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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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169,175 miles · Nov 20, 2015
StructureSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V542000 (TIRES) HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN THAT THERE WAS EXCESSIVE CORROSION TO THE SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CORROSION …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V542000 (TIRES) HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN THAT THERE WAS EXCESSIVE CORROSION TO THE SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CORROSION TRAVELED FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SUSPENSION TO THE REAR DRIVER SIDE SUSPENSION. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE AND COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 169,175.

NHTSA ODI #10795092

230,000 miles · Nov 10, 2015
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ON THE VEHICLE DUE TO HOLES AND CORROSION ON EACH SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 230,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILIABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10789479

75,000 miles · Nov 6, 2015
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING INSPECTION, THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF A RECALL FOR THE CORROSION; HOWEVER,…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING INSPECTION, THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF A RECALL FOR THE CORROSION; HOWEVER, THE RECALL EXPIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.

NHTSA ODI #10788768

110,000 miles · Nov 4, 2015
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE UNDERGOING A STATE INSPECTION, THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE PLACED ON THE LIFT BECAUSE THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. UPDATED 1/12/2016 *CN *TR

NHTSA ODI #10788262

240,000 miles · Oct 30, 2015
StructureSuspension

HELLO, I OWN A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA AND I BROUGHT IT TO A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WHERE A SERVICE ADVISOR CAME OUT TO THE PARKING LOT, GOT UNDER THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRAME HAS RUSTED THROUGH (HE STUCK HIS HAND THROUGH THE RUST HOLE) NEAR WHERE THE LEAF SPRINGS ATTACH TO THE FRAME. IT IS A KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE AND TOYOTA …

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HELLO, I OWN A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA AND I BROUGHT IT TO A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WHERE A SERVICE ADVISOR CAME OUT TO THE PARKING LOT, GOT UNDER THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRAME HAS RUSTED THROUGH (HE STUCK HIS HAND THROUGH THE RUST HOLE) NEAR WHERE THE LEAF SPRINGS ATTACH TO THE FRAME. IT IS A KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE AND TOYOTA HAS REPAIRED/REPLACED MANY TACOMA'S DUE TO THIS SAFETY ISSUE. I DID SOME RESEARCH, AND FOUND OUT THAT TOYOTA KNOWS THEIR FRAMES ARE UNSAFE, AND HAVE EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 15 YEARS FROM THE DATE OF NEW CAR DELIVERY. I TRIED TO GET MINE REPLACED SINCE ITS STILL WELL WITHIN TIME-FRAME, BUT THEY ARE STATING THAT THE ORIGINAL OWNER REFUSED A FRAME INSPECTION/APPLICATION ANTICORROSION SPRAY SO NOW THEY WILL NOT HONOR THE UNSAFE FRAME. I HAVE VEHICLE SERVICE HISTORY SHOWING OTHER RECALLS (FRONT BALL-JOINT) WERE DONE, AND OTHER REPAIRS TO THE CAR, SO ITS LIKELY THAT THE ORIGINAL DEALERSHIP DID NOT OFFER THE APPLICATION ANTICORROSION SPRAY, OTHERWISE THE OWNER WOULD HAVE HAD THIS FREE SERVICE COMPLETED (THE CUSTOMER SERVICED IT REGULARLY AND KEPT IT IN GREAT SHAPE) AND THE FRAME WOULD NOT BE UNSAFE. ORIGINAL NEW CAR DELIVERY DATE WAS OCTOBER OF 2002, MEANING THE 15 YEAR FRAME RECALL SAFETY ISSUE IS COVERED UNTIL OCTOBER OF 2016 (A YEAR FROM NOW). I SPOKE WITH TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY ARE UNWILLING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE. IN ANY CASE, SINCE TOYOTA KNOWS ITS A SAFETY ISSUE, AND ITS WELL WITHIN THE 15 YEAR RECALL FRAME TIME-FRAME, WHY SHOULD TOYOTA EXPECT ME TO JUST DRIVE AROUND AN UNSAFE VEHICLE?

NHTSA ODI #10787271

300,000 miles · Oct 14, 2015
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. UPON INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS PREMATURELY RUSTED TO THE POINT THAT THE FRAME DETERIORATED WITH HOLES AND COULD FRACTURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 12V542000 (TIRES) AND 05V225000 (SUSPE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. UPON INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS PREMATURELY RUSTED TO THE POINT THAT THE FRAME DETERIORATED WITH HOLES AND COULD FRACTURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 12V542000 (TIRES) AND 05V225000 (SUSPENSION), BUT THE CONTACT NEVER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300,000.

NHTSA ODI #10781966

130,000 miles · Oct 7, 2015
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND WITH HOLES DUE TO CORROSION, WHILE AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC PERFORMED ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND WITH HOLES DUE TO CORROSION, WHILE AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC PERFORMED ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. .....UPDATED 12/03/15 *BF *JS

NHTSA ODI #10780630

Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 2015
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION ON THE UNDERBODY AND FRAMING OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH PROGRESSED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR I…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION ON THE UNDERBODY AND FRAMING OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH PROGRESSED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V542000 (TIRES) AND WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE RECALL WOULD BE COMPLETED BECAUSE THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO REMEDY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10778093

96,566 miles · Sep 22, 2015
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR SUBFRAME WERE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR SUBFRAME WERE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,566.

NHTSA ODI #10767402

185,000 miles · Sep 16, 2015
Air BagsStructureCrashInjury

THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE FROM A COLLISION. THE RADIATOR WAS PUSHED AGAINST THE ENGINE. MOST OF THE DRIVER SIDE FENDER AS WELL AS THE INNER CORE SUPPORT WAS CRUSHED. BOTH AIRBAGS DIDN'T NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA ODI #10764039

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.