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1.9

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
88,014 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2002 Toyota Tacoma body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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2002 Toyota Tacoma Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #29

Mar 052023

Tacoma

  • 138,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact's daughter owns a 2002 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that several independent mechanics and an auto body repair shop had informed her that there was a hole in the subframe, and the subframe was significantly corroded. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.

- Lima, OH, USA

problem #28

May 042018

Tacoma

  • 154,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the frame was rotting on the vehicle. Mcgee Toyota of dudley (191 w main St, dudley, MA 01571) and herb chambers Toyota of auburn (809 Washington St, auburn, MA 01501) stated that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 154,000.

- Spencer, MA, USA

problem #27

Apr 052015

Tacoma

  • 193,672 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that when the vehicle was taken to the dealer (gerard Toyota located on 543 colman St, new london, ct 06320) for service, the technician noticed corrosion on the rear passenger side frame and a crack in the rear passenger wheel. The shocks could be seen and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 193,672.

- New London, CT, USA

problem #26

Nov 202015

Tacoma

  • 169,175 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 12V542000 (tires) however, the contact was informed by the service technician that there was excessive corrosion to the subframe of the vehicle. The contact stated that the corrosion traveled from the front driver side suspension to the rear driver side suspension. The contact was informed that the vehicle was unsafe and could not be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 169,175.

- Newport News, VA, USA

problem #25

Jan 232015

Tacoma

  • 174,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated there was a hole in the rear passenger side of the vehicle's frame. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 174,000.

- Brookfield , WI, USA

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problem #24

Oct 062014

Tacoma

  • 123,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Tacoma. While the vehicle was undergoing routine service, the independent mechanic discovered that a rear section of the subframe was rusted and corroded. In addition, two brackets that secured the body to the subframe detached due to rust and corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 123,000.

- Morrisville, VT, USA

problem #23

Jul 022014

Tacoma

  • 162,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Tacoma. While the vehicle was being serviced for an unrelated repair, the mechanic noticed that the entire frame was completely rusted. The vehicle had not been repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 162,000.

- Bland , VA, USA

problem #22

Aug 122014

Tacoma

  • 148,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Tacoma. While driving approximately 30 mph, the driver side frame detached and the contact lost control of the vehicle. The dealer stated that the frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 148,000.

- Hope Valley, RI, USA

problem #21

Feb 172010

Tacoma

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the vehicle could not be inspected because the subframe was corroded. The contact received a notice for an unrelated recall. The dealer inspected the vehicle per the recall and released the vehicle back to the contact. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The NHTSA campaign number was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

- Providence, RI, USA

problem #20

Oct 162012

Tacoma

  • miles
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the frame near the rear passenger's side tire was rusted. The contact took the vehicle to a mechanic and was told that the frame could not be repaired and that the vehicle should not be driven. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer and it was determined that the vehicle could be repaired at the contact's expense. The manufacturer was contacted but provided no assistance. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 120,000.

- Cold Spring, KY, USA

problem #19

Jul 012010

Tacoma

  • 74,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer to be examined when he was informed that the frame under the vehicle was corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 74,000. Updated 09/02/11 updated 2/9/12

- Dacula, GA, USA

problem #18

Feb 282011

Tacoma 4WD 4-cyl

  • 122,000 miles
The second Toyota Tacoma I have owned in one year failed on 02/28/2011. Both frames failed due to rust. Both problems were discovered during a routine oil change. Toyota bought back the first truck last summer, so I decided to buy another later model Tacoma. The second Tacoma problem occurred on a lift at auto choice in derry nh. The truck bent in half when the lift was raised. The mechanic has been in business for 30 years and had never seen such a thing. Luckily, he was not under the truck and fortunately I was not driving the truck for my frame replacement appointment the next day. Ira Toyota towed the vehicle and gave me a loaner. I am told that they will replace the entire frame. In talking to my father, mechanic friends and legal friends an issue kept coming up - if the frame is that corroded, it would follow that parts attached to the frame would be corroded as well. This presents an alarmingly serious safety problem. I would add that there should be an immediate investigation into the safety of this procedure as well as a media requirement made that Toyota run advertisements on tv, radio and print warning the public about this serious issue. My truck looks immaculate and has been well maintained. Had I not done an oil change, the outcome would have been much different. I can think of no other component in a motor vehicle that is more important that the frame, it holds everything together and supports everything. This issue needs immediate attention. Ira Toyota is the current location of the vehicle 603-657-2422.

- Derry , NH, USA

problem #17

Jan 122011

Tacoma 4WD 6-cyl

  • 33,895 miles
Severely rusted frame and undercarriage components. Including the gas tank skid plate, had to replace rear bumper already as well. Also had to wire up the skid plate so it won't fly off into someone's wind shield. Brought it to a dealer in March and they inspected it and said all it needed was paint, so they painted it. Now just 8 months later and the skid plate is about to fall off! just waiting for my brakes to fail some day.

- Millis, MA, USA

problem #16

Aug 042010

Tacoma

  • 56,360 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated the vehicle would not pass inspection due to extreme bumper and frame rust. The dealer performed a safety inspection on the vehicle yet it did not pass. The dealer advised the vehicle would be repaired at no cost to the contact however, the repair would take months. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle had not yet been repaired. The current and failure mileages were 56,360.

- Thomaston, ME, USA

problem #15

May 282010

Tacoma

  • 65,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that he received notification of NHTSA recall campaign id number: 05V225000 (suspension: Front: Control arm: Lower ball joint) for frame rust and corrosion. The vehicle failed the manufacturers inspection and advised the contact that they would replace the frame at no cost to the contact. The frame was not available at the time and the contact was advised that it would take approximately one month to obtain the frame and that he could continue to drive the vehicle until that time. The contact did not believe it was safe to continue operating a recalled vehicle. The failure and current mileages were approximately 65,000.

- Morgantown , WV, USA

problem #14

Dec 282009

Tacoma

  • 42,000 miles
Gas tank shield severely rusted. Under side of gastank is protected by a shield/skid plate. It is rusted so badly that when hit with a hammer the hammer goes right through. Presumably this shield is to protect the gas tank from debris and stones especially if the truck is used off road. I discovered this as I was inspecting the underside of the truck before dropping the truck off at the dealer to have the frame replaced. In addition to this, it is apparent that the drive axle and differential housing also have severe rust. If tapped with a hammer the rust comes of in sheets. The parking brakes actuating levers have rusted in place and can no longer be used. There appears to be more to this rust than simple frame rust. The rust is pervasive through out the underside of the truck.

- Newton, MA, USA

problem #13

Nov 072009

Tacoma

  • 95,000 miles
I took my Tacoma for its 95000 mile service, and they discover my sub-frame was rusted out and it was unsafe to drive. My truck has gone for service every 5000 miles for 7 years and no one ever noticed the rust. My complaint is that Toyota does not cover the subframe in their frame rust problem. The dealer tried for 2 days to get them to include this in their 2001-2004 rust frame repair or buy back program. They refuse. Why isn't the sub frame part of the whole frame. I believe the sub frames should be looked at.

- Satellite Beach, FL, USA

problem #12

May 202009

Tacoma

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Tacoma. The contact took the vehicle in for routine inspection and was informed that the frame and members had excessive rust. The dealer replaced the O2 valve, but it did not remedy the structural failure. The manufacturer did not assist. The failure and current mileages were 100,000.

- Edgartown, MA, USA

problem #11

Mar 232009

Tacoma

  • 80,000 miles
I recently received a letter from Toyota about a frame rusting problem they are having on Tacoma trucks built between 2001-2004. The front bumper assembly on my truck was replaced soon after I purchased it because is was rusting from the underside. Now the rear bumper is rusting through from the underside as well. When I called Toyota about their recent recall they said only the frame was included in the problem, not the bumpers. It is obvious to me they have a rust problem everywhere under the vehicle since my front bumper rusted so quickly and now the rear bumper is also rusting through from the underside. I called the Toyota dealer where I purchased the vehicle and they told me the recall was just for rusting frames. As I stated above, it certainly appears as though the rust problem involves everything under the vehicle. My truck is a 2002 Tacoma and it has been garage kept since the day I bought it. Living in southern Maryland (21122), we have had very few instances of snow/salt in our area since I purchased the truck and I keep my vehicle clean and always use the undercarriage wash when going through the car wash. I believe Toyota definitely has a rusting problem and should replace my rear bumper as they did with the rusting front bumper assembly. Your assistance in this matter is appreciated.

- Pasadena, MD, USA

problem #10

Jan 242009

Tacoma

  • miles
Excessive truck frame rust, 02 Toyota Tacoma truck, Toyota has had problems with 95-04 Tacoma's with the frames rusting, some getting bad enough to be a safety concern, with frame perforation. My truck is showing the early signs of frame rust, and will eventually get to the point where it could become a safety issue. I wanted to have NHTSA complaint on file in case the frame rust perforates the frame.

- St. Louis, MO, USA

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