2004 Toyota Tundra: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 650 complaints
650
Total Complaints
104,000mi
Median Mileage
Body
Top Issue
35
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
68,000
25th Percentile
104,000
Median Mileage
142,000
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Body
141
Suspension
94
Air Bags
48
Unknown Or Other
48
Lower Ball Joint
46
Power Train
36
Underbody Shields
34
Steering
20
Service Brakes
18
Frame And Members
17
Severity Assessment
35
Crashes
1
Fires
27
Injuries
1
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"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 A..."
"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 T..."
"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..."
Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.
When Were Complaints Filed?
Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.
When Does Each Component Fail?
Median mileage at complaint for top components.
Body
141 complaints
25th: 98,000 mi
Median: 130,000 mi
75th: 156,500 mi
Suspension
94 complaints
25th: 75,200 mi
Median: 104,000 mi
75th: 140,000 mi
Air Bags
48 complaints
25th: 100,000 mi
Median: 109,400 mi
75th: 150,000 mi
Unknown Or Other
48 complaints
25th: 114,442 mi
Median: 151,500 mi
75th: 172,000 mi
Lower Ball Joint
46 complaints
25th: 51,355 mi
Median: 80,000 mi
75th: 96,491 mi
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
CA: 57
NY: 53
OH: 39
MA: 39
PA: 33
VA: 32
NJ: 28
MD: 26
FL: 24
ME: 22
Who Files Complaints?
13.5%
Original Owners
86.5%
Second+ Owners
Toyota Tundra — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
Active Recalls (13)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
Inflator Module
Campaign 19V741000 | 17/10/2019
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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
Inflator Module
Campaign 18V883000 | 12/12/2018
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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 ch
Lower Ball Joint
Campaign 22E002000 | 14/01/2022
A ball joint failure may cause a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
DRiV will work with distributors to return unsold parts. Dealers will inspect and replace the ball joint as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 17, 2022. Owners may contact DRiV customer service at 1-877-489-6659 or at RECALL.SUPPORT@DRIV.COM.
Air Bags
Campaign 15V286000 | 13/05/2015
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.
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
Air Bags
Campaign 15V285000 | 13/05/2015
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.
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
On-Off Switch Assembly
Campaign 05V254000 | 02/06/2005
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 SECU
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.
Exterior Lighting
Campaign 06E049000 | 24/05/2006
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
Headlights
Campaign 09E025000 | 11/05/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
Lower Ball Joint
Campaign 07V013000 | 19/01/2007
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.
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.
Exterior Lighting
Campaign 06E065000 | 17/07/2006
LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.
Exhaust System
Campaign 05V123000 | 30/03/2005
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.
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
Exterior Lighting
Campaign 06E026000 | 23/03/2006
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
Lower Ball Joint
Campaign 05V225000 | 17/05/2005
THE LOWER BALL JOINT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE KNUCKLE CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
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.
General Vehicle Maintenance
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Follow the manufacturer's maintenance schedule in your owner's manual
- Don't ignore warning lights — early diagnosis prevents expensive repairs
- Keep records of all maintenance and repairs
- Use OEM or equivalent-quality parts for repairs
- Address unusual noises, vibrations, or smells promptly
Vehicle Rankings
Looking for a replacement?
Based on the data above, here are relevant options.
Affiliate link
Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.
Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.
Data through: 2026-03-28