2004 Toyota Tundra Body & structure Problems

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 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Tires, Fuel System, Gasoline, Structure). The failure mileage was 72,000.

NHTSA ID

11731089

Incident

Apr 7, 2026

Mileage

72,000 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 wheel well. The subframe was almost fully rusted through. The contact was referred to a welder by the tire shop. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and issued a customer complaint report. The failure mileage was approximately 114,000.

NHTSA ID

11709590

Incident

Dec 29, 2025

Mileage

114,000 mi

Frame rot on the original frame with a recall

NHTSA ID

11688676

Incident

Sep 12, 2025

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 inspected, and the contact observed corrosion and holes on the frame of the vehicle, and the motor mounts were rusted, causing the engine to run abnormally low. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the vehicle was flexing due to the holes throughout the frame of the vehicle. The mechanic was unable to lift the vehicle due to the excessive corrosion. The vehicle was deemed unsafe to drive. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

NHTSA ID

11681547

Incident

Jul 29, 2025

Mileage

150,000 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 replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 157,000.

NHTSA ID

11615451

Incident

Sep 18, 2024

Mileage

157,000 mi

The warranty work done on the frame of my Tundra that has since failed. The Bracket holding my SwayBar has broken off the frame and, more importantly, the frame has rusted to the point where there is now a hole in it. These are areas where the warranty work occurred.

NHTSA ID

11578237

Incident

Mar 18, 2024

I took my truck to a garage for simple tire repair. I had a slow leak. In the process of trying to lift my truck, the technician hear 'crumbling sounds'. They stopped the lift immediately. Upon looking at the my chassis frame, the technicians saw major rust damage. One technician used flashlight to tap against the frame and he poked through it. The technician stated that this was not the first time seeing this problem on this truck model style. I contacted a local dealership. The individual I spoke with at the dealership also confirm rusting issues on the frame of my truck style model. I researched this on the internet to find out multiple complaints concerning the premature rusting of these frames due to poor quality steel and inadequate rust prevention coating. I reached out to my vehicle manufacture "care line". They stated they could not help me. My fear is my frame could break while driving and cause a vehicle accident. The worst frame damage is near the front wheels, both sides. The body, engine, transmission and all other safety components are solid and working well. Side Note: My dad owns a 1992 full size pickup truck (different manufacture). The frame is still solid. My truck is 10 years newer and the frame is falling apart due to manufacture using poor quality steel.

NHTSA ID

11566253

Incident

Dec 21, 2023

2004 Toyota Tundra’s Frame is abnormally rusted. The paint and the mechanical function of the vehicle is pristine however the frame has corroded and rusted egregiously. There was a class action suit a few years back but they failed to notify me of the open recall to replace and even on file there was never any pending notice of such recall for my vehicle although it qualified and I have been the only owner of the vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11565606

Incident

Jan 15, 2024

Noise in front end. Inspection reveals rust holes on the frame rail near the sway bar bracket. Multiple areas rusted through.

NHTSA ID

11550928

Incident

Oct 16, 2023

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in for the State Inspection, he was informed that the sub frame underneath the front driver's side door was severely corroded. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and it was determined that the sub frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 171,000.

NHTSA ID

11550367

Incident

Oct 13, 2023

Mileage

171,000 mi

Informed by Al Serra at 4200 Bay Rd in Saginaw, MI 48603 that there are holes present in the frame that pose a dire safety concern. This is a known issue with this model year, but Toyota says the recall is no longer valid.

NHTSA ID

11531577

Incident

Jul 10, 2023

Frame is rotting for some reason and I take care of my vehicle. At some point in time it will be very dangerous to drive.

NHTSA ID

11505270

Incident

Jan 1, 2023

When I was driving, the mount for the brake line dropped and twisted and damaged the steering rod. I drove straight to a mechanic, and he showed me that the frame was rusted out completely, and the truck is not safe to drive.

NHTSA ID

11502647

Incident

Jan 17, 2023

I have severe frame rot, holes forming in the frame!

NHTSA ID

11499812

Incident

Jan 2, 2023

Purchased new Toyota Tundra in 2004. Performed rust recall at dealer on 07/22/15. October 2016, brakes failed. Brake line completely rusted. July 26, 2021, Toyota Tundra rejected at state inspection for badly rusted frame. Inspectors were unable to get wheel off to inspect brakes because of rust damage. Took to Toyota dealer on March 9, 2022. They performed airbag recall. Unable to do front suspension lower ball joints recall. Dealer said frame could break when they put it on lift. Dealer said Timeframe to repair frame had expired. Estimate to fix frame over $15,000; Plus would need a lot more parts to go with replacement. Vehicle has approximately 68,500 miles on it.

NHTSA ID

11481230

Incident

Jul 26, 2022

I inherited my father’s Tundra which now only has 95,000 and almost flawless body. As part of the recall for Tundra frames, I took it to the dealer and they wanted nothing to do with the frame replacement and only put on undercoating. This has made it worse. On my last inspection (May) I was told that this truck frame is failing and I won’t be passing another inspection. I called a different dealer in the area and they said they cannot replace the frame now because of the other dealer’s coating. Would it be possible to have Toyota still replace the frame because it’s a safety issue? There is no reason to scrap the truck seeing as the rest of it is fine. Please advise and thank you for reading this!

NHTSA ID

11480248

Incident

Aug 19, 2022

I had my truck inspected for the frame recall a few years ago. My current mechanic says the frame should not look as bad as it does for the 125k miles it has on it. They have concerns that using a lift on it will damage the frame. This could make it nearly impossible to remove/change the tires. I look at other trucks from ford/Dodge/GM near the same age and I do not see anything similar on the frames. More of a surface rust then flake. The body and engine look great. Suspect while everything looks good the frame will be unable to perform as designed. I have reached out to Toyota and they want me to contact local dealer. I am concerned as recently a brake line failed and I am not sure if this will cascade into a large repair bill due to rusted components.

NHTSA ID

11467074

Incident

Jun 1, 2022

The frame on my newly purchased 2004 Toyota Tundra is rotted through. The consumer protections Toyota claims to have taken to correct this, in this instance, the application of water seal to the frame in 2014 has trapped moisture and caused extensive corrosion rendering the vehicle unsafe. I have visited multiple Toyota locations received the same message. Toyota claims no responsibility for this course of events leaving consumers in my position with no recourse and with an unsafe vehicle we cannot use and in my case have spent almost eleven thousand dollars on. Where is the responsibility to consumer safety?

NHTSA ID

11463950

Incident

Apr 11, 2022

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated the sub-frame of the vehicle was corroded. The contact also stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V741000 (Air Bags) however, the dealer informed the contact that the frame was cracked in the process of completing the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not provide any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 175,000.

NHTSA ID

11438660

Incident

Feb 15, 2019

Mileage

175,000 mi

Brought vehicle in for service and frame is completely rusted through in critical areas where suspension and body mounts are supposed to be mounted. The car is not road worthy and unsafe to drive. I came to understand that there was a recall for these truck frame, however my frame was never replaced. My frame was never treated for rust. This truck has always been maintained and serviced at a Toyota dealership. Now I'm told their is nothing they can do.

NHTSA ID

11437799

Incident

Oct 18, 2021

The frame of my 2004 Toyota tundra sr5 has a big rutted hole on the bottom of the frame, right under the driver's door side. the hole is about 1.5 ft long and 1 inch with. now I feel unsafe doing anything on the truck since I don't know how big the problem is. these problems Affect brakes, suspension, etc, I see many tundra owners complaining about this problem. I don't know when the previous owner got the truck sprayed at the dealer but it didn't work. I'm very disappointed since it's a nice truck, Toyota should take action on this matter, it is very unsafe for many people on the road. Toyota needs to find a resolution.

NHTSA ID

11435647

Incident

Sep 1, 2021

I'm the second owner of this 2004 Toyota truck, my father was the first. This truck has been babied since my dad drove it off the lot. Everything is in superior condition except for the frame, it has almost completely rusted off. My dad passed away and this is all I have of his. Back in 2014 , it was sprayed with a rust prevention as part as the Toyota campaign which did nothing besides cover the already existing rust and increase the breakdown of the frame. Google is filled with hundreds of people saying the same thing and I don't understand how Toyota is getting away with this.

NHTSA ID

11433170

Incident

Apr 10, 2014

2004 Toyota Tundra frame Rusted out should have been changed years ago. Toyota of stamford covered it up says my truck is unsafe to drive. Toyota wont help me please help. Ive tried everything. Little guy like me cant take on Toyota. Toyota will win everytime

NHTSA ID

11431697

Incident

Aug 21, 2021

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to the dealer for an unknown repair, the contact was informed that the sub-frame underneath the vehicle was severely corroded. The dealer stated that it was too dangerous to go underneath the vehicle to complete the repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 184,000.

NHTSA ID

11427016

Incident

Jul 16, 2021

Mileage

184,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE FOR STATE INSPECTION, HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE UNDERCARRIAGE AND SUBFRAME WAS CORRODED AND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO FOWLER TOYOTA OF TULSA (6868 EAST BROKEN ARROW, FRONTAGE ROAD, TULSA, OK 74145) TO BE INSPECTED. THE MECHANIC CONFIRMED THE EXTREME RUST CONDITION AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,000.

NHTSA ID

11388331

Incident

Jan 11, 2021

Mileage

156,000 mi