NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
333 reports100,000 miles · Oct 1, 2007
Suspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND HAD IT REPAIRED AT APPROXIMATELY 100,000 MILES. SIX MONTHS LATER, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, HE SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING. HE WAS ABLE TO …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND HAD IT REPAIRED AT APPROXIMATELY 100,000 MILES. SIX MONTHS LATER, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, HE SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING. HE WAS ABLE TO DECELERATE AND PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HE THEN NOTICED THAT THE WHEEL WAS DETACHED FROM THE STEERING ASSEMBLY. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE REMAINS AT THE FAILURE LOCATION. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, NUMBER OF CYLINDERS, AND RECALL NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,000.
NHTSA ODI #10204515
30,000 miles · Aug 6, 2007
Fuel System, Gasoline
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE CANNOT PUT FUEL IN THE GAS TANK OF HIS VEHICLE WITHOUT THE PUMP SHUTTING OFF EVERY TENTH OF A GALLON. HE STATED THAT HE HAS TO PULL THE LEVER 141 TIMES TO FILL UP HIS GAS TANK. THE FAILURE OCCURS EVERY TIMES HE ATTEMPTS TO GET GAS AND AT ANY FUEL STATION. T…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE CANNOT PUT FUEL IN THE GAS TANK OF HIS VEHICLE WITHOUT THE PUMP SHUTTING OFF EVERY TENTH OF A GALLON. HE STATED THAT HE HAS TO PULL THE LEVER 141 TIMES TO FILL UP HIS GAS TANK. THE FAILURE OCCURS EVERY TIMES HE ATTEMPTS TO GET GAS AND AT ANY FUEL STATION. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 33,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. UPDATED 02-04-08. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10198577
53,000 miles · Jul 12, 2007
Suspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE # 05V225000 (SUSPENSION: LOWER BALL JOINT). HE HAS MADE THREE ATTEMPTS TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED, BUT HE KEEPS GETTING THE RUNAROUND. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 53,000.
NHTSA ODI #10196205
61,923 miles · May 23, 2007
Power TrainSuspension
THE TOYOTA TACOMA HAD A REAR AXLE WRAP UP, THIS WAS WHERE THE TWO PIECE DRIVESHAFT BECOMES LOOSE AT THE SPLEEN AND CAUSED A CLUNG OR LOOSENESS IN THE DRIVE LINE, WHICH CAUSED UNDUE STRESS ON THE ENGINE AND THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE DRIVESHAFT TO BREAK AT THE YOKE AND FALL TO GROUND, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THIS WAS…
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THE TOYOTA TACOMA HAD A REAR AXLE WRAP UP, THIS WAS WHERE THE TWO PIECE DRIVESHAFT BECOMES LOOSE AT THE SPLEEN AND CAUSED A CLUNG OR LOOSENESS IN THE DRIVE LINE, WHICH CAUSED UNDUE STRESS ON THE ENGINE AND THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE DRIVESHAFT TO BREAK AT THE YOKE AND FALL TO GROUND, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THIS WAS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE ON THE TRUCK. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR UNDER WARRANTY TO THE DEALER. THEY DISMISSED IT AS NORMAL. THIS WAS NOT NORMAL. IT WAS A FLAW IN THE SPRINGS THEY USED ON THE TRUCK.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10191604
Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 2007
EquipmentWheels
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT PURCHASED 4 WELD WHEEL THE MOUNTAIN CRUSHER RIMS. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS WASHED AND IT RAINED THE WATER SEEPED INTO THE RIMS AND CREATED A PUDDLE. THE WATER ALSO DAMAGED THE COLOR OF THE RIMS. INTENSE MOTOR SPORTS DIAGNOSED THE RIMS, AND STATED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT PURCHASED 4 WELD WHEEL THE MOUNTAIN CRUSHER RIMS. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS WASHED AND IT RAINED THE WATER SEEPED INTO THE RIMS AND CREATED A PUDDLE. THE WATER ALSO DAMAGED THE COLOR OF THE RIMS. INTENSE MOTOR SPORTS DIAGNOSED THE RIMS, AND STATED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10187695
49,000 miles · Mar 26, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE PARKING BRAKE INTERMEDIATE LEVER RUSTED ,RESULTING IN THE PARKING BRAKE NOT DISENGAGING. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE TRUCK WAS VIBRATING SO BADLY THAT IT FELT LIKE A WHEEL WAS FALLING OFF. AFTER RETURNING HOME AT 35 MPH THE LEFT REAR WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY HOT WHICH RESULTED IN WARPING THE DRUMS. IT WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO CONTROL …
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THE PARKING BRAKE INTERMEDIATE LEVER RUSTED ,RESULTING IN THE PARKING BRAKE NOT DISENGAGING. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE TRUCK WAS VIBRATING SO BADLY THAT IT FELT LIKE A WHEEL WAS FALLING OFF. AFTER RETURNING HOME AT 35 MPH THE LEFT REAR WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY HOT WHICH RESULTED IN WARPING THE DRUMS. IT WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE OVER 40 MPH. THE PARTS NEED TO BE ORDERED AND THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED AS OF THIS TIME. THE LEVER IN QUESTION IS THE ONE THAT LINKED THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE INTO THE REAR BRAKE DRUM ASSEMBLY. ITWAS COVERED BY A RUBBER BOOT THAT OBVIOUSLY DID NOT KEEP OUT MOISTURE, THUS RUSTING. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS JACKED UP THE LEFT REAR TIRE WOULD NOT EVEN TURN DUE TO THE BRAKES NOT BEING ABLE TO DISENGAGE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10186218
Mileage unknown · Mar 9, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
I BOUGHT THIS NEW AND IN EARLY 2007 THE VEHICLE STARTED ACTING AS IF IT WASN'T GETTING GAS AROUND 40-45 MPH. I WAS THINKING MAYBE A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM OR FUEL FILTER WAS CLOGGED. A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER, I TOOK IT TO A FRIEND (A RETIRED MECHANIC). HE CHANGED THE FUEL FILTER, TRANSMISSION FILTER AND FUEL ALSO. STARTED UP MY TR…
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I BOUGHT THIS NEW AND IN EARLY 2007 THE VEHICLE STARTED ACTING AS IF IT WASN'T GETTING GAS AROUND 40-45 MPH. I WAS THINKING MAYBE A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM OR FUEL FILTER WAS CLOGGED. A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER, I TOOK IT TO A FRIEND (A RETIRED MECHANIC). HE CHANGED THE FUEL FILTER, TRANSMISSION FILTER AND FUEL ALSO. STARTED UP MY TRUCK, WENT INSIDE HIS HOME TO WASH HIS HANDS AND UPON RETURNING OUTSIDE, THE ENGINE OIL WAS POURING FROM UNDERNEATH. MY TRUCK SOMEHOW THREW A ROD AT 82,000 MILES AND WARRANTY JUST EXPIRED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10184638
68,260 miles · Sep 18, 2006
Visibility
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WAS EITHER COOL OR COLD, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD NOT ACTIVATE. THIS OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE A PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #10168531
221,000 miles · Jul 25, 2006
Electrical System
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DASHBOARD GAUGES AND LIGHTS PERFORM INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER CAN NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10163387
68,000 miles · Jul 8, 2006
Air BagsCrash
HIT A DEER AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH. DESTROYED FROM CENTER OF GRILL TO THE RIGHT FRONT FENDER. TWO MORE INCHES AND THE RADIATOR WOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED. NO AIR BAG DEPLOYED. SEAT BELTS PREVENTED ANY SERIOUS INJURY. HAD ONLY SORE MUSCLES. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10161901
Official recalls
3Nov 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.
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.
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 ↗
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