2004 Toyota Tacoma complaints

1) POWER STEERING FLUID BEGAN TO LEAK FROM AREA OF RACK AND PINION. 2) TOYOTA DEALER MIS-DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AS LEAKING SEALS IN RACK AND PINION. 3) LEAK OCCURRED IN METAL POWER STEERING LINE (ROUTED TOO CLOSE TO STEERING GEAR) , WHERE FRICTION FROM PINCH BOLT IN STEERING GEAR HAS WORN A HOLE IN METAL POWER STEERING LINE. 4) THIS CAUSES ALL FLUID TO LEAK FROM POWER STEERING SYSTEM. 5) 2004 TACOMA SR-5 XTRA CAB, 2.4 LITRE 4CYL./AUTO TRANS, 51K. *TR

VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOSES ENGINE POWER, USUALLY WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC, STARTING FROM A STOPLIGHT OR ATTEMPTING TO PASS ON THE FREEWAY. IN ALL CASES RESULTING IN DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO FIX THE ISSUE ONCE, ACKNOWLEDGING IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLES THROTTLE BODY SYSTEM. AFTER $1000 WORTH OF PARTS THE PROBLEM IS BACK, THEY REFUSE TO WARRANTY ANYTHING PAST THE 3YEAR/36MILE PERIOD. IN RESEARCHING ONLINE THIS APPEARS TO BE AN EXTENSIVE ISSUE WITH SIMILAR TACOMAS. I'VE CONTACTED THE DEALER ABOUT DIAGNOSING THE PROBLEM, THEY REFUSE TO LOOK AT IT CITING THE NEED FOR ANOTHER $1000 WORTH OF PARTS NEEDED. *TR

I HAVE A RUST PROBLEM IN THE BED OF MY 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA AND I HAVE A 5 YEAR WARRANTY AGAINST MANUFACTURE DEFECTS THAT TOYOTA WILL NOT HONOR AND THIS IS CLEARLY A DEFECT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE STEERING WAS VERY TIGHT. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE FELL OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTO SHOP AND REPAIRED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V225000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT). THE MANUFACTURER TOOK A REPORT AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE WOULD BE NOTIFIED BY A TOYOTA REPRESENTATIVE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 77,000.

PARKING BRAKE LIGHT STAYS ON. VEHICLE IS SLUGGISH. BRAKES ARE SQUEALING. *TR

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, EXPERIENCED A BURNING SMELL COMING FROM BEHIND THE DASHBOARD. THE STEREO, CLOCK, AND AUTO ALARM CEASED WORKING. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE DOME FUSE WAS THE WRONG SIZE AND REPLACED IT WITH THE CORRECT SIZE. FIXED THE PROBLEM, BUT NOW THE STEREO NO LONGER WORKS. THE FUSE IN QUESTION WAS FROM THE FACTORY. *TR

PURCHASED 2004 TACOMA FOR $18,000, FROM RIGHT TOYOTA IN SCOTTSDALE, AZ IN JUNE 2006, RECEIVED BILL FOR $25,000+!! SO MUCH FOR AGREEING ON A PRICE! I ALSO PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR $2200 (INCLUDED IN THE $25,000). WEEKS AFTER GETTING THE TRUCK I NOTICED THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SEEMED TO GIVE WHEN TURNING CORNERS. I ASSUMED I NEEDED TO ADJUST TO DRIVING A TRUCK WITH HARD SUSPENSION. UNFORTUNATELY IT PERSISTED SO I TOOK IT INTO CAMELBACK TOYOTA AND HAD THEM CHECK IT OUT. THEY ASSURED ME THAT EVERYTHING WAS IN TIP TOP SHAPE, I GOT THE FEELING THEY NEVER REALLY CHECKED ANYTHING OUT. THEY JUST ASSUMED THAT IT WOULD BE UNUSUAL TO SEE THIS STUFF BREAKDOWN, A VALID THOUGHT, BUT THEY WERE OF NO HELP. HERE IT IS NOW, A YEAR AND A HALF LATER, AND ITS JUST GETTING WORSE! SO I TOOK IT INTO EARNHARDT TOYOTA AND THE FIRST 2 VISITS THEY PERFORMED NEEDED FRONT END ALIGNMENTS AND TIRE BALANCING. THEY LOOKED AT IT RECENTLY AFTER ME YELLING AT THEM, AND TOLD ME THAT MY ENTIRE SUSPENSION SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. APPARENTLY MY LEAF SPRINGS ARE BAD ($1700 PURCHASE AND INSTALL), AND FRONT STRUTS ($650), AND REAR SHOCKS ($450) AS WELL! SO $2800 TO REPAIR A TRUCK THAT I PURCHASED DIRECTLY FROM TOYOTA NOT 1.5 YEARS AGO, AND EVEN PURCHASED A WARRANTY. THEY ASSURED ME THAT EVERYTHING WAS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THEY LIED. NOW I OWE $18000 ON A $14000 TRUCK! STEER CLEAR OF RIGHT TOYOTA, THEY TOTALLY SCAMMED ME. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD DRAMATICALLY DECELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE UNLESS THE PEDAL WAS COMPLETELY DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE MAFF AIR SENSOR WAS CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE DEALER CLEANED THE SENSOR. THE CONTACT RETURNED TO THE DEALER A WEEK LATER AND THEY STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS MELTED AND WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. AFTER CAREFUL INSPECTION, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CONVERTER WAS NOT MELTED. A PROFESSIONAL MECHANIC STATED THAT THE SUPERCHARGER HEAT OUTPUT EFFECTED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITIONING SENSOR AND WAS CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 17,000. *DSY

2004 TOYOTA TACOMA, AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN SHAKING AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FELT ROUGH AND WAS VIBRATING. THE CONTACT HEARD METAL RUBBING AGAINST METAL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND A BRAKE INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ROTORS WERE WARPED AND THE REAR BRAKES FAILED BECAUSE THEY WERE IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED. THE CONTACT LATER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO TOYOTA AND THEY COULD NOT MAKE ANY REPAIRS BECAUSE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE CONTACT INFORMED TOYOTA THAT THE REPAIR WAS PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE HAS RECURRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,500. UPDATED 01-11-08. *KB UPDATED 12/12/07

TOYOTA TACOMA-TRD- 2004. HEAD ON COLLISION, SERVERED FRONT DAMAGED. BOTH AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ONE OF REAR SHOCKS HAD TO BE REPLACED IN LESS THAN 5,000 MILES ON A NEW 2004 TACOMA. *AK

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

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

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

#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

I WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD IN MY 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA WHEN I SAW MY TIRE GO ROLLING AHEAD OF MY VEHICLE, THE TRUCK LEANED OVER TO THE LEFT, SKIDDED SIDEWAYS AND THEN STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I GOT OUT OF THE TRUCK AND MY TIRE WAS IN THE DITCH AND MY CHASSIS WAS ON THE GROUND ON THE LEFT SIDE. I CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND THEY SAID IT LOOKED LIKE MY BALL JOINTS JUST SEPARATED. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID THE BALL JOINTS LOOKED LIKE THEY GAVE WAY AND THIS ALLOWED THE WHEEL TO FALL OFF. I HAVE MECHANICAL BREAKDOWN THROUGH MY INSURANCE COMPANY GIEICO AND THEY TOLD ME I WOULD HAVE TO GET A LETTER FROM TOYOTA STATING IF IT WASN'T UNDER WARRANTY FROM OUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP IN TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA LEGACY AND SPOKE WITH A SERVICE MEMBER (ROBB) HE TOLD MY THAT THERE WASN'T A RECALL ON 2004 TOYOTA TACOMAS AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE IT TOWED IN TO CHECK AND SEE IF IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THIS OCCURRED ON 12/13/05 AND AS OF 12/15/2005 THERE STILL WASN'T A DETERMINATION WHETHER OR NOT IT IS UNDER WARRANTY. MY CONCERN IS AFTER READING ABOUT A RECALL ON THE INTERNET STATING THAT THE BALL JOINT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE KNUCKLE, THAT MY VEHICLE SHOULD BE A PART OF THE RECALL AND THE WHEEL FALLING OFF COULD BE A RESULT FROM A DEFECT. THE DEALERSHIP ISN'T ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE RECALL OR EVEN LOOKING AT THE VEHICLE IN THIS REGARDS. IF THEY DON'T WARRANTY THE BALL JOINTS, THEN MY MECHANIC WILL FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT I WILL KEEP ALL OF THE OLD PARTS IN CASE THEY

SMALL ROCK WAS HIT ON A DIRT ROAD. IT PUNCTURED THE GAS TAKE. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. GAS TANK WAS REPLACED. *NM

DROVE VEHICLE DOWN A PAVED ROAD IN THE SNOW. TRANSMISSION LINKAGE FROZE UP IN DRIVE WHEN VEHICLE WAS PARKED. HAD TO DRIVE VEHICLE DIRECTLY TO DEALER. DEALER ONLY THAWED OUT THE LINKAGE. NOW EVERYTIME IT SNOWS, LINKAGE FREEZES UP. *NM

HAVE A 2004, TOYOTA TACOMA, V6, 4X4. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AND EVERY NOW AND THEN IT IS LIKE I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS BUT I DIDN'T! IF I STEP ON IT, IT IS FINE. *JB THE PROBLEM: IS THROTTLE BY WIRE THROTTLE BODIES ON 03 AND 04 TACOMAS. THE ACCELERATOR PETAL POSITION SENSOR ASSEMBLY HAS A SHAFT ONTO WHICH THE LEVER FOR THE ACCELERATOR CABLE IS MOUNTED WITH SOME RETURN SPRINGS. THIS SHAFT ALSO TURNS THE POTENTIOMETER. THIS LEVER (A PLASTIC PIECE) LIMITS THE TRAVEL OF THE ASSEMBLY, SO THE HIGHEST AND LOWEST RESISTANCES OF THE POTENTIOMETER ARE NOT ENCOUNTERED IN THE POTENTIOMETER. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE POTENTIOMETER CAN ALSO TURN IN THE ASSEMBLY, LOOSING ITS REFERENCE TO THE ARM AND LEVER. THEN THE RANGE OF RESISTANCE THAT IS POSSIBLE CAN BE CHANGED. IF IT TURNS TOO FAR ONE WAY, THE HIGHER RESISTANCE WILL BE SUCH THAT THERE IS NOT SUFFICIENT VOLTAGE SENT TO THE ECU TO INDICATE THAT THE PEDAL HAS BEEN DEPRESSED. CONVERSELY, THERE IS A POINT AT THE OTHER END OF THE PETITIONER WHERE THE FULL VOLTAGE IS APPLIED AND THE ECU SEES THIS AS A FAILURE AND CLOSES THE THROTTLE BY RELEASING THE THROTTLE CONTROL MOTOR'S CLUTCH. NOTHING HAS BEEN TO DONE TO SOLVE THIS ISSUE WITH TOYOTA OR DEALERSHIP. MECHANIC CAN NOT REPLICATED PROBLEM. SUGGESTED I REPLACE BRAND NEW THROTTLE BODY WHICH IS ABOUT $600. *NM

DT:THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL LINE CAUGHT ON FIRE O. WHILE STOPPING AT A RED-LIGHT HE NOTICED THERE WERE FLAMES COMING FROM BETWEEN THE CAB AND BED OF THE PICKUP TRUCK. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP HAD THE VEHICLE FOR NINE WEEKS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED, AND IS READY TO BE PICKED UP. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS FROM THE FUEL LINE AND THE SEAL OF THE FUEL TANK.*AK

NOISE AND EXCESS PLAY IN STEERING WHEEL WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPY SURFACES. FOUND UPPER STEERING SHAFT SLIP JOINT IMPROPERLY MACHINED /CRIMPED RESULTING IN ABNORMAL NOISE AND EXCESS PLAY WHEN DRIVING UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS. DEALER REPLACED UPPER STEERING SHAFT WITH AND IDENTICAL PART. THIS PART HAS NOT BEEN REDESIGNED AND WILL FAIL AGAIN. PART IS NOT AVAILABLE AS IT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AND THE DEALER KEPT THE OLD PART. HAVE FOUND FROM OTHERS THROUGH THE INTERNET THAT THIS PLAY AND NOISE IS VERY COMMON BUT NO ONE KNEW THE CAUSE UNTIL RECENTLY. *NM

1) NORMAL DRIVING, ON ROAD AND OFF OF HIGHWAY ON DIRT ROADS 2) LOOSE STEERING SHAFT, RATTLES ON ROUGH ROADS OR WHEN HITTING OBSTACLES IN ROAD. 3) DEALER CLAIMS SUSPENSION MODIFICATIONS HAVE VOIDED MY WARRANTY ON STEERING COMPONENTS. DEALER REFUSES TO DO WARRANTY WORK ON VEHICLE FOR NON RELATED COMPONENTS.

PURCHASED NEW 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA ON 1/24/05. AT 1,577.8 MILES, RIGHT REAR BRAKE DRUM AND WHEEL COVERED WITH GEAR OIL. REPAIRED AT TOYOTA OF GREENFIELD, MA. 01302, PHONE 413-772-0231 2/17/05. BEGAN LEAKING AGAIN ON 2/21/05, AT 1844.6 MILES. RETURNED TO GREENFIELD ON 2/28/05 AT 2284 MILES. CONTACTED DEALER AGAIN ON 4/8/05 AT 67345.9 MILES BRAKE DRUM AND TIRE STILL COVERED WITH OIL. DEALER SAID KEEP DRIVING IT AND THE LEAK WILL GO AWAY. CONTACTED TOYOTA CONSUMER SERVICE ON 4/14/05 CASE #[XXX]. RECEIVED NO FOLLOW UP CORRESPONDENCE FORM FABIOLA. VEHICLE CONTINUED TO LEAK GEAR OIL AND HANDLE POORLY WHEN BRAKING. CONTACTED NEW DEALER(TOYOTA OF COLCHESTER, CT.) ON 5/27/05. VEHICLE REPAIRED ON 6/2/05 AT 8,188 MILES. CONTACTED DEALER AGAIN ON 6/29/05 AT 9085.1 MILES. VEHICLES WAS PICKED UP ON 7/11/05. TRIES ROTATED ON VEHICLE ON 9/26/05 AT 17,266.4 MILES. FOUND OIL ON BRAKE SHOES AND INSIDE OF BRAKE DRUM SEVERELY GLAZED. NEW CASE FILED ON 7/28/05 CASE # [XXX] WITH SALVADORE. I AM STILL DRIVING A VEHICLE WITH THE INTEGRITY OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM IS COMPROMISED. AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED A REASONABLE RESOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM FROM TOYOTA MOTOR COMPANY. IS IT A COMMON PRACTICE FOR AN AUTO MAKER TO LET A CONSUMER KNOWINGLY DRIVE AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. UNFORTUNATELY I AM STILL PAYING ON A BRAND NEW VEHICLE THAT I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING. THE REGIONAL FIELD SERVICE TECHNICIAN, JOE LACEFIELD FROM TOYOTA MOTOR COMPANY HAS BEEN UNAVAILABLE BY PHONE FOR THE LAST WEEK 1-973-464-0938. I WOULD LIKE MY MON

ALARM AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ON 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA DOUBLE CAB PRERUNNER SR5 PICKUP. ALARM SYSTEM ACTIVATED ON ITS OWN AT 5:30 AM SEP 18-05 AND COULD NOT DISENGAGE IT. LOUD ELECTRICAL CLICKING NOISES EMITTED FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD AROUND THE ASHTRAY THAT COULD BE HEARD FROM OVER 100 FEET AWAY, EVEN THROUGH WALLS INSIDE A HOUSE (CLICKING/POPPING NOISE) LIGHTS FLICKERING INSIDE TRUCK. LEFT TRUCK WITH TOYOTA IN SAVANNAH ALL DAY MONDAY. (THEY HAD TOLD ME WHEN I DROPPED IT OFF THAT THEY WOULD CHECK THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FOR SHORTS OR FAULTS.) WHEN I PICKED IT UP I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TRUCK, AND NOTHING HAPPENED ALL DAY WHILE IT WAS THERE. WHEN I WENT TO GET INTO THE TRUCK, AND PUSHED THE BUTTON TO DISENGAGE THE ALARM AND UNLOCK THE TRUCK, THE HORN BEEPED 4 TIMES (INSTEAD OF THE NORMAL 2 TIMES) SO I WENT BACK IN AND TOLD THE SERVICE MANAGER. HE REASSURED ME IT WAS NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT, AND SAID SOMETIMES THESE THINGS HAPPEN, AND IT DOESN'T MATTER WHETHER THE HORN BEEPS TWICE, OR 4 TIMES, THAT AGAIN, THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. I DROVE THE TRUCK BACK HOME TO CHARLESTON,SC AND 30 MINUTES AFTER I PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE ALARM WENT OFF ON IT'S OWN AGAIN, EVERY 6 MINUTES THE ALARM WENT OFF ON ITS OWN AGAIN SO I NEEDED TO DISCONNECT THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE AGAIN, IT WAS MAKING THE LOUD CLICKING ELECTRICAL SHORT NOISES AGAIN. CALLED TOYOTA HQ TO SEE WHAT WOULD BE DONE, AS THIS VEHICLE IS ALSO UNDER A MAJOR RECALL FOR THE LOWER BALL

CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTION WHEN DRIVING IN HILLY TERRAIN. CRUISE CONTROL WILL CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO OVER SPEED BY SEVERAL MILES AN HOUR FASTER THAN DESIRED WHILE GOING UPHILL OR DOWNHILL. *JB

STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE CLAIM #06-5795-637 REGARDING A REAR END COLLISION TO A TRUCK IN WHICH THE FRAME WAS BENT.*MR THE REPAIRMAN INFORMED THE CONSUMER THERE WAS NO NEED TO REPAIR THE FRAME DAMAGE BECAUSE IT WAS WITHIN THE MANUFACTURER'S SPECIFICATIONS WHICH WAS LESS THAN 5 MILLIMETERS. *JB

THROTTLE BODY RELATED AND RE-OCCURRING PROBLEM. WHERE THE ACCELERATOR POSITION SENSOR MAL-FUNCTIONS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. TOYOTA DOES NOT SELL THE SENSOR BUT DOES SELL THE ENTIRE THROTTLE BODY AT A COST OF OVER $700. WARRANTED VEHICLES WITH CALIF. EMISSIONS, GOES FOR 5 YEARS OR 60K MILES. BUT FED EMISSION VEHICLES ONLY HAVE A 3 YEAR 36K MILE WARRANTY ALTHOUGH IT IS THE SAME EXACT PART NUMBER IN QUESTION.*JB

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. HAD TRUCK LIFTED ON 6-7-04 FOR $3700 , AND ON 6-24-04 GOT THE TRUCK RETORQUED WHICH TIGHTENED AND ALIGNED IT. AROUND FEBRUARY 2005 HEARD A CLANKING NOISE FROM THE BRAKE SYSTEM, AND THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK. WHILE PRESSING ON THE BRAKES AND THE TRUCK SHOOK AND IT TURNED TO THE RIGHT, SUSPENSION WAS LOOSE. ON 3-7-05 TOOK IT TO A TOYOTA DEALER TO INSPECT VEHICLE AND FIX IT. CONSUMER REFUSED TO DEAL WITH THE OTHER COMPANIES BECAUSE THEY WERE RUDE AND INTIMIDATING. VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER A WARRANTY BECAUSE ANOTHER COMPANY TIGHTENED THE BOLTS AND CHARGED CONSUMER $80. THE TOYOTA DEALER REPLACED REAR:AXLE:SPINDLE. *AK

DT: THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. WITH A REAR FACING INFANT SEAT LOCATED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE IN THE CAB THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WILL NOT LOCK BECAUSE THE CHILD SEAT WAS PUSHING IT FORWARD. THE CHILD SEAT INSTALLATION STATION STATED THEY WERE NOT HAPPY WITH THE WAY THE FRONT SEAT WOULD NOT LOCK. THE CHILD SEAT COULD NOT GO BEHIND THE DRIVERS SEAT BECAUSE THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH ROOM. *AK

MY 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA DOUBLE CAB PRERUNNER V6 SR5 HAS 18,000MILES AND HAS HAD THE FOLLOWING PROBLEM FOR A WHILE. I DID NOT NOTICE IT UNTIL ABOUT 2 MONTHS AFTER I HAD PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. WHICH TELLS ME THAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE A PROGRESSIVE ISSUE. THE TRUCK CONTINUES TO SHOW AN INCREASE IN THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM DESCRIPTION: WHEN DRIVING THE TACOMA DOWN THE ROAD THE TACOMA DRIVES FINE. BUT WHEN APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION WHERE THE VEHICLE IS BROUGHT TO A COMPLETE STOP IS WHEN THE FOLLOWING OCCURS. THE VEHICLE WILL SHIFT TO THE REAR AND A JERK SOUND IS HEARD AND FELT. WHEN RELEASING THE BRAKE ON THE VEHICLE YOU WILL FEEL AND HEAR ANOTHER MORE INTENSE JERK. WHEN YOU PRESS ON THE THROTTLE PEDAL TO MOVE FORWARD FROM AN INTERSECTION THE VEHICLE DISPLAYS YET ANOTHER JERK. ALL OF THESE FEELS AS IF IT IS COMING FROM THE REAR. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR IT'S REGULAR MAINTENCE AND QUESTIONED THE SERVICE ADVISOR ABOUT THIS ISSUE. I WAS TOLD IN A VERY "I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR YOU MANNER" IT'S A TACOMA IT WILL ALWAYS DO THAT. I CAN'T NOR WILL I ACCEPT THAT ANSWER.

WHEN COMING TO A STOP, AFTER RELEASING THE BRAKE TO MOVE FOWARD THERE IS A JOLT, (SOMETIMES SO SEVERE YOU WOULD THINK YOU WHERE HIT FROM BEHIND) OTHER TIMES IT IS MINOR. IT HAS OCCURRED SINCE WHEN I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE ABOUT A YEAR AGO. HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IT IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE DOUBLE CAB, WITH A TWO PART DRIVE SHAFT.

2004 TOYOTA TACOMA SLID ON ICE AND HIT A TREE RESULTING IN THE VEHICLE FLIPPING AND INJURING THE THREE PASSENGERS AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT INFLATE.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***.*MR *BF *NM

WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE, PASSENGERS ARE SHOCKED WHEN THEY TOUCH THE DOOR TO CLOSE IT. THE SHOCK IS MORE THAN WHAT WOULD BE FELT WHEN TOUCH THE CONTACTS ON AN ELECTRICAL OUTLET. OFTEN LEAVING A SHOCKED FEELING IN THE FINGERS FOR AOME TIME AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE.

HARD START WITH 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THIS PROBLEM BEGAN THE DAY I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT. SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE STARTS RIGHT UP AND OTHER TIMES IT TAKES 3-5 ATTEMPTS AT STARTING. THIS NONCONFORMITY USUALLY HAPPENS AFTER ITS BEEN DRIVEN AND SITS FOR 1-2 HOURS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN FOR THIS INTERMITTENT STARTING PROBLEM 5 TIMES. WITH 870 MILES ON THE VEHICLE I BROUGHT IT IN AND TOYOTA SAID THE SPARK PLUGS WERE FOULED AND CHANGED THEM. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED TO OCCUR 2-3 TIMES PER WEEK. WITH 1500 MILES WE BROUGHT IT IN AGAIN AND TOYOTA SAID THE PROBLEM WAS THE ELECTRO MAGNETIC CURRENT INTERFERING WITH THE INJECTOR CIRCUIT. THEY REMOVED THE GROUND WIRE CABLE OUT OF THE WIRE HARNESS AND SAID THE ENGINE STARTED JUST FINE. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE THIRD TIME I BROUGHT IT IN WITH 9087 MILES. THEY PERFORMED A TSB EG042-04 FPN-8122-04052, 0P EG4016. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE FOURTH TIME I BROUGHT IT IN WITH 9901 MILES THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND SAID EVERYTHING WAS IN SPECIFICATIONS. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE FIFTH TIME I BROUGHT IT IN IT HAD 11.700 MILES. TOYOTA REPLACED THE UBE SUB-ASSMBLY E. THE ENGINE STILL HAS PROBLEMS STARTING.*AK

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AT 40-45 MPH, CONSUMER VEHICLE WAS HIT ON THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE NEAR THE TIRE AREA. UPON IMPACT, FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER WAS RESTRAINED WITH THE SEAT BELT, AND NO INJURY WAS REPORTED. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.*AK THE VEHICLE WAS HIT SO HARD IN THE FRONT THAT IT WAS TOTALED. *TC