CarModelProblems.com

2002 Toyota Tacoma Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Structure:body — runs 9.1× the fleet median for that category across the 1176 model-years tracked on this site.
333Complaints
5Recalls
26Crashes
3Fires
21Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Structure:body (31.5% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.

Structure:body complaints here are 9.1× the median for that category across the 1176 model-years tracked on this site.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Structure:body105 · 31.5%not available
Suspension60 · 18%RecalledRecall 05V225000
Structure:frame And Members:underbody Shields30 · 9%not available
Structure:frame And Members29 · 8.7%not available
Structure14 · 4.2%not available
Wheels14 · 4.2%not available

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

STRUCTURE:BODY105 · 31.5%
SUSPENSION60 · 18%
Unspecified / other27 · 8.1%
STRUCTURE14 · 4.2%
WHEELS14 · 4.2%
AIR BAGS13 · 3.9%
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION11 · 3.3%
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT10 · 3%

Percentages are the share of the 333 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 5 campaigns

Tires:temporary/emergency Spare Tire

NHTSA campaign 12V542000 · 2012 · reported 11/23/2012

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting

NHTSA campaign 06E065000 · 2006 · reported 07/17/2006

LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting

NHTSA campaign 06E026000 · 2006 · reported 03/23/2006

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint

NHTSA campaign 05V225000 · 2005 · reported 05/17/2005

THE LOWER BALL JOINT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE KNUCKLE CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

NHTSA campaign 03V189000 · 2003 · reported 05/19/2003

THIS DAMAGE COULD RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE IF IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHASSIS WAS PREMATURELY RUSTING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHICH CONFIRMED…”NHTSA complaint 10474502 — filed 09/10/2012 · STRUCTURE:BODY
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE MECHANIC STATED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS…”NHTSA complaint 10451134 — filed 03/12/2012 · STRUCTURE:BODY

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

920111428201355392015352920172415201914112021452023932025

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Toyota Tacoma?

Structure:body issues are the most-reported category, cited in 105 of 333 NHTSA complaints (31.5%), followed by suspension (60), structure:frame and members:underbody shields (30), structure:frame and members (29). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2002 Toyota Tacoma have?

333 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 26 involved a crash, 3 involved a fire, and 21 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2002 Toyota Tacoma have any recalls?

Yes — 5 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 12V542000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2002 Toyota Tacoma's reported problems?

Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.