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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

Suspension complaints

82 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jun 1, 2021
StructureSuspension

The chassis of the vehicle is corroded, metal is exposed. Shocks bracket seems like it might break off. Concerned that vehicle will fail on the road.

NHTSA ODI #11419262

170,214 miles · Jan 18, 2021
Suspension

ONGOING RUSTY DETERIORATION OF FRAME. HAVE HAD SECTIONS CUT OUT AND PLATES WELDED 3X. PURCHASED IN 2003. SAME DEALER CLAIMS RECALL SENT. NOT RECEIVED BY ME. HAVE HAD OTHER RUST PROBLEMS WITH TOYOTAS, AND HAD RESPONDED TO SAME. THIS WAS TO BE MY LAST VEHICLE AS I AM 77, ON SS, DRIVE LESS THAN 5,000MPY, TRUCK HAS MORE THAN ENO…

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ONGOING RUSTY DETERIORATION OF FRAME. HAVE HAD SECTIONS CUT OUT AND PLATES WELDED 3X. PURCHASED IN 2003. SAME DEALER CLAIMS RECALL SENT. NOT RECEIVED BY ME. HAVE HAD OTHER RUST PROBLEMS WITH TOYOTAS, AND HAD RESPONDED TO SAME. THIS WAS TO BE MY LAST VEHICLE AS I AM 77, ON SS, DRIVE LESS THAN 5,000MPY, TRUCK HAS MORE THAN ENOUGH MAJOR REPAIR FREE LIFE TO OUT LIVE ME! HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY MY GARAGE NOT TO DRIVE-CANNOT GO ONTO THE LIFT ANYMORE! HAS BEEN BEYOND REPAIR FOR YEARS-WON'T PASS STATE INSPECTION. AM FORCED TO BUY ANOTHER, WHICH I CAN ILL AFFORD. HERE IS REPAIR RECORD. 2/27/2015-FRAME RAIL REPAIR $500. AT 2016 INSPECTION ORIGINAL DEALER QUOTED $1,000 TO REPAIR FRAME, STATED RECALL HAD BEEN SENT AND IGNORED, AND GOT VERY BELIGERENT INITALLY AND DURING SUBSEQUENT PHONE CALLS. REPAIR LOCALLY $800. AGAIN $700 IN 2017. BY 2018 SHOCK MOUNTS WERE RUSTED OFF AND SHOCKS REMOVED. HAS NOT PASSED INSPECTION SINCE. STILL COUNTRY DRIVING NOT MORE THAN 20 MI. EVERYTHING RUNNING FINE-NO PROBLEMS. WOULD EXPECT ANOTHER 100,000 NEEDING NO MORE THAN A CLUTCH AND ANOTHER TIMING BELT. I WAS EVEN WILLING TO SPENT $13,000+ FOR A NEW FRAME ONLY TO DISCOVER BY VIN THAT COMPLETE FRAME WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. IF YOU WOULD CHECK OUT TACOMAWORLD WEBSITE, THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS. RE: HAVING TO JUNK TRUCK THAT HAS MANY MILES YET TO RUN. I KNOW TOYOTA SUED FRAME MANUFACTURER. HAS 'WIPED THEIR HANDS' OF THE ENTIRE AFFAIR; SO I DON'T REALLY EXPECT ANYTHING TO COME OF THIS. BEING AN AIR FORCE VET ON SS AND PTSD DISABILITY I CONSIDERED APPEALING TO TOYOTA DIRECTLY BUT FELT IT A WASTE OF TIME. APPEAL GOING INTO TRASH UNOPENED! ADD MY COMPLAINT TO THE THOUSANDS OF US LOYAL TOYOTA BUYERS WHO HAVE IN ESSENCE EATEN THEIR VEHICLES!!

NHTSA ODI #11388668

Mileage unknown · Dec 3, 2020
StructureSuspension

MY FRAME IN MY 2002 TACOMA IS ALMOST FULLY RUSTED . I CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO HELP EVEN THOUGH THEY KNOW THAT THEIR TRUCKS ARE RUSTING AND THAT THERE WAS A PREVIOUS RECALL SET TO REPLACE THE FRAME. SINCE I JUST GOT THIS TRUCK FORM SOMEONE, I HAD NO IDEA OF THE RECALL AND OF THE RUST . THE CAR IS NO LONGER SA…

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MY FRAME IN MY 2002 TACOMA IS ALMOST FULLY RUSTED . I CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO HELP EVEN THOUGH THEY KNOW THAT THEIR TRUCKS ARE RUSTING AND THAT THERE WAS A PREVIOUS RECALL SET TO REPLACE THE FRAME. SINCE I JUST GOT THIS TRUCK FORM SOMEONE, I HAD NO IDEA OF THE RECALL AND OF THE RUST . THE CAR IS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE AT THIS POINT SINCE IT IS ABOUT TO BREAK IN HALF .

NHTSA ODI #11377833

109,544 miles · Nov 23, 2020
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, SHE HEARD AN ABNORMALLY LOUD CLUNKING SOUND AS THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VEER INDEPENDENTLY TO THE RIGHT, WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT THEN PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND CALLED HER HUSBAND WHO ARRIVED AT THE SCENE AND DETERMINED THAT THE FAILURE WA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, SHE HEARD AN ABNORMALLY LOUD CLUNKING SOUND AS THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VEER INDEPENDENTLY TO THE RIGHT, WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT THEN PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND CALLED HER HUSBAND WHO ARRIVED AT THE SCENE AND DETERMINED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE BALL JOINT. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V225000 (SUSPENSION) WHICH SHE LINKED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED HER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,544.

NHTSA ODI #11375945

32,021 miles · Sep 11, 2020
StructureSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INSPECTED HER VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED SEVERE CORROSION THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE UNDERCARRIAGE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH MARKQUART TOYOTA (1844 COMMERCIAL BLVD, CHIPPEWA FALLS, WI 54729) WHO INFORMED HER THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE.…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INSPECTED HER VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED SEVERE CORROSION THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE UNDERCARRIAGE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH MARKQUART TOYOTA (1844 COMMERCIAL BLVD, CHIPPEWA FALLS, WI 54729) WHO INFORMED HER THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT THEN CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DISREGARDED HER CONCERN WITH THE CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER SUGGESTED THE VEHICLE BE SOLD AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,021.

NHTSA ODI #11354404

190,000 miles · May 1, 2020
StructureSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING A ROUTINE CHECK ON THE VEHICLE BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE TECHNICIAN BECAME AWARE THAT THE REAR SUBFRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING A ROUTINE CHECK ON THE VEHICLE BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE TECHNICIAN BECAME AWARE THAT THE REAR SUBFRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 190,000.

NHTSA ODI #11322942

187,000 miles · Mar 9, 2020
Suspension

FRAME IS ROTTED, SHOCK SEPARATED FROM FRAME

NHTSA ODI #11316995

142,000 miles · Oct 6, 2018
Suspension

THE UNDERCARRIAGE IS SHOWING SUBSTANTIAL RUST AND CORROSION

NHTSA ODI #11138770

120,000 miles · Sep 25, 2018
StructureSuspension

VEHICLE FAILED INSPECTION DUE TO FRAME RUST. WAS TOLD THAT ITS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. RESEARCHED AND FOUND THAT THIS IS LONG ONGOING ISSUE WITH TOYOTA AND A NUMBER OF THERE VEHICLES. TOYOTA HAS KNOWLEDGE OF THIS ISSUE AND STILL SOLD THESE INFERIOR FRAMES FOR MANY YEARS.

NHTSA ODI #11131500

140,000 miles · Aug 14, 2018
SuspensionUnknown Or Other

THE FRAME AT REAR SPRING HANGERS HAS RUSTED THROUGH REAR AXLE SEPARATED FROM FRAME DUE TO RUST

NHTSA ODI #11119791

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.