124 complaints reported

2004 Toyota Tundra Structure

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
124
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
1

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Aug 2026

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that after purchasing tires for replacement, the tire technician stated that the subframe was damaged from corrosion to the front frame, the side members, and the rear subframe. The contact was informed that the most severe corrosion was located on the driver's side front subframe behind the wheel well. The subframe was almost fully rusted through. The contact was referred to a welder by the tire shop. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and issued a customer complaint report. The failure mileage was approximately 114,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 TOYOTA TUNDRA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Dec 2025
Sep 2025

Frame rot on the original frame with a recall

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 TOYOTA TUNDRA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Dec 2025
Aug 2025

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that on several occasions, while driving at undisclosed speeds and then parking the vehicle, the contact observed oil leaking from the vehicle. The contact stated that on another occasion, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was inspected, and the contact observed corrosion and holes on the frame of the vehicle, and the motor mounts were rusted, causing the engine to run abnormally low. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the vehicle was flexing due to the holes throughout the frame of the vehicle. The mechanic was unable to lift the vehicle due to the excessive corrosion. The vehicle was deemed unsafe to drive. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 TOYOTA TUNDRA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jul 2025
Sep 2024

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware that the sub frame underneath the vehicle was rusted. The contact was concerned that the sub frame could collapse. The vehicle was taking to the dealer to be inspected. The contact was informed that the sub frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 157,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 TOYOTA TUNDRA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Sep 2024
Jan 2024

I took my truck to a garage for simple tire repair. I had a slow leak. In the process of trying to lift my truck, the technician hear 'crumbling sounds'. They stopped the lift immediately. Upon looking at the my chassis frame, the technicians saw major rust damage. One technician used flashlight to tap against the frame and he poked through it. The technician stated that this was not the first time seeing this problem on this truck model style. I contacted a local dealership. The individual I spoke with at the dealership also confirm rusting issues on the frame of my truck style model. I researched this on the internet to find out multiple complaints concerning the premature rusting of these frames due to poor quality steel and inadequate rust prevention coating. I reached out to my vehicle manufacture "care line". They stated they could not help me. My fear is my frame could break while driving and cause a vehicle accident. The worst frame damage is near the front wheels, both sides. The body, engine, transmission and all other safety components are solid and working well. Side Note: My dad owns a 1992 full size pickup truck (different manufacture). The frame is still solid. My truck is 10 years newer and the frame is falling apart due to manufacture using poor quality steel.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 TOYOTA TUNDRA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Dec 2023
Jan 2024

2004 Toyota Tundra’s Frame is abnormally rusted. The paint and the mechanical function of the vehicle is pristine however the frame has corroded and rusted egregiously. There was a class action suit a few years back but they failed to notify me of the open recall to replace and even on file there was never any pending notice of such recall for my vehicle although it qualified and I have been the only owner of the vehicle.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 TOYOTA TUNDRA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jan 2024
Oct 2023

Noise in front end. Inspection reveals rust holes on the frame rail near the sway bar bracket. Multiple areas rusted through.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 TOYOTA TUNDRA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Oct 2023
Oct 2023

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in for the State Inspection, he was informed that the sub frame underneath the front driver's side door was severely corroded. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and it was determined that the sub frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 171,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 TOYOTA TUNDRA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Oct 2023
Jan 2023

When I was driving, the mount for the brake line dropped and twisted and damaged the steering rod. I drove straight to a mechanic, and he showed me that the frame was rusted out completely, and the truck is not safe to drive.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 TOYOTA TUNDRA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jan 2023
Aug 2022

I inherited my father’s Tundra which now only has 95,000 and almost flawless body. As part of the recall for Tundra frames, I took it to the dealer and they wanted nothing to do with the frame replacement and only put on undercoating. This has made it worse. On my last inspection (May) I was told that this truck frame is failing and I won’t be passing another inspection. I called a different dealer in the area and they said they cannot replace the frame now because of the other dealer’s coating. Would it be possible to have Toyota still replace the frame because it’s a safety issue? There is no reason to scrap the truck seeing as the rest of it is fine. Please advise and thank you for reading this!

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 TOYOTA TUNDRA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Aug 2022
Feb 2022

I had my truck inspected for the frame recall a few years ago. My current mechanic says the frame should not look as bad as it does for the 125k miles it has on it. They have concerns that using a lift on it will damage the frame. This could make it nearly impossible to remove/change the tires. I look at other trucks from ford/Dodge/GM near the same age and I do not see anything similar on the frames. More of a surface rust then flake. The body and engine look great. Suspect while everything looks good the frame will be unable to perform as designed. I have reached out to Toyota and they want me to contact local dealer. I am concerned as recently a brake line failed and I am not sure if this will cascade into a large repair bill due to rusted components.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 TOYOTA TUNDRA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jan 2022
Oct 2021

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated the sub-frame of the vehicle was corroded. The contact also stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V741000 (Air Bags) however, the dealer informed the contact that the frame was cracked in the process of completing the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not provide any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 175,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 TOYOTA TUNDRA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Feb 2019
Sep 2021

I'm the second owner of this 2004 Toyota truck, my father was the first. This truck has been babied since my dad drove it off the lot. Everything is in superior condition except for the frame, it has almost completely rusted off. My dad passed away and this is all I have of his. Back in 2014 , it was sprayed with a rust prevention as part as the Toyota campaign which did nothing besides cover the already existing rust and increase the breakdown of the frame. Google is filled with hundreds of people saying the same thing and I don't understand how Toyota is getting away with this.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 TOYOTA TUNDRA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Oct 2014
Jul 2021

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to the dealer for an unknown repair, the contact was informed that the sub-frame underneath the vehicle was severely corroded. The dealer stated that it was too dangerous to go underneath the vehicle to complete the repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 184,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 TOYOTA TUNDRA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jul 2021
Jun 2021

The frame of my 2004 Toyota tundra sr5 has a big rutted hole on the bottom of the frame, right under the driver's door side. the hole is about 1.5 ft long and 1 inch with. now I feel unsafe doing anything on the truck since I don't know how big the problem is. these problems Affect brakes, suspension, etc, I see many tundra owners complaining about this problem. I don't know when the previous owner got the truck sprayed at the dealer but it didn't work. I'm very disappointed since it's a nice truck, Toyota should take action on this matter, it is very unsafe for many people on the road. Toyota needs to find a resolution.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 TOYOTA TUNDRA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jan 2021
Apr 2021

2004 Toyota Tundra frame Rusted out should have been changed years ago. Toyota of stamford covered it up says my truck is unsafe to drive. Toyota wont help me please help. Ive tried everything. Little guy like me cant take on Toyota. Toyota will win everytime

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 TOYOTA TUNDRA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Aug 2021
Jan 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE FOR STATE INSPECTION, HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE UNDERCARRIAGE AND SUBFRAME WAS CORRODED AND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO FOWLER TOYOTA OF TULSA (6868 EAST BROKEN ARROW, FRONTAGE ROAD, TULSA, OK 74145) TO BE INSPECTED. THE MECHANIC CONFIRMED THE EXTREME RUST CONDITION AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 TOYOTA TUNDRA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Nov 2021
Nov 2020

THE FRAME IS RUSTED TO THE EXTREME THAT PREVIOUS OWNERS HAVE ALREADY HAD IT REPAIRED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE JUST BEHIND THE FRONT AXLE FOR THE SWAY BAR TO MOUNT. I HAVE FOUND THE SAME ISSUE OF RUST THROUGH THE FRAME IS NOW ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND BOUT TO DO THE SAME THING. I ALSO FIND EXTREME RUST JUST IN FRONT OF THE REAR AXLE. EXTREME RUST HOLDING THE TRANSFER CASE IN THE VEHICLE IS VERY THIN ALSO.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 TOYOTA TUNDRA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Nov 2020
Nov 2020

VEHICLE FAILED ITS YEARLY STATE INSPECTION DUE TO SEVERE RUST MAKING THE FRAME STRUCTURALLY COMPROMISED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY TOYOTA IN 2014 AND TREATED WITH A CORROSION RESISTANT COMPOUND UNDER A LIMITED SERVICE CAMPAIGN. SIX YEARS AFTER THE APPLICATION TOYOTA NOW ADVISES THE FRAME IS STRUCTURALLY COMPROMISED DUE TO SEVERE RUST.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 TOYOTA TUNDRA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Oct 2020
Oct 2020

YES I HAVE A 2004 TOYOTA TUNDRA CREW CAB TRUCK IS IN GOOD SHAPE BUT RECENTLY FOUND MY FRAME IS RUSTING AWAY I'VE CONTACTED TOYOTA BECAUSE THEY HAD A RECALL BEFORE BUT THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT I'VE READ SOME TOYOTA FORMS AND APPARENTLY THIS IS NOT A RARE CASE THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE THIS IS THE REASON PEOPLE ARE KILLED GOING TO WORK FRAME JUST BRAKES I WANT SOMETHING DONE BEFORE THAT SOMEONE KILLED IS ME

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 TOYOTA TUNDRA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Feb 2020
Oct 2020 Crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A YEAR GO WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH AND WAS GOING AROUND A CORNER, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE JERKED, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH A TREE. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAINED INJURIES AND WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING. NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO FOR INSPECTION AT AN INSPECTION STATION. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE INSPECTED DUE TO A HOLE IN THE FRAME AND WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVER UNDER THE WARRANTY AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 240,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 TOYOTA TUNDRA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Oct 2019
May 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE HOLES IN THE SUBFRAME AND BUMPER OF THE VEHICLE CAUSED BY SEVERE RUST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY HER SON; A CERTIFIED MECHANIC. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED OR INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SUBJECTED TO A RECALL. A CASE WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,729.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 TOYOTA TUNDRA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Apr 2020
Mar 2020

A WARRANTY ON THE FRAME OF THE TRUCK WAS SATISFIED ON 5/6/2014. THE FRAME WAS RUSTY AT THE TIME. HOWEVER, THE FRAME IS RUSTY AGAIN AND WE NOW HAVE A SAFETY CONCERN.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 TOYOTA TUNDRA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jun 2014
Feb 2020

FRAME IS SO RUSTED OUT THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION HAS NOTHING TO SUPPORT IT. THE TRUCK CAN NO LONGER BE SAFELY DRIVEN. TOYOTA HAD ME TAKE THE TRUCK IN AND HAVE THE FRAME CHECKED FOR RUST IN 2015. AT THAT TIME THEY TOLD THE FRAME WAS GOOD. I CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALER ON 2/17 THIS YEAR AND THEY COULD NOT HELP ME AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO CONTACT CORPORATE. I CONTACTED THEM SAME DAY AND WAS TOLD SINCE THEY CHECKED IT ONCE THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE THEY COULD DO FOR ME. HARD TO BELIEVE THE FRAME COULD SO COMPLETELY DETERIORATE IN THAT FIVE YEAR PERIOD. I KNOW I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. I HOPE SOMETHING CAN BE DONE TO HELP ALL THESE PEOPLE OUT.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 TOYOTA TUNDRA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Oct 2020
Dec 2019

I NOTICED THE VEHICLE FRAME HAS 4 HOLES ON THE FRAME. THE HOLES ARE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND DRIVER SIDE NEAR THE EXHAUST MANIFOLDS. THE HOLES ARE APPROXIMATELY 2 TO 3 INCHES IN LENGTH.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 TOYOTA TUNDRA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Dec 2019

Trend Over Time

Complaints by year

Quick Summary

The 2004 Toyota Tundra has 124 Structure complaints on file. 1 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.