2004 Toyota Tacoma complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 3 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT FRACTURED. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE BALL JOINT FAILED DUE TO DEFECTIVE MATERIAL, INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION AND THE PRESS FIT OF THE BALL JOIN ASSEMBLY WAS NOT CORRECT. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE LOWER BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY HIMSELF. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V225000 (SUSPENSION: FRONT: CONTROL ARM: LOWER BALL JOINT). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 116,000.

I BROUGHT MY TRUCK TO A TOYOTA DEALER TO LOCATE AN EMISSIONS SYSTEM LEAK. TWO OTHER MECHANICS HAD SPENT HOURS TRYING TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND WERE UNABLE TO FIND THE LEAK. THE TOYOTA TECH FOUND THE LEAK IN LESS THAN 20 MINUTES. THAT WOULD LEAD ME TO BELIEVE HE HAD DEALT WITH THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. THE LEAK TURNED OUT TO BE CORROSION IN THE FUEL TANK, WHERE THE FILLER NECK MEETS THE TANK. I WOULD NOT EXPECT A RUSTED GAS TANK IN AN 8 YEAR OLD TRUCK. THE REPAIR ESTIMATE WAS OVER $1400, THE PART ALONE WAS $750. THIS IS A TRUCK THAT HAD ALREADY BEEN RECALLED FOR A RUSTED FRAME (WHICH TOYOTA REPLACED AT NO COST TO ME) AND IS SHOWING CORROSION IN THE REAR BUMPER AND TAILGATE. I SUSPECT TOYOTA SAVED MONEY BY BUILDING THE TRUCK WITH INFERIOR MATERIALS. BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, A LEAKING FUEL TANK IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE, NOT COMMON IN A VEHICLE THIS RECENT. *TR

2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BRAKE LINE RUPTURE. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPLACE THE BRAKE LINE UNDER WARRANTY, BECAUSE THE FRAME CAUSED THE BRAKE LINE TO RUPTURE. TOYOTA INFORMED THE CONSUMER, A RECALL WAS ISSUED IN 2010, WHERE THE FRAME WAS SUPPOSED TO BE SPRAYED AND TREATED. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. *JB

I JUST TRADED MY HARLEY DAVIDSON E-GLIDE FOR A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. UNFORTUNATELY I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THE FRAME ISSUES! THE FRAME AND EVERYTHING IS RUSTED BEYOND REPAIR. I CALLED MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THE RECALL FOR THE FRAME ISSUES WAS OVER. IN MY OPINION TOYOTA SHOULD HONOR THE RECALL AS LONG AS THEIR PRODUCT IS OUT TO THE PUBLIC! I LOVE THE TRUCK BUT JUST DON'T WANT TO DRIVE BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY ISSUES OF HOW BAD THE FRAME AND ALL COMPONENTS ARE! I WOULD APPRECIATE ALL THE HELP I CAN GET. *TR

2004 TOYOTA TACOMA WITH 147,000 MILES FAILED STATE INSPECTION AND DEEMED UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO RUSTED AND PERFORATED FRAME. THIS FRAME WAS ONE BOUGHT BY TOYOTA FROM THE DANA CORPORATION. TOYOTA WON A LAWSUIT OVER THIS POOR QUALITY FRAME, AND HAS BOUGHT BACK ALL '95-'99 TOYOTAS WITH THIS FRAME, AND REPLACED FRAMES ON '00-'04 TRUCKS. TOYOTA IS STATING THAT OUR TACOMA DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR THE EXTENDED WARRANTY PUT OUT ON THESE AFFECTED FRAMES, AS IT WAS NOT UNDERCOATED AS PART OF THEIR PREVENTION PROGRAM. HOWEVER, IT HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED THAT THE UNDERCOATING WAS INEFFECTIVE, AND THE FRAMES CONTINUED TO RUST OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WE FEEL STRONGLY THAT TOYOTA SHOULD OFFER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY TO ALL TRUCKS AFFECTED BY THIS FAULTY CONSTRUCTED FRAME. TOYOTA IS REPORTING THAT THEY CAN DO NOTHING FURTHER TO HELP IN THIS CASE, DESPITE THAT IT IS AN OTHERWISE WELL EQUIPPED AND STRONGLY RUNNING TRUCK, WHICH HAS HAD ONGOING AND CONSISTENT ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THEY ARE NOW INDICATING THAT A '04 TACOMA WITH 147,000 IS ONLY VALUED AT $500. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP AND WHEN THE BRAKE WAS RELEASED, THE CONTACT HEARD A THUMPING SOUND AND NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE WAS BENT ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE UPPER CONTROL ARM, IN WHICH THE BOLT FAILED DUE TO DIRT AND DUST PENETRATION. AS A RESULT, THE BOLT WAS SEPARATE FROM THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32,752.

WITH STEADY PRESSURE ON THE GAS PEDAL, THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY HICCUPS (AS IF FOOT WAS TAKEN OFF THE PEDAL) AND VEHICLE CHANGES SPEED AND THEN SURGES BACK TO ACCELERATE. I BELIEVE IT TO BE THE THROTTLE BY WIRE THROTTLE BODIES WHICH WAS PLACED IN THE TACOMA MODEL FOR 2003-2004 AND THEN LATER REVISED IN 2005-PRESENT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE VEHICLE LOST THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. THE FAILURE HAD RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS, BUT THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT RECREATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY KNEW IT WAS A THROTTLE BODY FAILURE BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO GET THE FAILURE CODES TO APPEAR ON THEIR COMPUTER TO VALIDATE THEIR SUSPICIONS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 147,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ENGAGING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT APPLIED EXTREME PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL IN AN ATTEMPT TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE UNTIL CRASHING INTO A BRICK BUILDING. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES TO HER HEAD AND NECK. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED.THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 164,000.

WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE SPEED DROPPED AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STOPPED RESPONDING. AFTER TOWING THE TRUCK HOME I READ THE SCAN CODES AND THERE WERE MANY THAT RELATED TO THE THROTTLE BODY SENSORS. IN ORDER TO DEBUG THE SYSTEM I CLEARED THE PROBLEM. WITH THE KEY ON AND THE ENGINE NOT RUNNING I TESTED THE DRIVE-BY-WIRE SYSTEM MANUALLY. IT RESPONDED CORRECTLY AND SHOWED NO PROBLEMS. NO MORE CODES WERE THROWN. I STARTED THE TRUCK AND PUT IT IN GEAR AND ENGINE WENT TO FULL THROTTLE IMMEDIATELY. I TURNED THE TRUCK OFF QUICKLY AND RECHECKED THE DRIVE BY WIRE SERVO SYSTEM. IT STILL WORKED CORRECTLY WITH NO CODES THROWN. I AM AN ENGINEER AND HAVE WORKED A GREAT DEAL WITH SERVO SYSTEMS INCLUDING WRITING A BOOK ON THE HOW TO TROUBLESHOOT THESE SYSTEMS. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT THE DESIGNERS DID NOT BUILD ANY REDUNDANCY INTO THE FEEDBACK AND CONTROL DEVICES. THIS DEVICE IS CONSIDERED A MAJOR RISK IN A FAILURE MODE ANALYSIS. IF I DID THAT TYPE OF WORK IN MY POSITION I WOULD BE FIRED AND HAVE AND UNENDING LIST OF LAWSUITS BROUGHT AGAINST ME. THIS TRUCK HAS BEEN INCREDIBLE IN TERMS OF RELIABILITY HOWEVER I AM VERY SURPRISED THAT A COMPANY AS LARGE AS TOYOTA WOULD LEAVE SOMETHING LIKE THIS TO CHANCE. THIS DEVICE CAN EASILY FAIL IN A WAY THAT WOULD CAUSE A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. I WAS LUCKY TO HAVE IT FAIL AT LOW THROTTLE AND NOT FULL THROTTLE AS IT DID WHEN I TESTED IT AT HOME. THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE AND TOYOTA NEEDS TO ADDRESS IT. I CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY "COULDN'T HELP" ME. IT C

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA SR5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL FUMES WERE EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE FUEL TANK. AS A RESULT, THE FUEL TANK AND SENDING UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 111,000.

ON JANUARY 19, 2011 AT APPROXIMATELY 7:15 AM, I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH ON A DIRT ROAD, CAME AROUND AN APPROXIMATE 90 DEGREE RIGHT HAND TURN HEADING DOWN HILL, SLID ON MUD OR ICE AND HIT A RUT. AFTER ALL WHEELS HAD PASSED THROUGH THE RUT THE VEHICLE DROVE UP AND OVER A SMALL RISE (BUMP) IN THE ROAD. AFTER COMING OVER THE RISE, THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE DOVE INTO THE DIRT AND THE TRUCK CAME TO AN ABRUPT STOP. I TURNED OFF THE TRUCK AND GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE TO INSPECT THE FRONT END. THE RIGHT FRONT BALL JOINT HAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM ... ??? ... WHAT EVER IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE ATTACHED TO. THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL WAS PERPENDICULAR TO THE WHEEL WELL WITH THE INSIDE LEANING TOWARD THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE SEVERAL PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE VEHICLE TAKEN MOMENTS AFTER THE EQUIPMENT FAILURE. I'M GLAD THIS HAPPENED WHERE IT DID BECAUSE ONLY A FEW MILES FURTHER INTO MY TRIP TO WORK, I WOULD HAVE BEEN TRAVELING 75 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. AMEN! I HAD NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATION FROM TOYOTA CONCERNING RECALL NO. 50J. I ONLY ACCIDENTALLY CAME ACROSS THE INFORMATION WHILE SURFING THE WEB WITHIN THE PAST WEEK. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 13 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE WHEEL DETACHED DUE TO A FRACTURE AT THE BALL JOINT. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT FAILED TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V225000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT). NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 153,000.

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND A CAR WAS IN A ACCIDENT, THE VEHICLE WAS ON ITS SIDE. THE OWNERS OF THE CAR HAD GOT OUT TO SAFETY, BUT HAD TO LEAVE IT TO PROTECT THEMSELVES. IT WAS A BLACK OR VERY DARK COLORED. WITH IN THIS TIME OF MY PASSENGER AND MYSELF IN MY 2004 TOYOTA TRUCK HAD COME UPON IT TO FAST TO STOP. IT WAS A SPLIT DECISION AND REFLEX TO SLAM ON MY BRAKES. OTHER CARS WHERE AROUND AND I HAD NO OTHER CHOICE BUT TO HIT HEAD ON. I WAS DOING ABOUT 65 MILES AN HOUR AND SLAMMING ON MY BRAKES DID LITTLE TO AVOID OR LESSON MY REDUCTION OF SPEED. THANK GOD MY PASSENGER AND I HAD ON OUR SAFETY BELTS. MY TRUCK COMES WITH AIR BAGS AND WAS LISTED AS A GOOD PRODUCTION OF VEHICLES WITH SAFE AND QUALITY PROTECTION IN AN ACCIDENT. I LOVE MY TRUCK. I WAS NOT PROTECTED AS LED TO BELIEVE. MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY TRUCK IS BEYOND QUESTIONABLE OF MY IMPACT THEY SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. I BARELY HAVE A FRONT PORTION OF A BUMPER. ENGINE WAS SMASHED INTO MY CAB PRACTICALLY. FENDERS CAVED IN. TOTALED.... I NEED HELP UNDERSTANDING THIS. I NEED TO BE INSURED THAT TOYOTA WOULD NOT LET THIS BE OVERLOOKED. IM ASKING FOR THIS AND MAYBE OTHER SAFETY ISSUES TO BE HANDLED AND TAKEN INTO TO SERIOUS CONCERN. IT MIGHT BE WITH THIS MODEL TRUCK ONLY. *TR

AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES IN A HEAVY, WET SNOW, SHIFTER ON AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION COULD NOT BE MOVED PAST REVERSE INTO PARK. PARKING BRAKE COULD NOT BE PULLED. BLOCKAGE OF BOTH COMPONENTS FELT QUITE SOLID. BECAUSE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE PUT INTO PARK, IGNITION COULD NOT BE TURNED OFF AND KEY REMOVED. VEHICLE COULD NOT HAVE BEEN LEFT ON A SLOPE WITHOUT A CHOCK BLOCK. AFTER SNOW FELL OUT/MELTED ALL SYSTEMS RETURNED TO NORMAL OPERATION. *TR

UPON INSPECTION FROM TOYOTA ,FROM THE DEALER BERT WOLFE TOYOTA IN CHARLESTON, WV, THE FRAME ON MY TACOMA WAS FAILED. THE RESULT WAS PERFORATIONS FROM RUST. I HAD PREVIOUSLY RECEIVED A LETTER STATING THE THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY TRUCK. THE LETTER STATED THAT IT NECESSARY TO BE INSPECTED FOR FRAME CORROSION, AND THAT THREE POSSIBLE OUTCOMES WOULD ARISE: 1) UPON THE PASSING OF THE CORROSION TEST AN ANTI-CORROSION TREATMENT WOULD BE APPLIED AND A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE WOULD BE EXTENDED UNTIL THE TREATMENT WAS COMPLETE. 2) UPON THE FAILURE OF THE TEST (MEANING THE FRAME HAD CORROSION) THE FRAME WOULD BE REPLACED, AND A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE WOULD BE RENDERED. 3) UPON FAILURE OF THE TEST TOYOTA MAY REPURCHASE MY VEHICLE AT A PRICE OF 150% OF THE KELLY BLUE BOOK VALUE. NONE OF THESE OUTCOMES WERE INSTITUTED UPON FAILURE OF MY FRAME CORROSION TEST. BERT WOLFE TOYOTA FAILED THE FRAME, STATED THEY WOULD REPLACE THE FRAME , BUT IT WOULD TAKE SIX MONTHS. THEY PLACED ME BACK IN MY TRUCK WHICH FAILED THE TEST, WITHOUT A TEMPORARY REPLACEMENT. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT A) MY TRUCK WILL NEVER BE THE EQUIVALENT, ALL OF THE PARTS THAT WILL BE TAKEN OFF AND/OR REPLACED AND THEN REINSTALLED ON THE NEW FRAME, CAUSES FOR SAFETY CONCERNS. THERE IS A HIGH PROBABILITY THAT SOMETHING WILL BE OVERLOOKED IN THE PROCESS OF REINSTALLATION. B) THAT THE PARTS THAT CONNECT TO THE FRAME OR LOCATED IN IT'S VICINITY WILL CORRODE EVENTUALLY CAUSING SAFETY CONCERNS. C) MY VEHICLE FAILED A TEST IN WHICH THE FRAME IS CONSID

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE ENTERED THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED THAT THE SEAT BELTS ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WERE WET. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER IT RAINED. THERE WAS NO WATER VISIBLE INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND THE WINDOWS WERE CLOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED HIM TO CONTACT TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.

LOOSE STEERING ON 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA 4X4. ISOLATED LOOSENESS TO UPPER STEERING SHAFT SPLINE CONNECTION. TACK WELDED SPLINE TO FIX PLAY IN STEERING SHAFT. MY STEERING HAD GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE SO AFTER A LOT OF EXAMINATION I FOUND WHAT APPEARS TO BE THE PROBLEM. I WOULD LIKE TOYOTA TO COME OUT WITH A REDESIGNED STEERING COLUMN. I HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ABOUT THIS WITH NO RESOLUTION FROM THEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 15 MPH IN A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY WHEN THE BALL JOINT FRACTURED IN HALF AND THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL COMPLETELY FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED THEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BALL JOINT WAS DEFECTIVE AND WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH THE CONTACT APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A METAL POLE AND CAME TO A STOP. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THEY WOULD HAVE AN INSPECTOR INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,100. DS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WAS DEFECTIVE BECAUSE HE WAS UNABLE TO LATCH THE BELT. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO WARRANTIES ON THE VEHICLE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 22,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

THERE WAS NOTHING THAT LED UP TO THIS EVENT. I WAS JUST DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND THE BRACKET THAT ATTACHES THE FRONT AXEL OF MY TRUCK TO THE FRAME JUST SNAPPED OFF. THIS IS A RELATIVELY NEW VEHICLE AND HAS NOT SEEN TOO ROUGH A ROAD! IT IS QUITE PAMPERED AND WELL MAINTAINED. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECT DUE TO THE MANY COMPLAINTS OF THE EXACT THING HAPPENING. I SEARCHED ONLINE AND DISCOVERED THAT I AM NOT ALONE IN THIS EVENT AS IT SEEMS TO BE IT OCCURS QUITE FREQUENTLY TO (FROM WHAT I HEAR), 2 WHEEL DRIVE TOYOTA TACOMA'S, THAT HAVE INSTALLED A LIFT. I CANNOT IMAGINE HOW MANY LIVES HAVE BEEN LOST LET ALONE HOW MANY ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES THIS HAS RESULTED IN AS YOU LOOSE COMPLETE CONTROL OF WHERE THE VEHICLE GOES. AND IN SOME INSTANCES IT ALSO SEVERS THE BRAKE LINE LEAVING THE VEHICLE OUT OF CONTROL WITH NO BRAKES. I IMAGINE THAT MOST CRASHES ARE NOT BLAMED ON THIS DUE TO THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCING A LARGE ACCIDENT WITH IMPACT TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. AND THE BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE FRONT AXEL TO FRAME IS MANGLED. THEREFORE, LEAVING ONE TO BELIEVE THAT THE ACCIDENT CAUSED THE DAMAGE. WHEN THE FACT IS THAT THE DAMAGE OR DEFECT IF YOU WILL IS WHAT CAUSED THE ACCIDENT WHICH IN TURN DAMAGED THE VEHICLE, DRIVER, PASSENGER(S). NOT TO MENTION THAT ACCIDENTS OFTEN INVOLVE OTHER VEHICLES AS WELL. IT SEEMS TO BE MORE PREVALENT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE SO THAT USUALLY MEANS THAT THE VEHICLE TRAVELS INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC! IE: HEAD ON COLLISIONS! HOW MANY SURVIVE A HEADON COLLISION IN A LIGH

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN THE CONTACT HEARD A GROANING NOISE IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE BUT THE WHEEL BEARING ON THE VEHICLE WAS TIGHTENED. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE CAME OFF OF THE VEHICLE. THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY BROKE AS WELL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000. UPDATED 2/23/11 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE COASTED TO A STOP ON THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY. UPDATED 02/28/11

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 55 MPH WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL CAME OFF. RIGHT BEFORE THE WHEEL CAME OFF, THE VEHICLE STARTED PULLING TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FAILURE IN THE LOWER BALL JOINT. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN 05V225000, SUSPENSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 385000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT HAD A REPAIR FOR A RECALL ON THE FRAME PERFORMED (RECALL INFORMATION NOT AVAILABLE IN NHTSA DATABASE). THE DEALER UNDERCOATED THE FRAME WHICH TURNED INTO AN OIL BASE THAT DRIPPED IN THE CONTACT'S GARAGE AND DAMAGED IT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED HER TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AGAIN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 81,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL PERTAINING TO POSSIBLE FRAME CORROSION. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND TO HAVE RUST INHIBITOR SPRAYED ON THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DID NOT LOCATE A CORROSION FAILURE IN THE FRAME AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SERVICED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DIFFERENT DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE SECOND DEALER DISCOVERED HOLES AND CORROSION ON THE FRAME. THE DEALER DEEMED THE VEHICLE AS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND ADVISED THAT THE FRAME WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE DEALER WOULD HAVE TO REBUILD THE ENTIRE TRUCK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NO LONGER WANTED OWNERSHIP OF THE TRUCK AND BELIEVED THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD TAKE THE LIABILITY FOR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,500.

MY 2004 TACOMA HAS VERY LOW MILEAGE (AROUND 64,000 MILES). THE STEERING WHEEL FEELS VERY LOOSE AND HAS ALOT OF ABNORMAL PLAY. DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES, VIBRATES, AND RATTLES AROUND ALL THE TIME AND BECOMES REALLY BAD ON ROUGH ROADS. WHEN THERE IS A SLIGHT BUMP IN THE ROAD, TURNING A CORNER, BEING BLOWN AROUND IN A LITTLE WIND, OR TRYING TO AVOID OTHER CARS, THE TRUCKS STEERING IS SO LOOSE THAT I CONSIDER IT A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD. I'VE DONE MY RESEARCH ONLINE AND HAVE FOUND NO RECALLS OR TSB'S FOR THIS PROBLEM FROM TOYOTA, BUT I HAVE FOUND MULTIPLE SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEM WHICH ALL RELATE TO A POORLY DESIGNED STEERING SHAFT ON THE COLUMN WHICH WEARS OUT AND RESULTS IN LOOSE STEERING. WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO RESORT TO THE ONLY KNOWN FIX OF WELDING THE TWO PARTS OF THE SHAFT TOGETHER. SOMEONE SHOULD REALLY BE CONCERNED ABOUT THIS AS IT'S A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

STEERING WHEEL SHAKES VIOLENTLY WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPS IN ROAD, FEELS LIKE DRIVER COULD LOOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE,OR STEERING COMPONENT COULD FALL OFF. *TR

EXTREMLY LOUD LIFTERS(VALVE NOISE). *TR

THIS IS A LONG SHOT IN THE DARK BUT ITS WORTH A TRY. TOYOTA HAS A RECALL OUT FOR THE 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA BALL JOINT. THE RECALL SUMMARY : ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, DUE TO MANUFACTURING ISSUE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINT, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE SURFACE OF THE BALL JOINT MAY HAVE BEEN SCRATCHED. THE BALL JOINT MAY EVENTUALLY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE WEAR AND LOOSENESS, RESULTING IN INCREASED STEERING EFFORT. CONSEQUENCE: THE LOWER BALL JOINT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE KNUCKLE CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR. REMEDY: DEALER WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 5, 2005. I OWN A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA AND I WAS COMING HOME FROM LOS ANGELES MY STEERING FELT KIND OF FUNNY FELT LIKE I HAD A FLAT TIRE SO I PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND CHECKED THE TIRES BUT EVERYTHING SEEMED TO BE FINE I CONTINUED DRIVING I CAME INTO TOWN AND TURNED ONTO VISTA CHINO OFF OF THE HWY 111 IN PALM SPRINGS ALL OF A SUDDEN THE WHOLE FRONT OF MY TRUCK COLLAPSED AND WENT SLIDING DOWN THE ROAD NOT BEING ABLE TO STOP THANK GOD IT DIDN'T DO THAT ON THE FREEWAY OR EVEN IN TOWN SOMEONE COULD OF LOST A LIFE I HAD IT TOWED TO THE SHELL STATION AT THE CORNER I CALLED TOYOTA AND HAD IT TAKEN OVER TO THE DEALER. I LOOKED ONLINE TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS AND SURE ENOUGH THERE WAS. I CALLED THE RECALL NUMBER CORPORATE TOYOTA THEY ASKED FOR MY VIN# THEY SAID THAT MY TRUCK DOES NOT FALL IN UNDER THE RECALL. THEY HAD A TECH FLY

VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOSES ENGINE POWER. SOMETIMES HAPPENS AT CRUISING SPEED, SOMETIMES HAPPENS WITH A SLIGHT DEPRESSING OF THE ACCELERATOR (WHEN MAKING TURNS, AT RISK OF GETTING STRUCK WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS). DEALERS HAVE TRIED TO FIX SEVERAL TIMES AND USUALLY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE INTERMITTENT PROBLEM (NO CHECK ENGINE CODES). ABUNDANCE OF REPORTS ONLINE OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS. OFTEN REPORTED AS THROTTLE BODY PROBLEMS. HOW CAN A COMMON PROBLEM BE IMPOSSIBLE FOR THEORETICALLY WELL TRAINED DEALER EMPLOYEES TO DIAGNOSE? IF IT IS A ROUTINE PROBLEM, WHY ISN'T THERE A RECALL, OR AT LEAST A SERVICE BULLETIN? *TR

I OWN A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA, ALL FACTORY STANDARD, VERY CLEAN, WITH ABOUT 80,000 MILES ON IT. THE STEERING WHEEL HAS A VERY NOTICEABLE AMOUNT OF PLAY IN IT (ABOUT 0.5 TO 1" AT THE RIM). THE PLAY CAUSES RATTLING ON ROUGH ROADS, AND REDUCED CONTROL ON SMOOTH HIGHWAYS. THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN NARROWED DOWN TO THE STEERING SHAFT. I JUST RESEARCHED THE ISSUE ON LINE AND FOUND A LARGE NUMBER OF MENTIONS OF THAT VERY SAME ISSUE ON TACOMAS AND 4-RUNNERS. I CONSIDER THIS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND WANT TOYOTA TO REPAIR IT. I ASSUME IT COULD ALSO BE A SAFETY ISSUE AS IT RELATES TO STEERING. WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS? *TR

2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. CONSUMER WRITES TO SHARE THAT HE WAS IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AND PRAISES TOYOTA FOR HOW THIS VEHICLE HELD UP. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN, WHEN ANOTHER MOTORIST RAN A LIGHT AND HIT HIM ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE IMPACT CAUSED HIS VEHICLE TO FLIP IN THE AIR WHILE DOING A 180 DEGREE TURN. HE THEN LANDED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE, THEN ROLLED BACK ON ALL FOUR TIRES. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE . THE CONSUMER ONLY HAD A SMALL SCRATCH WHERE THE SEAT BELT HELD HIM IN PLACE.

2004 TOYOTA TACOMA PICKUP TRUCK. CONSUMER STATES UNINTENDED EXCESSIVE SPEED CAUSED CRASH. *TGW THE CONSUMERS MINOR DAUGHTER LOST CONTROL OF THE TRUCK, OVER CORRECTED AND RAN OFF THE ROAD AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE MALFUNCTION WAS CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *JB

FEB 6,2010 AS I WAS DRIVING SOUTH ON FIGUEROA IN HIGHLAND PARK, THE LOWER BALL JOINT ON RIGHT FRONT TIRE COMPLETELY BROKE CAUSING MY TIRE TO FOLD UNDER THE TRUCK. MY VEHICLE IS A 2004 TACOMA TOYOTA WITH101,560 MILES. SINCE I WAS GOING ABOUT 20 MPH, SINCE IT WAS RAINING AT THE TIME, THERE WERE NO INJURIES, HOWEVER IF THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED ON THE FREEWAY AT MUCH HIGHER SPEEDS, THE FAILURE COULD HAVE RESULTED IN MY LOSING CONTROL AND LEADING TO A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT, RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OR EVEN DEATH. I HAD MY TRUCK TOWED TO NEAREST REPAIR SHOP AND HAD THE LOWER BALL JOINT REPLACED. I WENT TO THE DEALER WHERE I ORIGINALLY PURCHASED MY TRUCK, AND I WAS DISMISSED, WITH SERVICE MANAGER SAYING IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, AND THE FAILURE COULD HAPPEN ANY TIME. I DID HAVE TWO MORE CONTACTS WITH THIS DEALER (BOB SMITH TOYOTA IN LA CRESENTA) BUT NO HELP AT ALL. I REPORTED IT TO TOYOTA CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE IN TORRANCE, CA. AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS NOT COVERED BY ANY RECALL AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO (I SPOKE WITH DAWN AND THE REFERENCE # IS 10021153 OF MY CALL). I DID MORE RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY MODEL AND YEAR OF MY TRUCK FOR THE EXACT FAILURE THAT OCCURRED. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID# IS 05V225000 AND COVERS TOYOTA MODEL TACOMA FROM 2001 TO 2004. THE NHTSA ACTION # IS EA04024. THE DESCRIPTION OF THE RECALL IS THE "COMPONENT FRONT CONTROL ARM LOWER BALL JOINT". NEVERTHE LESS I WAS TOLD TWICE THAT MY TRUCK WAS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL. SINCE THE RE

INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA [XXX] RUSTED REAR STEP BUMPER,RUSTED INSIDE OUT,NO FAULT OF OWNER TOYOTA REFUSES TO REPLACE THE BUMPER TO DATE 02/2010 FRAME IS SLOWLY RUSTING OUT ALSO/INSPECTED BY DEALER/OK FOR NOW! *TR

I HAVE A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA TRUCK ( NOT INCLUDED ON THE RECENT TOYOTA RECALL) THIS TRUCK HAS BEEN RECALLED BEFORE FOR A FRONT AXLE BALL BEARING DEFECTS ,TOYOTA CHANGED THE BALL BEARINGS WHICH I THOUGHT WOULD FIXED THE PROBLEM . BUT JUST LAST WEEK I DROVE INTO A BUMPY ROAD AND I NOTICED THAT WHEN YOU STEP ON THE BRAKES WHILE ON A BUMPY ROAD THE BRAKES WOULD DUD AND SEEMS THE MID AXLES WILL BREAKDOWN ,IT MAKE WEIRD NOISE . *TR

WHEN I WAS 16 YEARS OLD MY PARENTS GOT MY A NEW 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA, WHICH WAS BOUGHT IN SEPTEMBER 2004. HOWEVER, I DID NOT GET MY LICENSE UNTIL DECEMBER 21, 2004. I DID NOT START DRIVING RIGHT AWAY. I STARTED DRIVING THE TRUCK IN JANUARY. I ONLY DROVE TO SCHOOL AND BACK, WHICH WAS ABOUT 7 MILES AWAY. ON DAY AFTER SOFTBALL PRACTICE, WHICH WAS HELD AFTER SCHOOL, ON FEBRUARY 24 2005, I WRECKED THE TOYOTA TACOMA. I WAS NOT GOING VERY FAST DOWN THE ROAD, BUT ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE TRUCK SPED UP AND I FELT LIKE I DID NOT HAVE CONTROL OVER THE TRUCK. I RAN OFF THE ROAD AND OVER CORRECTED TWICE. THE WHOLE TIME I WAS HITTING THE BRAKE BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. AFTER I OVERCORRECTED THE SECOND TIME, I HIT A MAIL BOX AND WHEN ABOUT 65 FEET OFF THE ROAD AND HIT A TREE, THE WHOLE TIME TRYING TO HIT THE BRAKE WITH NOTHING HAPPENING. I WAS INJURED ON THE WRECK AND I NEVER UNDERSTOOD WHAT HAD HAPPENED TO MAKE THE TRUCK TO DO. I WAS TOLD IT WAS PROBABLY JUST ME BEING AN INEXPERIENCED DRIVER, BUT LOOKING BACK NOW I DO NOT THINK THAT WAS IT. I HAD TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL, BUT THE INJURIES WERE NOT LIFE THREATENING. ALSO, BECAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT, THE BRAND NEW TRUCK WAS TOTALED AND MY FAMILY AND I GOT DROPPED FROM OUR INSURANCE. AFTER ALL THESE PROBLEMS WITH THE TOYOTA AND THE GAS PEDAL, I WANTED TO FILE A COMPLAINT TO GET THIS PROBLEM LOOKED INTO SO THAT IT WILL NOT HAPPEN TO SOMEONE ELSE. I WAS LUCKY BUT THE NEXT PERSON MAY NOT BE AS LUCKY. *TR

GAS PEDAL STUCK. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY TRUCK TO A WORK LOCATION AND STOPPED AT A T-INTERSECTION TO YIELD TO THE NORMAL TRAFFIC FLOW. WHILE STOPPED, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV UP FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I WAS NOT TOUCHING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, BUT HAD MY FOOT FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE. AT FIRST, I HEARD THE ENGINE NOISE BUT DID NOT REALIZE THAT IT WAS MY VEHICLE MAKING THE NOISE. THEN WHEN I LOOKED DOWN AT MY INSTRUMENTS, I SAW THAT MY ENGINE RPM'S WERE ABOVE 1800 AND STAYING STEADY. THERE WAS AN AUDIBLE CLUNK NOISE AND THE TRUCK SUDDENLY LURCHED FORWARD (TRANSMISSION ENGAGING I WOULD GUESS) AND I PRESSED THE BRAKE WITH INCREASED FORCE TO KEEP FROM ROLLING FORWARD. THEN THE ENGINE RPM'S RETURNED TO A NORMAL IDLE JUST AS SUDDENLY. THIS OCCURRED WITH A WARM ENGINE AFTER SEVERAL MILES OF NORMAL DRIVING. WHILE THE SAME EXACT THING HAS NOT OCCURRED SINCE THIS INCIDENT, I HAVE HAD AT LEAST ONE OTHER EPISODE WHERE THE TRUCK'S ENGINE RPM'S INCREASED FOR NO REASON WHILE I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. THE LATTER OCCURRENCE WAS NOT AS SEVERE AS THE FIRST INCIDENT AND HAPPENED WITHIN THE LAST MONTH OR SO. I WANTED TO REPORT THIS BECAUSE MY TRUCK IS A TOYOTA BRAND AND I HAVE READ ABOUT THE RECENT RECALLS RELATED TO ACCELERATOR ISSUES ON SOME OF THE SMALLER TOYOTA PASSENGER CARS, BUT NEVER SAW ANY MENTION OF THIS INVOLVING THEIR TRUCK PRODUCTS. AS AN ENGINEER MYSELF, I STRONGLY SUSPECT THAT THIS PHENOMENON IS DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL AND/OR COMPUTER MALFUNCTION AND NOT SOME SORT OF MECHANICAL OR PHYSICAL INTERFERENCE ISSUE.

FAILURE OF THE DRIVE SHAFT BEARING ON A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA PRERUNNER P/U. REPLACEMENT PART $1,500. VEHICLE MILEAGE 70,700.

MY 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA HAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH A LOSS OF POWER, I.E. WHEN I STEP ON THE ACCELERATOR, IT FAILS TO RESPOND FOR A BRIEF PERIOD OF TIME. IT IS A PROBLEM WHEN PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC, AS THE LOSS OF POWER HAS LED TO SEVERAL NEAR COLLISIONS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER TWICE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM, WITHOUT A CLEAR CAUSE, ACCORDING TO THE DEALER. RESEARCH THROUGH AN INDEPENDENT SERVICE SHOP POINTS TO A PROBLEM WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SENSOR. RESEARCH ON TOYOTA TACOMA FORUMS ONLINE ALSO SEEM TO SUPPORT THIS. THE ONLY VIABLE FIX SEEMS TO BE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE THROTTLE BODY, SINCE THE SENSORS ARE NOT AVAILABLE SEPARATELY. THIS COST IS OVER $1200, AS OPPOSED TO A $70 SENSOR. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT, AND CAN HAPPEN MANY TIMES A DAY, OR BE ABSENT FOR WEEKS AT A TIME. THREE TIMES IT HAS RESULTED IN A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, WITH A TPS FAULT RECORDED (THE TPS AND APPS ARE READ AS A UNIT BY THE ECU). THE PROBLEM HAS NOT YET BEEN ADEQUATELY ADDRESSED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT HAS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE VEHICLE WAS PRE-OWNED AND PURCHASED IN APRIL 2009. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 25 AND 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN ACCELERATING WITHOUT PLACING PRESSURE ON THE GAS PEDAL. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED ON FIVE OCCASIONS. THE FAILURE IS RELATED TO THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE AND MOST RECENT FAILURE OCCURRED AT 74,000 MILES.

I OWN A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA 4WD. I PURCHASE IT NEW. THE FRAME IS ROTTING OUT TERRIBLY AND THE MUFFLER SYSTEM HAS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION AND ROT FLAKING OFF OF THE MUFFLER SYSTEM. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE TACOMA ON THE HIGHWAY DUE TO SAFETY ISSUES. I LIVE IN MASSACHUSETTS AND I HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT TOYOTA MAY RECALL THIS YEAR AND MODEL FOR FRAME ROT. I AM FACING A $500+ BILL TO REPLACE THE MUFFLER SYSTEM. PLEASE ADVISE. *TR

2004 TRD TACOMA TRUCK BRAKES NOT GOOD I HAVE PROBLEM WITH BRAKES SINCE I PURCHASE TRUCK. *TR

COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 COMPLETELY STOCK TOYOTA TACOMA THAT HAS NEVER BEEN OFF ROAD WITH 36000 MILES ON IT. THE STEERING COLUMN UPPER SHAFT AT THE SLIP JOINT BELOW THE TILT BALL JOINT HAS BECOME LOOSE. THERE IS PLAY IN THE STEERING NOW CAUSING CONTROL OF THE TRUCK TO BECOME LESS AND LESS PRECISE. I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM AS MANY PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT IT ON MANY DIFFERENT TOYOTA TACOMA FORUMS. PEOPLE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE UPPER STEERING SHAFTS BUT THE PROBLEM COMES BACK WITHIN A FEW THOUSAND MILES USUALLY. TOYOTA NEEDS TO RECALL AND REDESIGN A MUCH STURDIER PART THAT KEEPS THE STEERING PLAY AT ORIGINAL SPECS FOR CONTROL AND SAFETY. *TR

2004 TOYOTA TACOMA X-TRA CAB, 4CYL. WITH A/T DEVELOPED POWER STEERING LEAK AT 51K. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS BAD SEALS IN THE RACK AND PINION. WHEN I REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION, I DISCOVERED THAT A PINCH BOLT IN THE STEERING COLUMN HAD RUBBED A HOLE IN THE METAL POWER STEERING FEED LINE GOING TO THE RACK AND PINION. THIS ISSUE WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALERS ATTENTION BUT THE DEALER REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM AND I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT THE USE OF MY '04 TOYOTA TRUCK FOR 5 MONTHS. *TR

EMERGENCY FLASHERS COME ON BY THEMSELVES. UNABLE TO DISENGAGE SWITCH AND TURN SIGNALS WILL NOT WORK. *TR

WE OWN A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. AFTER RECEIVING A LETTER FROM TOYOTA ABOUT FRAME RUST, WE TOOK OUR VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR THE REQUESTED INSPECTION. THE DEALER TOLD US THAT THE FRAME HAS SOFT SPOTS AND THAT TOYOTA RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE FRAME. WE ARE SERIOUSLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE GIVEN THE FACT THAT THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN COMPROMISED. HOWEVER, WE QUESTION THIS KIND OF INVASIVE REPAIR. WE WANT TOYOTA TO BUY THE TRUCK BACK GIVEN THE NATURE OF THIS SAFETY DEFECT. TOYOTA HAS A DEFINED HISTORY OF DEFECTIVE FRAMES IN THE TACOMA: THEY BOUGHT BACK MANY 1995-2000 TACOMAS FOR THE SAME REASON. SINCE THE 2001-2004 TACOMAS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME DEFECT -- A VERY SERIOUS ONE -- TOYOTA NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND PROPERLY COMPENSATE OWNERS LIKE US BY BUYING THEM BACK. WE REQUEST THAT THE NHTSA DO WHAT IS NECESSARY TO REQUIRE TOYOTA TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY IN THIS MATTER BY RECALLING ALL AFFECTED TACOMAS SO THESE VEHICLES CAN BE TAKEN OFF THE ROAD BEFORE INJURY AND DEATH RESULTS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS VERY SERIOUS MATTER. *TR PETER SPANGENBERG