2002 Toyota Tundra
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.
- Complaints
- 482
- Recalls
- 6
- Investigations
- 3
- Top problem
- Structure
Campaigns on file for 2002
Opened by NHTSA
34% of complaints
Complaints per year
2002: 482 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1999 | 1 |
| 2000 | 1,011 |
| 2001 | 415 |
| 2002 | 482 |
| 2003 | 399 |
| 2004 | 465 |
| 2005 | 376 |
| 2006 | 545 |
| 2007 | 390 |
| 2008 | 327 |
| 2009 | 38 |
| 2010 | 163 |
| 2011 | 134 |
| 2012 | 154 |
| 2013 | 85 |
| 2014 | 93 |
| 2015 | 49 |
| 2016 | 119 |
| 2017 | 78 |
| 2018 | 100 |
| 2019 | 74 |
| 2020 | 46 |
| 2021 | 24 |
| 2022 | 425 |
| 2023 | 405 |
| 2024 | 338 |
| 2025 | 137 |
| 2026 | 31 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Structure
34% · 162 reportsMost commonly citing body and frame and members.
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, 2003-01-10
Service brakes
28% · 137 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic and air.
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, 2026-07-12
Also filed under Suspension and fuel/propulsion system
Suspension
20% · 96 reportsMost commonly citing lower ball joint and front.
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, 2025-03-01
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, 2014-04-25
Power train
11% · 53 reportsMost commonly citing automatic transmission and column shift.
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, 2024-12-02
Also filed under Engine
Steering
8% · 38 reportsMost commonly citing rack and pinion and rack.
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, 2013-06-26
Safety timeline
6 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2002Complaint volume 482 complaints filed for this model year.
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2002-07-15Wheels02V129000 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…
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…
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2004-04-13Preliminary evaluationClosed 2004-08-20 Front suspension ball joint breakage
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2004-08-20Engineering analysisClosed 2005-07-08 Ball joint separation
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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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2009-07-28Exterior lighting09E025000 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…
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.
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2009-10-06Preliminary evaluationClosed 2010-01-26 Frame corrosion
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2010-05-03Structure09V444000 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…
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…
Buy-smart checklist
2002 Toyota Tundra — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Structure: 162 reports on file for this year.
- Service brakes: 137 reports on file for this year.
- Suspension: 96 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 02V129000 · Wheels
- Recall 05V225000 · Suspension
- Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 06E065000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 09V444000 · Structure
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2002 Toyota Tundra reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Toyota Tundra is rated "significantly worse".
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Toyota Tundra?
- The most-reported component is structure, accounting for 34% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2002 Toyota Tundra have?
- 6 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.