2002 Toyota Tacoma Owner Complaints

Rackandpinon replacement was also the upper and lower ball joints my steering is still giving me problems and I feel like it’s asafty concern because if I’m going down the highway I could loose control I have some receipts for what my mechanic replaced I called Toyota and they told me that it was to late to fix anything and that I would have to deal with it I never received a notice in the mail or anywhere else I feel like Toyota owes me Also what has happened is my spare tire feel off from the hanger going up my driveway I got to looking and the cable rusted away along with my rear parking brake cable up under the truck thanks for your time

NHTSA ID

11661021

Incident

Jul 5, 2022

Found hole in frame (chassis)

NHTSA ID

11620763

Incident

Oct 4, 2024

I recently lost both front wheels in two different incidents within a month. Early August drivers side ball joint failed on me. And on September 25th the passenger side failed on me on the freeway almost causing a collision with a mercedes and a semi truck.

NHTSA ID

11616743

Incident

Sep 25, 2024

As I was pulling out from being parked the truck just dropped to the floor on the drivers side. When I got out to see what happened? My wheel broke off at the lower ball joint yesterday evening. I had to wait 2 hours for a tow. I had no warning or symptoms prior.

NHTSA ID

11604407

Incident

Jul 23, 2024

The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the front passenger’s side wheel separated from the vehicle, causing the driver to lose control of the steering and drove into the opposite lane. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the front suspension ball joint had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact was also informed that the front shocks, front tires, and front brakes were also damaged during the failure, and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 443,000.

NHTSA ID

11598221

Incident

May 15, 2024

Mileage

443,000 mi

My air conditioning is not working right blowing hot air. Had it charged and no change, I believe that I have the same issue as others, My air bags light keeps going off and on when driving. I see where there was a recall on other Toyota vehicles that had the same problem as me.

NHTSA ID

11588939

Incident

May 7, 2024

We heard they issued a recall for faulty frames. When someone told us this we contacted Toyota. They said it had expired. I never received a recall of any kind.i take excellent care of my vehicles and this Tacoma only roughly 98,000 miles. The body is great shape, it runs great. My question is if the frame should break and we're going 65mph, who is responsible if someone is killed. We did not know about the recall and we certainly would have had them fix it. Is there any way you can help us resolve this issue with Toyota? Thank you in advance.

NHTSA ID

11581905

Incident

Apr 8, 2024

The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated while an independent mechanic was servicing the vehicle, the contact was informed that the rear sub frame was severely rusted at the spring shackle on the driver's side. The vehicle was then taken to an auto body shop, where it was determined that the sub frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 225,000.

NHTSA ID

11575856

Incident

Feb 21, 2024

The contact's daughter owns a 2002 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that several independent mechanics and an auto body repair shop had informed her that there was a hole in the subframe, and the subframe was significantly corroded. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.

NHTSA ID

11542694

Incident

Mar 5, 2023

Mileage

138,000 mi

I went to get my 02 tacoma tires balanced and was called and told that where the frame was cracked. Upon inspecting it myself the crack is where the manufacturer welded the frame together. I'm the 3rd owner of this vehicle and there original owner didn't get frame warranty recall done. Which led to it running out. Now Toyota corporate has a frame case number ([XXX]) and was told that there's nothing that could be done until enough complaints about this case number reaches a certain number then they'll look into it. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11536923

Incident

Aug 3, 2023

The frame has prematurely rusted out causing a driving hazard.

NHTSA ID

11506859

Incident

Feb 12, 2023

chassis recall

NHTSA ID

11496506

Incident

Dec 7, 2022

Frame rusted out! Known issue that no one seems to care to help remedy. Toyota needs to do better. Vehicle still in amazing condition but cannot be driven because of this problem

NHTSA ID

11486271

Incident

Mar 1, 2022

The steering is all loose and the alignment is repeatedly moving out of line on its own. The lower ball joints are wearing wrong and may fail at any point.

NHTSA ID

11462690

Incident

Apr 28, 2022

DRIVING IN A HIGHWAY STATE 81 TOWARDS HARRISONBURG VIRGINIA WHEN MY 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA , PARTS OR EQUIPMENT UNDERNEATH THE TRUCK COLLAPSE CAUSE OF OUT OF CONTROL OF THE TRUCK , THE WHOLE SHOCK AND THE BALL JOINT IN THE FRONT ALL THE WAY TO THE BACK, THE PASSENGER SIDE AND DRIVER SIDE FALL TO THE GROUND, WHILE DRIVING DID NOT HIT ANY ONE BUT IT WILL CAUSE MY LIFE AT RISK . I DONT KNOW WHAT HAPPEND IF I CAN CALL SOME AS A RECALL , SINCE THE BEGINNING OF 2002 WHEN I BOUGHT THE TRUCK BRAND NEW AT STEVEN TOYOTA HARRISONBURG , VIRGINIA , NOT EVEN A YEAR YET NOTICE THAT UNDERNEATH FROM PIPE TO THE SHKICJ THE WHOLE UNDERRNEATH START TO RUSTY BAD BUT NO ONE EVER TOLD ME HOW BAD IT IS. I LOVE MY 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA .I KEPT THE TRUCK FOR ALMOST 20 YEARS NOW I BELIEVE IM ONLY THE ONE IN PAGE COUNTY TOWN OF STANLEY VIRGINIA DRIVING A TOYOTA TACOMA . I TOOK CARE OF MY TRUCK NOTHING BUT ONLY 135,000 MILES ON IT., MOSTY EVERYDAY I HAVE BEEN ASK OR MANY PEOPLE LIKE TO BUY MY TRUCK . IM NOT VERY RICH PERSON IM NOT RETIRED YET BUT I GOT DISABLE FOR A YEAR AND MY INCOME NOT ENOUGH BUT WITH THE HELP OF SOME FAMILY I MANAGE TO PAY THE TOWING CAMPONY . NOW THE TRUCK SET IN TO MY MECHANIC TOLD THEM TO FIX AND WHAT EVER IT TASKES OF COURSE WILL COST ME MORE MONEY. I WILL LOST MY TRUCK IF I DONT HAVE MONEY TO FIX IT AND MY INSURANCE WILL NOT PAY ANYTHING . THIS THE FIRST THING IM GOING TP WORK ON IT AFTER ALL HOLIDAYS . LOTS IOFTHEY TOWED IT , CHARGE ME THEN PAY SHOP N MECHANIC TOW IT ,WILL START ON IT ,COST LOTS OF MONEY TO FIX IT TOLD THEM TO FIX IT , HOLIDAYS HAVE NOT START YET , I MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO PAY .! I NEED MY TYRUCK OR SUE/ SO PROUD ON IT .WHY HAPPENED WHY FELL OFF . LEFT THE TRUCK AT THE HIGHWA POLICE SPOTED SAY I ABANDON THE TRUCK , BUT NO CHARGES , NO , JUST DONE STATE INSPECTION , NO WARNING SIGN, BY NOW ILL BE DEAD AT RISK , DEALER IGNORANT, RUDE TOYOTA DEALER. WHERE I BOUGHT THE TRUCK BRAND NEW , SO IGNORANT CARRYING TOYOTAS NAME , SHOULD NOT WORK AT TOYOTA THA

NHTSA ID

11445032

Incident

Dec 1, 2021

The truck frame has completely rusted out and has snapped in half. Leaving my truck undriveable. Toyota had an extended warranty but only if you followed exact criteria. This is a big safter issue that should be recalled

NHTSA ID

11431698

Incident

Sep 3, 2021

Truck frame is rusted to the point the the vehicle is not usable. The problem has been confirmed by a local independent service center. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer. The first symptom was that the right rear shock became detached from the frame. When I brought the vehicle in to have the shock repaired they stated that there was not enough frame left in that area to re-attach the shock.

NHTSA ID

11427105

Incident

Jan 1, 2021

Truck was taken to dealer about 5 years ago or less for underbody spray and frame inspection "recall". Truck was cleared as safe. Today, Tire shop informs me frame is unsafe to lift the car by, and proceeded to put his hand through the frame to show the severity of the issue. So I take the truck to my local dealer and ask them what can be done about it. They inform me that, this "program" ended in 2016. I read that 10mm holes in frame would issue a frame/car recall. There is no way there wasn't an issue less than 5 years ago. I believe this is negligence of the dealer in keeping people safe in this vehicle and on the highway.

NHTSA ID

11419771

Incident

Jun 5, 2021

The chassis of the vehicle is corroded, metal is exposed. Shocks bracket seems like it might break off. Concerned that vehicle will fail on the road.

NHTSA ID

11419262

Incident

May 24, 2021

ONGOING RUSTY DETERIORATION OF FRAME. HAVE HAD SECTIONS CUT OUT AND PLATES WELDED 3X. PURCHASED IN 2003. SAME DEALER CLAIMS RECALL SENT. NOT RECEIVED BY ME. HAVE HAD OTHER RUST PROBLEMS WITH TOYOTAS, AND HAD RESPONDED TO SAME. THIS WAS TO BE MY LAST VEHICLE AS I AM 77, ON SS, DRIVE LESS THAN 5,000MPY, TRUCK HAS MORE THAN ENOUGH MAJOR REPAIR FREE LIFE TO OUT LIVE ME! HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY MY GARAGE NOT TO DRIVE-CANNOT GO ONTO THE LIFT ANYMORE! HAS BEEN BEYOND REPAIR FOR YEARS-WON'T PASS STATE INSPECTION. AM FORCED TO BUY ANOTHER, WHICH I CAN ILL AFFORD. HERE IS REPAIR RECORD. 2/27/2015-FRAME RAIL REPAIR $500. AT 2016 INSPECTION ORIGINAL DEALER QUOTED $1,000 TO REPAIR FRAME, STATED RECALL HAD BEEN SENT AND IGNORED, AND GOT VERY BELIGERENT INITALLY AND DURING SUBSEQUENT PHONE CALLS. REPAIR LOCALLY $800. AGAIN $700 IN 2017. BY 2018 SHOCK MOUNTS WERE RUSTED OFF AND SHOCKS REMOVED. HAS NOT PASSED INSPECTION SINCE. STILL COUNTRY DRIVING NOT MORE THAN 20 MI. EVERYTHING RUNNING FINE-NO PROBLEMS. WOULD EXPECT ANOTHER 100,000 NEEDING NO MORE THAN A CLUTCH AND ANOTHER TIMING BELT. I WAS EVEN WILLING TO SPENT $13,000+ FOR A NEW FRAME ONLY TO DISCOVER BY VIN THAT COMPLETE FRAME WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. IF YOU WOULD CHECK OUT TACOMAWORLD WEBSITE, THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS. RE: HAVING TO JUNK TRUCK THAT HAS MANY MILES YET TO RUN. I KNOW TOYOTA SUED FRAME MANUFACTURER. HAS 'WIPED THEIR HANDS' OF THE ENTIRE AFFAIR; SO I DON'T REALLY EXPECT ANYTHING TO COME OF THIS. BEING AN AIR FORCE VET ON SS AND PTSD DISABILITY I CONSIDERED APPEALING TO TOYOTA DIRECTLY BUT FELT IT A WASTE OF TIME. APPEAL GOING INTO TRASH UNOPENED! ADD MY COMPLAINT TO THE THOUSANDS OF US LOYAL TOYOTA BUYERS WHO HAVE IN ESSENCE EATEN THEIR VEHICLES!!

NHTSA ID

11388668

Incident

Feb 18, 2015

Mileage

170,214 mi

FRAME RUSTING

NHTSA ID

11388434

Incident

Jan 15, 2020

MY FRAME IN MY 2002 TACOMA IS ALMOST FULLY RUSTED . I CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO HELP EVEN THOUGH THEY KNOW THAT THEIR TRUCKS ARE RUSTING AND THAT THERE WAS A PREVIOUS RECALL SET TO REPLACE THE FRAME. SINCE I JUST GOT THIS TRUCK FORM SOMEONE, I HAD NO IDEA OF THE RECALL AND OF THE RUST . THE CAR IS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE AT THIS POINT SINCE IT IS ABOUT TO BREAK IN HALF .

NHTSA ID

11377833

Incident

Dec 1, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, SHE HEARD AN ABNORMALLY LOUD CLUNKING SOUND AS THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VEER INDEPENDENTLY TO THE RIGHT, WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT THEN PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND CALLED HER HUSBAND WHO ARRIVED AT THE SCENE AND DETERMINED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE BALL JOINT. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V225000 (SUSPENSION) WHICH SHE LINKED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED HER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,544.

NHTSA ID

11375945

Incident

Nov 21, 2020

Mileage

109,544 mi

WAS DRIVING DOWN 85 S C FROM GREENVILLE- ANDERSON IN PASSING LANE .HEARD SLIGHT NOISE LIKE IN LEFT REAR TIRE AT FIRST.SOUND INCREASED FAST TO EXTREME THUMPING.HAD TO PULL OVER IMMEDIATELY INTO BREAKDOWN LANE.LOOKED AT TIRE-----OUTSIDE WALL WAS COMPLETELY RIPPED OPEN SHOWING TOTAL RIM.IF THIS HAD BEEN EITHER FRONT TIRE I WOULD DEAD NOW.TIRE WAS BOUGHT ABOUT 2 1/2 YRS AGO,TWAS OVER 50%,MILAGE WAS UNDER 20,000 MILES

NHTSA ID

11374596

Incident

Nov 13, 2020

Mileage

210,231 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED THE ACCELERATED PEDAL BECAME STUCK, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED BUT TRAVELLED TO THE FLOOR, AS THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A METAL MAIL BOX. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WENT DIM WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE REPLACED ALL THE BULBS. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED HE SAW A GLOWING LIGHT AS A FIRE WAS IGNITED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES FROM THE FUMES AND FIRE EXERTED FROM THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS THAT BURNT HIS NOSTRILS AND FOREHEAD. THE CONTACT DID NOT SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT LOT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ID

11365882

Incident

Feb 8, 2020

Mileage

140,000 mi