2002 Toyota Tacoma Other / unspecified Problems

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

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 THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (GERARD TOYOTA LOCATED ON 543 COLMAN ST, NEW LONDON, CT 06320) FOR SERVICE, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED CORROSION ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE FRAME AND A CRACK IN THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL. THE SHOCKS COULD BE SEEN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 193,672.

NHTSA ID

10995611

Incident

Apr 5, 2015

Mileage

193,672 mi

I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 55 MPH. THE RIGHT LOWER CONTROL BALL JOINT BROKE SO THE ENTIRE WHEEL BROKE OFF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE TRIED TO RUN/JUMP OVER THE WHEEL AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SLAMMED DOWN ON THE ASPHALT. THE TRUCK DRAGGED ON THE ASPHALT FOR ABOUT 100 TO 150 YDS UNTIL I MANAGED TO CONTROL AND STOP IT.

NHTSA ID

10981109

Incident

Nov 1, 2016

Mileage

169,650 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 3 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL DISCONNECTED FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND A CLAIM WAS OPENED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,250.

NHTSA ID

10981100

Incident

Apr 27, 2017

Mileage

124,250 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V542000 (TIRES) AND INDICATED THAT THE DEALER IN NEW YORK WAS NOT ABLE TO DO THE UNDERCOATING PROCESS DUE TO STATE REGULATIONS. IN APPROXIMATELY MID AUGUST 2012, THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE REMEDY FOR THIS DEFECT WAS NOT AVAILABLE AT THE TIME THE CONTACT TRIED TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAITED FOR YEARS TO DETERMINE WHEN THE MANUFACTURER WOULD FINALIZE THE REMEDY PLAN TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE RUST BECAME EXTENSIVE TO THE POINT THAT THE UNDERBODY, THE CHASSIS, THE LEAF SPRING, AND THE REAR WHEEL WELLS ALL HAD CORROSION TO THE POINT THAT THE COMPONENTS COULD FRACTURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED FOR YEARS OF THE FAILURE AND WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A PERMANENT REMEDY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ID

10722339

Incident

Aug 20, 2012

Mileage

150,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND THE FRAME AREA NEAR THE TIRES EXHIBITED CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V542000 (TIRES) AND STATED THAT THE LOCAL DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THE RECALL WAS NO LONGER ACTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE INSPECTED AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. UPDATED 01/12/16*LJ, UPDATED 02/23/16*LJ UPDATED 8/22/2017*CN

NHTSA ID

10582969

Incident

May 1, 2009

Mileage

85,000 mi

THE WHOLE SPARE TIRE ASSEMBLY FELL OFF THE TACOMA TRUCK. THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL FOR THIS. THE PROBLEM IS THIS TACOMA TRUCK ALSO HAS TOTALLY ROTTED FRAME RAILS (AN OLDER, EXPIRED SAFETY RECALL). THE BIG ISSUE IS TOYOTA CAN ONLY OFFER A DATE WHEN THE ACTUAL RECALL NOTICE LEFT THEIR PRINT FACILITY. I DO NOT RECALL RECEIVING THIS NOTICE SINCE IT DID NOT COME REGISTERED MAIL. TOYOTA WILL NOT HONOR THE OLD, EXPIRED FRAME RAIL RECALL AND THUS CANNOT FULFILL THIS ACTIVE, SPARE TIRE RECALL. BOTH RECALLS ARE FOR THE SAME SYMPTOM (EXCESSIVE ROAD SALT CORRODING PARTS). WHY DID THE FRAME RAIL RECALL EXPIRE WHEN THE MOST-RECENT SPAR TIRE RECALL IS THE SAME SYMPTOM?? I DO NOT KNOW IF ANYONE HAS DIED BECAUSE MY SPARE TIRE FELL OFF...THAT SCARES ME VERY MUCH. *TR

NHTSA ID

10577443

Incident

Jan 21, 2014

Mileage

97,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPARE TIRE BECAME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE REMEDY FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 12V542000 (TIRES) HAD NOT BEEN FINALIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 164,000. UPDATED 09/05/13*LJ

NHTSA ID

10533075

Incident

Aug 1, 2013

Mileage

164,000 mi

MY TACOMA WAS RECALLED 2 YEARS AGO FOR FRAME RUST. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS OK + UNDERCOATED IT TO PREVENT FUTURE RUSTING. ALL THAT UNDERCOATING IS FALLING OFF. THAT CAN ONLY BE DUE TO IMPROPER APPLICATION OR FAULTY PRODUCT. THE DEALER THAT APPLIED THE PRODUCT (FERRIS TOYOTA) SAYS THE PRODUCT IS FAULTY + THEY'VE SEEN IT MANY TIMES. THEY'VE ALSO CONFIRMED THE SAME WITH OTHER DEALERSHIPS. TOYOTA, OTOH, SAYS THERE'S NOTHING WRONG. IF THE FRAME DOESN'T NEED UNDERCOATING, THEN WHY'D THEY DO IT? ARE THEY SUGGESTING IT WORKS WHEN 50% HAS FALLEN OFF? THIS IS THE SAME VEHICLE WHICH IS NOW BEING RECALLED FOR SPARE TIRES FALLING OFF ON THE HIGHWAY + MY EMERGENCY BRAKES HAVE BEEN SEIZED WITH CORROSION SINCE I'VE OWNED THE TRUCK. I'VE CONTACTED TOYOTA MANY TIMES + THEY REFUSE TO PUT THEIR CORRESPONDENCE IN WRITING, BUT THE REPRESENTATIVE, TIFFANY BISHOP, SAYS SHE TYPES A TRANSCRIPT OF OUR CONVERSATIONS, JUST WON'T GIVE ME COPIES. SHE ALSO CALLS FROM A PHONE WITH A BLOCKED NUMBER. WHAT KIND OF BULL IS THIS? THESE VEHICLES ARE OBVIOUS HAZARDS ON THE ROAD + TOYOTA IS PLAYING GAMES INSTEAD OF MAKING SERIOUS EFFORTS TO MAKE THE VEHICLES SAFE. PLEASE BRING THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF SOMEONE AT TOYOTA OTHER THAN [XXX], I AM FINISHED CORRESPONDING WITH HER! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

10492231

Incident

Jan 9, 2013

Mileage

69,000 mi

THE LOWER BALL JOINT FELL OFF THE TRUCK...THIS IS THE 3RD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED IN 11 MONTHS...ONCE ON THE RIGHT SIDE AND TWICE ON THE LEFT...THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE FOR THE VERY ISSUE THAT HAS HAPPENED...AND I BOUGHT IT UNDER WARRANTY SEPTEMBER 2005 FROM TOYOTA, EVANS TOYOTA FORT WAYNE INDIANA...I HAVE SUBMITTED A CLAIM FOR REPAIRS AND DAMAGES TO TOYOTA BUT THEY REFUSED TO HONOR IT...THE TRUCK WAS UNDER RECALL WHEN I BOUGHT IT AND THEY NEVER TOLD ME...I HAVE ALL MY CLAIM AND REPAIR DOCUMENTATION...IT IS A WONDER NO ONE WAS KILLED THE WHEEL JUST COMES OFF WHILE DRIVING...I AM AFRAID THAT THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN AND I OR SOMEONE ELSE WILL BE KILLED...THE WHEELS ARE NOT SUPPOSE TO COME OFF THIS TRUCK.... *TR

NHTSA ID

10480886

Incident

Sep 18, 2011

Mileage

178,000 mi

2002 TOYOTOA TRUCK, LOST CONTROL AND HIT MY FORD S/W, TRUCK WAS ON RECALL FOR BALL/JOINTS , BOTH ME AND WIFE WAS HURT BY THIS UN INSURED DRIVER, DRIVER WAS CITED FOR WRONG TURN INTO MY LANE, I LOST BOTH MY CAR AND MY HEALTH, WHAT CAN I DO TO RECOVER DAMAGES FROM A UNINSURED TRUCK AND DRIVER? *JS

NHTSA ID

10452199

Incident

Mar 18, 2012

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT PURCHASED 4 WELD WHEEL THE MOUNTAIN CRUSHER RIMS. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS WASHED AND IT RAINED THE WATER SEEPED INTO THE RIMS AND CREATED A PUDDLE. THE WATER ALSO DAMAGED THE COLOR OF THE RIMS. INTENSE MOTOR SPORTS DIAGNOSED THE RIMS, AND STATED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. *AK

NHTSA ID

10187695

Incident

Apr 12, 2007

WHEEL STUDS STRETCHING AND BREAKING AT RECOMMENDED TORQUE SPECIFICATION. POTENTIAL FOR WHEELS TO BREAK LOOSE FROM VEHICLE WHILE DRIVEN. LIKELY TO CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO OCCUPANTS OR OTHER VEHICLES AND OCCUPANTS. *NM

NHTSA ID

10120500

Incident

May 7, 2005

Mileage

42,200 mi

THE LEFT REAR TIRE (DUNLOP GRANDTREK P265) OF 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA BLEW OUT ON CA 215 FREEWAY (WITH SPEED OF 60-70 MPH). I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, IT SPUN AND COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE WHICH RESULTED TO MINOR PHYSICAL INJURY TO THE OTHER VEHICLE'S DRIVER. ORIGINAL TIRES CAME FROM THE DEALERSHIP, CARSON TOYOTA (CALIFORNIA). CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THE DEALERSHIP--THEY GAVE US THE RUN-AROUND. THE DEALERSHIP WAS VERY UNRESPONSIVE STATING THAT THEY ARE NOT AT FAULT, DID NOT KNOW THAT THE TIRE WOULD BLOW UP ON THE VEHICLE THAT DURING THE SALE--NEVERTHELESS, TO CUT COST ON A $2OK VALUE TRUCK, PUT SUBSTANDARD, DEFECTIVE TIRES, LEAST EXPENSIVE IN THE MARKET. I WILL END UP PUTTING UP THE COSTS FOR REPLACING ALL TIRES WITH MORE RELIABLE TIRES (MICHELIN). I HOPE THAT THERE WOULD BE BETTER LAW/LEGISLATION PROTECTING CONSUMERS AND NO ONE WOULD EXPERIENCE THE SAME INCIDENT THAT OCCURED TO ME.*AK

NHTSA ID

10088658

Incident

Aug 14, 2004

Mileage

40,200 mi

SEVERAL REPAIRS TO WHEELS AND TIRES. RE:STEVE & KATHY MITTMAN *MR THE CONSUMER HAD BEEN TO THREE TOYOTA DEALERS IN PERFORMING REPAIRS TO THE WHEELS AND TIRES. BEAVER TOYOTA PERFORMED TWO COMPLETE ALIGNMENTS AND REPLACED THREE WHEELS THAT WERE OUT OF SPECIFICATIONS. AMERICAN TOYOTA HAS PERFORMED A COMPLETE ALIGNMENT, MOUNTED AND BALANCED ALL THE TIRES ON THE WHEELS, PRIOR TO REPLACEMENT BY BEAVER TOYOTA. KARL MALONE HAD REPLACED TWO TIRES THAT WERE FOUND TO HAVE EXCESSIVE RUN OUT, AS WELL AS MOUNT AND BALANCED ALL FOUR TIRES ON THE NEW WHEELS. THE MANUFACTURER AGREED THAT THIS WAS A DEFECT BUT DECLINED TO REPLACE ALL FIVE TIRES AND THE RIMS DUE TO SOURCES WHO STATED THE TIRES WERE WITHIN SPECIFICATION. *SCC *JB

NHTSA ID

10022510

DEFECTIVE RIMS AND TIRES.

NHTSA ID

10022347

Mileage

8,200 mi

TRANSMISSION JUMPS FROM FIRST TO SECOND AND SECOND TO THIRD TRANSMISSION SLIPS BACKWARD ON HILL IN DRIVE

NHTSA ID

10000153

Incident

Dec 13, 2002

Mileage

3,000 mi

WHEN USING THE JACK HANDLE TO LOWER THE SPARE TIRE, IT GET LODGED IN THE SLOTS. THE HOOKED SHAPE RENDERS IT IMPOSIBLE TO REMOVE EASILY MAKING TIRE CHANGING VERY DANGEROUS. THE SIMPLE FIX IS TO PROVIDE A SECOND INCERT TO BE USED TO LOWER THE TIRE. THIS WOULD NOT HAVE A HOOKED END THUS AVOIDING GETTING HUNG UP ON THE SHIELD AROUND THE LOWERING SLOT NUT.

NHTSA ID

9006382