CarComplaints.com Notes: You're going to burn through a lot of dinosaurs while chugging around town, and any rear passengers you may have to carry are going to feel real cramped, but at the end of the day this is a solid truck.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
83,001 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2004 Toyota Tundra brakes problems

brakes problem

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2004 Toyota Tundra Owner Comments

problem #18

Jan 012023

Tundra

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- New Britain , CT, USA

problem #17

Jul 262022

Tundra

  • miles
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.

- Buena Vista, VA, USA

problem #16

Jan 082021

Tundra

  • 142,000 miles
Vehicle's acceleration became uncontrollable. In addition, the brakes and the antilock system seem to failed. The vehicle was in drive and proceeding down an incline, travelling about 30mph when the unintended acceleration occurred.

- New Freedom, PA, USA

problem #15

Jan 082021

Tundra

  • 142,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle began to accelerate down a steep hill and no matter what I tried to stop it, nothing happened, it just kept accelerating.

- New Freedom, PA, USA

problem #14

Sep 302020

Tundra

  • 129,000 miles
Rear axle differential has rusted through and is leaking oil. Emergency brake line has rusted and snapped. The rims have oxidated. Leaf springs have also rusted very badly.

- Pottstown, PA, USA

problem #13

Feb 292020

Tundra

  • 116,000 miles
Truck was purchased brand new. It was brought to dealer for recall and they did not resolve the issue. Now recall is expired and vehicle is dangerous to drive and frame is rusted and there are holes. Almost had an accident when I turned and went down a hill and the brakes did not hold. Other incidents have occurred over the years.

- Hamden, CT, USA

problem #12

Oct 012019

Tundra

  • 125,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When we drive the truck, when you press the brakes they often go all the way to the floor. Driving while on city streets as well as on the freeways. You have to pump them in order just to stop before hitting anyone. After driving 30 miles, we have to refill the master cylinder with brake fluid. We have taken it to the mechanic three times for them to find no leak. A friend looked at it and found that the master cylinder is leaking into the brake booster. We do not feel safe driving this vehicle in this condition. I have an article from fox news stating that our year 2004 Toyota Tundra is included, but when I called the dealer as well as entered it into your system, they state it is not. This is a dangerous condition and I strongly feel that our vehicle should be included in the recall. We have a new driver driving and will not let her drive this truck in this condition. We would feel much safer if this could be repaired. We have be fortunate to not have had an accident, but we have had many close calls, and the leak seems to be happening more and more often.

- Grafton, WI, USA

problem #11

Apr 142015

Tundra

  • 187,000 miles
Toyota recalled my Tundra for a rusted frame. Dealer took possession of the vehicle in April. They provided a rental car, but no other update or contact until a week ago when the frame arrived. Now nearly complete, they want to charge me $8000 for additional parts not covered by the recall which they claim is necessary to make the vehicle pass inspection and roadworthy yet many of these parts were unaffected prior to the recall. At no time did Toyota ever inform us of additional costs not covered by the recall. Two of the items are critical to the value and drivability of the car. They include the rear axle and differential which I believe failed due to the same rusted issues as the frame. The additional parts affected were the brakes. The front brakes seized from 6 months of non use and maintenance by the dealer, the rear brakes were failed by fluid leak from rear axle while in possession of the dealer for 6 months. In short, after getting a new frame, the dealer was holding trying to charge $8000 in extra repairs or they would return me a truck that had a new frame but was still inoperable in the condition under which it was stored by the dealer. The dealer and Toyota were responsible for maintaining the vehicle and returning it in as good or better condition than they received it, but instead it lost 1005 of its value. I cant drive it, I cant sell it. It has a new frame but now has no differential or brakes it has lost all marketable value, where it could have been traded in or sold prior to the "frame replacement" that was supposed to right all the wrongs" of Toyota's doing. I have full service records showing responsible ownership of the truck for the last 10 years. Needs to make it right and fix my truck so I can drive again, or buy me out, or offer me a trade allowance that is fair and equitable. This Toyota case number is 1504140934.

- Schroon Lake, NY, USA

problem #10

Jun 062013

Tundra

  • 65,526 miles
6/13/13 vehicle did not pass inspection major frame perforation Toyota performed limited frame replacement at their cost after much discussion. Not all severely rusted parts were replaced only the major assembly mounting piece items that were disassembled and couldn't be reused were replaced. No sub pieces of the major assembly were replaced. If the were rusted they were reinstalled. 8/4/14 vehicle did not pass inspection major rust failure deformation and leaking of steering rack housing that was severely rusted and not replaced when frame was replaced. Rack was replaced by owner at owners expense. 4/15/15 rear differential housing rust thru and housing failure. Housing was severely corroded when frame was replaced. Owner was informed it was not part of the frame replacement. Toyota does not have any recall bulletin issued despite the numerous complaints found on the internet. Replacement will be at owners expense. Brake backing plates and axle mounting hardware that were severely corroded when frame was replaced are not salvageable and will require replacement as well in order to replace the rear axle housing.

- York, ME, USA

problem #9

Dec 312008

Tundra

  • miles
Rust on everything under the truck as well as the rear bumper. Parts that have had to be replaced because of rust and/or rust perforation or need to be replaced: 1) entire frame ' perforation greater than 10mm found on passenger siderail 2) rear differential (leaking from rust perforation) 3) brake lines 4) power steering line (leaking from rust) 5) skid plate (support brackets rusted - fell off while driving) 6) brake calipers (multiple times) 7) coil springs 8) axles (front and back) 9) control arms 10) cv- joint 11) boots 12) hitch receiver 13) exhaust 14) muffler 15) camber bolt 16) multiple sets of tires (unable to align tires properly due to rusted/seized camber bolt) causing premature tread wear. 17) brake drums (warped and pitted) 18) wheel bearing 19) truck tailgate support wires ' wires rusted and broke. Tailgate won't open/close without extreme effort because it is not aligned properly. 20) shocks/struts 21) seals, brackets, nuts and bolts - the parts listed above is not complete. Basically, everything you see under the truck is suffering from extreme rust and/or perforated. *truck has had a horrible shimmy for years that no one has been able to figure out, particularly bad when towing. Steering wheel shakes violently as well as the entire truck. Improved slightly when rear differential and axles were replaced. Most likely related to frame warp or instability. *truck has had issues with getting in and out of 4WD. Inconsistent with how long it takes to get in and out of 4WD. There is a loud and jarring clunk when engaging or disengaging 4WD. *truck feels like it is on the verge of going out of control when a hole or bump is hit. The truck will literally jump sideways. *traction stability control comes on randomly when hitting a bump or hole. Another mystery to mechanic.

- Chagrin Falls, OH, USA

problem #8

Dec 012009

Tundra

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Excessive rust pretty much everywhere. Just had to replace the rear differential and associated parts because rust caused differential leak. Cost was over 3,500. Replaced rusted brake lines and calipers. Tailgate wire rusted and broke. Opening mechanism to tailgate is rusted and is extremely difficult (if not impossible) to open/close. Rear bumper is rusted through, and not safe to step on. Hitch receiver is completely rusted and cannot remove hitch now. Skid plate and brackets rusted through - skid plate fell off. Dealer just inspected the truck and will be replacing the entire frame because of excessive rust.

- Chagrin Falls, OH, USA

problem #7

Dec 092005

Tundra 4WD 8-cyl

  • 2,078 miles
The ABS braking system is activated when approaching a stop sign with poor road conditions. If the road conditions are bumpy and or may have some small wash outs spots. The braking distance is increased. Also in slick condition after a snow, the ABS activates and wheels lock up.

- Jenks, OK, USA

problem #6

Oct 012014

Tundra

  • 63,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that the brake pedal traveled abnormally to the floorboard. The contact discovered that the brake lines were fractured. The dealer stated that the brake lines needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 63,000.

- Enfield , NH, USA

problem #5

Oct 012013

Tundra

  • 84,000 miles
The 2004 and earlier Toyota Tundra has had major corrosion issues and frame recalls. My Tundra was just inspected by the local Toyota dealer and major corrosion was noted on the vehicle frame. Toyota applied a fiberglass based rustproofing to the frame. However, they would not acknowledge any other corrosion or rot on the vehicle. My vehicles motor mounts are so corroded that I am afraid that the engine will fall out of the vehicle. Also, the mounts that hold the radiator are so corroded they are almost gone. There are numerous other areas in the engine compartment and undercarriage that are completely corroded. The vehicle is unsafe to drive and Toyota will not address it.

- Allenhurst, NJ, USA

problem #4

May 252013

Tundra 8-cyl

  • 90,713 miles
2004 Toyota Tundra worse than 2003 for metal fatigue. Front of rear differential is flaking apart. Tension adjuster for emergency brake is disintegrating. Adjustment bolts are seized. Spare tire attachment is flaking apart. Please help.

- Frederick, MD, USA

problem #3

May 252013

Tundra 8-cyl

  • 90,704 miles
rear differential and brake housing left and right are rotting from the outside. Large parts of the differential housing are already missing! front transfer case and transmission are perfect! entire rear trans-axle is rotting from the outside. Emergency brake adjustment turnbuckle is rotting. *structural mounts for the emergency brake are rotted. Steel in the frame and most factory welds are de-laminating. *brackets holding the brake line and junctions are rotting. *capture plate and hardware holding spare tire in place are rotted. I will need a cutting torch to remove the spare tire. I have excellent photos to send. Respectfully,

- Frederick, MD, USA

problem #2

Feb 202013

Tundra 8-cyl

  • 148,000 miles
Vehicle vsc trac and vsc off light flash at random at any time any speed. Appears to effect thousands of Toyota's. worried it will cause and uncontrolled throttle/brake application.

- Miles City, MT, USA

problem #1

Apr 152012

Tundra 4WD 8-cyl

  • 109,000 miles
Rear end leaking oil. Mechanic able to put finger through housing due to severe rusting. Entire rear end replaced under extended warranty I purchased. Entire frame rusted heavily. All welds severely rusted. Frame integrity gone. Front arm rusted so badly mechanic says it will not pass inspection in October, 2012. Front arm so rusted it is likely to collapse. Emergency brake not functioning due to heavy corrosion...advised to replace. Body immaculate. No rust anywhere but frame.

- Windsor, NY, USA

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