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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

Suspension complaints

82 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 25, 2011
Suspension

2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. CONSUMER STATES AS HE ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE FELL APART WHILE DRIVING. AXLE DUG INTO THE STREET CAUSING THE BALL JOINTS TO SEPARATE FROM THEIR KNUCKLE SLEEVES. SUSPENSION FELL APART DAMAGING THE VEHICLE. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE ONLY THING HOLDING THE TIRE TO THE VE…

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2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. CONSUMER STATES AS HE ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE FELL APART WHILE DRIVING. AXLE DUG INTO THE STREET CAUSING THE BALL JOINTS TO SEPARATE FROM THEIR KNUCKLE SLEEVES. SUSPENSION FELL APART DAMAGING THE VEHICLE. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE ONLY THING HOLDING THE TIRE TO THE VEHICLE WAS THE BRAKE LINE. THE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10379131

154,887 miles · Dec 24, 2010
SuspensionCrash

THE BALL JOINTS AND SUSPENSION ON MY 2002 TOY TACOMA FELL APART WHILE MAKING A ROUTINE TURN ONTO MY STREET! THE BALLJOINTS SEPARATED AND THE FRONT AXLE DUG INTO THE STREET, THE ONLY THING HOLDING THE WHEEL TO THE VEHICLE WAS THE BRAKE LINE! HAD THIS HAPPENED 5 MINUTES EARLIER IT WOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE FREEWAY DOING 65 MPH INSTEA…

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THE BALL JOINTS AND SUSPENSION ON MY 2002 TOY TACOMA FELL APART WHILE MAKING A ROUTINE TURN ONTO MY STREET! THE BALLJOINTS SEPARATED AND THE FRONT AXLE DUG INTO THE STREET, THE ONLY THING HOLDING THE WHEEL TO THE VEHICLE WAS THE BRAKE LINE! HAD THIS HAPPENED 5 MINUTES EARLIER IT WOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE FREEWAY DOING 65 MPH INSTEAD OF IN A RESIDENTIAL TRACT DOING 20 MPH! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10372336

160,000 miles · Dec 14, 2010
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH AND ATTEMPTING A RIGHT TURN WHEN THE FRAME FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE, LEAVING THE WHEEL CONNECTED BY THE BRAKE LINE ONLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS PLACE OF RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH AND ATTEMPTING A RIGHT TURN WHEN THE FRAME FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE, LEAVING THE WHEEL CONNECTED BY THE BRAKE LINE ONLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS PLACE OF RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THAT YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V225000-SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT) BUT THE RECALL DID NOT INCLUDE HIS VIN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

NHTSA ODI #10370586

88,000 miles · Nov 29, 2010
Suspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, HE HEARD A LOUD POP WHILE TURNING RIGHT AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER. HE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE DISCONNECTED FROM THE LOWER CONTROL ARM AND FOLDED BENEATH THE PASSENGER SIDE FENDER. THE VEHICLE …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, HE HEARD A LOUD POP WHILE TURNING RIGHT AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER. HE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE DISCONNECTED FROM THE LOWER CONTROL ARM AND FOLDED BENEATH THE PASSENGER SIDE FENDER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT RECALL 05V225000 (SUSPENSION: FRONT: CONTROL ARM: LOWER BALL JOINT) DID NOT INCLUDE HIS VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 88,000.

NHTSA ODI #10368175

156,000 miles · Sep 1, 2010
Suspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING OUT OF A CURVE IN THE ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE WHEEL SUDDENLY DISENGAGED AND ROLLED UNDERNEATH THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER AND THEY INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE LOWER BALL JOINT. THERE WAS A RECAL…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING OUT OF A CURVE IN THE ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE WHEEL SUDDENLY DISENGAGED AND ROLLED UNDERNEATH THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER AND THEY INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE LOWER BALL JOINT. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V225000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT). THE LOWER BALL JOINT FAILURE CAUSED OTHER DAMAGES TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 156,0000.

NHTSA ODI #10353388

42,000 miles · Dec 28, 2009
Fuel System, GasolineParking BrakePower Train

GAS TANK SHIELD SEVERELY RUSTED. UNDER SIDE OF GASTANK IS PROTECTED BY A SHIELD/SKID PLATE. IT IS RUSTED SO BADLY THAT WHEN HIT WITH A HAMMER THE HAMMER GOES RIGHT THROUGH. PRESUMABLY THIS SHIELD IS TO PROTECT THE GAS TANK FROM DEBRIS AND STONES ESPECIALLY IF THE TRUCK IS USED OFF ROAD. I DISCOVERED THIS AS I WAS INSPECTING …

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GAS TANK SHIELD SEVERELY RUSTED. UNDER SIDE OF GASTANK IS PROTECTED BY A SHIELD/SKID PLATE. IT IS RUSTED SO BADLY THAT WHEN HIT WITH A HAMMER THE HAMMER GOES RIGHT THROUGH. PRESUMABLY THIS SHIELD IS TO PROTECT THE GAS TANK FROM DEBRIS AND STONES ESPECIALLY IF THE TRUCK IS USED OFF ROAD. I DISCOVERED THIS AS I WAS INSPECTING THE UNDERSIDE OF THE TRUCK BEFORE DROPPING THE TRUCK OFF AT THE DEALER TO HAVE THE FRAME REPLACED. IN ADDITION TO THIS, IT IS APPARENT THAT THE DRIVE AXLE AND DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING ALSO HAVE SEVERE RUST. IF TAPPED WITH A HAMMER THE RUST COMES OF IN SHEETS. THE PARKING BRAKES ACTUATING LEVERS HAVE RUSTED IN PLACE AND CAN NO LONGER BE USED. THERE APPEARS TO BE MORE TO THIS RUST THAN SIMPLE FRAME RUST. THE RUST IS PERVASIVE THROUGH OUT THE UNDERSIDE OF THE TRUCK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10297145

145,142 miles · Sep 9, 2009
Suspension

MY WIFE & I WERE TRAVELING INTO BAKERSFIELD, (WE'RE FROM ARVIN, CA) ALONG BEAR MT. BLVD. ON SAT. SEPT. 5, 2009 AROUND 4:00 P.M. AT ABOUT 60 MPH AND IT BECAME DIFFICULT FOR ME TO STEER. INSTEAD OF GOING ON THE FREEWAY, I DECIDED TO TAKE AN ALTERNATE RT. I CAME TO A STOP AND BEGAN TURNING LEFT AT APPROX. 5- 10 MPH & THE R FRONT TI…

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MY WIFE & I WERE TRAVELING INTO BAKERSFIELD, (WE'RE FROM ARVIN, CA) ALONG BEAR MT. BLVD. ON SAT. SEPT. 5, 2009 AROUND 4:00 P.M. AT ABOUT 60 MPH AND IT BECAME DIFFICULT FOR ME TO STEER. INSTEAD OF GOING ON THE FREEWAY, I DECIDED TO TAKE AN ALTERNATE RT. I CAME TO A STOP AND BEGAN TURNING LEFT AT APPROX. 5- 10 MPH & THE R FRONT TIRE FOLDED OUT & THE LOWER BALL JOINT SNAPPED. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS HURT. WE HAD TO HAVE THE TRUCK TOWED HOME. I ORDERED THE LOWER BALL JOINTS ON LINE SO I COULD REPLACE THEM. THIS IS BECAUSE WHEN I CONTACTED THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP THEY INFORMED ME THAT MY TRUCK WAS NOT ONE ON THE RECALL LIST FOR THIS DEFECTIVE PART. I AM FURIOUS. I BELIEVE TOYOTA IS LIABLE FOR MY DAMAGES. BEFORE THIS OCCURRED, I HEARD A FEW CLICKING & GRINDING SOUNDS & THOUGHT MAYBE MY POWER STEERING WAS GOING OUT. I HAD NO IDEA IT WAS BALL JOINT FAILURE, OR I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN DRIVING IT. I HAVE MY OLD DEFECTIVE PARTS. I ALSO HAVE ANOTHER WITNESS TO THIS INCIDENCE BESIDES MY WIFE. HE LIVES ACROSS THE STREET FROM WHERE THIS OCCURRED & HEARD THE LOUD BOOM WHEN THE TRUCK HIT THE GROUND. I HOPE YOU LOOK INTO THIS MATTER, AS I WOULD HATE FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO EXPERIENCE WHAT WE DID. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10283489

100,000 miles · Jul 7, 2008
Suspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE PASSENGER RIGHT FRONT TIRE BALL JOINT BROKE IN HALF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WASN'T INCLUDED IN RECALL 05V225000. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT HE WOULD RECE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE PASSENGER RIGHT FRONT TIRE BALL JOINT BROKE IN HALF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WASN'T INCLUDED IN RECALL 05V225000. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT HE WOULD RECEIVE A CALL BACK. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10233426

99,000 miles · Apr 11, 2008
Fuel System, GasolineSuspension

I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF SEVERAL RECALLS ON MY 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA TRUCK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10224186

100,000 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

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.