2004 Toyota Tundra Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 46about this part
- Share
- 10%of 466 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 110,140miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 46 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2004 Toyota Tundra, 10% of the 466 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 110,140 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The entire frame and under side of the truck to include brackets, cables, fittings, and exhaust are so rusted and flaking off that I'm concerned that the truck may break apart driving down the road. I bought the truck used from lowe Toyota in warner robins, ga and had no idea that the truck was a rusted out disaster waiting for a place to happen !!”
NHTSA complaint #10734254, filed 2015-07, 96,000 miles“Vehicle began to accelerate down a steep hill and no matter what I tried to do to stop the vehicle nothing happened. It just kept accelerating. Lost control of vehicle, and was unable to negotiate the right hand turn. Vehicle slammed into a dirt embankment, then rolled over and reversed it's position. Consequently, I was trapped in a running vehicle with gasoline leaking and unable to shut off the engine. Had to wait 30n minutes for ems/fire rescue to arrive. Extrication took another 25-30 minutes. Transported to trauma center, york, pa.”
NHTSA complaint #11387346, filed 2021-01, 142,000 miles“Frame rusting and rear differential rusting out. Frame is corroding from rust. Rear differential has several pin holes causing fluid to leak. These are both known problems with the gen 1 Tundra's. Contacted Toyota customer care and basically told me there isn't anything they can do since the frame recall campaign ended in 2015. I never received notification of the frame recall. I was told that there wasn't any recall fro the differential but that is a very common problem for Tundra's used in ne USA whereby road salt is used in winter. …”
NHTSA complaint #11163246, filed 2018-12, 130,000 miles“Brought vehicle in for new muffler and tailpipe. Mechanic showed me a leaky rear seal because the metal cover was rusting through. Also showed me main frame and suspension points which are , in his words, like rust holding hands .”
NHTSA complaint #10521855, filed 2013-06, 95,000 miles“Massive generalized rust under vehicle. This is affecting the frame, suspension, all lines, exhaust, all metal fittings, wheels, brakes, spare tire. My mechanic does not know how to proceed and suggested we no longer drive this vehicle. Toyota dealer said this is not included in the rust recall which is in effect for Tundra trucks exactly like this one , but off by a couple months by manufacturing date. Our Toyota dealer did not have a suggestion or answer for how to fix this, other than to ask if we were interested in buying a new car. …”
NHTSA complaint #10587803, filed 2014-05, 100,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10164330Jul 1, 2019TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 01, 2019 Rev2: ? Applicability has been updated to 2019 ? 2020 model year Toyota vehicles. ? The Techstream Preparation and Process Overview sections…
- 10134454Aug 24, 2015TechTip: Condition - The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power to the Engine ECM has been…
- 10109404Oct 16, 2014TSB: The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of the correct torque converter bolts during automatic transmission/transaxle…
- 10109492Sep 30, 2014TSB: The purpose of this bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly to avoid MIL "ON" shifting issues and/or…
- 10132084Oct 1, 2013The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly to avoid MIL ?ON,? shifting issues, and/or…
- 10133836Feb 20, 2013This bulletin contains general vehicle pulling diagnosis and repair procedures along with specific information to help correct pulling complaints.
- 10015555Feb 28, 20052004 tundra repair manual correction for the torque converter clutch and drive plate. 00400-rm109-u1.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 8 | 22% |
| 2025 | 37 | 26% |
| 2024 | 85 | 24% |
| 2023 | 88 | 21% |
| 2022 | 104 | 24% |
| 2021 | 1 | 4% |
| 2020 | 3 | 6% |
| 2019 | 1 | 1% |
| 2018 | 3 | 3% |
| 2017 | 6 | 8% |
| 2016 | 5 | 4% |
| 2015 | 1 | 2% |
| 2014 | 5 | 5% |
| 2012 | 21 | 13% |
| 2011 | 18 | 13% |
| 2010 | 19 | 12% |
| 2009 | 11 | 29% |
| 2008 | 46 | 14% |
| 2007 | 73 | 19% |
| 2006 | 23 | 4% |
| 2005 | 35 | 9% |
| 2004 | 46 | 10% |
| 2003 | 35 | 9% |
| 2002 | 51 | 11% |
| 2001 | 30 | 7% |
| 2000 | 51 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2004 Toyota Tundra
200 complaintsSuspension
152 complaintsAir bags
50 complaintsOther or unknown
49 complaintsBrakes
36 complaintsSteering
26 complaintsElectrical system
13 complaintsVehicle speed control
11 complaintsTires
9 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaintsWheels
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Toyota Tundra
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 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