THE EXPECTED PULSING AND BOUNCING. I'M EXPECTING THE 3RD SET TO DO THE SAME. #2. SINCE ABOUT 10,000 MILES, I HAVE EXPERIENCED A "THUMPING" WITH A CORRESPONDING JOLT OF THE GEAR SHIFT UPON FINISHING A BREAKING CYCLE. THIS ALSO HAPPENS OCCASIONALLY WHEN RELEASING THE FOOT BRAKE. SOMETIMES IT IS QUITE LOUD AND VIOLENT. I AM AWARE THAT ALL THE LATE MODEL AUTOMATICS DO THIS. THE FACTORY HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM BECAUSE THEIR "FIX" WAS TO DRILL A HOLE IN THE TWO-PIECE DRIVE SHAFT TO "VENT" THE TRAPPED AIR. THIS VERY TEMPORARILY SOLVED THE PROBLEM. AGAIN TODAY, THE DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED THE "THUMP" AND TOLD ME THAT THIS IS "THE WAY THE TRUCK IS SUPPOSED TO OPERATE" AND THAT I SHOULD "CHANGE MY BRAKING HABITS". ON A 15 MINUTE TEST DRIVE IT PROBABLY DOESN'T SEEM TOO BAD. BUT I HAVE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ALL THE TIME AND IT IS VERY ANNOYING (AND THIS WAS NOT HAPPENING WHEN I TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE BEFORE I PURCHASED IT). PERHAPS THIS IS NOT A "SAFETY" ISSUE, BUT IT IS INSULTING TO BE TOLD THAT THIS IS "NORMAL". THEY MUST THINK I'M AN IDIOT OR SOMETHING. JUST BECAUSE ALL THE LATE MODEL TACOMAS DO IT, DOES NOT MAKE IT RIGHT! IT'S SO ARROGANT FOR THEM TO EXPECT US TO LIVE WITH THIS DEFECT IN DESIGN. I ALSO BELIEVE THAT THIS SAME PROBLEM IS RELATED TO THE SOMETIMES VIOLENT SHIFTS ESPECIALLY FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. #3. THERE IS ALSO A VIBRATION THAT COMES UP THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL AT ABOUT 40 MILES PER HOUR. IT IS THE FREQUENCY OF THE DRIVE SHAFT, NOT THE TIRES. I CAN ALWAYS TELL WHEN I'M AT 40 MPH WITHOUT EVEN LOOKING AT THE SPEEDOMETER. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Toyota Tacoma