2004 Toyota TUNDRA: complaints, problems and recalls

THE 2004 DOUBLE CAB TUNDRA DEFROSTER ONLY WORKS ON OUTSIDE AIR, WHEN IN TRAFFIC THE CARBON MONOXIDE COMES INTO THE VEHICLE MAKING IT DANGEROUS AND UNPLEASANT. THERE NEEDS TO BE A SOLUTION TO CLEAR THE WINDSHIELD WITH RECIRCULATED AIR. I DO NOT ENJOY DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN THE WINDSHIELD FOGS UP AND I HAVE TO USE OUTSIDE AIR TO DEFROST. *LA

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10054760 at NHTSA ↗

HI, I HAVE (5) ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT BF GOODRICH RUGGED TRAIL,(P265/70R16), RADIAL TIRES ON MY 2002 TOYOTA TUNDRA PICKUP TRUCK THAT HAVE 6,700 MILES ON THEM. AT APPROXIMATELY 4,500 MILES THE TIRES STARTED DEVELOPEING CRACKS BETWEEN THE TREAD OF EACH TIRE AND ONLY GOT CONSIDERABLY WORSE WITH PASSING TIME AND MILES. I CONTACTED BF GOODRICH WHICH TOLD ME TO TAKE THE VEHICLE FOR INSPECTION TO A DEALER THAT TOLD ME IT WOULD COST ME ALMOST $200 DOLLARS TO HAVE THE TIRES REPLACED AND THE OTHER DEALER SAID IT WOULD COST WELL OVER TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS F…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10067825 at NHTSA ↗

THE 2004 TUNDRA IS AVAILABLE WITH A FULLY EXTENDED CAB, WHICH I OWN. THIS MODEL USES A DIFFERENT ELECTRONIC/MECHANICAL MECHANISM TO SHIFT GEARS THAN OTHER MODELS. WITH 1200 MILES ON THE 2004 TUNDRA I REALIZED THERE WAS A PROBLEM IF YOU SHIFT FROM OVERDRIVE TO 3RD GEAR TO SLOW DOWN WHILE GOING DOAN A HILL, THEN SHIFT BACK TO OVERDRIVE, THE TRANSMISSION WILL FAIL TO SWITCH. THERE IS A BUTTON YOU DRPRESS ON THE STEERING SHIFT KNOB THAT ELECTRONICALLY SHIFTS IN AND OUT OF OVERDRIVE. IF THIS BUTTON IS BRIEFLY TAPPED TO SWITCH GEARS, THIS WILL CA…

Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10078468 at NHTSA ↗

A WEEK AGO, REAR WINDOW OF 2004 TOYOTA TUNDRA HAD POPPED OUT OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING ON AN OFF RAMP. I'VE CONTACTED THE TOYOTA COMPANY, BUT ALL THEY OFFERED IS TO REPLACE THE WINDOW, AND I AM LIABLE TO PAY FOR THE LABOR AND RENTAL CAR. I'VE REPEATLY TOLD THE COMPANY REP. IT'S MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT, BUT THEY WOULD NOT ACCEPT IT. NO INJURIES OCCURED (4 PEOPLE IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT), BUT PRETTY SHAKEN UP.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10078828 at NHTSA ↗

SUN ROOF EXPLODED AND GLASS FELL INSIDE OF VEHICLE. ALSO, DAMAGED OUTSIDE OF CAB AND HARD COVER ON BED OF TRUCK. THE TEMPERATURE WAS 79 DEGREES AND THERE WERE NO VEHICLES OR OBSTACKLES AROUND TO HAVE CAUSED THIS PROBLEM.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. 2,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10082644 at NHTSA ↗

WHILE DRIVING TRACKING DEVICE CAME ON AND OFF ON ITS OWN. VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. CONSUMER DEPRESSED BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO STOP. THEN, CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10089780 at NHTSA ↗

PURCHASED A TOYOTA TUNDRA BRAND NEW WITH 16 MILES IN AUGUST 2004. SEVERAL WEEKS LATER I NOTICED A HIGH-PITCHED SCRAPING NOISE OCCURRING FROM THE ENGINE. AFTER TWO TRIPS TO THE DEALERSHIP AND NO RESOLUTION THEY CONTACTED TOYOTA IN FLORIDA AND SENT A SOUTHEAST REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE TO INSPECT. THE NOISE WAS OCCURRING WHEN THE TRUCK SHIFTED INTO OVERDRIVE WHILE DOING APPX. 30 MPH AND 1100 RPMS. LETTING OFF THE GAS CAUSED THE NOISE TO CEASE. GIVING GAS ALSO CAUSED THE NOISE TO CEASE. THE NOISE ONLY OCCURRED WHEN THE SPEED WAS MAINTAINED AT …

Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10104107 at NHTSA ↗

VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING BRAKE FAILURE. WHILE DRIVING DOWN HILL IN LIGHT SNOW THE VEHICLE WAS PICKING UP SPEED AS THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP, AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS THE NORMAL FUNCTION OF THE BRAKES, AND EVERYTHING WAS WORKING CORRECTLY. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10107178 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2005-03-30 (March 30, 2005)

CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH BOTH VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL (VSC) AND THE TRD DUAL EXHAUST SYSTEMS. THE TRD DUAL EXHAUST SYSTEM MET ALL CLEARANCE SPECIFICATIONS ON MODELS WITHOUT VSC, HOWEVER THE DRIVER'S SIDE EXHAUST LOCATED IN A POSITION WHERE CONTACT BETWEEN A BRAKE LINE FOUND ONLY ON VEHICLES WITH VSC AND THE TRD EXHAUST PIPE MIGHT OCCUR.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF SO EQUIPPED, WILL REPLACE THE TRD DUAL EXHAUST SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. DURING THIS REPLACEMENT, THE DEALER WILL ALSO INSPECT THE SPECIFIC BRAKE LINE TO ASSURE IT HAS NOT BEEN DAMAGED AND REPLACE IT IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 31, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Reported: 2005-05-17 (May 17, 2005)

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.

Consequence: THE LOWER BALL JOINT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE KNUCKLE CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2005-06-02 (June 2, 2005)

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 SEAT. THIS SPECIFICATION DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.

Consequence: 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, AND TO INCREASE THE LIKELIHOOD THAT CHILD RESTRAINTS ARE PROPERLY SECURED AND THUS MORE FULLY ACHIEVE THEIR POTENTIAL EFFECTIVENESS IN MOTOR VEHICLES.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE MANUAL AIR BAG ON-OFF SWITCH, REPLACE THE OWNER'S MANUAL, AND AFFIX A NEW SUN VISOR AIR BAG WARNING LABEL. THE RECALL BEGAN IN EARLY JANUARY 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Reported: 2007-01-19 (January 19, 2007)

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. THIS MAY CAUSE THE BALL JOINT TO WEAR AND LOOSEN PREMATURELY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN INCREASED STEERING EFFORT, REDUCED VEHICLE SELF-CENTERING, AND NOISE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 28, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Reported: 2015-05-13 (May 13, 2015)

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified the agency on May 13, 2015 that they are recalling certain model year 2004 Sequoia vehicles manufactured August 18, 2003, to August 19, 2004, and 2003-2004 Tundra vehicles manufactured March 18, 2003, to August 25, 2004. On June 16, 2015, Toyota expanded the recall to include an additional 1,270,468 vehicles, including model year 2002-2003 and 2005-2007 Sequoia, 2005-2006 Tundra, 2003-2007 Corolla, 2003-2007 Corolla Matrix, 2003-2007 Pontiac Vibe and 2002-2007 Lexus SC vehicles. 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. This recall addresses both the passenger side frontal air bags that were originally installed in the vehicles, as well as replacement air bags that may have been installed as replacement service parts. A replacement air bag may have been installed, as one example, if a vehicle had been in a crash necessitating the replacement of the passenger side frontal air bag.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 2003-2004 Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles that are recalled under both 15V-043 and 15V-285 are under a Do Not Drive advisory. Owners of these vehicles are advised not to drive their vehicles until the recall remedy has been completed. Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac Vibe owners will be notified by GM. Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag. The recall began on July 13, 2015. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Pontiac owners may call 1-800-762-2737. NOTE: This recall supersedes recall 14V-312 in its entirety.

Reported: 2015-05-13 (May 13, 2015)

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified the agency on May 13, 2015, that they are recalling 2005-2007 Lexus SC, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sequoia, and Pontiac Vibe, and 2005-2006 Toyota Tundra vehicles that were originally sold, or ever registered, in Florida, along the Gulf Coast, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Saipan and American Samoa. On June 16, 2015 Toyota expanded the recall to cover an additional 769,055 vehicles, including certain model year 2002-2004 Lexus SC, Toyota Sequoia, 2003-2004 Toyota Corolla Matrix, Toyota Corolla, Pontiac Vibe, and Toyota Tundra vehicles, as well the vehicles covered by the May 13, 2015 notification in the portions of Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas that were not previously included. 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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 2003-2004 Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles that are recalled under both 15V-043 and 15V-286 are under a Do Not Drive advisory. Owners of these vehicles are advised not to drive their vehicles until the recall remedy has been completed. Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac Vibe owners will be notified by GM. Dealers will replace the passenger side front air bag, free of charge. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota began the recall on July 13, 2015. Pontiac Vibe owners may contact GM at 1-800-762-2737. GM began the recall on June 29, 2015. NOTE: This recacll supersedes recall 14V-655 in its entirety. For vehicles located in the U.S. states not listed above, please see Toyota recall 15V-285 which covers all other U.S. states.

Reported: 2018-12-12 (December 12, 2018)

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2002-2005 Lexus SC and Toyota Sequoia, 2003-2005 Toyota Corolla and Tundra, and 2003-2007 Pontiac Vibe vehicles. 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.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota and Lexus owners. General Motors will notify the Pontiac Vibe owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, or replace the air bag assembly that includes an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 23, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371, Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987 or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. Toyota's numbers for these recalls are J0A (Zone A Toyota), J0B (Zone B Toyota), J0C (Zone C Toyota), JLI (Zone A Lexus), JLJ (Zone B Lexus), and JLK (Zone C Lexus). Note: This recall includes vehicles that have had their air bag previously replaced under an earlier air bag campaign.

Reported: 2019-10-17 (October 17, 2019)

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. 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.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.