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
176,500 miles · Mar 3, 2017
Structure
EXCESSIVE RUST CORROSION ON THE VEHICLE FRAME. EXCESSIVE RUST CORROSION TO THE POINT WHERE THERE ARE ACTUAL HOLES IN THE MAIN FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WHERE THE VEHICLES SUSPENSION ATTACHES. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN INSPECTED FOR CORROSION AND UNDER RECALL AND HAD ADDITIONAL CORROSION PROTECTION APPLIED. I JUST NOTICED THE HOLES IN …
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EXCESSIVE RUST CORROSION ON THE VEHICLE FRAME. EXCESSIVE RUST CORROSION TO THE POINT WHERE THERE ARE ACTUAL HOLES IN THE MAIN FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WHERE THE VEHICLES SUSPENSION ATTACHES. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN INSPECTED FOR CORROSION AND UNDER RECALL AND HAD ADDITIONAL CORROSION PROTECTION APPLIED. I JUST NOTICED THE HOLES IN THE FRAME ON MARCH 2, 2017 AND WISH TO INQUIRE IF THE VEHICLE FALLS UNDER THE EXTENDED FRAME WARRANTY. JUDGING BY THE EXTENT OF RUST AND DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLES FRAME, I FEEL CONFIDENT STATING THAT THE DAMAGE HAPPENED SEVERAL MONTHS TO A YEAR AGO.
NHTSA ODI #10958503
120,000 miles · Jan 23, 2017
Structure
I WENT TO HAVE MY TIRES ROTATED. WHEN THEY RAISED THE TRUCK ON THE LIFT THE FRAME BROKE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE TRUCK NEAR THE BED. THE ENTIRE BED OF THE TRUCK FELL BACKWARDS. THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. I HAD OWNED THE TRUCK FOR FOUR YEARS AND NEVER RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM TOYOTA THAT THIS MIGHT BE AN ISSUE. I CALL…
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I WENT TO HAVE MY TIRES ROTATED. WHEN THEY RAISED THE TRUCK ON THE LIFT THE FRAME BROKE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE TRUCK NEAR THE BED. THE ENTIRE BED OF THE TRUCK FELL BACKWARDS. THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. I HAD OWNED THE TRUCK FOR FOUR YEARS AND NEVER RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM TOYOTA THAT THIS MIGHT BE AN ISSUE. I CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY ADMITTED THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE FRAME BUT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. AS A RESULT THEY REFUSED TO HELP FIX THE ISSUE. MY $11,000 TRUCK IS NOW TOTALED. A WORKER AT THE TIRE PLACE COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN KILLED. THIS IS ALSO A CONCERN WITH MYSELF AND FAMILY THAT DROVE IN THIS VEHICLE UNAWARE OF ANY ISSUE. TOYOTA HAS AVOIDED FIXING A KNOWN PROBLEM BY TAKING ADVANTAGE OF A WEAK RECALL REQUIREMENT ISSUED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND HAS COST HARDWORKING FAMILIES MONEY AND COULD END U COSTING SOMEONE A LIFE. ALL TO SAVE MONEY. WHY DOES TOYOTA GET TO ADMIT THEY MADE A MISTAKE BUT ONLY BE REQUIRED TO FIX IN ON VEHICLES THEY CHOSE?
NHTSA ODI #10947228
75,000 miles · Jan 19, 2017
Structure
THE FRAME HAS RUSTED OUT AND I HAVE BEEN TRYING FOR YEARS TO GET TOYOTA TO COVER THIS DAMAGE.
NHTSA ODI #10946483
227,000 miles · Jan 18, 2017
Seat Belts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELTS FAILED TO RETRACT INTERMITTENTLY AND THE THREAD UNRAVELED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 227,000.
NHTSA ODI #10945926
212,632 miles · Jan 13, 2017
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE SERVICED FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V542000 (TIRES), THE TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 212,632. UPDATED 05/10/17*L…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE SERVICED FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V542000 (TIRES), THE TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 212,632. UPDATED 05/10/17*LJ *CN
NHTSA ODI #10945018
9,000 miles · Jan 3, 2017
Structure
I HAVE DRIVEN THIS VEHICLE VERY LITTLE. HAS 46500 MILES, DONE IN STAMFORD CT A CITY THAT DOES NOT USE SALT IN THE WINTER BUT ONLY SAND. I NOTICED EXCESSIVE RUST UNDER AND IT NEEDED TO WELD STEEL PLATES TO SUPPORT THE CHASSIS TWICE ( THE FIRST WHEN THE CAR WAS 5 YEARS OLD). IN SPITE OF THAT THE DETERIORATION CONTINUED AND NOW THE…
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I HAVE DRIVEN THIS VEHICLE VERY LITTLE. HAS 46500 MILES, DONE IN STAMFORD CT A CITY THAT DOES NOT USE SALT IN THE WINTER BUT ONLY SAND. I NOTICED EXCESSIVE RUST UNDER AND IT NEEDED TO WELD STEEL PLATES TO SUPPORT THE CHASSIS TWICE ( THE FIRST WHEN THE CAR WAS 5 YEARS OLD). IN SPITE OF THAT THE DETERIORATION CONTINUED AND NOW THE CHASSIS IS BROKEN NEAR THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL MAKING THE CAT LOCK ,UNABLE TO TURN,UNDRIVABLE, PARKED AT HOME. CARS OF THIS MODEL WERE RECALLED BY TOYOTA AT FIRST SOME YEARS AGO AND EVEN AFTER THAT MORE PEOPLE COMPLAINED AND ADDITIONAL PRIOR YEARS WERE ADDED. I HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA DEALER IN STAMFORD AND TELLS ME IT IS PRIOR TO THE LATEST RECALL.
NHTSA ODI #10939231
Mileage unknown · Nov 30, 2016
Structure
I OWN A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TIRE SHOP AND THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE HAD A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF RUST. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE RUST AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE NEEDS TO REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE…
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I OWN A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TIRE SHOP AND THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE HAD A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF RUST. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE RUST AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE NEEDS TO REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
NHTSA ODI #10928779
164,000 miles · Nov 22, 2016
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TIRE SHOP AND THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE HAD A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF RUST. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE RUST AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TIRE SHOP AND THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE HAD A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF RUST. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE RUST AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 164,000. ...UPDATED 03/13/17 *BF UPDATED 08/11/2017*JS
NHTSA ODI #10927528
160,000 miles · Nov 22, 2016
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT NOTICED RUST ON THE VEHICLE'S FRAME NEAR THE SPRING HANGER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE THE DEALER, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY DUE TO THE COATING ON THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED COMPLETE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT NOTICED RUST ON THE VEHICLE'S FRAME NEAR THE SPRING HANGER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE THE DEALER, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY DUE TO THE COATING ON THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. UPDATED 01/25/2017*CT UPDATED 7/10/18*JB *TR
NHTSA ODI #10927379
106,000 miles · Nov 20, 2016
Unknown Or Other
FRAME RUSTED, UNSAFE TO DRIVE. CALLED TOYOTA AND WAS TOLD RECALL HAD EXPIRED, NEVER RECEIVED ANY RECALL INFORMATION. TRUCK WAS PURCHASED SECOND HAND FROM TOYOTA DEALER.
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