Illustration2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SPLIT IN HALF DUE TO RUSTED FRAME. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRAME RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE OUT.
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Tacoma years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED SEVERE RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED SEVERE RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR BUMPER HAD RUSTED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TOW ANYTHING WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME AND THE REAR LEAF SPRINGS CONTAINED MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF RUST AND WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 151,000.
I COULD HEAR A RATTLING NOISE. UPON INSPECTION I SAW THAT THE FUEL TANK HAD DROPPED ALMOST TO THE GROUND. THE REAR STRAP , THAT HOLDS THE FUEL TANK TO THE BODY HAD BROKEN FROM CORROSION(RUST) . THIS RUST HAD ALSO DESTROYED THE PROTECTIVE SHIELD THAT WAS MOUNTED OVER THE FUEL TANK STRAP ,TO PROTECT IT FROM CORROSION AND PHYSICAL…
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I COULD HEAR A RATTLING NOISE. UPON INSPECTION I SAW THAT THE FUEL TANK HAD DROPPED ALMOST TO THE GROUND. THE REAR STRAP , THAT HOLDS THE FUEL TANK TO THE BODY HAD BROKEN FROM CORROSION(RUST) . THIS RUST HAD ALSO DESTROYED THE PROTECTIVE SHIELD THAT WAS MOUNTED OVER THE FUEL TANK STRAP ,TO PROTECT IT FROM CORROSION AND PHYSICAL DAMAGE. A GAS TANK FALLING TO THE ROAD IS A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR
WHEN ENGINE (COLD) FIRST STARTED, THERE IS ENGINE (PISTON SLAP/RATTLE) NOISE. SUCH CONTINUES FOR APPROX. ONE FULL MINUTE AND THEN SOUNDS NORMAL. SUCH NOISE IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR, COMPLETE ENGINE OVERHAUL AND SHOULD CERTAINLY NOT BE OCCURRING IN VEHICLE WITH ONLY 50,000 MILES. TRUCK WAS VERY CAREFULLY BROKEN IN WHEN NEW …
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WHEN ENGINE (COLD) FIRST STARTED, THERE IS ENGINE (PISTON SLAP/RATTLE) NOISE. SUCH CONTINUES FOR APPROX. ONE FULL MINUTE AND THEN SOUNDS NORMAL. SUCH NOISE IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR, COMPLETE ENGINE OVERHAUL AND SHOULD CERTAINLY NOT BE OCCURRING IN VEHICLE WITH ONLY 50,000 MILES. TRUCK WAS VERY CAREFULLY BROKEN IN WHEN NEW AND ALL APPROPRIATE OIL CHANGES AT TOYOTA RECOMMENDED TIMES...OR EVEN SOONER. *TR
THIS VEHICLE WAS ALREADY INVOLVED IN A "CAMPAIGN" BY TOYOTA TO REPLACE SEVERELY RUSTED FRAMES. NOW THE SPARE TIRE LIFT PLATE IS ALSO RUSTED THROUGH ON MANY OF THEM WHICH TOYOTA IS "IMPLEMENTING A REMEDY FOR". MY COMPLAINT IS THAT I HAVE A SEVERELY RUSTED HOUSING OF THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL, NEXT TO AND JUST BELOW THE RUSTED SPARE …
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THIS VEHICLE WAS ALREADY INVOLVED IN A "CAMPAIGN" BY TOYOTA TO REPLACE SEVERELY RUSTED FRAMES. NOW THE SPARE TIRE LIFT PLATE IS ALSO RUSTED THROUGH ON MANY OF THEM WHICH TOYOTA IS "IMPLEMENTING A REMEDY FOR". MY COMPLAINT IS THAT I HAVE A SEVERELY RUSTED HOUSING OF THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL, NEXT TO AND JUST BELOW THE RUSTED SPARE TIRE CARRIER LIFT PLATE,TOYOTA REFUSES TO PAY FOR THE RUSTED THROUGH HOUSING OF THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. THIS IS A NEGLIGENT SAFETY ISSUE ON THEIR PART, BECAUSE THOSE OWNERS WHO ARE NOT AWARE OF THE LEAKAGE OF THIS PART MAY FIND THEMSELVES WITHOUT POWER, OR WORSE PERHAPS, A LOCKUP OF THAT PART WHEN THEY ARE GOING 65 MPH ON HIGHWAY POSSIBLY WITH CHILDREN IN THEIR VEHICLE. THE RUST ON THESE VEHICLES IS LEGENDARY AMONG TOYOTA OWNERS AS EVIDENCED BY THEIR COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET. TOYOTA DID REPLACE THE FRAME ON MY 2002 TACOMA, BUT IN MY OPINION, IT IS THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO REPLACE THE RUSTED OUT HOUSING. IT IS NOT AS IF THAT IS THE ONLY RUST ON THIS VEHICLE, AND NO OTHER VEHICLES THAT I AM AWARE OF HAVE THIS PROBLEM. *TR
UPON BRINGING 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA TO MECHANIC FOR TIRE ROTATION AND OIL CHANGE, THE FRAME BROKE IN HALF DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION. CONTACTED TOYOTA WHO SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER 2008 EXTENDED CORROSION WARRANTY SINCE IT HAD NOT BEEN BROUGHT IN FOR THE UNDERCARRIAGE COMPOUND APPLICATION BEFORE 2011. WE WERE NEVER NOTIFIED B…
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UPON BRINGING 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA TO MECHANIC FOR TIRE ROTATION AND OIL CHANGE, THE FRAME BROKE IN HALF DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION. CONTACTED TOYOTA WHO SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER 2008 EXTENDED CORROSION WARRANTY SINCE IT HAD NOT BEEN BROUGHT IN FOR THE UNDERCARRIAGE COMPOUND APPLICATION BEFORE 2011. WE WERE NEVER NOTIFIED BY ANY RECALL THAT IT SHOULD BE BROUGHT IN. *TR
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.
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
Official recalls
312V542000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.