2004 Toyota Tacoma Steering Problems

I was driving home from a neighboring city after picking up a friend and on my way there on the interstate I noticed the back end of the vehicle was very loose. Upon arriving at my apartment and parking the vehicle I contacted a friend who was a prior state safety inspector, he looked under the vehicle and said the frame right where the shackle for the leaf spring on the driver's side had completely blown out and was no longer connected. Checked the passenger side and said it was connected by maybe 1/4 of an inch of frame. I was made aware of a safety recall that expired back in 2019 by Hailey Toyota and was informed they would not fix it for free. Neither myself or the original owner had every received documentation regarding this issue and was never informed that the entire frame had to be replaced under the recall/extended warranty. I have shelled out well over $600 in materials and labor to have my frame welded and patched with a kit specifically made for these vehicles and this issue and I'm still having problems out of it.

NHTSA ID

11490724

Incident

Sep 19, 2022

Excessive Corrison through out the frame.Was informed bu certified mechanic really it is unsafe to drive. What can I do I still owe money on this vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11485341

Incident

Aug 23, 2022

2004 Toyota Tacoma - 61K miles. Has had its Rack & Pinion replaced 3 times. Sounds like this is a common issue from Google searches but Toyota does nothing about it...

NHTSA ID

11435418

Incident

Oct 4, 2021

TAKATA RECALL, I AM WRITING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE I OWN A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA . ON NOVEMBER 2ND I WAS DRIVING HOME , WAS AT A 4WAY STOP, ONCE IT WAS MY TURN TO GO I ACCELERATED AS USUAL AND HAD MY TIRE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DETACH COMPLETELY FROM THE BALL JOINT CAUSING ME TO NEARLY WRECK MY TRUCK, IF I HAD BEEN GOING FASTER I WOULD HAVE, THIS WAS ONE OF THE MOST SCARIEST EXPERIENCES I HAVE EVER HAD DRIVING! IT COST ME NEARLY 1000.00 DOLLARS TO FIX AND NOW I AM HAVING TO HAVE THE OTHER PASSENGER SIDE FIXED BECAUSE THE MECHANIC SAYS IT'S HAMMERED...I NOTICED THAT OVER 150,000 TACOMA'S WERE RECALLED DUE TO THIS EXACT PROBLEM, WHEN I ENTERED MY VIN IT SAYS I HAVE NO I REPAIRED RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE! WHICH OBVIOUSLY IS NOT TRUE, OR MY BALK JOINTS WOULD BE GOOD TO GO, I HAVE NEVER TAKEN MY TRUCK OFF ROAD OR EVEN HAD IT IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE, I HAVE NOT BEAT ON MY TRUCK I TAKE EXCELLENT CARE OF MY VEHICLE, I FEEL THIS BALL JOINT PROBLEM SHOULD OF BEEN PART OF YOUR RECALL , I COULD OF BEEN SEVERELY HURT OR EVEN DIED AS WELL AS MY SON WHO WAS RIDING WITH ME, THANK GOD WE WEREN'T...I AM PREPARED TO TURN YOU INTO THE BBB IF I DONT GET A REASONABLE RESPONSE

NHTSA ID

11244235

Incident

Nov 2, 2018

Mileage

269,000 mi

FRAME IS RUSTY BEYOND USAGE. AS I ACCELERATE THE BED OF THE TRUCK FLEXES SO I CAN SEE IT IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR

NHTSA ID

11233177

Incident

Jun 28, 2019

Mileage

155,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION PERTAINING TO THE FRAME, WHICH AFFECTED THE RACK AND PINION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE RACK AND PINION AND THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,000.

NHTSA ID

11144915

Incident

Nov 2, 2018

Mileage

151,000 mi

WE ARE THE SECOND OWNERS OF A 2004 TACOMA, PURCHASED 4 YEARS AGO. IT CURRENTLY HAS 104,000 MILES ON IT. THE UNDERSIDE IS RUSTED OUT! WE JUST GOT THE LIST OF THINGS TO FIX THIS MORNING (RUSTY MUFFLER AND STEERING COMPONENTS NEEDING REPLACEMENT) AND ARE DEVASTATED. MY HUSBAND WAS TOLD HE COULD LOSE CONTROL OF STEERING AT ANY MOMENT IF WE DON'T MAKE THE REPAIRS OF $4000+. THE STEERING IS VERY LOOSE AND NOT STEADY. I OPENED A CASE THIS MORNING, BUT FEAR BECAUSE IT'S A 2004, THEY WON'T HOLD THEMSELVES ACCOUNTABLE. WHY WOULD THEY DESIGN A TRUCK THAT LOOKS GREAT ON THE OUTSIDE, BUT BECOMES A RUST BUCKET ON THE INSIDE? AREN'T THEY WORRIED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THEIR TOYOTA DRIVERS AND OTHERS?

NHTSA ID

10990960

Incident

Mar 29, 2017

Mileage

104,000 mi

LETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN TONKO ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE INSPECTED DUE TO FRAME RUST. THE CONSUMER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF ALL RECALLS. THE LAST RECALL EXPIRED; THEREFORE, THE CONSUMER WAS INELIGIBLE FOR ASSISTANCE.

NHTSA ID

10990428

Incident

Feb 24, 2017

WHEN DRIVING HOME FROM HAVING THE TRUCK SERVICED, THE FRONT DRIVERS WHEEL BROKE AND CRASHED INTO A CURB. AFTER TAKING IT TO TOYOTA AND CALLING THERE HELP DESK, THEYE CONFIRMED IT HAD A LOWER AND UPPER BALL JOINT FAILURE. AT THIS TIME TOYOTA WILL NOT HONOR THIS RECALL AND WILL NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIRS.

NHTSA ID

10825346

Incident

Jan 29, 2016

Mileage

160,000 mi

LOOSE STEERING. LOTS OF PLAY IN THE WHEEL, HAD TO HAVE THE STEERING RACK BUSHINGS REPLACED AT 48K MILES BECAUSE THE RACK WOULD JUST MOVE AROUND AND THE TRUCK WAS UNCONTROLLABLE. AFTER REPLACING THE RACK, SWAY BAR BUSHINGS, AND STRUTS @ 48000 MILE WITH NO OFFROAD DRIVING THE STEERING IS STILL EXTREMELY LOOSE. IS YOU HIT A BUMP WHILE IN A CURVE ON THE FREEWAY YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE JUST ALONG FOR THE RIDE WITH ALMOST NO CONTROL. DEALERSHIP ADVISED NO RECALLS AND TRUCK IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THEY COULD NOT PINPOINT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS BUT STATED IT COULD THE RACK, THE STEERING SHAFT, OR BAD BALL JOINTS. I HAD AN 88 TOYOTA 4X4 THAT I JUST SOLD TO A FRIEND THIS YEAR, I DROVE THAT TRUCK AS HARD AS POSSIBLE OFFROAD AND NEVER HAD ANY OF THESE PROBLEMS REPLACE BUSHINGS AND SHOCKS WHEN NEEDED BUT NEVER FELT OUT OF CONTROL. TOYOTA NEED TO FIX THESE TACOMA STEERING ISSUES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10714789

Incident

Oct 16, 2012

Mileage

48,000 mi

MY 2004 TACOMA HAS ~127,500 MILES AND HAS BEEN SUBJECT TO FRAME CORROSION AND SPARE TIRE RETAINER CORROSION RECALLS. MY DEALER RECENTLY ADVISED THAT THE LEFT REAR LEAF SPRING IS BROKEN WHICH IS RESULTING IN AN UNPREDICTABLE RESPONSE WHEN DRIVING, ESPECIALLY IN 4WD IN SNOWY WEATHER. THIS LACK OF STEERING CONTROL IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I BELIEVE THIS FRACTURE IS DIRECTLY LINKED TO THE CORROSION ISSUES IN THE TACOMA FRAME AND SUSPENSION DESIGN ON THE TACOMA. TOYOTA USA HAS REVIEWED THE CASE AND IS UNWILLING TO COVER THE COST OF THE LEAF SPRING REPAIRS. THIS IS DESPITE AN EXTENSIVE RECALL ON 2005+UP TACOMA'S FOR DISTRESSED LEAF SPRINGS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10702436

Incident

Oct 15, 2014

Mileage

127,059 mi

I HAVE A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA PICKUP TRUCK. THIS HAS HAD A VERY BAD FOR A YEAR. THE OTHER DAY THE MOUNT FOR THE RIGHT REAR BROKE AND THE FRONT END OF THE REAR SPRING WAS RUSTED AWAY FROM THE FRAME. THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM MY 1996 TOYOTA PICKUP HAD. THAT ONE THE BOUGHT BACK AND I NOW HAVE THIS ONE. THE REST OF THE TRUCK IS PRETTY GOOD. THE RACK AND PINION STEERING ALSO RUSTED AWAY AND STARTED TO LEAK FLUID. THIS LEAK WAS UNDER THE RIGHT MOUNT OF THE RACK. THIS WAS ALSO FIXED BY ME. THIS IS MY WORK TRUCK AND PERSONAL WAY OF GETTING AROUND. THESE ARE BOTH VERY SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEMS !!! I CONTACTED THE CEO OF TOYOTA, TOYOTA SALES IN CALIFORINA AND GIRARD TOYOTA. THEY SAID I SLIPPED THROUGH THE CRACKS AND I DID NOT GET ANY NOTICES !!! THEY ARE PUTTING TONS OF FRAMES ON FOR OTHER PEOPLES BUT I HAVE BEEN SINGLED OUT SOME HOW AND I CANNOT GET ONE. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR 20 YEARS !!! THIS WITH OUT QUESTION SHOULD BE A RECALL AND ALL ITEMS CONCERNED SHOULD BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. PLEASE HELP WITH THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ID

10566097

Incident

Feb 1, 2014

Mileage

100,000 mi

POWER RACK AND PINION SYSTEM FAILURE, BAD SEALS IN UNIT, UNIT REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, FAILED AGAIN, AT 10K MILES ON JANUARY 14, 2014. *TR

NHTSA ID

10560101

Incident

Feb 29, 2008

Mileage

35,488 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10451817

Incident

Jan 19, 2011

Mileage

120,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10389770

Incident

Mar 3, 2011

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

NHTSA ID

10350699

Incident

Aug 19, 2010

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

NHTSA ID

10345020

Incident

Jul 8, 2010

Mileage

50,880 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10332475

Incident

May 20, 2010

Mileage

84,000 mi

COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10282308

Incident

Aug 28, 2009

Mileage

179,698 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10272953

Incident

Jan 1, 2009

Mileage

34,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10272727

Incident

Dec 12, 2008

Mileage

51,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10255520

Incident

Jan 10, 2009

Mileage

51,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10216649

Incident

Jan 30, 2008

Mileage

69,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10169417

Incident

Sep 19, 2006

Mileage

57,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10155746

Incident

Apr 20, 2006

Mileage

38,000 mi