2002 Toyota Tacoma Problems, Recalls & Reliability
443 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2002 Toyota Tacoma, alongside 5 recall campaigns and 0 defect investigations. It scores 50/100 on the trouble index — a below-average year for this model. Body & structure leads the reports, typically around 120,500 miles.
Below average
Where 2002 sits among all Tacoma years
What owners report
“Excessive unsafe frame rot from inside out. Toyota safety 'recall' offer to fix 'expired'.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2002 Tacoma
“The frame at rear spring hangers has rusted through rear axle separated from frame due to rust”— owner report to NHTSA, 2002 Tacoma
“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…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2002 Tacoma
“Frame rusted, unsafe to drive. Called toyota and was told recall had expired, never received any recall information. Truck was purchased second hand from toyota dealer.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2002 Tacoma
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 325 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 120,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 65,000 and 162,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (5)
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,…
Fix: 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…
CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO.…
Fix: AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE…
Fix: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
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…
Fix: 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.
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…
Fix: 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…
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2002 Toyota Tacoma reliable?
The 2002 Toyota Tacoma drew 443 complaints in federal safety records — a below-average year for this model. Its trouble index is 50/100, scored against the model's worst year (2006).
What are the most common 2002 Toyota Tacoma problems?
The top reported problems for the 2002 Toyota Tacoma are body & structure (183 complaints), suspension (89), and wheels & tires (33).
At what mileage do 2002 Toyota Tacoma problems show up?
Owners most often report 2002 Toyota Tacoma problems around 120,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 65,000 and 162,000 miles.
Does the 2002 Toyota Tacoma have recalls?
5 recall campaigns apply to the 2002 Toyota Tacoma. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.