Worst 2002 Toyota Tacoma Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
STRUCTURE:BODY
SUSPENSION
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
Check the actual VIN — every car is different.
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2002 Toyota Tacoma.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 105 | 2 | — | 142,219 mi | |
| SUSPENSION | 60 | 5 | — | 159,968 mi | |
| STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS | 30 | — | — | 131,580 mi | |
| STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS | 29 | — | — | 102,097 mi | |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 27 | — | — | 152,080 mi | |
| STRUCTURE | 14 | — | — | 78,404 mi | |
| WHEELS | 14 | 4 | — | 126,934 mi | |
| AIR BAGS | 13 | 9 | 1 | 157,512 mi | |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 11 | — | — | 15,573 mi | |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT | 10 | 1 | — | 97,849 mi | |
| TIRES | 8 | 1 | — | 76,681 mi | |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 6 | 4 | — | 130,500 mi | |
| STEERING | 6 | 2 | — | 176,833 mi | |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 5 | — | — | 53,419 mi | |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 5 | 2 | — | 104,806 mi | |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 5 | 2 | — | 85,950 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 4 | 1 | 2 | 96,667 mi | |
| POWER TRAIN | 4 | — | — | 151,500 mi | |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER | 4 | 1 | — | 5,170 mi | |
| TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE | 4 | — | — | 94,933 mi | |
| ENGINE | 3 | — | — | 111,333 mi | |
| EQUIPMENT | 3 | — | — | 3,000 mi | |
| SEAT BELTS | 3 | — | 1 | 100,667 mi | |
| WHEELS:RIM | 3 | — | — | 8,200 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 2 | — | — | 100,000 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 2 | — | — | 36,500 mi | |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 2 | — | — | 54,000 mi | |
| PARKING BRAKE | 2 | — | — | 42,000 mi | |
| POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT | 2 | — | — | 45,962 mi | |
| POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION | 2 | — | — | 100,000 mi |
Recalls for 2002 Toyota Tacoma
1 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~150,000 vehicles.
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.
Other Toyota Tacoma Years
Wider context: See the full Toyota Tacoma reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2002 Toyota Tacoma
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
Check Any VIN — $4.99