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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
106,100 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 steering problems

steering problem

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2002 Toyota Tacoma Owner Comments

problem #5

Apr 282022

Tacoma

  • miles

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

The steering is all loose and the alignment is repeatedly moving out of line on its own. The lower ball joints are wearing wrong and may fail at any point.

- Spokane, WA, USA

problem #4

May 012014

Tacoma 4-cyl

  • 157,500 miles
I recently took my 2002 Toyota Tacoma into the local dealer, dch in wappingers falls NY, because of leak in the rack and pinion steering. Upon looking at the vehicle, they observed a cracked and rusted frame. We took the car down and I went to my local repair shop for a second opinion. That repair shop had said there was a frame recall for that year. I called Toyota in California and they confirmed there was a recall for that year and that they sent out a notice, but it had to be brought by the end of 2012. I told them I never received the notice. There have been 2 other recalls for the vehicle which I did receive notices. They checked with their compliance office and said they did send it to me. I asked how many notices went out and they said one and they do not send them certified mail. When I stated that I never received the notice, they told there was a department that may still be able to assist me. After opening up a case with Toyota, they came to the conclusion, there was nothing they can do about it because I failed to bring the car in by their deadline. I told them again that I never received the notice and that I don't feel safe driving the vehicle with a rusted and cracked frame. This seems to be problem with a good deal of Toyota. I was hoping for some kind of help, since they've admitted the problem and I never received the notice and we, at this point have only their word that they sent me a notice. Thank you. Toyota case# 1405131065. Updated 07/03/14

- Wappingers Falls, NY, USA

problem #3

Aug 012013

Tacoma

  • 129,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 mph, the steering wheel suddenly malfunctioned and caused the vehicle to become uncontrollable. The contact discovered that during the incident the steering rack had fractured. The vehicle was repaired by the contact. In a second incident the contact indicated that while driving the engine suddenly malfunctioned and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that 2 pistons had come through the engine block. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified and no solution was offered. The failure mileage was 129,000.

- Arlington Heights , IL, USA

problem #2

Sep 142013

Tacoma

  • 244,000 miles
After having my 2002 Toyota Tacoma off the road and garaged for the past 3 years, I was getting the truck ready to be driven on the road again. I am the original owner. I took the truck off the road because my job was eliminated in October 2010. After changing the oil last weekend in my garage I noticed an abnormal amount of rust on the frame. In fact, so much rust that the rubber body mount block on top of the rear leaf spring snapped off in my hand. The leaf springs, brake lines, and front suspension and frame are all in question regarding vehicle safety. I immediately did research online to check out what I thought was abnormal amounts of rust on the frame and to see if anyone else had experienced this too. I was shocked at what I found. A huge safety issue with Toyota Tacoma rusted frames. I come to find out online that Toyota has a history of rusted frames, breaking frames, unsafe frames, and a recall currently for a rear spare tire mount issue due to rust. I also found out Toyota was replacing frames on my model. I called my dealership to set up an appointment to have this truck inspected for Pennsylvania state requirements and to have the rust checked. They told me my vehicle was not valid for the rust inspection and the frame replacement because the program expired, I was told to call Toyota. I was never notified by Toyota or my dealer there was an issue, not by mail, phone calls or certified mail. I had the truck parked in my garage for three years so it wasn't even on the road during this time. Several phone calls later to Toyota and they refuse to replace my frame under the customer care program citing I did not have the undercoating applied by December of 2012. Toyota customer service said I could weld reinforcement plates to my frame myself or find a junkyard frame. Really Toyota?

- Quakertown, PA, USA

problem #1

Mar 182012

Tacoma

  • miles
2002 toyotoa truck, lost control and hit my Ford S/w, truck was on recall for ball/joints, both me and wife was hurt by this un insured driver, driver was cited for wrong turn into my lane, I lost both my car and my health, what can I do to recover damages from a uninsured truck and driver?

- Zephyrhills, FL, USA

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