2002 Toyota Tacoma
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 333
- Recalls
- 5
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- Structure
Campaigns on file for 2002
None on file
55% of complaints
Complaints per year
2002: 333 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 177 |
| 1996 | 253 |
| 1997 | 131 |
| 1998 | 300 |
| 1999 | 249 |
| 2000 | 210 |
| 2001 | 396 |
| 2002 | 333 |
| 2003 | 360 |
| 2004 | 414 |
| 2005 | 707 |
| 2006 | 782 |
| 2007 | 541 |
| 2008 | 445 |
| 2009 | 519 |
| 2010 | 293 |
| 2011 | 186 |
| 2012 | 295 |
| 2013 | 125 |
| 2014 | 93 |
| 2015 | 101 |
| 2016 | 323 |
| 2017 | 239 |
| 2018 | 206 |
| 2019 | 216 |
| 2020 | 88 |
| 2021 | 79 |
| 2022 | 59 |
| 2023 | 53 |
| 2024 | 151 |
| 2025 | 100 |
| 2026 | 7 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Structure
55% · 183 reportsMost commonly citing body and underbody shields.
Show complaint excerpts
While driving 35 MPH hood flew open and cracked the windshield. Due to no visibility through the windshield. Vehicle hit the rear of another vehicle. Windshield was replaced on 7/10/2003.
NHTSA ODI report, 2003-07-11
Also filed under Visibility
Suspension
27% · 89 reportsMost commonly citing lower ball joint and shock absorber.
Show complaint excerpts
Rackandpinon replacement was also the upper and lower ball joints my steering is still giving me problems and I feel like itâs asafty concern because if Iâm going down the highway I could loose control I have some receipts for what my mechanic...
NHTSA ODI report, 2025-05-14
Also filed under Forward collision avoidance and steering
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...
NHTSA ODI report, 2012-03-19
Also filed under Wheels and steering
The truck has always walked all over the road when you hit a bump .. This time it was raining our son hit a bump and lost control on the wet road because of the trucks...
NHTSA ODI report, 2002-01-25
Power train
7% · 22 reportsMost commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.
Air bags
6% · 19 reportsMost commonly citing frontal.
Show complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2020-10-23
Also filed under Service brakes and vehicle speed control
While traveling 60 MPH at night, the driver didn't judge the distance of traffic due to improper sign illustrations by road company. Driver had impact of left front which neither air bag deployed.
NHTSA ODI report, 2002-09-23
I was involved in a accident on the freeway, I was stopped in traffic when I was hit from behind and forced into the vehicle in front of me, there was alot of damage done to my vehicle and the other vehicles involved.
NHTSA ODI report, 2002-04-09
Wheels
5% · 18 reportsMost commonly citing rim and hub.
Safety timeline
5 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2002Complaint volume 333 complaints filed for this model year.
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R
2003-06-03Fuel system, gasoline03V189000 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…
Remedy: 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…
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2005-07-05Suspension05V225000 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.…
Remedy: 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.
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2006-04-03Exterior lighting06E026000 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…
Remedy: 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.
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2006-07-31Exterior lighting06E065000 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…
Remedy: 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.
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2013-02-15Tires12V542000 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…
Remedy: 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…
Buy-smart checklist
2002 Toyota Tacoma — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Structure: 183 reports on file for this year.
- Suspension: 89 reports on file for this year.
- Power train: 22 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 03V189000 · Fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 05V225000 · Suspension
- Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 06E065000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 12V542000 · Tires
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2002 Toyota Tacoma reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Toyota Tacoma is rated "worse than typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Toyota Tacoma?
- The most-reported component is structure, accounting for 55% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2002 Toyota Tacoma have?
- 5 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.