2002 Toyota Tundra

■ Significantly worse — known issue year

2002 Toyota Tundra
BUILT 2026-09-02

This year had more than double the complaints of 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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

2002: 482 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1999	1
2000	1011
2001	415
2002	482
2003	399
2004	465
2005	374
2006	545
2007	389
2008	326
2009	38
2010	163
2011	134
2012	154
2013	84
2014	92
2015	48
2016	119
2017	78
2018	99
2019	72
2020	45
2021	24
2022	420
2023	393
2024	325
2025	129
2026	22

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

STRUCTURE 34%

34% of complaints: structure — 162 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing body and frame and members.

CRASH DEATH

Show complaint excerpts

CAB SEPARATED FROM CHASSIS. CAB IS ATTACHED TO CHASSIS AT 4 FLANGES WELDED TO FRAME. 2 EACH 10 MM BOLTS CONNECT CAB TO EACH FLANGE. A 71 MM HOLE EXISTS IN FLANGE BETWEEN THE 2 EACH 13 MM HOLES FOR THE 10 MM BOLTS.

NHTSA ODI report, 20030110

SERVICE BRAKES 28%

28% of complaints: service brakes — 137 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH INJURY DEATH

Show complaint excerpts

The dealership and Toyota Engagement Center refused to service the 2 recalls that was critical for the truck since October 2025.

NHTSA ODI report, 20260712

Also filed under SUSPENSION and FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

SUSPENSION 20%

20% of complaints: suspension — 96 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing lower ball joint and front.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

Was told about the recall awhile ago and they said that my frame was ok. But now I have a perfectly good truck in good condition other than a rusted frame. Had some work done and mechanic said it is unsafe to drive due to rusted frame.

NHTSA ODI report, 20250301

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DROPPED TO THE GROUND.

NHTSA ODI report, 20140425

POWER TRAIN 11%

11% of complaints: power train — 53 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and column shift.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

My original owner 2002 Toyota Tundra Truck was being backed up in reverse with a utility trailer attached up a very, very moderate incline on a driveway pushing the trailer onto a gravel pad ALONGSIDE (parallel) the driveway.

NHTSA ODI report, 20241202

Also filed under ENGINE

STEERING 8%

8% of complaints: steering — 38 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing rack and pinion and rack.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A "VERY" STEEP GRADED AND WINDING GRAVEL ROAD THAT REQUIRED CONSISTENT BRAKING AND AS I WAS MAKING A TURN TO NEGOTIATE A RIGHT TURN ON A CURVE, MY STEERING ALL OF A SUDDEN FAILED TO EXIST.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130626

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2002 — complaint volume: 482

R 20020715 — wheels

ON CERTAIN 4X2 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN ALLOY WHEEL TIRE UPGRADE (OPTIONS WM4, WM8, ZL1-ZL4, DH4, OR DH5) INSTALLED BY THE PROCESSING CENTERS IN JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA OR COMMERCE, GEORGIA, A LABEL ID

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A CAUTION LABEL AND AN INSERT FOR THEIR OWNER'S MANUAL. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 15, 2002. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHO

Campaign 02V129000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20040413 — PE (closed 20040820)

FRONT SUSPENSION BALL JOINT BREAKAGE

I 20040820 — EA (closed 20050708)

BALL JOINT SEPARATION

R 20050705 — suspension

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. THE

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.

Campaign 05V225000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060403 — exterior lighting

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 S

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.

Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060731 — exterior lighting

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 RE

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.

Campaign 06E065000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090728 — exterior lighting

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF

Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20091006 — PE (closed 20100126)

FRAME CORROSION

R 20100503 — structure

TOYOTA IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2000-2003 TUNDRA VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSAC

Remedy: TOYOTA IS ASKING OWNERS OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES TO REMOVE THE SPARE TIRE FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE UNTIL A REMEDY CAN BE OBTAINED. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR CROSS MEMBER AND RELATED COMPONENTS, INC

Campaign 09V444000 — check if this car was fixed