ToyotaTacoma2004L4/toyota/tacoma/2004/l4/

2004 Toyota Tacoma — L4

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2004 Tacoma L4. Covers both the standard and High Output L4.

Body TRUCKEngine L4

The 2004 Toyota Tacoma L4 is a compact truck powered by a four-cylinder engine requiring 5.5 quarts of 5W-30 API-rated oil, representing the core configuration of this model year. During its production period, this generation accumulated 414 total owner complaints with 5 official recalls, with structural concerns emerging as the most frequently reported issue among the documented problems. Relative to the broader Tacoma complaint history spanning 1995 to 2026, the 2004 model year falls well below the documented peak of 782 complaints recorded in 2006, suggesting this particular generation experienced comparatively fewer widespread reliability challenges. This positioning within the model's complaint trajectory indicates that while not immune to typical truck-related concerns, the 2004 Tacoma represents a notably more mature and refined iteration within its generational history.

Model year201120102009200820062005200420032002

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque83 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 310 CCA battery, OE oil filter 90915YZZD1. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 35 · 310 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnOFFOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter90915YZZD1
Engine air filter1780107020 alt 178013502083
Fuel filter2330079446 alt 2330062010
Spark plug9091901164
Front wiper blades8522204030 alt 8521204031
Serpentine belt993642087078 alt 9936481070
Thermostat9091603120 alt 9091603075

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length202.4 in
Overall width66.5 in
Overall height67.7 in
Wheelbase122 in
Curb weight3474 lb
Track (front / rear)59.1 / 59.1 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)58/42

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.5 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential. Torque lug nuts to 83 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity2.1
Differential Gear Oil75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.5 Pints
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity5.3 Pints
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.5 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts217 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Axle (U-bolts)90.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Chassis Bracket116.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Rear Shackle67.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring Rear Shackle to Chassis Bracket67.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts83 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug27.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug27.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub174 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerDenso

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.25-1.38 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.50 oz
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance310 cca
Standard BCI Group Number35

Service checks

Pressure Test17 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief11-15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176-183 °F
Pressure Test17 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief11-15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176-183 °F
Injector Primary Resistance12-16 na ohms
Engine Compression145-174 psi

Brakes

Torque to Knuckle90 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket65 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle80 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle90 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.039; Rear: 0.039 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0028 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.866 in

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Driveshaft (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAir Conditioning Condenser (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Fuel Evaporative Canister (inspect)
Every 90,000 miTiming Belt (replace)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2004 Tacoma sits at the end of the first generation (1995–2004), a period marked by relatively stable federal metrics: complaints ranged from 135 to 414, recalls held at 4–6, and TSBs climbed gradually to 143. Its 414 complaints match the generation peak set in 2001, while its 143 TSBs tie 2003 for the highest in that era, with Structure (147 complaints) and Suspension (35) dominating the 2004 profile alongside 27 crash and 3 fire reports. The 2005 redesign triggers a sharp discontinuity — complaints jump to 707, recalls double to 10, and TSBs more than double to 337 — a elevated plateau that persists through 2009. The 2004 model therefore represents the most documented version of the outgoing platform, with higher service bulletin activity but without the systemic recall escalation that defines the next generation. For a buyer prioritizing a known, matured platform over a redesigned one with substantially higher federal activity, the 2004 is a defensible choice provided the structure and suspension complaints are inspected closely.

5
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
143
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
414
Owner complaints
27 involved a crash · 3 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 414 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Structure147
Suspension35
Suspension,Structure23
Vehicle Speed Control22
Unknown Or Other20
Steering16
Air Bags12
Power Train10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

12V542000Tires:Temporary/Emergency Spare TireReported 23/11/2012

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2004 Tacoma light trucks manufactured from August 28, 2000, through August 27, 2004, and originally sold, or currently registered, in the following cold climate states… Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace the spare tire carrier lift plate as necessary, free of charge. The recall began in February 2013. Owners…

06E065000Exterior LightingReported 17/07/2006

CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF… Remedy: AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 143 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
T-SB-0035-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureAcid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to…
T-SB-0038-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureTo prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film…
T-SB-0039-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureThe condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the…
T-SB-0061-23 Rev22024-12-05StructureToyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to…
T-SB-0062-23 Rev22024-12-03StructureVehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

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VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Tacoma. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2004 Tacoma L4 take?

5.5 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2004 Tacoma have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.