2004 Toyota Tacoma: grinding or squealing brakes

Filed Feb 1, 2022 · Wheels · VA

While driving down the highway my front passenger wheel completely disconnected from the ball joint. There was nothing indicating that the wheel was even loose; no wobbling or shaking or grinding. Luckily the wheel itself slid under the frame of the vehicle and I was able to maneuver the truck off of the highway; a very serious crash could have occurred. Since that incident I have been witness to two other Toyota trucks suffering from the same sudden issue. One was a Toyota Forerunner of a similar year where its wheel had completely fallen off at the ball joint. Another was a 2004 or earlier model Toyota Tacoma. I was merely driving past these vehicles as they were off to the side of the road and saw that their respective front passenger-side wheels had fallen off in the exact same manner as mine had, with the wheels being dragged under the body / frames of the vehicles. I don't know if this amounts to some sort of defect in these model Toyotas but I find it highly suspicious that the front wheels are suddenly falling off of these vehicles while they are being driven.

Filed Jan 20, 2020 · Fuel system · 14,900 miles · OH

Fuel tank strap failed tank dropped pushing shield into driveshaft causing metal to metal grinding. This happened after filling tank and driving.

Filed Apr 1, 2019 · Body, Suspension · 110,000 miles · SC

Tamara recall, my 2004 toyota tacoma 4 wheel drive chassis has broken on me twice sense I bought the truck from a used dealership, and the chassis is also cracked again on my back drivers side, when I bought the truck I wasn't told that the chassis was rusted and they had covered it up. I need to know if it's still under warranty to get it replaced or what I need to do, my odometer is showing only 118686 on it right now. I'm concerned if I were to be in a wreck that there would be a worse outcome verses the chassis not being rusted. When the chassis broke on the passenger side both times I was driving, the exhaust has broken off as well because of rust. Now the truck squeaks really bad and my spare tire is about to break off as well I believe. I would really appreciate it if I could get it fixed. I'm not sure how much of the chassis is rusted or how bad it us due to them covering it up. Both times the chassis has broken have been when on a city street I haven't done an insurance claim on it either, the second time it broke I was also braking the truck. I don't know the number of the recall. I bought the truck in march and all this happened in may and june and I'm afraid it's gonna happen again if it's not replaced and due to me making payments on it and it being my daily driver I don't know what else to due sense I cannot sale it. I didn't know about the recall until september, I seen something about it on facebook and just started looking into it to see if there was any possibility of getting it fixed or replaced. The bed has also been replaced before I bought it, but I'm not sure why. Thank you for reading this and I hope to hear something soon about my truck. Any kind of options available would be very helpful, because I do not trust this truck. It is very unsafe. I would not recommend anyone else to drive my truck because it is so untrustworthy. Thank you again.

Filed Sep 30, 2013 · Engine · 120,000 miles · TX

Crankshaft pulley that drives alternator has become loose and makes squeaking sounds.. Contacted toyota and they couldn't help....what should I do since a recall of 4000+ has been initiated for this failure and my VIN number isn't included??

Filed Mar 11, 2008 · Brakes · 38,000 miles · LA

Parking brake light stays on. Vehicle is sluggish. Brakes are squealing.

Filed Mar 14, 2007 · Transmission · HI

Tl* - the contact has a 2004 toyota tacoma truck. The contact lived in a rural area and she needed to be able to go into 4-wheel drive, but when she attempted to go into 4-wheel drive the vehicle made a grinding noise and would not go into 4-heel drive. The dealer attempted to repair the vehicle once before unsuccessfully. The unsuccessful repair was done under warranty. She took the vehicle back to them to let them know that it was still not working because they didn't fix it correctly. The service manager refused to fix the vehicle even though it was still under warranty. The service manager suggested that she put the vehicle into park and then shift into 4-wheel drive instead of following the owner's manual method which stated that the vehicle should be put in neutral when shifting into 4 wheel drive, and the service manager suggested that the vehicle owner put the vehicle into park and then shift into 4 wheel drive. Every 3,000 miles when she went for an oil change she complained about the operation of the transmission and the grinding and clanking noises that it was making. The contact stated that the vehicle normally made the clanking noises when the vehicle was coming to a stop, and grinding noises when she attempted to go into 4-wheel drive. The current mileage was 40,000 miles.*ak update 4/25/07

Filed Dec 7, 2004 · Acceleration · 8,500 miles · NC

While releasing the accelerator pedal a loud grinding noise was produce from the rear. Dealer stated that was normal because it was a new part.