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Engine coolingPart report

2004 Toyota Tacoma Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
5about this part
Share
1%of 415 total for the year
Median mileage
23,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2004 Toyota Tacoma, 1% of the 415 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 23,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“My 2004 Toyota Tacoma has an intermittent problem with a loss of power, I.e. When I step on the accelerator, it fails to respond for a brief period of time. It is a problem when pulling out into traffic, as the loss of power has LED to several near collisions. The vehicle has been to the dealer twice to diagnose the problem, without a clear cause, according to the dealer. Research through an independent service shop points to a problem with the accelerator pedal position sensor. Research on Toyota Tacoma forums online also seem to support this. …”

NHTSA complaint #10297830, filed 2010-01, 67,000 miles

“Hard start with 2004 Toyota Tacoma. This problem began the day I drove it off the lot. Sometimes the vehicle starts right up and other times it takes 3-5 attempts at starting. This nonconformity usually happens after its been driven and sits for 1-2 hours. The vehicle has been brought in for this intermittent starting problem 5 times. With 870 miles on the vehicle I brought it in and Toyota said the spark plugs were fouled and changed them. The problem continued to occur 2-3 times per week. …”

NHTSA complaint #10114558, filed 2005-03, 8 miles

“I purchased my Tacoma in 2004 with 6000 miles on it. Every since I bought it, it has been extremely high on gas, only getting between 240-260 miles on a tank. I have taken it to the Toyota dealer and they could not find out what was wrong with it. It feels as if it has a skip in it. I now have 20,789 miles on it and when I took it to the dealer they recommended a fuel injection flush so I had that done but it still feels as though it still has a skip. This is only a 4 cylinder motor shouldn't I be getting better gas mileage?”

NHTSA complaint #10158584, filed 2006-05, 6,000 miles

“Was in parking lot of store. Started engine and put in gear and vehicle shot forward and it seemed as if I had no control of it sideswiping another vehicle and headed for another vehicle that I was about to broadside when I was able to stop my vehicle. Was able to get vehicle home which was a short distance away but am now terrified to drive it. Notified insurance company. I called dealership where vehicle was purchased but unable to speak to anyone. Left message but no one has returned my call.”

NHTSA complaint #10667866, filed 2014-12

“The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that he received a manufacturer's recall for the frame. After having the repairs completed, he noticed that the frame was separating from the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken back to the dealer for further inspection. The manufacturer was contacted and they offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000. The current mileage was approximately 70,000. Updated 6/17/13 the consumer stated the 02 sensor was replaced three times, the catalytic converter was also replaced three times. …”

NHTSA complaint #10503554, filed 2013-03, 40,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202522%
202312%
202122%
201810%
201411%
201221%
201121%
201031%
200982%
2008112%
2007122%
2006273%
2005142%
200451%
2003144%
200241%
200131%
200084%
199994%
1998155%
199711%
1996208%
199563%

Other parts of the 2004 Toyota Tacoma

Body and structure
203 complaints
Suspension
85 complaints
Other or unknown
32 complaints
Vehicle speed control
30 complaints
Steering
29 complaints
Brakes
24 complaints
Fuel system
24 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
22 complaints
Electrical system
17 complaints
Air bags
15 complaints
Tires
12 complaints
Engine
11 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2004 Toyota Tacoma

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology