Complaints
645
Crashes
39
Fires
2
Injuries
27
Fatalities
5
Recalls
0
Worst 2002 Toyota Tundra Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#176 complaints
Body Structure
Avg mileage:138,361 mi
#254 complaints
Hydraulic Brakes
Avg mileage:44,170 mi
Crash-related:2
#345 complaints
Structure:Frame And Members
Avg mileage:103,212 mi
Crash-related:1
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2002 Toyota Tundra.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Body Structure | 76 | — | — | 138,361 mi | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 54 | 2 | — | 44,170 mi | |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 45 | 1 | — | 103,212 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 42 | 2 | — | 131,051 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 34 | 2 | — | 126,810 mi | |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint | 32 | 5 | — | 86,546 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 27 | — | — | 25,736 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 22 | 1 | — | 126,693 mi | |
| Structural Problems | 22 | — | — | 115,777 mi | |
| Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields | 19 | — | — | 127,198 mi | |
| Airbags | 18 | 5 | — | 127,354 mi | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 13 | — | — | 106,270 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 13 | 3 | — | 97,144 mi | |
| Brakes | 12 | 2 | — | 148,393 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 11 | — | — | 64,491 mi | |
| Suspension:Front | 11 | 4 | — | 96,732 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 8 | — | — | 57,900 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 7 | 1 | 1 | 59,167 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper | 7 | — | — | 16,377 mi | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 6 | — | 1 | 129,624 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum | 6 | — | — | 41,003 mi | |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint | 6 | 1 | — | 45,238 mi | |
| Wheel Issues | 6 | — | — | 152,939 mi | |
| Fuel System | 5 | — | — | 138,914 mi | |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Column Shift | 5 | — | — | 72,034 mi | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 5 | 1 | — | 100,000 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 5 | — | — | 10,920 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 5 | — | — | 31,403 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 4 | 1 | — | — |
Body Structure
76
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
138,361
Hydraulic Brakes
54
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
44,170
Structure:Frame And Members
45
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
103,212
Suspension Failures
42
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
131,051
Steering Defects
34
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
126,810
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint
32
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
—
Avg Miles
86,546
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
27
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
25,736
Transmission / Drivetrain
22
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
126,693
Structural Problems
22
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
115,777
Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields
19
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
127,198
Airbags
18
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
—
Avg Miles
127,354
Gasoline Fuel System
13
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
106,270
Unintended Acceleration
13
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
97,144
Brakes
12
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
148,393
Automatic Transmission
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
64,491
Suspension:Front
11
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
—
Avg Miles
96,732
Tire Defects
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
57,900
Electrical Faults
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
59,167
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
16,377
Headlight/Taillight Failures
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
129,624
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
41,003
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
45,238
Wheel Issues
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
152,939
Fuel System
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
138,914
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Column Shift
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
72,034
Seat Belt Issues
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
100,000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
10,920
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
31,403
Engine Problems
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2002 Toyota Tundra. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Toyota Tundra Years
2002 Toyota Tundra — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2002 Toyota Tundra reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 2002 Toyota Tundra has 645 NHTSA complaints, 39 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Body Structure with 76 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2002 Toyota Tundra?
Top reported problems: Body Structure (76 complaints, avg 138,361 mi); Hydraulic Brakes (54 complaints, avg 44,170 mi); Structure:Frame And Members (45 complaints, avg 103,212 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2002 Toyota Tundra?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 99,690 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2002 Toyota Tundra?
NHTSA complaints for the 2002 Toyota Tundra include 39 crash-related reports, 2 fire reports, 27 injuries, and 5 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2002 Toyota Tundra have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2002 Toyota Tundra as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 2002 Toyota Tundra?
Slightly worse than average. Most owners are fine; problem clusters are concentrated around specific components. Check the issues table below and match against the specific car's mileage.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Toyota Tundra reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2002 Toyota Tundra
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