Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
150–25K
2125–50K
3250–75K
3175–100K
65100–150K
81150K+
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
What owners actually said
333 reports
52,000 miles · Jun 13, 2014
Structure
FRAME RUST WHEN PURCHASED OUT OF STATE (MINNESOTA) FROM DEALER AND INSPECTED ON 10/2/2012 (IN VIRGINIA, UPON TRANSPORT ARRIVAL). THEY SAID THEY BELIEVED IT WAS MOSTLY SURFACE RUST. INSPECTED AGAIN IN MAY OF 2014 AND FOUND WITHIN 20 MONTHS AND 24000 MILES LATER, THE FRAME HAD PERFORATED, AND DEEMED UNSAFE TO DRIVE. IT WAS MARK…
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FRAME RUST WHEN PURCHASED OUT OF STATE (MINNESOTA) FROM DEALER AND INSPECTED ON 10/2/2012 (IN VIRGINIA, UPON TRANSPORT ARRIVAL). THEY SAID THEY BELIEVED IT WAS MOSTLY SURFACE RUST. INSPECTED AGAIN IN MAY OF 2014 AND FOUND WITHIN 20 MONTHS AND 24000 MILES LATER, THE FRAME HAD PERFORATED, AND DEEMED UNSAFE TO DRIVE. IT WAS MARKETED AS A VEHICLE IN GREAT SHAPE, AND WASN'T CHEAP. MUCH MONEY IS STILL OWED ON THIS CONDEMNED VEHICLE. THESE VEHICLES HAVE A HISTORY OF THIS, YET THERE IS NOTHING BEING DONE CONCERNING THESE UNSAFE VEHICLES. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10598152
177,000 miles · Jun 5, 2014
Structure
I CONTACTED TOYOTA IN NOVEMBER OF 2013 PRIOR TO PURCHASING A USED 2002 DOUBLE CAB TACOMA. I WAS AWARE OF THE FRAME ISSUE SO I CALLED TO CHECK TO SEE IF IT HAD BEEN SERVICED. I GAVE THE VIN TO THE CUSTOMER SERVICE ASSOCIATE AND HE WAS ABLE TO PULL RECORDS ON THE VEHICLE. HE TOLD ME THAT IT HAD NOT HAD THE CORROSION TREATMENT, HOW…
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I CONTACTED TOYOTA IN NOVEMBER OF 2013 PRIOR TO PURCHASING A USED 2002 DOUBLE CAB TACOMA. I WAS AWARE OF THE FRAME ISSUE SO I CALLED TO CHECK TO SEE IF IT HAD BEEN SERVICED. I GAVE THE VIN TO THE CUSTOMER SERVICE ASSOCIATE AND HE WAS ABLE TO PULL RECORDS ON THE VEHICLE. HE TOLD ME THAT IT HAD NOT HAD THE CORROSION TREATMENT, HOWEVER, THE CORROSION TREATMENT FAILED AND WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REFORMULATED. HE SAID THAT THE PROGRAM HAD BEEN REOPENED DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE TREATMENT FAILED. HE SAID AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE I SHOULD TAKE IT TO BE INSPECTED AND IF ANY RUST WAS FOUND IT WOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE FRAME PROGRAM. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN NOVEMBER OF 2013 AND UPON INSPECTION WE FOUND THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED. IN JANUARY OF 2014 MY HUSBAND CALLED A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER TO SET UP AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE FRAME INSPECTION AND THEY SAID THAT THEY HAD NO IDEA ABOUT THE FRAME PROGRAM BEING REOPENED. MY HUSBAND CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY PULLED UP THE VEHICLE AND SAID SINCE THE ORIGINAL TREATMENT HAD NOT BEEN APPLIED THEY WOULD NOT HONOR THE FRAME PROGRAM. WE SPOKE TO SEVERAL TOYOTA ASSOCIATES AND WE WERE TOLD THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. WE HAVE CONTACTED THE TOYOTA LEGAL DEPARTMENT AND THE VIRGINIA ATTORNEY GENERAL WITH NO SUCCESS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10596430
136,731 miles · May 29, 2014
StructureTires
THREE MONTHS AGO I RECEIVED MY NOTICE ABOUT EXCESSIVE CORROSION OF THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER LIFT PLATE. I CALLED THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER TO SCHEDULE THE REPAIR, THE COLLISION MANAGER HAD NO KNOWLEDGE ABOUT IT. I CALLED AGAIN TO SCHEDULE A FIX BUT WAS TOLD THAT SOME ONE WILL CALL ME BUT ,NO ONE DID. TOYOTA OF …
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THREE MONTHS AGO I RECEIVED MY NOTICE ABOUT EXCESSIVE CORROSION OF THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER LIFT PLATE. I CALLED THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER TO SCHEDULE THE REPAIR, THE COLLISION MANAGER HAD NO KNOWLEDGE ABOUT IT. I CALLED AGAIN TO SCHEDULE A FIX BUT WAS TOLD THAT SOME ONE WILL CALL ME BUT ,NO ONE DID. TOYOTA OF YORK ,PA17402. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10594972
Mileage unknown · May 5, 2014
Structure
LETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN RAHALL ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE A RECALL FROM SEVERAL YEARS AGO ON HIS TOYOTA TACOMA SR 5 PICK UP TRUCK. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE SAW ON THE NEWS A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED, REGARDING DEFECTIVE FRAMES, AND HE MISSED OUT ON THE RECALL, DUE TO PERSONAL ISSUES. HE WOULD LIKE TO GET THE VEHICLE FIXED, …
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LETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN RAHALL ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE A RECALL FROM SEVERAL YEARS AGO ON HIS TOYOTA TACOMA SR 5 PICK UP TRUCK. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE SAW ON THE NEWS A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED, REGARDING DEFECTIVE FRAMES, AND HE MISSED OUT ON THE RECALL, DUE TO PERSONAL ISSUES. HE WOULD LIKE TO GET THE VEHICLE FIXED, BECAUSE IT CAN NO LONGER BE DRIVEN DUE TO A CRACKED FRAME. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10586950
125,000 miles · May 5, 2014
Suspension
WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM PICKING UP MY DAUGHTER FROM SCHOOL. I HIT A POT HOLE MY TRUCK BECAME VERY LOOSE AND HARD TO HANDLE. I GOT HOME AND INSPECTED THE TRUCK. I FOUND THAT THE REAR LEAF SPRING MOUNTS ON BOTH SIDES PULLED/ RIPPED THE FRAME! MY BACK AXEL ALSO SLID BACK ABOUT 2"! I'M GLAD WE DIDN'T GET HURT, BUT I CAN'T BELIEVE T…
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WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM PICKING UP MY DAUGHTER FROM SCHOOL. I HIT A POT HOLE MY TRUCK BECAME VERY LOOSE AND HARD TO HANDLE. I GOT HOME AND INSPECTED THE TRUCK. I FOUND THAT THE REAR LEAF SPRING MOUNTS ON BOTH SIDES PULLED/ RIPPED THE FRAME! MY BACK AXEL ALSO SLID BACK ABOUT 2"! I'M GLAD WE DIDN'T GET HURT, BUT I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT THIS IS ACCEPTABLE. I ONLY WONDER WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF THE AXEL WOULD HAVE CAME TOTALLY DISCONNECTED FROM THE TRUCK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10586710
212,000 miles · Apr 30, 2014
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME AND CHASSIS WERE CORRODED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO CONCERNED THAT THE SPARE TIRE WOULD BECOME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO OPEN RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIF…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME AND CHASSIS WERE CORRODED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO CONCERNED THAT THE SPARE TIRE WOULD BECOME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO OPEN RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 212,000.
NHTSA ODI #10585635
147,000 miles · Apr 28, 2014
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SWAY FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE ENTIRE SUB FRAME OF WAS RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SWAY FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE ENTIRE SUB FRAME OF WAS RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.
NHTSA ODI #10585340
130,000 miles · Apr 17, 2014
Unknown Or Other
MY TRUCKS FRAME IS CORRODED AND FALLING APART. TOYOTA HAD A RECALL OUT FOR THE FRAME. DUE TO PREVIOUS OWNER NOT HAVING CHEMICAL COMPOUND SPRAYED ON THE FRAME, I AM TOLD THERE IS NOTHING I CAN DO. I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED ANYTHING REGARDING MY TRUCKS UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION. I HAVE BEEN TO IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE BUT T…
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MY TRUCKS FRAME IS CORRODED AND FALLING APART. TOYOTA HAD A RECALL OUT FOR THE FRAME. DUE TO PREVIOUS OWNER NOT HAVING CHEMICAL COMPOUND SPRAYED ON THE FRAME, I AM TOLD THERE IS NOTHING I CAN DO. I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED ANYTHING REGARDING MY TRUCKS UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION. I HAVE BEEN TO IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE BUT TOYOTA IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.
NHTSA ODI #10583341
85,000 miles · Apr 15, 2014
StructureWheels
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND THE FRAME AREA NEAR THE TIRES EXHIBITED CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V542000 (TIRES) AND STATED THAT T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND THE FRAME AREA NEAR THE TIRES EXHIBITED CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V542000 (TIRES) AND STATED THAT THE LOCAL DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THE RECALL WAS NO LONGER ACTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE INSPECTED AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. UPDATED 01/12/16*LJ, UPDATED 02/23/16*LJ UPDATED 8/22/2017*CN
NHTSA ODI #10582969
215,000 miles · Apr 6, 2014
Structure
FRAME IS RUSTED AND BROKEN AND TRUCK IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR
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.
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.
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.
2002 Toyota Tacoma Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year