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2002 Toyota Tacoma

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2002 Toyota Tacoma do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 228.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

245 reports with mileage · 88 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Structure. Review the 180 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 82 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

26 crash reports3 fire reports16 injury reports

Structure complaints

180 reports
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190,000 miles · Aug 1, 2017
Structure

VEHICLES FRAME IS RUSTING THROUGH. I HAVE NEVER SEEN A FRAME RUST THROUGH TO THE POINT WHERE YOU CAN POKE HOLES THROUGH IT WITH A FINGER, THIS IS HAPPENING WITH MY TACOMA AND IS VERY DANGEROUS. I PURCHASED THIS LAST APRIL, AND DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THE FRAME ISSUES TOYOTA'S HAVE UNTIL THEY RECALLED THE 05-15 MODELS FOR THE SAME…

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VEHICLES FRAME IS RUSTING THROUGH. I HAVE NEVER SEEN A FRAME RUST THROUGH TO THE POINT WHERE YOU CAN POKE HOLES THROUGH IT WITH A FINGER, THIS IS HAPPENING WITH MY TACOMA AND IS VERY DANGEROUS. I PURCHASED THIS LAST APRIL, AND DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THE FRAME ISSUES TOYOTA'S HAVE UNTIL THEY RECALLED THE 05-15 MODELS FOR THE SAME EXACT ISSUE, I HEARD THEY ARE ALSO IN THE PROCESS OF RECALLING 95-00. TOYOTA WILL NOT ASSIST ME BECAUSE THEIR CUSTOMER FRAME ASSISTANCE PROGRAM ENDED LAST MONTH. EVEN THOUGH I JUST PURCHASED 3 MONTHS AGO AND THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE A VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE, TOYOTA IS GOING TO GET SOMEONE KILLED. THE NUMEROUS TOYOTA REPRESENTATIVES I TALKED TO TOLD ME THEY KNOW THEIR FRAMES ARE FAULTY AND THAT THIS WAS TOYOTA'S FAULT, YET HE COULD NOT ASSIST ME DUE TO COMPANY POLICY OF THEIR FRAME REPLACEMENT PROGRAM ENDING A MONTH PRIOR, EVEN THOUGH ALMOST ALL THE YEARS AROUND MY 02 TACOMA HAVE BEEN RECALLED. TOYOTA NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE TO AN ACTUAL RECALL, NOT JUST A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM THAT THEY CONVENIENTLY WONT ASSIST ME WITH, BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. I CANT AFFORD TO GET RID OF THIS TACOMA NIGHTMARE. THERE ISNT EVEN A SPECK OF RUST ON THE BODY, LOOK UNDERNEATH HOWEVER AND THE FRAME IS RUSTED OUT.

NHTSA ODI #11012153

193,672 miles · Jun 16, 2017
StructureSuspensionWheels

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (GERARD TOYOTA LOCATED ON 543 COLMAN ST, NEW LONDON, CT 06320) FOR SERVICE, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED CORROSION ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE FRAME AND A CRACK IN THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL. THE SHOCKS COULD BE SEEN AND NEEDED TO …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (GERARD TOYOTA LOCATED ON 543 COLMAN ST, NEW LONDON, CT 06320) FOR SERVICE, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED CORROSION ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE FRAME AND A CRACK IN THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL. THE SHOCKS COULD BE SEEN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 193,672.

NHTSA ODI #10995611

183,000 miles · May 22, 2017
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC TO BE SERVICED DUE TO EXCESSIVE SWAYING WHEN DRIVING. THE CERTIFIED MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRAME UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WAS CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE RECALL WAS CLOSED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE MANU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC TO BE SERVICED DUE TO EXCESSIVE SWAYING WHEN DRIVING. THE CERTIFIED MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRAME UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WAS CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE RECALL WAS CLOSED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER OPENED CASE NUMBER: 1705200515. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 183,000.

NHTSA ODI #10990979

169,650 miles · Apr 27, 2017
StructureSuspensionWheelsCrashInjury

I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 55 MPH. THE RIGHT LOWER CONTROL BALL JOINT BROKE SO THE ENTIRE WHEEL BROKE OFF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE TRIED TO RUN/JUMP OVER THE WHEEL AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SLAMMED DOWN ON THE ASPHALT. THE TRUCK DRAGGED ON THE ASPHALT FOR ABOUT 100 TO 150 YDS UNTIL I MANAGED TO CONTROL AND STOP IT.

NHTSA ODI #10981109

230,000 miles · Apr 17, 2017
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND SEVERELY CORRODED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE HOLES IN THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 230,000. THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND SEVERELY CORRODED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE HOLES IN THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 230,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10978938

176,500 miles · Mar 3, 2017
Structure

EXCESSIVE RUST CORROSION ON THE VEHICLE FRAME. EXCESSIVE RUST CORROSION TO THE POINT WHERE THERE ARE ACTUAL HOLES IN THE MAIN FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WHERE THE VEHICLES SUSPENSION ATTACHES. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN INSPECTED FOR CORROSION AND UNDER RECALL AND HAD ADDITIONAL CORROSION PROTECTION APPLIED. I JUST NOTICED THE HOLES IN …

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EXCESSIVE RUST CORROSION ON THE VEHICLE FRAME. EXCESSIVE RUST CORROSION TO THE POINT WHERE THERE ARE ACTUAL HOLES IN THE MAIN FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WHERE THE VEHICLES SUSPENSION ATTACHES. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN INSPECTED FOR CORROSION AND UNDER RECALL AND HAD ADDITIONAL CORROSION PROTECTION APPLIED. I JUST NOTICED THE HOLES IN THE FRAME ON MARCH 2, 2017 AND WISH TO INQUIRE IF THE VEHICLE FALLS UNDER THE EXTENDED FRAME WARRANTY. JUDGING BY THE EXTENT OF RUST AND DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLES FRAME, I FEEL CONFIDENT STATING THAT THE DAMAGE HAPPENED SEVERAL MONTHS TO A YEAR AGO.

NHTSA ODI #10958503

120,000 miles · Jan 23, 2017
Structure

I WENT TO HAVE MY TIRES ROTATED. WHEN THEY RAISED THE TRUCK ON THE LIFT THE FRAME BROKE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE TRUCK NEAR THE BED. THE ENTIRE BED OF THE TRUCK FELL BACKWARDS. THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. I HAD OWNED THE TRUCK FOR FOUR YEARS AND NEVER RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM TOYOTA THAT THIS MIGHT BE AN ISSUE. I CALL…

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I WENT TO HAVE MY TIRES ROTATED. WHEN THEY RAISED THE TRUCK ON THE LIFT THE FRAME BROKE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE TRUCK NEAR THE BED. THE ENTIRE BED OF THE TRUCK FELL BACKWARDS. THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. I HAD OWNED THE TRUCK FOR FOUR YEARS AND NEVER RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM TOYOTA THAT THIS MIGHT BE AN ISSUE. I CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY ADMITTED THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE FRAME BUT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. AS A RESULT THEY REFUSED TO HELP FIX THE ISSUE. MY $11,000 TRUCK IS NOW TOTALED. A WORKER AT THE TIRE PLACE COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN KILLED. THIS IS ALSO A CONCERN WITH MYSELF AND FAMILY THAT DROVE IN THIS VEHICLE UNAWARE OF ANY ISSUE. TOYOTA HAS AVOIDED FIXING A KNOWN PROBLEM BY TAKING ADVANTAGE OF A WEAK RECALL REQUIREMENT ISSUED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND HAS COST HARDWORKING FAMILIES MONEY AND COULD END U COSTING SOMEONE A LIFE. ALL TO SAVE MONEY. WHY DOES TOYOTA GET TO ADMIT THEY MADE A MISTAKE BUT ONLY BE REQUIRED TO FIX IN ON VEHICLES THEY CHOSE?

NHTSA ODI #10947228

75,000 miles · Jan 19, 2017
Structure

THE FRAME HAS RUSTED OUT AND I HAVE BEEN TRYING FOR YEARS TO GET TOYOTA TO COVER THIS DAMAGE.

NHTSA ODI #10946483

212,632 miles · Jan 13, 2017
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE SERVICED FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V542000 (TIRES), THE TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 212,632. UPDATED 05/10/17*L…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE SERVICED FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V542000 (TIRES), THE TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 212,632. UPDATED 05/10/17*LJ *CN

NHTSA ODI #10945018

9,000 miles · Jan 3, 2017
Structure

I HAVE DRIVEN THIS VEHICLE VERY LITTLE. HAS 46500 MILES, DONE IN STAMFORD CT A CITY THAT DOES NOT USE SALT IN THE WINTER BUT ONLY SAND. I NOTICED EXCESSIVE RUST UNDER AND IT NEEDED TO WELD STEEL PLATES TO SUPPORT THE CHASSIS TWICE ( THE FIRST WHEN THE CAR WAS 5 YEARS OLD). IN SPITE OF THAT THE DETERIORATION CONTINUED AND NOW THE…

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I HAVE DRIVEN THIS VEHICLE VERY LITTLE. HAS 46500 MILES, DONE IN STAMFORD CT A CITY THAT DOES NOT USE SALT IN THE WINTER BUT ONLY SAND. I NOTICED EXCESSIVE RUST UNDER AND IT NEEDED TO WELD STEEL PLATES TO SUPPORT THE CHASSIS TWICE ( THE FIRST WHEN THE CAR WAS 5 YEARS OLD). IN SPITE OF THAT THE DETERIORATION CONTINUED AND NOW THE CHASSIS IS BROKEN NEAR THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL MAKING THE CAT LOCK ,UNABLE TO TURN,UNDRIVABLE, PARKED AT HOME. CARS OF THIS MODEL WERE RECALLED BY TOYOTA AT FIRST SOME YEARS AGO AND EVEN AFTER THAT MORE PEOPLE COMPLAINED AND ADDITIONAL PRIOR YEARS WERE ADDED. I HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA DEALER IN STAMFORD AND TELLS ME IT IS PRIOR TO THE LATEST RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #10939231

Official recalls

3

12V542000 · Tires:temporary/emergency Spare Tire

Nov 23, 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 with high road salt usage: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. The spare tire in the subject vehicles is located underneath the rear of the vehicle and held by a spare tire carrier. A lift plate on the carrier is used to help raise, lower and retain the tire. During its manufacture, the lift plate may not have been sufficiently coated with anti-corrosion materials. If the plate is insufficiently coated and the vehicle is operated in cold climate regions where road salts are frequently used, road spray can reach the carrier assembly and corrode the lift plate.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Corrosion of the plate could cause it to break, which could result in detachment of the spare tire from the vehicle. Detachment of the spare tire could result in a road hazard which may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.

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 may contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.

05V225000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint

May 17, 2005

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, DUE TO A MANUFACTURING ISSUE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINT, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE SURFACE OF THE BALL OF THE JOINT MAY HAVE BEEN SCRATCHED. THE BALL JOINT MAY EVENTUALLY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE WEAR AND LOOSENESS, RESULTING IN INCREASED STEERING EFFORT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE LOWER BALL JOINT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE KNUCKLE CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 5, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

03V189000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

May 19, 2003

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, DURING SIDE IMPACT NCAP TEST (I.E. LINCAP TEST), A FLANGE AT THE REAR END OF THE DOUBLE CAB BODY DEFORMED AND INTERFERED WITH THE FUEL INLET HOSE THAT CONNECTS THE FUEL FILLER PIPE AND FUEL TANK, RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE FUEL INLET HOSE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS DAMAGE COULD RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE IF IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUEL HOSE PROTECTOR ON THE BODY FLANGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 3, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.