IllustrationTHE FRAME AT REAR SPRING HANGERS HAS RUSTED THROUGH REAR AXLE SEPARATED FROM FRAME DUE TO RUST
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 reportsMY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE ABOVE VEHICLE'S FAME IS STRUCTURALLY UNSAFE. I SHARE THIS TRUCK WITH MY 18 YEAR OLD GRANDSON. I WOULD JUST LIKE TO KNOW IF I HAVE ANY RECALL WITH TOYOTA BEFORE I PROCEED WITH EITHER FIXING IT OR JUNKING IT. IT HAS 140,000 ORIGINAL MILES AND I BELIEVE I AM THE THIRD OWNER. I LIVE IN THE NORTHEAST.
DRIVER SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT AFTER RELEASE. CONCERNED THE SEAT BELT MAY BE DEFECTIVE DURING AN ACCIDENT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND CORRODED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ASSESSED THE VEHICLE AND THE FRAME FRACTURED IN HALF DURING THE ASSESSMENT. A DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND CORRODED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ASSESSED THE VEHICLE AND THE FRAME FRACTURED IN HALF DURING THE ASSESSMENT. A DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE WARRANTY COVERAGE HAD EXPIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 192,000.
DRIVING ON LOCAL STREET, 25 MPH, THEN HEARD CLUNKING SOUND WHEN HITTING ROAD BUMPS. MECHANIC INSPECTION REVEALED SHOCK MOUNT COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT OF FRAME AND EXCESSIVE RUST AND ROTTING THROUGHOUT THE REAR FRAME. TOYOTA WILL NOT HELP SO WILL HAVE REPAIR PRIVATELY AND WELD NEW SLEEVES TO THE FRAME. TOYOTA HAS CREATED A VERY DAN…
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DRIVING ON LOCAL STREET, 25 MPH, THEN HEARD CLUNKING SOUND WHEN HITTING ROAD BUMPS. MECHANIC INSPECTION REVEALED SHOCK MOUNT COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT OF FRAME AND EXCESSIVE RUST AND ROTTING THROUGHOUT THE REAR FRAME. TOYOTA WILL NOT HELP SO WILL HAVE REPAIR PRIVATELY AND WELD NEW SLEEVES TO THE FRAME. TOYOTA HAS CREATED A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR ITS' CUSTOMERS BY USING INFERIOR METALS IN ITS' FRAMES FOR MANY YEARS.
IN 2012 WE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THIS VEHICLES FRAME. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND WE WERE TOLD EVERYHTHING LOOKS OK. NO OTHER ACTION WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. YESTERDAY WE NOTICED A CRACK IN THE FRAME. THE CAR IS NON DRIVEABLE. WE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WE WERE TOLD THIS IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY. I CA…
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IN 2012 WE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THIS VEHICLES FRAME. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND WE WERE TOLD EVERYHTHING LOOKS OK. NO OTHER ACTION WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. YESTERDAY WE NOTICED A CRACK IN THE FRAME. THE CAR IS NON DRIVEABLE. WE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WE WERE TOLD THIS IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY. I CALLED TOYOTA HQ AND THEY STATED HAD IT BEEN SPRAYED - WHICH WAS TOYOTAS DIRECTION ON THIS RECALL, IT MAY HAVE PREVENTED THE RUSTING AND CRACKING BUT SINCE THE DEALER DIDN'T DO IT, IT IS NOW OUT OF ANYTHING ANYONE CAN DO. I ASKED THEM IF THEY WOULD SEND ME A COPY OF THE DIRECTIVE GIVEN TO THE DEALSHIPS ON HOW TO HANDLE THIS RECALL AND THEY SAID THAT IS NOT SOMETHING THEY COULD PROVIDE AND THEY CANNOT TAKE ACTION AGAINST THE DEALERSHIP. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME WITH THIS? I FEEL THAT IF THE DEALERSHIP HAD DONE THE SPRAYING AS THEY HAD BEEN INSTRUCTED, WE MAY NOT BE IN THIS SITUATION TODAY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS ROTTING ON THE VEHICLE. MCGEE TOYOTA OF DUDLEY (191 W MAIN ST, DUDLEY, MA 01571) AND HERB CHAMBERS TOYOTA OF AUBURN (809 WASHINGTON ST, AUBURN, MA 01501) STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE V…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS ROTTING ON THE VEHICLE. MCGEE TOYOTA OF DUDLEY (191 W MAIN ST, DUDLEY, MA 01571) AND HERB CHAMBERS TOYOTA OF AUBURN (809 WASHINGTON ST, AUBURN, MA 01501) STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,000.
I RECEIVED A INTERIM NOTICE LETTER FROM TOYOTA IN 2011, STATING THAT THE FRAME HAD A COATING DEFECT. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL OXMOOR TOYOTA DEALER IN 2011 AND THEY PUT A WAX COATING ON THE FRAME TO STOP THE FRAME FROM RUSTING MORE. I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER ON THE SPARE TIRE ASSEMBLY AND I HAD OXMOOR TOYOTA FIX THAT AS WELL. THE A…
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I RECEIVED A INTERIM NOTICE LETTER FROM TOYOTA IN 2011, STATING THAT THE FRAME HAD A COATING DEFECT. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL OXMOOR TOYOTA DEALER IN 2011 AND THEY PUT A WAX COATING ON THE FRAME TO STOP THE FRAME FROM RUSTING MORE. I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER ON THE SPARE TIRE ASSEMBLY AND I HAD OXMOOR TOYOTA FIX THAT AS WELL. THE ASSEMBLY WAS RUSTING AWAY. THIS WEEK I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD (HWY 480) AND THE TRUCK BECAME VERY LOOSE IN HANDLING. TOOK THE TRUCK HOME INSPECTED IT AND FOUND THE FRAME SNAPPED IN HALF ON THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL.
MY 2002 TACOMA HAS SEVERE RUST ON THE FRAME AND DRIVE TRAIN AND I WAS TOLD BY THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP THAT THE TRUCK UNDER BODY WAS SPRAYED IN 2010 AND THAT THERE HAVE TO BE HOLES IN THE FRAME TO BE COVERED. HE ALSO SAID THAT THERE WAS A 15 YEAR WARRANTY FOR MY FRAME TO WHICH IT IS NOW 2018 AND HAS EXSPIRED. I FEEL THAT TOYOTA KN…
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MY 2002 TACOMA HAS SEVERE RUST ON THE FRAME AND DRIVE TRAIN AND I WAS TOLD BY THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP THAT THE TRUCK UNDER BODY WAS SPRAYED IN 2010 AND THAT THERE HAVE TO BE HOLES IN THE FRAME TO BE COVERED. HE ALSO SAID THAT THERE WAS A 15 YEAR WARRANTY FOR MY FRAME TO WHICH IT IS NOW 2018 AND HAS EXSPIRED. I FEEL THAT TOYOTA KNEW THAT DEFECTED STEEL WAS USED FOR THESE FRAMES FROM 2002. I WON'T EVEN BOTHER TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THEM BECAUSE I KNOW THAT THEY WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.
MY FRAME IS JUST RUSTED OUT IN THE BACK END IT'S NEVER BEEN FLOODED ALWAYS TAKEN CARE OF VERY WELL AND I HEARD ABOUT THE FRAME RECALLS BUT MY VIN COMES BACK WITH NO RECALLS I JUST NEED TO SEE IF THIS CAN BE INVESTIGATED I KNOW PEOPLE WHO DID QUALIFY AND THERE FRAMES WERE PERFECTLY FINE BUT MINE IS JUST FALLING APART
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.