Is the 2004 Toyota Tundra a bad year?
466 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Tundra years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2004 Toyota Tundra are in line with other Tundra years. Body structure, suspension and air bags stand out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2004 Tundra owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 110,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body structureSTANDS OUT | 200 (43%) | 78k–147k miles · around this mileage | — |
| SuspensionSTANDS OUT | 152 (33%) | 65k–120k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Air bagsSTANDS OUT | 50 (11%) | 70k–150k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 46 (10%) | 70k–140k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Brakes | 35 (8%) | 24k–112k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Steering | 26 (6%) | 62k–135k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Electrical system | 13 (3%) | 56k–122k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Engine | 11 (2%) | 50k–124k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Tires | 9 (2%) | 18k–124k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 8 (2%) | 55k–117k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Speed control | 11 (2%) | 27k–101k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 8 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Wheels | 8 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 5 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 110,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 466 complaints: 25 mention a crash · 1 mentions a fire · 18 report an injury · 13 say the car was towed.
5 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Sep 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Noticed small oil spot in driveway. The differential was leaking. I took it to colonial Toyota in smithfield, ri and they checked it for a recall and told me there was none.
Vehicle began to accelerate down a steep hill and no matter what I tried to do to stop the vehicle nothing happened.
Excessive rust throughout underbody and drive train components. Porous, rusted through differential now leaking oil.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 110,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2004 Toyota Tundra: 13
The ball joint housing may have inadequate hardness, causing premature failure. A ball joint failure may cause a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The inflators in the front passenger air bags are susceptible to rupture in the event of a crash necessitating the deployment of the front passenger air bag. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
This is to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag inflator which may produce excessive internal pressure causing the inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." These lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors. Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
On certain trucks and Mini vans, due to possible improper finishing of the front suspension lower ball joint, some ball joints may experience an incidental deterioration of the internal lubrication. In extreme cases, if the vehicle is continuously operated in this condition, the lower ball joint may separate from the knuckle and could cause a loss of vehicle control.
Certain aj motorsport combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above listed passenger vehicles. Combination lamps not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment. Lack of amber side reflectors in the lamps will decrease lighting visibility to other drivers and may possibly result in a vehicle crash.
Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the passenger vehicles listed above. Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
Certain pickup trucks fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 225, 'child restraint anchorage systems.' these vehicles have a manual air bag on-off switch to disable the front passenger air bag and do not have a child restraint lower anchorage system in the front passenger… This standard establishes requirements for child restraint anchorage systems to ensure their proper location and strength for the effective securing of child restraints, to reduce the likelihood of the anchorage systems' failure…
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. The lower ball joint may separate from the knuckle causing loss of steering control and a crash could occur.
Certain pickup trucks equipped with both vehicle stability control (VSC) and the trd dual exhaust systems. In this condition, the exhaust pipe flange may rub against the right rear brake line, which could cause brake fluid leakage. This could lead to an increase of vehicle stopping distance, which could result in a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Toyota: 88
Repair instructions Toyota sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2004 Toyota Tundra. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power to the Engine ECM has been…
TechTip: Condition - The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power…
The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of the correct torque converter bolts during automatic…
The purpose of this bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly to avoid MIL "ON" shifting issues…
NHTSA defect investigations: 6
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Frame corrosion
Lower ball joint failure
Neighbouring years
2003 Tundra: 399 complaints, keep it · 2005 Tundra: 377 complaints, keep it.
Every Toyota Tundra year
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Questions
Is the 2004 Toyota Tundra a bad year?
466 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Tundra years. At 110,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Toyota Tundra?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: body structure (200), suspension (152), air bags (50), transmission and drivetrain (46), brakes (35).
How many recalls does the 2004 Toyota Tundra have?
13 recall campaigns list this model year: Suspension (NHTSA 22E002000), Air bags (NHTSA 19V-741), Air bags (NHTSA 18V-883), Air bags (NHTSA 15V-286) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.