The Lemon Index2004 Toyota Tundra.
The 2004 Toyota Tundra is better than average by owner complaints: 80 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 83, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about suspension, it has 13 recalls, and it gets 14 to 16 mpg combined. The best Toyota Tundra year is 2015.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 466 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Toyota Tundra year. 2004 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 65K to 143K miles on the car (310 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- body structure complaints mostly came at 78K–148K miles
- suspension complaints mostly came at 65K–120K miles
- airbags complaints mostly came at 92K–160K miles
Recalls 13
- suspension 2022
The ball joint housing may have inadequate hardness, causing premature failure.
- airbags 2019
These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design.
- airbags 2018
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.
Show all 13 recalls
- airbags 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.
- airbags 2015
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 Pon…
- lights 2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- suspension 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.
- lights 2006
CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- lights 2006
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
- lights 2006
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
- airbags 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 PA…
- suspension 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.
- engine 2005
CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH BOTH VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL (VSC) AND THE TRD DUAL EXHAUST SYSTEMS.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Toyota told dealers about
Toyota sent dealers 201 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Squeak noise coming from the rear shocks
- The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of…
- The purpose of this bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
- OpenAir bag inflator rupture2015
- ClosedAir bag inflator rupture2014–2015
- ClosedFrame corrosion2009–2010
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★★★ · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $4000–4600 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.4L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
Toyota Tundra truck shakes under braking. During brake service rear brake drums found to be warped.
2004 Toyota Tundra owner · NHTSA complaint 10175542
More owner reports
Dt: consumer needs new brake rotors and pad. They needed to be replaced after 13,000 miles. The rear brakes were also out of adjustment.
NHTSA complaint 10122568
Front ball joint on driver's side just collapsed and the axle came out and the wheel turned sideways at 45 mph, causing a 300' skid.
NHTSA complaint 10194906
Quick answers
Is the 2004 Toyota Tundra reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.2× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 83; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Toyota Tundra year by this measure is 2015.
What are the most common 2004 Toyota Tundra problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are suspension (69%), brakes (18%) and transmission & drivetrain (8%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2004 Toyota Tundra have?
13 safety recalls (latest: suspension). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2004 Toyota Tundra get?
14 to 16 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2004 Toyota Tundra problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 65,000 and 143,500 miles. The middle report was at 102,000 miles, from 310 complaints.
Does the 2004 Toyota Tundra have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 8% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2004 Toyota Tundra cost in fuel a year?
About $4000 to $4600 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2004 Toyota Tundra have?
3.4L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl.
What Toyota Tundra year is better than the 2004?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2015, 2011 and 2013.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works