Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA
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Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2002 Toyota Tundra submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 118 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
The 25 most recent of 118, in the owner's own words
The dealership and Toyota Engagement Center refused to service the 2 recalls that was critical for the truck since October 2025. It was supposed to be including frame replacement and other parts but Toyota Engagement decided to active buy back option and took advantage of low offer to solve the matter which I don't accept.
Sudden maximum acceleration accompanied by brake failure, without warnings, occurred on my 2002 Toyota Tundra 4.7L V8 causing loss of control of the vehicle, which ended in a rollover crash, resulting in total loss of the vehicle and injury to me. While departing a 25 mph zone (sign read "END 25 SPEED LIMIT") on a relatively straight section of the road, I very gently accelerated from 20 mph to 30 mph. As soon as the vehicle reached 30 mph, sudden maximum acceleration occurred. Taking my foot off of the gas pedal, first I verified that the gas pedal was not stuck or blocked, but the gas pedal was in the fully up position. I then pressed the brake pedal very hard, but it was locked in the fully up position and the brakes would not engage. I then verified that nothing was blocking the brake pedal underneath it. At that point, around 3 to 4 seconds after the sudden acceleration began, I had entered the first turn of a 30 mph "S" turn at a high rate of speed, while acceleration continued at the vehicle's maximum acceleration rate beyond my control with the brakes not engaging. In order to avoid collision with a camper motor home and a small car following it, I went into the oncoming traffic lane at the second turn of the "S" turn. My truck fish tailed and struck a reflector marker on the left side of the road. To avoid going down a 50+ foot, nearly straight down drop on the left side of the road, I turned right. To avoid striking the motor home, I turned left, then right again to try to gain control. My truck rolled on its left side and landed upright on the right side of the road. It had been accelerating at its maximum acceleration rate with the brakes failing to engage and fish tailing the entire time. The problem appeared to be a catastrophic failure of the electronic throttle control and/or related electronic systems.
The Toyota Tundra 2002 truck did NOT deploy driver's side and passenger's side airbags in a collision consisting of frontal and left-sided collision with immobile objects, with frontal/top profound impact from standing tree. The car was up to date on its inspections and maintenance. The breaks, though appropriately checked and tested, would take longer than normal to break the vehicle. The seatbelt, if pulled hard enough, would easily dislodge from buckle, coming undone. The driver of this vehicle collided as described above and due to the failure(s) of the safety mechanisms in place, resulted in the death of the driver. The driver was restrained with seatbelt, however dislodged from buckle upon impact and NO airbags deployed. The issue(s) have been confirmed by the police report, the county police documented. The vehicle has been inspected by police officers, and possibly others, including the employees of the towing company. There was NO indication thats the airbag deployment was either "off" if possible, and or indications of airbag defect. No messages or lights were indicated for the failure of the deployment of the airbags. No messages or lights were indicated for the defect and or failure of the seatbelt not remaining intact with force. The person in reference PASSED AWAY on impact at scene. The failures of the safety mechanisms put into place for this vehicle are absolutely unacceptable and beyond subpar.
I almost hit another vehicle while braking at a stop light. My front brakes gave out. Had new brakes and rotors installed 2 yrs ago and after this incident found that my brakes failed because Toyota refused to fix this problem they knew existed 1 gen Toyota tundra. They changed enlarged the front caliber and pads on 2 gen Toyota because they realized the brakes whe re w to small on the big v8 trucks. I drove aprox 25000 miles on brand new brakes. I should not have to pay for upgrading my front brakes due to a manufacturer defect, How can they get out of recalling these vehicles it is very dangerous and hope they accept responsibility for improper equipment installed on vehicles. I read that they did upgrade some vehicles that where still in warranty why not all?? Vehicles regardless of warranty.???
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V444000 (STRUCTURE). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MOTOR WORLD (150 MOTORWORLD DR, WILKES-BARRE, PA 18702) WHERE AN ANTI-CORROSIVE SPRAY WAS APPLIED TO THE FRAME. THE FRAME BECAME RUSTED A FEW YEARS LATER AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE FRAME WAS SPRAYED AGAIN. A FEW YEARS LATER, THE BRAKE LINES HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. *BF*JB
REAR AXLE SEALS HAVE FAILED FOUR TIMES IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS. WHEN THEY FAIL, THE REAR BRAKES BECOME COATED WITH OIL, SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASING STOPPING DISTANCE.
MY FIRST ISSUE WAS 3 YEARS AGO WHEN MY MUFFLER WAS SO RUSTED AWAY I FELT SOMETHING DRAGGING PULLED OVER AND SEEN MY MUFFLER HAD FALL ALMOST OFF HANGING THERE. THE NEXT YEAR I PULLED INTO MY WORK AND ALL MY STUDS ON MY TIRE BROKE AND MY TIRE AND RIM WENT ONE WAY AND ME AND THE TRUCK WENT OTHER WAY. NOW MY BRAKES KEEP STICKING THEN THEY FINALLY JUST STOPPED WORKING ALL TOGETHER AFTER REPLACING PADS. I HAVE WENT THUR 3 SETS OF TIRES IN 4 YEARS. I HAVE IT IN THE SHOP AND THEY ARE SAYING MY BRAKE LINES ARE COMPLETELY CORRODED AND FALLING APART.
WE HAVE A SERIOUS RUST ISSUE WITH OUR 2002 TOYOTA TUNDRA. TOYOTA REPLACED A FRAME BUT REATTACHED ALL THE ALREADY RUSTED PIECES BACK ONTO THE NEW FRAME. THE BREAK LINE HAS RUSTED THROUGH ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. WE HAVE GONE THROUGH A RED LIGHT & STOP SIGN. NO WAS HURT, WE WERE LUCKY BUT THIS TRUCK IS A DEATH TRAP. WE HAVE HIT THE SIDE OF THE GARAGE TRYING TO GET IT OUT OF GEAR BECAUSE EVERYTHING IS SO RUSTED. WE HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA & HAVE BEEN TOLD IT'S A MAINTENANCE ISSUE NOT A DEFECT. THIS TRUCK 100% A DEFECT! IT IS A PILE OF METAL SITTING IN OUR DRIVEWAY BECAUSE I REFUSE TO PUT MY FAMILY IN IT. IT US IRRESPONSIBLE TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLES, SO IN OUR & THE PUBLICS BEST INTEREST IT SITS IN OUR DRIVEWAY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TUNDRA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE DRIVESHAFT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STOP, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS EVENTUALLY ABLE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK STRAP FRACTURED AND FRACTURED THE BRAKE LINE. THE BRAKE LINE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 164,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TUNDRA. WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE PARKING BRAKE DID NOT ENGAGE. THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK UNDER THE VEHICLE AND THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V444000 (STRUCTURE); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. APPROXIMATELY TWO AND A HALF YEARS LATER, THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE FRAME FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 218,572.
I HAVE A 2002 TOYOTA TUNDRA THAT I BOUGHT FROM DEL TOYOTA IN THORNDALE PA. I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK NEW FROM THIS DEALER. TOYOTA SENT ME A LETTER FOR THE RECALL OF THE FRAME. I TOOK MY TRUCK TO DEL TOYOTA TO HAVE THE FRAME LOOKED AT IN 2012 AND THEY SAID THE FRAME JUST NEEDED SPRAYED. I WAS FINE WITH THAT. THE PROBLEM IS NOW MY FRAME HAS 4 INCH HOLES IN IT UP BY THE ENGINE ON BOTH SIDES. THERE IS NOT WHEY MY FRAME WOULD HAVE RUSTED OUT THAT FAST SINCE THE DEALER LOOKED AT IT IN 2012. SO I TOOK MY TUNDRA BACK TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THEM INSPECT THE HOLES AND THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD CALL TOYOTA TO GET A NEW FRAME ON IT BECAUSE I HAD THE TRUCK IN DURING THE RECALL PERIOD THE FIRST TIME. LITTLE DID I KNOW TOYOTA SAID THEY WILL NOT REPLACE MY FRAME BECAUSE THE RECALL PERIOD IS OVER. THEN DEL TOYOTA TOLD ME TO CALL TOYOTA CORP AND TALK TO A CASE MANAGER. SO I CALLED TOYOTA CORP AND TALKED TO [XXX] (THE CASE MANAGER) AND SHE TOLD ME TOYOTA WOULD NOT REPLACE THE FRAME BECAUSE THE RECALL PERIOD IS OVER. I TOLD HER MY TRUCK WAS IN FOR THE RECALL AND THEY SPRAYED IT WHEN THE FRAME SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED. SHE TOLD ME AGAIN TOYOTA WILL NOT REPLACE MY FRAME. SO NOW I AM STUCK WITH A UNSAFE VEHICLE THAT I FEEL UNSAFE DRIVING AND WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION ANYMORE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE LINE WAS LEAKING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR FRAMING MEMBER HAD ROTTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 101,300.
WHILE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP AT OR BELOW 10 MPH, THE ANTI SKID SYSTEM BEGINS TO PULSE THE BRAKES WHICH IS FELT AT THE BRAKE PEDAL. NO WARNING LIGHTS OR SYSTEM ERRORS NOTED BY TOYOTA OF ROCKWALL, TEXAS. SERVICE MANAGER ADVISED THE OWNER/OPERATOR OF THE 2002 TUNDRA TO "DRIVE IT UNTIL A WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES ON THE DASH". *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKES, THE BRAKES EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN STOPPING TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE CABLE FOR THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS SEVERELY RUSTED, CAUSING THE REAR BRAKES TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 135,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. *TR
THE 2002 TOYOTA TUNDRA HAS KNOWN ISSUES WITH THE FRONT ROTORS AND PADS AND SERVICE BULLETIN ABOUT THE PROBLEM FOR CORRECTIONS TO BE MADE. I COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER ABOUT THE PROBLEM IN 2003 WITH MAYBE 20,000 MILES IF THAT. THE PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED UNDER WARRANTY, THAT IS, THE ROTORS AND PADS WERE REPLACED, SO I WAS TOLD, BUT WITH THE SAME PROBLEMATIC PARTS THAT WERE ISSUED WITH THE TRUCK. THE CALIPERS, WHICH HAVE BEEN REPORTED AS UNDERSIZED FOR THE VEHICLE, WERE NOT TOUCHED. EVENTUALLY THE SHIMMY BECOMES BAD ENOUGH IT NEGATIVELY AFFECTS THE BRAKE SYSTEM. TOYOTA KNEW OF THE ISSUE BUT DID NOT FOLLOW THROUGH IN TRULY CORRECTING THE PROBLEM. *TR
FORTUNATELY I WAS OFF THE INTERSTATE WHEN MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN INTO A CONVENIENCE STORE...........THE STEERING SUDDENLY BECAME ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN, ACTUALLY CAUSING ME TO TURN INTO THE OUTGOING LANE AT THE STORE ENTRANCE. THERE WAS NO ADVANCED WARNING....JUST NO STEERING ON TURNS AND NO BRAKE FLUID IN THE RESEVOIR. THE TOYOTA DEAL SAYS THE STEERING RACK NEEDS REPLACEMENT.($1600)......AND COULD NOT EXPLAIN EXACTLY WHERE THE FLUID WENT. THIS WAS SUPPOSE TO BE A 300,000 MILE VEHICLE, NOW STANDS AT 116,457. HAD TO REPLACE A STABILIZER AS WELL DUE TO CORROSION. I JUST SOLD MY 1997 GRAND AM WITH 224,000. AND MY 1988 DODGE CARAVAN HAD 244,000 BEFORE THE TRANSMITION WENT. TOYOTA AND RELIABILITY???????? *JS
REAR BRAKE LINE HAD SEVERE CORROSION WHERE IT ATTACHED TO THE PROPORTIONAL VALVE. CORROSION CAUSED BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK AND BRAKE FAILURE. *TR
ANY SPEED ABOVE 40MPH PRODUCES A VIOLENT SHAKE/WOBBLE FROM THE FRONT END. GOING DOWN A SLOPE AND /OR APPLYING THE BRAKES MAKES THE PROBLEM WORSE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN 2 YEARS THAT I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE ROTORS, CALIPERS AND PADS AT A CONSIDERABLE COST TO MYSELF. BOTH TIMES THE SYMPTOMS WERE THE SAME AND THE CAUSE WAS THE SAME. THE PLUNGERS ON THE RIGHT FRONT CALIPER STICKS AND CAUSES THE PAD TO MAINTAIN CONTACT WITH THE ROTOR AND OVERHEATING IT CAUSING THE ROTOR TO WARP. THE WARP IN THE ROTOR PRODUCES THE SHAKING WHICH IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE. I DON'T TOW OR HAUL HEAVY LOADS, I DON'T DRIVE EXCESSIVELY FAST NOR DO I USE EXCESSIVE BRAKING, STILL THE PROBLEM RECURS. *TR
TOOK MY 2002 TUNDRA TO A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER FOR A SECOND TIME TO INSPECT FRAME AFTER BEING TOLD BY AN INDEPENDENT LICENSED MECHANIC THAT MY FRAME WAS PERFORATED/ROTTED, THE REAR END HOUSING WAS LEAKING, THE SPARE TIRE HANGER WAS BROKEN,(TIRE MISSING), ALL HEAT SHIELDS WERE EITHER BROKEN,LOOSE OR MISSING AND FRONT BRAKES WERE IN NEED OF BEING REPLACED AGAIN. FRONT BRAKE ROTORS, PADS AND CALIPERS WERE REPLACED 11/09/07. ALL OF THIS HAD OCCURRED SINCE 05/06/2010 WHEN THE TRUCK WAS LAST ON HIS LIFT. HARR TOYOTA PERFORMED A FRAME INSPECTION AND VERIFIED ALL OF THE ABOVE FAILURES. THEY ALSO DID THE FRAME CROSSMEMBER INSPECTION IN 01/10 AND THE TRUCK PASSED. THEY SPECIFIED THAT THE FRAME FAILURE WAS @LT RAIL/TRANS MT. THEY ALSO SAID THE RT FT SWAY BAR LINK WAS BROKEN, AND NOTICED AN EXHAUST LEAK. THEY DECLARED THAT IN SPITE OF THE FRAME FAILURE IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE JUST DON'T DO ANY OFFROADING! SO I GUESS THAT HITTING A POTHOLE WOULD NOT BE ADVISED.! THEY TOLD ME THAT THE BRAKES WERE UNSAFE, AND NOT COVERED UNDER ANY RECALL. I AM VERY UPSET AT THE CONDITION/VALUE OF MY TRUCK. I AM ALSO VERY UPSET THAT NHTSA IS LETTING TOYOTA GET AWAY WITH THE "WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT" OF REPLACING THE FRAME ONLY OF THESE TRUCKS. TOYOTA AND ITS DEALERS DENIED THE RUST PROBLEM FOR YEARS. MY PROBLEM STARTED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, AND I WAS BLAMED FOR THE FAILURE. IN THE YEARS THAT TOYOTA HAS DENIED A PROBLEM WITH THE TUNDRA, THE FRAME RUST HAS INFECTED, MOST IF NOT ALL, OF THE TRUCK. BOTH BUMPERS ARE ROTTING OFF. THE GAS TANK HAD TO BE PATCHED (05/2010) BECAUSE IT WAS LEAKING FUEL FROM A RUST SPOT UNDER ONE OF THE SUPPORT STRAPS. TOYOTA WILL REPLACE OTHER COMPROMISED PARTS AT THE OWNERS FULL EXPENSE. IN MY OPINION THEY ARE USING THE FRAME REPLACEMENT TO GENERATE PART SALES AND REPAIR BUSINESS TO HELP DEFER COSTS. NHTSA- PLEASE FORCE A MORE COMPREHENSIVE RECALL! !
BRAKE PROBLEM. MY VEHICLE SHAKES TO THE POINT THE VEHICLE NEARLY LOSES CONTROL WHEN SLOWING TOYOTA IS AWARE OF PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. HAVE CALLED BUT THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *TR
POOR BRAKING AND SHIMMY FROM TOYOTA TUNDRA. *TR
WE BOUGHT A USED 2002 TOYOTA TUNDRA ON 6-16-2005 THAT HAD 45,134 MILES ON IT. IT NOW HAS 109,000 MILES ON IT . WHEN WE FIRST BOUGHT THE TRUCK FROM THE DEALERSHIP, THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED BEFORE WE TOOK IT HOME BECAUSE WE NOTICED A VIBRATION. SINCE THEN, WE HAVE REPLACED THE BRAKES, PADS, ETC. TWICE. WE NOW HAVE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE SERVICE AGAIN BECAUSE WHILE DRIVING THE TRUCK SHAKES VIOLENTLY AT AROUND 40 MPH AND BRAKING LITERALLY SHAKES THE ENTIRE TRUCK. IT SEEMS HIGHLY UNREASONABLE TO HAVE TO REPLACE THE BRAKING SYSTEM 4 TIMES IN THREE YEARS OF OWNERSHIP. I BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A SERIOUS DEFECT IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM IN THE 2002 TOYOTA TUNDRA THAT COULD LEAD TO ACCIDENTS CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH. WHEN WILL TOYOTA RECALL THESE VEHICLES DUE TO MANUFACTURING DEFECTS IN THEIR BRAKING SYSTEM? I AM STARTING THE INCIDENT DATE AS OF THE DATE OF PURCHASE SINCE THAT IS WHEN WE FIRST HAD THE BRAKES REPLACED. I NOW HAVE TO PAY MORE MONEY TO HAVE THE ENTIRE TRUCK BRAKING SYSTEM CORRECTED AGAIN SO THAT WE DO NOT END UP IN HARMS WAY. TOYOTA NEEDS TO STEP UP AND REVIEW ALL THE COMPLAINTS THAT HAVE BEEN FILED ABOUT THIS COMPLAIN. SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM IN THIS VEHICLE. *TR
I HAVE EXPERIENCED EXCESSIVE FRONT SUSPENSION SHAKING WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED TO MY 2002 TOYOTA TUNDRA. I HAVE JUST A LITTLE OVER 100K MILES BUT THE SHAKING IS GETTING WORSE. I HAVE HAD MY BRAKES PADS CHANGED IN ACCORDANCE WITH STANDARDS, I HAVE ROTATED MY TIRES AS WELL. *TR
THE BRAKES HAVE A SERIOUS BRAKE VIBRATION WHEN APPLIED. IT ORIGINALLY ONLY HAPPENED WHEN GOING DOWN LONG GRADES BUT NOW IT HAPPENS ALL OF THE TIME. THE BRAKES AND ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED BUT THAT ONLY FIXES THE ISSUE FOR ABOUT 5K MILES. *TR
2002 TOYOTA TUNDRA-BRAKE LINE LOCKED UP DUE TO RUST. TOYOTA QUOTED APPROXIMATELY 1300.00 TO REPAIR. *TR
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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