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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
100,000 miles · Dec 20, 2010
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE TRUCK ENGINE BEGAN TO THUMP. TOWED TRUCK TO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WHERE THE FIRST DAY THEY SAID INTERNAL ENGINE FAILURE, THE NEXT DAY THEY SAID ENGINE OIL PUMP FAILURE. THE OIL LIGHT INDICATOR NEVER CAME ON BEFORE AND AFTER THE INCIDENT. I HAD AN OIL CHANGE FROM ANOTHER TOYOTA DEALERSHIP ON NOV…

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WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE TRUCK ENGINE BEGAN TO THUMP. TOWED TRUCK TO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WHERE THE FIRST DAY THEY SAID INTERNAL ENGINE FAILURE, THE NEXT DAY THEY SAID ENGINE OIL PUMP FAILURE. THE OIL LIGHT INDICATOR NEVER CAME ON BEFORE AND AFTER THE INCIDENT. I HAD AN OIL CHANGE FROM ANOTHER TOYOTA DEALERSHIP ON NOVEMBER 30TH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10371745

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

Mileage unknown · Oct 29, 2010
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING- LETTER TO THE SECRETARY FROM RE TOYOTA PROBLEM *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED IN A MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT AND IT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN THAT SERIOUS, HAD HE BEEN ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL WHICH CAUSE…

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2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING- LETTER TO THE SECRETARY FROM RE TOYOTA PROBLEM *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED IN A MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT AND IT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN THAT SERIOUS, HAD HE BEEN ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL WHICH CAUSED HIM TO JUMP THE CURB AND CRASH INTO A BRIDGE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10363333

56,000 miles · Oct 21, 2010
Air Bags

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT HAS BEEN FLASHING FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS . THIS IS A 2002 TACOMA EXTENDED CAB PICK-UP TRUCK WITH 56K MILES. DEALER SAYS $200.00 TO DIAGNOSE. COSTS TO REMEDY AIRBAG PROBLEM COULD BE AS MUCH AS $500.00 TO $600.00, PERHAPS MORE. DEALER STATES AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY BUT IS NOT SURE OF WHAT IS REALLY THE PROBLEM …

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AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT HAS BEEN FLASHING FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS . THIS IS A 2002 TACOMA EXTENDED CAB PICK-UP TRUCK WITH 56K MILES. DEALER SAYS $200.00 TO DIAGNOSE. COSTS TO REMEDY AIRBAG PROBLEM COULD BE AS MUCH AS $500.00 TO $600.00, PERHAPS MORE. DEALER STATES AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY BUT IS NOT SURE OF WHAT IS REALLY THE PROBLEM UNTIL THE DIAGNOSIS IS COMPLETED. MY QUESTION IS; WHY THIS PROBLEM WITH A TRUCK WITH LOW MILEAGE AND TAKEN TO DEALER SINCE NEW FOR ALL REQUIRED MAINTENANCE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10361663

178,000 miles · Sep 29, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE THROTTLE SUDDENLY LOCKED. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKES, WHICH DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY TO SLOW THE VEHICLE. HE TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BUT THE VEHICLE HAD NOT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE THROTTLE SUDDENLY LOCKED. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKES, WHICH DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY TO SLOW THE VEHICLE. HE TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BUT THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 178,000.

NHTSA ODI #10358334

135,000 miles · Sep 2, 2010
Tires

TL. THE CONTACT OWNS A KUHMO MOHAVE A/T TIRES ON A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE SIDE WALL OF THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE COLLAPSED WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH. THE CONTACT CHANGE THE TIRE AND TOOK THE TIRE TO A DEALER. THE DEALER EXAMINE TO THE TIRE AND STATED THE TIRE FAILED WITH NO OTHER DEFECTS. THE DEALER REPLACE…

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TL. THE CONTACT OWNS A KUHMO MOHAVE A/T TIRES ON A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE SIDE WALL OF THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE COLLAPSED WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH. THE CONTACT CHANGE THE TIRE AND TOOK THE TIRE TO A DEALER. THE DEALER EXAMINE TO THE TIRE AND STATED THE TIRE FAILED WITH NO OTHER DEFECTS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TIRE UNDER THE TIRE WARRANTY. THE CONTACT STATED HE DOES NOT FEELS SAFE WITH THE CURRENT TIRES ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000. JO

NHTSA ODI #10353492

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

56,360 miles · Aug 5, 2010
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION DUE TO EXTREME BUMPER AND FRAME RUST. THE DEALER PERFORMED A SAFETY INSPECTION ON THE VEHICLE YET IT DID NOT PASS. THE DEALER ADVISED THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED AT NO COST TO THE CONTACT HOWEVER, THE REPAIR WOULD TAKE MONTHS. T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION DUE TO EXTREME BUMPER AND FRAME RUST. THE DEALER PERFORMED A SAFETY INSPECTION ON THE VEHICLE YET IT DID NOT PASS. THE DEALER ADVISED THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED AT NO COST TO THE CONTACT HOWEVER, THE REPAIR WOULD TAKE MONTHS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 56,360.

NHTSA ODI #10347544

65,000 miles · Jun 11, 2010
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V225000 (SUSPENSION: FRONT: CONTROL ARM: LOWER BALL JOINT) FOR FRAME RUST AND CORROSION. THE VEHICLE FAILED THE MANUFACTURERS INSPECTION AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE FRAME AT N…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V225000 (SUSPENSION: FRONT: CONTROL ARM: LOWER BALL JOINT) FOR FRAME RUST AND CORROSION. THE VEHICLE FAILED THE MANUFACTURERS INSPECTION AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE FRAME AT NO COST TO THE CONTACT. THE FRAME WAS NOT AVAILABLE AT THE TIME AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT IT WOULD TAKE APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH TO OBTAIN THE FRAME AND THAT HE COULD CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL THAT TIME. THE CONTACT DID NOT BELIEVE IT WAS SAFE TO CONTINUE OPERATING A RECALLED VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 65,000.

NHTSA ODI #10335858

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.