2004 Toyota Tacoma Suspension Problems
Owners have filed 84 complaints with NHTSA about suspension problems on the 2004 Toyota Tacoma, 20% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 120,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “ball joint” (27% of reports).
- 84suspension complaints
- 120,000median miles at failure
- 7mention a crash
- 0mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- 19%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Ball joint: mentioned in 23 of 84 complaints (27%)
- Frame rusted: mentioned in 8 of 84 complaints (10%)
- Control arm: mentioned in 7 of 84 complaints (8%)
- Leaf spring: mentioned in 6 of 84 complaints (7%)
At what mileage do suspension problems happen?
Based on 67 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 84 complaints, 7 mention a crash.
Toyota Tacoma suspension complaints by model year
| Model year | Suspension complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Tacoma | 9 | 8% | — |
| 2024 Tacoma | 5 | 3% | — |
| 2023 Tacoma | 2 | 4% | — |
| 2021 Tacoma | 3 | 4% | — |
| 2020 Tacoma | 1 | 1% | 2,527 |
| 2019 Tacoma | 4 | 2% | 12 |
| 2018 Tacoma | 6 | 3% | 2,700 |
| 2017 Tacoma | 6 | 2% | 2,000 |
| 2016 Tacoma | 14 | 4% | 30,000 |
| 2015 Tacoma | 4 | 4% | 38,000 |
| 2014 Tacoma | 8 | 9% | 20,500 |
| 2013 Tacoma | 14 | 11% | 38,423 |
| 2012 Tacoma | 21 | 7% | 55,000 |
| 2011 Tacoma | 60 | 32% | 96,193 |
| 2010 Tacoma | 95 | 32% | 44,946 |
| 2009 Tacoma | 119 | 23% | 78,700 |
| 2008 Tacoma | 124 | 28% | 78,000 |
| 2007 Tacoma | 118 | 22% | 96,234 |
| 2006 Tacoma | 154 | 20% | 95,000 |
| 2005 Tacoma | 137 | 19% | 102,000 |
| 2004 Tacoma | 84 | 20% | 120,000 |
| 2003 Tacoma | 66 | 18% | 136,000 |
| 2002 Tacoma | 82 | 25% | 131,000 |
| 2001 Tacoma | 81 | 20% | 168,418 |
| 2000 Tacoma | 52 | 25% | 155,000 |
| 1999 Tacoma | 35 | 14% | 133,000 |
| 1998 Tacoma | 28 | 9% | 167,276 |
| 1997 Tacoma | 24 | 18% | 189,000 |
| 1996 Tacoma | 87 | 34% | 137,345 |
| 1995 Tacoma | 90 | 51% | 180,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint
Problem: On certain sport utility vehicles, due to a manufacturing issue in the front suspension lower ball joint, there is a possibility that the surface of the ball of the joint may have been scratched. The ball joint may eventually experience excessive wear and looseness, resulting in increased steering effort.
Risk: The lower ball joint may separate from the knuckle causing loss of steering control and a crash could occur.
Fix: Dealers will replace the front suspension lower ball joints free of charge. The recall began on july 5, 2005. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
I was turning into a gas station and all the sudden the vehicle came to a complete stop i was unable to move the vehicle and sat there until the tow truck was able to show up. Looked under the vehicle and on the passenger side front suspension the lower ball joint was no longer where it belongs.
The vehicle has an open recall (NHTSA Recall #12V542) for the spare tire carrier lift plate. I brought the vehicle to a Toyota dealership to have the recall addressed, but the dealership refused to perform the repair, stating that the frame is too rusted to proceed safely. They recommended a full…
2011- check engine light was illuminated. Toyota dealership attempted repairs 11 times but could not find a cause. They replaced 7 different sensors, replaced gas cap, charcoal filter.. still could not get light to go off. refused to continue servicing same issue with no fault. Since 2011, I have…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2004 Toyota Tacomas have suspension problems?
No. NHTSA has 84 owner complaints about suspension for the 2004 Toyota Tacoma (20% of the 414 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2004 Toyota Tacoma suspension?
Yes: 1 safety recall list suspension. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do suspension problems start?
The median reported mileage is 120,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about suspension problems on the 2004 Toyota Tacoma?
The most frequent phrase is “ball joint”, in 23 of 84 complaints, followed by “frame rusted” (8).
Other 2004 Toyota Tacoma problems
- Structure problems (203)
See all 2004 Toyota Tacoma problems or suspension problems across all Tacoma years.