NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2002 Toyota Tacoma 2WD; the most frequently affected component is exterior lighting. Owners filed 360 complaints, most often about structure. Among the 26 model years of this model in the database, 2002 ranks #11 for number of recalls.
Tires — Temporary/emergency spare tireCampaign 12V542000 · 23 Nov 2012
Problem: 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 following cold climate states with high road salt usage: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. The spare tire in the subject vehicles is located underneath the rear of the vehicle and held by a spare tire carrier. A lift plate on the carrier is used to help raise, lower and retain the tire. During its manufacture, the lift plate may not have been sufficiently coated with anti-corrosion materials. If the plate is insufficiently coated and the vehicle is operated in cold climate regions where road salts are frequently used, road spray can reach the carrier assembly and corrode the lift plate.
Risk: 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.
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 Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.
Exterior lightingCampaign 06E065000 · 17 Jul 2006
Problem: 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 requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Risk: Lack of amber side reflectors in the lamps will decrease lighting visibility to other drivers and may possibly result in a vehicle crash.
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.
Exterior lightingCampaign 06E026000 · 23 Mar 2006
Problem: 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 side reflectors fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Risk: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
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.
Suspension — Lower ball jointCampaign 05V225000 · 17 May 2005
Problem: 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 ball joint may eventually experience excessive wear and looseness, resulting in increased steering effort.
Risk: The lower ball joint may separate from the knuckle causing loss of steering control and a crash could occur.
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.
Fuel system, gasoline — Hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsCampaign 03V189000 · 19 May 2003
Problem: 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 filler pipe and fuel tank, resulting in damage to the fuel inlet hose.
Risk: This damage could result in fuel leakage, which could result in a fire if in the presence of an ignition source.
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 not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
What owners complain about
Share of the 40 most recent complaints stored for this model year, by component. Owners can list more than one component.
Structure21 · 52%
Suspension17 · 42%
Unknown or other9 · 22%
Electrical system2 · 5%
Wheels2 · 5%
Air bags2 · 5%
Steering2 · 5%
Vehicle speed control1 · 2%
When complaints were filed
201911
20208
20217
20223
20233
20247
20251
From owner complaints
Driving in a highway state 81 towards harrisonburg virginia when my 2002 toyota tacoma , parts or equipment underneath the truck collapse cause of out of control of the truck , the whole shock and the ball joint in the front all the way to the back, the passenger side and driver side fall to the ground, while driving…
My frame in my 2002 tacoma is almost fully rusted . I contacted toyota and they are not willing to help even though they know that their trucks are rusting and that there was a previous recall set to replace the frame. Since i just got this truck form someone, i had no idea of the recall and of the rust . The car is…
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that while driving 25 mph, she heard an abnormally loud clunking sound as the vehicle began to veer independently to the right, without warning. The contact then pulled the vehicle over and called her husband who arrived at the scene and determined that the…
I have a 2002 tacoma that was part of the frame perforation recall. However, i did not get a frame replacement. The "fix" was to apply a gel over the rust on the frame, which, subsequently, all fell off the frame onto my driveway. Recently, i took my truck into the dealership for a 4wd repair and was told that my…
Recall and complaint records from the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). A recall listed here may not apply to every vehicle of this model year — always check your VIN with NHTSA or a dealer.