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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

Structure complaints

180 reports
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76,560 miles · Feb 20, 2015
StructureSuspension

VEHICLE HAS LOW MILES YET THE FRAME HAS RUST HOLES IN IT. TOYOTA WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT EVEN THOUGH IT HAS FRAME INSPECTIONS IN IT'S RECENT SERVICE HISTORY. THE FIRST INSPECTION OCCURRED IN 2010, LESS THAN 7K MILES AGO. THEY INDICATED TO ME ON THE PHONE THAT DUE TO AN AGREEMENT WITH NHTSA THAT THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING T…

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VEHICLE HAS LOW MILES YET THE FRAME HAS RUST HOLES IN IT. TOYOTA WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT EVEN THOUGH IT HAS FRAME INSPECTIONS IN IT'S RECENT SERVICE HISTORY. THE FIRST INSPECTION OCCURRED IN 2010, LESS THAN 7K MILES AGO. THEY INDICATED TO ME ON THE PHONE THAT DUE TO AN AGREEMENT WITH NHTSA THAT THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING TO HELP ME. THEY WOULD NOT TAKE OWNERSHIP FOR NOT INSPECTING THE FRAME PROPERLY. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH TACOMA'S, TUNDRA'S, SEQUOIA'S AND 4RUNNER'S OF THIS VINTAGE IN COLD CLIMATE STATES. TOYOTA ACKNOWLEDGED THE FRAMES WERE OF POOR MANUFACTURING EVEN SUING THE FRAME MANUFACTURER, YET SOME GET NEW FRAMES, OTHERS LIKE MYSELF WITH A LOW MILE TRUCK ARE TOLD THEY COULD DO ABSOLUTELY NOTHING EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS TRADED IN LESS THAN 1600 MILES AGO AT A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN PA. TOYOTA NEEDS TO OWN UP TO THIS MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND ADDRESS IT INSTEAD OF SKIRTING THE ISSUE WITHOUT A PROPER RECALL. I HAVE SEEN VIDEOS OF TACOMA'S WHICH HAVE LITERALLY BROKEN IN HALF DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. NEVER DID I THINK TOYOTA WOULDN'T STAND BEHIND THIS POTENTIALLY FATAL FLAW IN FRAME MANUFACTURING AND CORROSION RESISTANCE. MY FRAME HAS A LARGE 1"X6.5" HOLE ABOVE THE RIGHT FRONT LEAF SPRING MOUNT - A KEY ATTACHMENT POINT FOR THE REAR SUSPENSION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10689725

174,000 miles · Feb 2, 2015
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE'S FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 174,000.

NHTSA ODI #10680534

84,000 miles · Dec 25, 2014
Structure

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM MOTORCARS OF LANSING ON 12/5. THE ONLY DISCLOSURE WAS RUST ON BUMPER. EVERYTHING ELSE APPEARED OK UNTIL I HAD IT CHECKED FOR RUST. WHEN HIT WITH A HAMMER THE FRAME FELL APART. I CALLED THE DEALER & THEY SAID "SORRY THE RECALL EXPIRED IN 2011". I CONTACTED TOYOTA DIRECTLY WHO TOLD ME THE SAME THING. …

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I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM MOTORCARS OF LANSING ON 12/5. THE ONLY DISCLOSURE WAS RUST ON BUMPER. EVERYTHING ELSE APPEARED OK UNTIL I HAD IT CHECKED FOR RUST. WHEN HIT WITH A HAMMER THE FRAME FELL APART. I CALLED THE DEALER & THEY SAID "SORRY THE RECALL EXPIRED IN 2011". I CONTACTED TOYOTA DIRECTLY WHO TOLD ME THE SAME THING. BASICALLY I'M STUCK WITH A VEHICLE I CAN'T DRIVE BECAUSE IT'S NOT SAFE. WHAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND IS THIS VEHICLE HAD BEEN SERVICED AT SEVERAL TOYOTA DEALERS DURING THE RECALL TIME & NO ONE REPAIRED THE FRAME. THIS VEHICLES IS NOT DRIVABLE, IT'S NOT SAFE & NO ONE WILL HELP ME GET IT FIXED. HOW CAN A TOYOTA DEALER SEND A VEHICLE TO AUCTION KNOWING THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE FRAME THAT WAS NEVER REPAIRED? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10668226

183,000 miles · Dec 23, 2014
Structure

I TOOK MY TRUCK T A TOYOTA ANY A DEALER TO FIX SOME EMISSION ISSUES, THEY ASKED IF I WANTED THE FRAME INSPECTED, THEY INFORMED ME ABOUT THE FRAME RUST/PERFORATION ISSUES THAT HAVE PLAGUED TACOMA'S FOR YEARS FROM THE MID 90'S TO 2010 TACOMA,S. THE FRAMES RUST FROM THE INSIDE OUT CREATING HOLES THAT CAUSE A FRAMED TO FALL APART AN…

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I TOOK MY TRUCK T A TOYOTA ANY A DEALER TO FIX SOME EMISSION ISSUES, THEY ASKED IF I WANTED THE FRAME INSPECTED, THEY INFORMED ME ABOUT THE FRAME RUST/PERFORATION ISSUES THAT HAVE PLAGUED TACOMA'S FOR YEARS FROM THE MID 90'S TO 2010 TACOMA,S. THE FRAMES RUST FROM THE INSIDE OUT CREATING HOLES THAT CAUSE A FRAMED TO FALL APART AND RENDER THE VEHICLE WORTHLESS!! A SOME POINT ON 2001-04 TACOMA'S THEY SENT OUT A TSB OFFERING A VOLUNTARY CUSTOMER INSPECTION ON THE FRAMES THIS PROGRAM ENDED 6/11. THEN SOME TYPE OF FRAME REPLACEMENT PROGRAM WAS OFFERED TO PEOPLE THAT DID THE VOLUNTARY INSPECTION UNTIL 7/14. SO IF YOU CHOOSE NOT TO DO OR NEVER RECEIVED A NOTICE YOUR VEHICLE WILL FALL APART AND TOYOTA DOESN'T CARE. MY TRUCK RUN AND ON THE SURFACE LOOKS NEW DRIVES LIKE NEW HOWEVER I CAN'T DRIVE IT BECAUSE IT IS UNSAFE. IT HAS BEEN REDUCED TO A LAWN ORNAMENT. I BOUGHT THE TRUCK FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AN HE HAS LIVED AT THE SAME ADDRESS FOR OVER 40 YEARS HE NEVER! RECEIVED ANY NOTICE..TOYOTA .REPLACE MY FRAME BECAUSE YOU KNOW IT'S A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10668066

154,000 miles · Nov 3, 2014
Structure

AT THE YEARLY REQUIRED STATE INSPECTION THE VEHICLE FAILED DUE TO THE FRAME BEING RUSTED OUT WITH HOLES. IT APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10652144

100,000 miles · Oct 17, 2014
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10648454

123,000 miles · Oct 10, 2014
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING ROUTINE SERVICE, THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT A REAR SECTION OF THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED AND CORRODED. IN ADDITION, TWO BRACKETS THAT SECURED THE BODY TO THE SUBFRAME DETACHED DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING ROUTINE SERVICE, THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT A REAR SECTION OF THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED AND CORRODED. IN ADDITION, TWO BRACKETS THAT SECURED THE BODY TO THE SUBFRAME DETACHED DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.

NHTSA ODI #10643815

148,000 miles · Sep 30, 2014
Structure

DRIVING AT 35 MPH WENT OVER BUMP LEAF SPRING WENT UP THROUGH FRAME CAUSING VEHICLE TO BECOME OUT OF CONTROL. VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AT VALENTI TOYOTA IN WESTERLY RI AND VEHICLES FRAME IS ROTTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10640242

Mileage unknown · Sep 17, 2014
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED, THE TECHNICIAN NOTIFIED HIM THAT THE VEHICLE HAD EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION ON THE FRAME CAUSING IT TO WARPED AND CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INDICATED THAT …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED, THE TECHNICIAN NOTIFIED HIM THAT THE VEHICLE HAD EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION ON THE FRAME CAUSING IT TO WARPED AND CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INDICATED THAT THE CONTACT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A THE LIMITED MANUFACTURER SERVICE CAMPAIGN. THE DEALER WOULD NOT APPLY THE CORROSION TREATMENT, BECAUSE THEY CLAIMED THE VEHICLE HAD A SALVAGED TITLE. THE CONSUMER DISPUTED THE DEALERS CLAIM AND PROVIDED PROOF. UPDATED 10/01/14.

NHTSA ODI #10636987

168,000 miles · Sep 4, 2014
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE INSPECTED, THE TECHNICIAN MADE HIM AWARE THAT THE FRAME HAD COMPLETED RUSTED AND CRACKED. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE M…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE INSPECTED, THE TECHNICIAN MADE HIM AWARE THAT THE FRAME HAD COMPLETED RUSTED AND CRACKED. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000.

NHTSA ODI #10630770

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.