NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Structure complaints
180 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Jan 23, 2013
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME NEAR THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE WAS RUSTED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FRAME COULD NOT BE REPAIRED AND THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME NEAR THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE WAS RUSTED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FRAME COULD NOT BE REPAIRED AND THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD BE REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
NHTSA ODI #10494399
111,000 miles · Jan 17, 2013
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR REGISTRATION INSPECTION AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND ROTTED. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000 UPDATED 02/22/13. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10493311
69,000 miles · Jan 11, 2013
StructureSuspensionWheels
MY TACOMA WAS RECALLED 2 YEARS AGO FOR FRAME RUST. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS OK + UNDERCOATED IT TO PREVENT FUTURE RUSTING. ALL THAT UNDERCOATING IS FALLING OFF. THAT CAN ONLY BE DUE TO IMPROPER APPLICATION OR FAULTY PRODUCT. THE DEALER THAT APPLIED THE PRODUCT (FERRIS TOYOTA) SAYS THE PRODUCT IS FAULTY + THEY'VE SEEN IT MANY TIMES. T…
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MY TACOMA WAS RECALLED 2 YEARS AGO FOR FRAME RUST. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS OK + UNDERCOATED IT TO PREVENT FUTURE RUSTING. ALL THAT UNDERCOATING IS FALLING OFF. THAT CAN ONLY BE DUE TO IMPROPER APPLICATION OR FAULTY PRODUCT. THE DEALER THAT APPLIED THE PRODUCT (FERRIS TOYOTA) SAYS THE PRODUCT IS FAULTY + THEY'VE SEEN IT MANY TIMES. THEY'VE ALSO CONFIRMED THE SAME WITH OTHER DEALERSHIPS. TOYOTA, OTOH, SAYS THERE'S NOTHING WRONG. IF THE FRAME DOESN'T NEED UNDERCOATING, THEN WHY'D THEY DO IT? ARE THEY SUGGESTING IT WORKS WHEN 50% HAS FALLEN OFF? THIS IS THE SAME VEHICLE WHICH IS NOW BEING RECALLED FOR SPARE TIRES FALLING OFF ON THE HIGHWAY + MY EMERGENCY BRAKES HAVE BEEN SEIZED WITH CORROSION SINCE I'VE OWNED THE TRUCK. I'VE CONTACTED TOYOTA MANY TIMES + THEY REFUSE TO PUT THEIR CORRESPONDENCE IN WRITING, BUT THE REPRESENTATIVE, TIFFANY BISHOP, SAYS SHE TYPES A TRANSCRIPT OF OUR CONVERSATIONS, JUST WON'T GIVE ME COPIES. SHE ALSO CALLS FROM A PHONE WITH A BLOCKED NUMBER. WHAT KIND OF BULL IS THIS? THESE VEHICLES ARE OBVIOUS HAZARDS ON THE ROAD + TOYOTA IS PLAYING GAMES INSTEAD OF MAKING SERIOUS EFFORTS TO MAKE THE VEHICLES SAFE. PLEASE BRING THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF SOMEONE AT TOYOTA OTHER THAN [XXX], I AM FINISHED CORRESPONDING WITH HER! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10492231
53,871 miles · Dec 21, 2012
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE ENTIRE FRAME WAS COVERED WITH RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE A RUST UNDER COATING WAS APPLIED TO THE FRAME. TWO YEARS LATER, THE FRAME EXHIBITED SEVERE RUST AND CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE ENTIRE FRAME WAS COVERED WITH RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE A RUST UNDER COATING WAS APPLIED TO THE FRAME. TWO YEARS LATER, THE FRAME EXHIBITED SEVERE RUST AND CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,871. UPDATED 01/18/13*LJ UPDATED 01/24/13
NHTSA ODI #10489471
89,638 miles · Oct 23, 2012
Structure
10/22/2012 RECENTLY HAD OCCASION TO LOOK AT THE FRAME ON MY TRUCK, IT IS RUSTED THROUGH IN MANY SPOTS MAKING VEHICLE UNSAFE, 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA, APPARENTLY I MISSED SOME "COURTESY" FRAME PROGRAM. I AM STUCK WITH A 10,000.00 TRUCK THAT I CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX AND TOYOTA HAS SAID THAT THEY WILL NOT OFFER ANY HELP.I THINK THIS NEEDS …
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10/22/2012 RECENTLY HAD OCCASION TO LOOK AT THE FRAME ON MY TRUCK, IT IS RUSTED THROUGH IN MANY SPOTS MAKING VEHICLE UNSAFE, 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA, APPARENTLY I MISSED SOME "COURTESY" FRAME PROGRAM. I AM STUCK WITH A 10,000.00 TRUCK THAT I CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX AND TOYOTA HAS SAID THAT THEY WILL NOT OFFER ANY HELP.I THINK THIS NEEDS TO GO BEYOND A "COURTESY " RECALL, WITH THE LARGE AMOUNTS OF THESE TRUCKS ON THE ROAD IN UNSAFE CONDITIONS NEW YORK STATE HAS FORCED AN EXTENSION OF THIS PROGRAM, TRAFFIC SAFETY SHOULD FORCE A RECALL AS THERE ARE THOUSANDS OUT THERE IN THIS SHAPE BY TOYOTAS OWN ADMISSION I WOULD LIKE REPAIRS OR FAIR MARKET VALUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10481491
175,000 miles · Sep 10, 2012
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHASSIS WAS PREMATURELY RUSTING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHICH CONFIRMED THAT THE CHASSIS WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 176,000.
NHTSA ODI #10474502
62,000 miles · May 2, 2012
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED, HAD HOLES IN IT, AND WAS SEPARATING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND WAS GOING TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000 AND THE CURRENT MI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED, HAD HOLES IN IT, AND WAS SEPARATING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND WAS GOING TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
NHTSA ODI #10457158
161,000 miles · Mar 12, 2012
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE MECHANIC STATED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE THE FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED IT WAS CAUSE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE MECHANIC STATED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE THE FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED IT WAS CAUSED BY SCALING AND NOT RUSTING THERE FOR THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIRS. THE DEALER REFUSED TO PROVIDE A LETTER STATING THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 161,000.
NHTSA ODI #10451134
74,000 miles · Jun 24, 2011
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO BE EXAMINED WHEN HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRAME UNDER THE VEHICLE WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,00…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO BE EXAMINED WHEN HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRAME UNDER THE VEHICLE WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000. UPDATED 09/02/11*LJ UPDATED 2/9/12 *CN
NHTSA ODI #10408788
122,000 miles · Mar 2, 2011
Structure
THE SECOND TOYOTA TACOMA I HAVE OWNED IN ONE YEAR FAILED ON 02/28/2011. BOTH FRAMES FAILED DUE TO RUST. BOTH PROBLEMS WERE DISCOVERED DURING A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE. TOYOTA BOUGHT BACK THE FIRST TRUCK LAST SUMMER, SO I DECIDED TO BUY ANOTHER LATER MODEL TACOMA. THE SECOND TACOMA PROBLEM OCCURRED ON A LIFT AT AUTO CHOICE IN DERRY NH…
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THE SECOND TOYOTA TACOMA I HAVE OWNED IN ONE YEAR FAILED ON 02/28/2011. BOTH FRAMES FAILED DUE TO RUST. BOTH PROBLEMS WERE DISCOVERED DURING A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE. TOYOTA BOUGHT BACK THE FIRST TRUCK LAST SUMMER, SO I DECIDED TO BUY ANOTHER LATER MODEL TACOMA. THE SECOND TACOMA PROBLEM OCCURRED ON A LIFT AT AUTO CHOICE IN DERRY NH. THE TRUCK BENT IN HALF WHEN THE LIFT WAS RAISED. THE MECHANIC HAS BEEN IN BUSINESS FOR 30 YEARS AND HAD NEVER SEEN SUCH A THING. LUCKILY, HE WAS NOT UNDER THE TRUCK AND FORTUNATELY I WAS NOT DRIVING THE TRUCK FOR MY FRAME REPLACEMENT APPOINTMENT THE NEXT DAY. IRA TOYOTA TOWED THE VEHICLE AND GAVE ME A LOANER. I AM TOLD THAT THEY WILL REPLACE THE ENTIRE FRAME . IN TALKING TO MY FATHER, MECHANIC FRIENDS AND LEGAL FRIENDS AN ISSUE KEPT COMING UP - IF THE FRAME IS THAT CORRODED, IT WOULD FOLLOW THAT PARTS ATTACHED TO THE FRAME WOULD BE CORRODED AS WELL. THIS PRESENTS AN ALARMINGLY SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM. I WOULD ADD THAT THERE SHOULD BE AN IMMEDIATE INVESTIGATION INTO THE SAFETY OF THIS PROCEDURE AS WELL AS A MEDIA REQUIREMENT MADE THAT TOYOTA RUN ADVERTISEMENTS ON TV, RADIO AND PRINT WARNING THE PUBLIC ABOUT THIS SERIOUS ISSUE. MY TRUCK LOOKS IMMACULATE AND HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. HAD I NOT DONE AN OIL CHANGE, THE OUTCOME WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH DIFFERENT. I CAN THINK OF NO OTHER COMPONENT IN A MOTOR VEHICLE THAT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAT THE FRAME, IT HOLDS EVERYTHING TOGETHER AND SUPPORTS EVERYTHING. THIS ISSUE NEEDS IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. IRA TOYOTA IS THE CURRENT LOCATION OF THE VEHICLE 603-657-2422. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10386248
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 ↗