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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

What owners actually said

333 reports
65,098 miles · Jul 7, 2006
Structure

I WAS GETTING INTO MY TRUCK AND NOTICED THAT ONE OF THE SCREWS THAT HOLD THE DOOR STRIKER PLATE HAD BACKED OUT AT LEAST HALF THE LENGTH OF THE BOLT AND THE OTHER ONE WAS LOOSE. THE DOOR NEVER RATTLED WITH IT BEING LOOSE. I WAS ABLE TO TIGHTEN THE BOLT. I CHECKED ALL OF THE OTHER DOORS AND FOUND THEY WERE LOOSE, BUT NOT AS BAD AS…

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I WAS GETTING INTO MY TRUCK AND NOTICED THAT ONE OF THE SCREWS THAT HOLD THE DOOR STRIKER PLATE HAD BACKED OUT AT LEAST HALF THE LENGTH OF THE BOLT AND THE OTHER ONE WAS LOOSE. THE DOOR NEVER RATTLED WITH IT BEING LOOSE. I WAS ABLE TO TIGHTEN THE BOLT. I CHECKED ALL OF THE OTHER DOORS AND FOUND THEY WERE LOOSE, BUT NOT AS BAD AS THE DRIVER'S DOOR. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10161863

60,000 miles · Jul 7, 2006
Electrical System

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S WIRING, AND FUSES ARE DEFECTIVE. THE FUSES WERE WIRED IN A RANDOM FORMAT THAT MADE THEM INOPERABLE. THIS DEFECT CREATED AN ATMOSPHERE WHICH SEVERELY LIMITED ONE'S ABILITY TO PERFORM MAINTENANCE TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. WIRING DIAGRAMS WERE REQUESTED FROM BOTH THE MANUFACTURER AND TH…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S WIRING, AND FUSES ARE DEFECTIVE. THE FUSES WERE WIRED IN A RANDOM FORMAT THAT MADE THEM INOPERABLE. THIS DEFECT CREATED AN ATMOSPHERE WHICH SEVERELY LIMITED ONE'S ABILITY TO PERFORM MAINTENANCE TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. WIRING DIAGRAMS WERE REQUESTED FROM BOTH THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER HOWEVER THEY REFUSED TO PROVIDE THEM.

NHTSA ODI #10161803

205,000 miles · Jun 9, 2006
Air Bags

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONTAL AIRBAG SENSORS PICK UP RADIO TRANSMITTERS. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE AIRBAGS HAVE A GLOBAL POSITIONING SENSOR AND A SECRET SURVEILLANCE DEVICE, WHICH CAUSED THE RADIO TRANSMISSIONS. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED.

NHTSA ODI #10159402

19,714 miles · May 25, 2006
Steering

NOTICED ABNORMAL TIRE WEAR ON FRONT TIRE. TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND WAS INFORMED THE BUSHING, INTEGRAL TO RACK AND PINION HAS FAILED. AS A CONSEQUENCE THE WHOLE RACK AND PINION STEERING SYSTEM NEEDS REPLACING. MECHANIC INFORMED ME THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR TOYOTA TACOMA. HE ALSO INFORMED ME HE HAS HAD TACOMAS…

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NOTICED ABNORMAL TIRE WEAR ON FRONT TIRE. TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND WAS INFORMED THE BUSHING, INTEGRAL TO RACK AND PINION HAS FAILED. AS A CONSEQUENCE THE WHOLE RACK AND PINION STEERING SYSTEM NEEDS REPLACING. MECHANIC INFORMED ME THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR TOYOTA TACOMA. HE ALSO INFORMED ME HE HAS HAD TACOMAS WITH AS LITTLE AS 9000 MILES HAVING THIS PROBLEM. MY TACOMA HAS 19000 MILES ON IT, I GUESS WE ARE LUCKY. HE ALSO STATED HE DID NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL. APPARENTLY IT IS A COMMON DEFECT. THIS TACOMA HAS NEVER BEEN OFF ROAD OR OTHERWISE ABUSED SINCE WE BOUGHT IT NEW. THIS PROBLEM COULD LEAD TO STEERING FAILURE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10158237

50,000 miles · Apr 24, 2006
Structure

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STEPPING ONTO THE TAILGATE, THE SUPPORT CABLES FRACTURED SIMULTANEOUSLY WITHOUT WARNING. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SEEN BY A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. UPDATED 5/10/2006 - *NM

NHTSA ODI #10155944

29,000 miles · Apr 24, 2006
Vehicle Speed Control

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE REVS BY ITSELF. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON FIVE SEPARATE OCCASIONS EITHER DRIVING OR PARKED. ONCE WHILE PARKED WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED THE VEHICLE REVVED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION WHILE DRIVING IT FELT AS THOUGH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS PUSHING DOWN BY ITSELF. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN …

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE REVS BY ITSELF. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON FIVE SEPARATE OCCASIONS EITHER DRIVING OR PARKED. ONCE WHILE PARKED WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED THE VEHICLE REVVED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION WHILE DRIVING IT FELT AS THOUGH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS PUSHING DOWN BY ITSELF. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. UPDATED 05/10/06

NHTSA ODI #10155940

36,735 miles · Apr 4, 2006
Structure

PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AS CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED VEHICLE. MASSIVE LEAKS RENDERED BACK OF DRIVERS SIDE CREW CAB FLOODED. REVERSED DRAIN PLUG PREVIOUSLY INSTALLED UP SIDE DOWN, THEN SILICONED OEM ROOF RACK AND LEAK SLOWED. TOYOTA IS REPLACING REAR DOOR SEAL. WAS NOT NOTIFIED OEM ROOF RACK NEGATED WARRANTY. CPV SHOULDN'T LEAK. *N…

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PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AS CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED VEHICLE. MASSIVE LEAKS RENDERED BACK OF DRIVERS SIDE CREW CAB FLOODED. REVERSED DRAIN PLUG PREVIOUSLY INSTALLED UP SIDE DOWN, THEN SILICONED OEM ROOF RACK AND LEAK SLOWED. TOYOTA IS REPLACING REAR DOOR SEAL. WAS NOT NOTIFIED OEM ROOF RACK NEGATED WARRANTY. CPV SHOULDN'T LEAK. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10154561

62,417 miles · Mar 10, 2006
Structure

MOTOR MOUNT BRACKET BROKE ON 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA 4X4 EXTRA CAB. PURCHASED VEHICLE USED FROM ROYAL TOYOTA IN BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA ON JAN. 25, 2006, ALONG WITH AN EXTENDED WARRANTY (36,000/36 MONTH). HAVE DRIVEN IT LESS THAN 3,000 MILES - MOSTLY HIGHWAY. DISCOVERED OIL LEAK UNDER THE FRONT. FORTUNATELY, TOOK IT TO A PERFORMANCE TO…

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MOTOR MOUNT BRACKET BROKE ON 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA 4X4 EXTRA CAB. PURCHASED VEHICLE USED FROM ROYAL TOYOTA IN BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA ON JAN. 25, 2006, ALONG WITH AN EXTENDED WARRANTY (36,000/36 MONTH). HAVE DRIVEN IT LESS THAN 3,000 MILES - MOSTLY HIGHWAY. DISCOVERED OIL LEAK UNDER THE FRONT. FORTUNATELY, TOOK IT TO A PERFORMANCE TOYOTA IN FAIRFIELD, OHIO BEFORE THE MOTOR FELL OUT. THE BRACKET IS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AS A CERTIFIED INSPECTED USED TOYOTA VEHICLE. THE BRACKET BROKE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10152413

30,000 miles · Jan 9, 2006
Power Train

MY TOYOTA TACOMA HAS WHAT TOYOTA REFERS TO AS REAR AXLE WRAP UP, WHERE THE TWO PIECE DRIVE SHAFT BECOMES LOOSE AT THE SPLINE AND CAUSES A CLUNK OR LOOSENESS IN THE DRIVELINE WHICH CAUSE UNDUE STRESS ON THE ENGINE AND THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE DRIVE SHAFT TO BREAK AT THE YOKE AND FALL TO GROUND CAUSING ACCIDENT.*JB …

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MY TOYOTA TACOMA HAS WHAT TOYOTA REFERS TO AS REAR AXLE WRAP UP, WHERE THE TWO PIECE DRIVE SHAFT BECOMES LOOSE AT THE SPLINE AND CAUSES A CLUNK OR LOOSENESS IN THE DRIVELINE WHICH CAUSE UNDUE STRESS ON THE ENGINE AND THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE DRIVE SHAFT TO BREAK AT THE YOKE AND FALL TO GROUND CAUSING ACCIDENT.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10147232

58,946 miles · Nov 7, 2005
Suspension

CONSUMER COMPLAINT REGARDING SAFETY ISSUE WITH BALL JOINTS. *TS *** NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** UPDATED 11/7/2005 - THE CONSUMER HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TOYOTA DEALER THEREFORE DECIDED TO TAKE HIS VEHICLE TO A NON-TOYOTA DEALER TO HAVE RECALL ON THE LOWER BALL JOINT REPAIRED (RECALL NUMBER 05V225000). THE CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEME…

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CONSUMER COMPLAINT REGARDING SAFETY ISSUE WITH BALL JOINTS. *TS *** NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** UPDATED 11/7/2005 - THE CONSUMER HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TOYOTA DEALER THEREFORE DECIDED TO TAKE HIS VEHICLE TO A NON-TOYOTA DEALER TO HAVE RECALL ON THE LOWER BALL JOINT REPAIRED (RECALL NUMBER 05V225000). THE CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FORM THE MANUFACTURER SINCE HE HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10142155

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.