The 2004 Toyota Tacoma is simply one of the best used trucks on the market. The ride may be a bit rough and everything from heated seats to cruise control costs extra, but as a work-capable, off-road-oriented trooper, it’s hard to beat.
Is the 2004 Toyota Tacoma a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – The 2004 edition Toyota Tacoma makes it easy to see why fans are loyal to the brand.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 6/10 – All six of these points are for the bed options. The Tacoma is built like an adventure vehicle and you’ll be doing some rocking and rolling in the cabin. The possibility of rust in the suspension only makes matters worse.
- Reliability 8/10 – Breakdowns are infrequent and maintenance is cheap. With proper care, you should have no problem reaching 250,000 miles.
- Safety 7/10 – The Tacoma’s rollover ratings are pretty bad, but anti-lock brakes and traction control are nice to have.
- Gas Mileage 7/10 – Expect to get around 20 miles to the gallon, combined, which isn’t bad for such an old pickup.
- Value 8/10 – The sticker price may seem a bit high, but you’ll make up the difference on lower-than-average maintenance and refueling costs.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the 2004 Toyota Tacoma?
Consumer Reports calls the Tacoma one of the best off-road vehicles they’ve ever driven, praising the rugged suspension and tires, but noting that the ride is poor and the handling is clumsy. Rollover tests were worrying, as well.
Kelley Blue Book users give the Tacoma a strong 95% recommendation with strong praise for the truck’s longevity, strength, and low maintenance costs. Some drivers find the cabin a bit tight, however, and at least one driver reports major issues with premature rust.
Edmunds found the Tacoma to be flexible and especially competent off-road with a nice range of body configurations. They felt the Xtracabs could use a couple more doors, and that too many convenience features were hidden behind optional packages.
What Common Problems Does the 2004 Toyota Tacoma Have?
Frame rust has been the Tacoma’s biggest issue thus far. The truck has 399 complaints on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, with 196 of these being for structure, mostly centered on premature rust in the frame. There was a recall for fuel tank straps which are liable to rust through, dropping the tank.
The Tacoma has 79 reports on file for suspension, with the issue being, again, premature corrosion. Drivers report that excessive rust in the undercarriage may eat right through the suspension and essentially leave you sitting right on the axle.
Powertrain and engine issues have been thankfully scarce, numbering fewer than 40 after twenty years on the road. Most powertrain issues have to do with electronic throttle body malfunctions rather than problems with the transmission itself.
The 2004 Toyota Tacoma has just 5 recalls on file with the NHTSA and zero investigations. Your biggest concern is going to be premature rust, which can be impossible to fix, but easy to prevent with a coating of anti-rust spray.
How Long Will the 2004 Toyota Tacoma Last?
Drivers typically report that the Tacoma will last at least 200,000 miles, and as many as 300,000 with excellent maintenance. Expect to reach about 250,000 miles on the original engine and transmission, assuming the previous owner wasn’t too lax about maintenance.
RepairPal report a typical annual maintenance cost of $478, which is below average for a pickup. Expensive common repairs include new AC compressors starting at $688, and starter replacements at $343.
The Toyota Tacoma is extremely reliable. The only problem I have with mine is that the AC is broken, but other than that, it's great.
Very reliable. With the exception of having to replace the drive shaft twice, the vehicle has been incredibly dependable.
Yes and no. Sometimes the brakes mess up. Or the clutch brakes. She has messed up a lot before. But is fixable.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology is adequate for 2004, but the Tacoma is focused more on off-road fun and work-truck performance than creature comforts. CD players in the S-Runners are about as fancy as it gets here.
Safety features are pretty good for a twenty year old truck. Anti-lock brakes come standard and traction control is optional.
Is the 2004 Toyota Tacoma a Good Value?
The 2004 Toyota Tacoma is a good value, but you may consider the sticker price to be a bit high, with an entry-level Tacoma typically listing for around $7,662 with just under 160,000 miles on the odometer. If that sounds a bit high, it actually evens out with a low cost of maintenance.
For a pickup truck from 2004, fuel economy is better than average and maintenance costs are under par. There are cheaper trucks on the market, but the Tacoma will save you enough money to make up the difference.
What are the Different Models of the 2004 Toyota Tacoma?
The 2004 Toyota Tacoma is available in three trim levels, from the self-explanatory Base to the high-end S-Runner.
The entry-level Base features:
- AM/FM radio
- Cloth seating
- Carpeted floors
- Anti-lock brakes
With a mid-range Pre-Runner you’re adding:
- Optional cassette player with six speakers
- Off-road suspension
Finally, the top-of-the-line S-Runner adds:
- Front bucket seats with lumbar support
- Leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob
- Remote keyless entry
- Air conditioning
What Engines Come In the 2004 Toyota Tacoma?
- The 2004 Tacoma’s standard engine is a 2.4L inline-four delivering 142 horsepower and The 2004 Tacoma’s standard engine is a 2.4L inline-four delivering 142 horsepower and 160 lb.-ft. of torque. This is configured in rear wheel drive and paired to a 4-speed automatic transmission, averaging 19/23 miles to the gallon, city/highway, and towing up to 3,500 pounds.
- Next up is a 2.7L i4 delivering 150 horsepower and 177 lb.-ft. of torque, paired to a 4-speed automatic, configured in rear wheel drive, towing up to 3,500 pounds and averaging 19/22 miles to the gallon.
- Finally, the truck is available with a 3.4L V6 delivering 190 horsepower and 220 lb.-ft. of torque. Rear wheel drive, 4-speed automatic, averaging 19/24 miles to the gallon and towing up to 5,000 pounds.
What Colors Does the 2004 Toyota Tacoma Come In?
How Comfortable Is the 2004 Toyota Tacoma?
The 2004 Toyota Tacoma is a bit of a rough ride. The cabin is smaller than you’ll find in some of the truck’s competitors, with just 50 inches of rear hip room, and the suspension is tuned for off-roading and heavy payloads, making it a bit too rugged on city streets.
There are worse vehicles out there than the Tacoma when it comes to comfort, but this isn’t the truck to buy if you’re after a cushy daily-driver.
How Much Storage Space Does the 2004 Toyota Tacoma Have?
The 2004 Toyota Tacoma is offered with a 61.2 inch or 74.4 inch bed, with both being 57.9 inches across at the widest, and 19.1 inches deep.
Bed sizes have generally gotten smaller over the years with the full-size pickup market leaning more and more into SUV territory. The Tacoma is an old school work truck that won’t leave you wanting for a few extra inches of space.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
2004 was the final year for the 1st Generation Toyota Tacoma, and the last compact Tacoma.
2002: Toyota made no major changes to the 2002 Tacoma, as they were gearing up for the second-gen launch at this point.
2003: The biggest change in 2003 saw Toyota making anti-lock brakes a standard feature.
2004: No big changes in 2004.
2005: The mid-size Tacoma debuted with a longer wheelbase, more aggressive styling, and three cab options, Regular, Access, and Double.
2006: There were no major changes to the Tacoma for 2006.
2007: Toyota revised the cockpit a bit in 2007 with new audio head units, a redesigned dash, and improved front seats.
How Does the 2004 Toyota Tacoma Compare to the Competition?
The 2004 Toyota Tacoma won the Vehicle History Owner’s Choice award for that model year, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best compact truck for your needs.
If you’re looking for an off-roader that can handle work-truck duties, the Tacoma is hard to beat, but that year’s Ford Ranger may be the preferable daily-driver. A Ranger is a bit roomier and a bit more affordable than a comparable Tacoma.
If you want the most affordable compact pickup on the market, the GMC Sonoma delivers performance comparable to the Tacoma for about a thousand dollars cheaper, on average.
On paper, the Tacoma is the best of the three, but each excels in their own way. It all depends on your needs and your budget.
Do Owners Recommend the 2004 Toyota Tacoma?
The Toyota Tacoma is a very good vehicle. I've had it for three years and it's extremely reliable and has never given me any problems.
It is a very good vehicle. I purchased it with ~20,000 miles in 2005, and now it has ~265,000. Awesome truck.
Yes it is a good vehicle. Sometimes it breaks down but it always starts working again. Gas is good. Brakes are good. Engine is good.
