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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
Mileage unknown · Jun 23, 2016
Structure

I REPORTED TO TOYOTA (CASE #1606073163) AND ADVISED THEM OF THE ROTTED FRAME NEAR THE GAS TANK WHICH WAS RECALLED. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE 01/2016 AND JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT THE PROBLEM WHEN THEY TRIED TO PUT THE VEHICLE ON THE LIFT TO REPLACE THE TIRES. TOYOTA STATES THE RECALL EXPIRED AND WOULD NOT REPAIR OR PROVIDE THE CHASSI…

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I REPORTED TO TOYOTA (CASE #1606073163) AND ADVISED THEM OF THE ROTTED FRAME NEAR THE GAS TANK WHICH WAS RECALLED. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE 01/2016 AND JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT THE PROBLEM WHEN THEY TRIED TO PUT THE VEHICLE ON THE LIFT TO REPLACE THE TIRES. TOYOTA STATES THE RECALL EXPIRED AND WOULD NOT REPAIR OR PROVIDE THE CHASSIS RAILS EVEN IF I ABSORB THE LABOR AND HAD THEM INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE HAS LOW MILEAGE AND VALUE BUT IS UNSAFE AND I CANNOT SELL IN THIS CONDITION AND TOYOTA IS INDIFFERENT SAYING TOO BAD WE CAN'T HELP YOU.

NHTSA ODI #10876195

131,000 miles · Jun 13, 2016
StructureSuspensionUnknown Or Other

FRAME ROT FROM INSIDE OUT. SUSPENSION MOUNTING TO FRAME ROTTED OUT. TOTOYA REFUSES TO DEAL WITH THIS AND CLAIMS THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPIRED. HOW CAN A RECALL BE EXPIRED. CASE #1606101548 . TOYOTA REPRESENTATIVE VERY RUDE AND DEMEANING.

NHTSA ODI #10874003

Mileage unknown · Jun 10, 2016
StructureSuspensionUnknown Or Other

EXCESSIVE UNSAFE FRAME ROT FROM INSIDE OUT. TOYOTA SAFETY 'RECALL' OFFER TO FIX 'EXPIRED'.

NHTSA ODI #10873590

86,039 miles · May 24, 2016
StructureSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AT A VERY LOW RATE OF SPEED, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE SPRING SHACKLE SUDDENLY FRACTURED AND RENDERED THE VEHICLE UNDRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY SEVERE RUSTING OF THE VEHICLE'S FRA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AT A VERY LOW RATE OF SPEED, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE SPRING SHACKLE SUDDENLY FRACTURED AND RENDERED THE VEHICLE UNDRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY SEVERE RUSTING OF THE VEHICLE'S FRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,039. ....UPDATED 07/11/16 *BF *CN

NHTSA ODI #10870520

Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 2016
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN PARK, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR LEAF SPRINGS WERE DETACHING FROM THE VEHICLE DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUB FRAME HAD CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN PARK, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR LEAF SPRINGS WERE DETACHING FROM THE VEHICLE DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUB FRAME HAD CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10861217

92,000 miles · Mar 21, 2016
StructureSuspension

RUSTING FRAME.I BROUGHT MY 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA TRUCK TO DEALER FOR THE CORROSION RESISTANT SPRAYING TO PREVENT FURTHER RUSTING OF FRAME.SPRAYING COMPLETED ON 03/25/03.RUST ON FRAME CONTINUES.SPRAYING DID NOT WORK.TOYOTA SAID THEY ONLY SPRAY TRUCK ONCE.RUST WARRANTY EXTENDED FOR 15 YEARS EXPIRING ON 10/01/16.TOYOTA SHOULD EXTEND R…

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RUSTING FRAME.I BROUGHT MY 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA TRUCK TO DEALER FOR THE CORROSION RESISTANT SPRAYING TO PREVENT FURTHER RUSTING OF FRAME.SPRAYING COMPLETED ON 03/25/03.RUST ON FRAME CONTINUES.SPRAYING DID NOT WORK.TOYOTA SAID THEY ONLY SPRAY TRUCK ONCE.RUST WARRANTY EXTENDED FOR 15 YEARS EXPIRING ON 10/01/16.TOYOTA SHOULD EXTEND RUST WARRANTY WITH NO EXPIRATION DATE AS TRUCK WILL HAVE TO BE SPRAYED EVERY TWO YEARS.EARLIER YEARS RUST WARRANTY COVERED REPLACING FRAME OR VEHICLE BUYBACK.TOYOTA SHOULD COVER SAME WARRANTY FOR LATER YEAR TACOMAS AS RUST PROBLEM PERSISTS IN EVERY YEAR. LEAF SPRINGS AND HARDWARE ARE RUSTED AS ARE MUFFLER BRACKETS LEADING TO POTENTIONAL SAFETY HAZARD IF ITEMS FAIL WHILE DRIVING.TOYOTA ADMITTED RUST PROOFING NOT DONE PROPERLY BY SUBCONTRACTOR.PLEASE HOLD TOYOTA ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR NEGLIGENCE IN PROPERLY PROTECTING FRAMES,SPRINGS.AND SUSPENSION SYSTEMS WITH CORROSION RESISTANT MATERIALS.TOYOTA IS JUST BUYING TIME UNTIL WARRANTIES EXPIRE.AFTER THAT TIME THE OWNERS WILL HAVE NO RECOURSE WITH TOYOTA.

NHTSA ODI #10850730

120,000 miles · Mar 15, 2016
StructureSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME FROM THE REAR LEAF SPRING HANGER WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME FROM THE REAR LEAF SPRING HANGER WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 11/01/16*LJ

NHTSA ODI #10849733

80,000 miles · Feb 25, 2016
Structure

THE CHASIS ON THE TRUCK IS RUSTING OUT.THE MAJORITY OF RUST IS NEAR AND AROUND BOTH REAR TIRES. THERE WAS A RECALL BUT TOYOTA WILL NOT HONOR THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 83000+ MILES

NHTSA ODI #10838121

Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 2016
Unknown Or Other

FRAME RUSTED OUT. TOYOTA WILL NOT REPAIR. SAFETY ISSUE. BROUGHT VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR SPARE TIRE CARRIER RECALL AND WAS ADVISED FRAME WAS RUSTED ALSO AND THEY WOULD REPAIR NEITHER RUSTED FRAME NOR SPARE TIRE CARRIER. COMPLAINT FILED WITH VIRGINIA ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE ON JANUARY 21, 2016 AND TOYOTA RESPONDED TO THEIR OFF…

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FRAME RUSTED OUT. TOYOTA WILL NOT REPAIR. SAFETY ISSUE. BROUGHT VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR SPARE TIRE CARRIER RECALL AND WAS ADVISED FRAME WAS RUSTED ALSO AND THEY WOULD REPAIR NEITHER RUSTED FRAME NOR SPARE TIRE CARRIER. COMPLAINT FILED WITH VIRGINIA ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE ON JANUARY 21, 2016 AND TOYOTA RESPONDED TO THEIR OFFICE ON 02/11/2016 SAYING TOYOTA WOULD NOT REPAIR VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #10837558

169,000 miles · Jan 26, 2016
Structure

THE FRAME ON THIS TRUCK WAS RECALLED AND NOW TOYOTA MOTOR SALES USA,INC. IS TELLING ME IT WAS AN OLD RECALL AND THE OWNER THAT OWN IT BEFORE ME DIDN'T GET IT FIXED SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO FIX IT BECAUSE THE TIME LIMIT IS OVER.IM THE SECOND ONE TO OWN THIS TRUCK AND DIDN'T KNOW THEY WAS A RECALL ON THE FRAME.

NHTSA ODI #10822234

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.