2004 Toyota Tundra problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Structure:body (105) · Suspension (81) · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint (42)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Toyota Tundra model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
311 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (5)
Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint 2022-01-14 · campaign 22E002000 · 15,200 vehicles
Defect: 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 45D2345. The ball joint housing may have inadequate hardness, causing premature failure.
Risk: A ball joint failure may cause a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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. Owners may contact DRiV customer service at 1-877-489-6659 or at RECALL.SUPPORT@DRIV.COM.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2019-10-17 · campaign 19V741000 · 928,220 vehicles
Defect: 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, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2018-12-12 · campaign 18V883000 · 168,993 vehicles
Defect: 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. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Toyota will notify the Toyota and Lexus owners. General Motors will notify the Pontiac Vibe owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, or replace the air bag assembly that includes an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 23, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371, Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987 or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. Toyota
Air Bags 2015-05-13 · campaign 15V285000 · 1,973,468 vehicles
Defect: 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 18, 2003, to August 25, 2004. On June 16, 2015, Toyota expanded the recall to include an additional 1,270,468 vehicles, including model year 2002-2003 and 2005-2007 Sequoia, 2005-2006 Tundra, 2003-2007 Corolla, 2003-2007 Corolla Matrix, 2003-2007 Po
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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. Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac Vibe owners will be notified by GM. Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag. The recall began on July 13, 2015. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Pontiac owners may call
Air Bags 2015-05-13 · campaign 15V286000 · 1,069,055 vehicles
Defect: 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 sold, or ever registered, in Florida, along the Gulf Coast, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Saipan and American Samoa. On June 16, 2015 Toyota expanded the recall to cover an additional 769,055 vehicles, including certain model yea
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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. Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac Vibe owners will be notified by GM. Dealers will replace the passenger side front air bag, free of charge. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota began the recall on July 13, 2015. Po
Service bulletins (201)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0039-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. if these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof,
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0038-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
to prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. the purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer.
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0035-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. if these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfa
Structure:body 2024-12-05 · T-SB-0061-23 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
toyota vehicles are currently protected with rapgardtm protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. this material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. follow the removal procedure in this bulletin to remove the rapgardtm protective film wi
Structure:body 2024-12-03 · T-SB-0062-23 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding, welding, etc. this type of contamination can be identified by the presence of small, red or brown particles on the paint surfa
Structure:body 2024-07-12 · T-SB-0039-24 Rev1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. if these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof,
Showing the 6 most recent of 201 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-09-08 · Air Bags · 185,000 mi · 💥 crash“the contact owns a 2004 toyota tundra. the contact stated that while driving approximately 60 mph during heavy rains, the vehicle hydroplaned and spun several times before the front end crashed into a guardrail. the driver's side air bag failed to deploy, causing the driver's chest to strike the steering wheel. a bystander assisted the contact out …”
2026-05-19 · Steering“1) the newly installed rack & pinion rack locks up and tried to turn right when on a continuous or left turn followed closely by another left turn. 2) my safety and the other drivers near me were all in danger when the loss of steering control occurs. the problem makes the vehicle want to turn hard to the right and the hydraulics are too strong to…”
2026-04-14 · Structure · 72,000 mi“the contact owns a 2004 toyota tundra. the contact stated that the vehicle was emissions tested, and rust was discovered on the driver’s and passenger’s side subframes. the dealer was notified of the issue, but the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the contact related the failure to nhtsa action number: pe09049…”
2026-02-17 · Suspension · 200,000 mi“the contact owns a 2004 toyota tundra. the contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph, there was an abnormal screeching sound coming from the vehicle. the contact then saw sparks coming from the rear driver’s side of the vehicle, and the driver’s side rear wheel was turned sideways. the vehicle was pulled over to the shoulder and was la…”
2026-01-08 · Structure · 114,000 mi“the contact owns a 2004 toyota tundra. the contact stated that after purchasing tires for replacement, the tire technician stated that the subframe was damaged from corrosion to the front frame, the side members, and the rear subframe. the contact was informed that the most severe corrosion was located on the driver's side front subframe behind the…”
2025-09-20 · Structure:body“frame rot on the original frame with a recall …”
2025-08-19 · Structure:frame And Members · 150,000 mi“the contact owns a 2004 toyota tundra. the contact stated that on several occasions, while driving at undisclosed speeds and then parking the vehicle, the contact observed oil leaking from the vehicle. the contact stated that on another occasion, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. the vehicle was insp…”
2024-12-31 · Unknown Or Other“2004 toyota tundra. left rear upper shock mount rotted away and the shock absorber is no longer connected. (rust) auto service report 12/30/2024. october 21, 2021 toyota dealership report: recommends replace spare tire cross member. (rust perforation damage) recall issued for rust and dealership performed a very limited service repair to this v…”
2024-09-19 · Structure:frame And Members · 157,000 mi“the contact owns a 2004 toyota tundra. the contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware that the sub frame underneath the vehicle was rusted. the contact was concerned that the sub frame could collapse. the vehicle was taking to the dealer to be inspected. the contact was informed that the sub frame needed to be replac…”
2024-05-12 · Tires“i purchased 4 cooper adventurer 265/70r16 tires in 3-2022 from pep boys in mobile, al. i had a ase certified mechanic checked these tires and found there was a bulge on the tread of the passenger front & tread separation on the driver's rear tire. the tires have approx. 17k miles since purchase. pep boys refused to replace the 2 tires unless i pai…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.