2002 Toyota Tacoma
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Structure is the leading concern among 360 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 9th highest complaint count among 26 Tacoma model years with reports.
Of the 2002 reports, 30 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 23 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Tires, temporary/emergency spare tireNov 23, 2012
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 12V542000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingJul 17, 2006
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.
LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
Campaign 06E065000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingMar 23, 2006
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.
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
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.
Campaign 06E026000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, front, control arm, lower ball jointMay 17, 2005
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.
THE LOWER BALL JOINT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE KNUCKLE CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
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.
Campaign 05V225000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsMay 19, 2003
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.
THIS DAMAGE COULD RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE IF IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE.
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.
Campaign 03V189000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: structure
181 reports, newest first. Show all
Structure, Jan 15, 2011
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. *TR
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Nov 20, 2010
2002 TOYOTA SIENNA MINIVAN. WHEN I TRY TO OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE SLIDING DOOR, I CAN HEAR IT UNLATCH BUT REMAINS SHUT. YOU HAVE TO PUSH THE REAR PART OF THE DOOR BACK IN UNTIL YOU HEAR A CLICK, THEN YOU HAVE TO VIOLENTLY PULL THE HANDLE AND THE DOOR WILL OPEN. *TR
Structure, Aug 5, 2010
TL* 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.
Structure, Jun 11, 2010
TL* 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.
Structure, Tires, Apr 16, 2010
THIS IS IN RESPONSE TO THE NEW TOYOTA RECALL ON THE SIENNA MINI-VANS SPARE TIRE. I OWN A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA, IN WHICH THE FRAME WAS RECENTLY REPLACED DUE TO RUST PERFORATION IN CERTAIN STATES. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND BACK IN 8/2007 I HAD A FLAT TIRE AND HAD TO CHANGE IT. THE SPARE TIRE RESIDES UNDER THE VEHICLE AND IS SECURED BY A CABLE. WHEN I WENT TO ACCESS THE SPARE, I NOTICED THE WHOLE CABLE AND THE SURROUNDING PIECES WERE SEVERELY RUSTED AND WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO SEPARATE THE TIRE FROM THE CABLE. AFTER HEARING ABOUT THE RECALL ON THE SIENNA FOR THE SPARE TIRE GETTING RUSTY, AND POSSIBLY FALLING LOOSE WHILE DRIVING, I REALIZED THAT MY TACOMA, AND POSSIBLY OTHER VEHICLES THAT USE THIS METHOD, AND ARE EXPOSED TO EXTREME CLIMATE CONDITIONS, COULD TRIGGER A SIMILAR EVENT. *TR
Suspension, Parking brake, Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Structure, Dec 28, 2009
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. *TR
Structure, Nov 18, 2009
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. *TR
Structure, Oct 7, 2009
REAR BUMPER DECAY/STRUCTURE BREAKDOWN ON 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. UNSAFE IN CASE OF FROM THE REAR COLLISION. NOTICED START OF RUST/LOSS OF STRUCTURE IN 2/2006. *TR
Structure, Jun 5, 2009
TL*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.
Structure, Mar 26, 2009
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. *TR
Structure, Jan 24, 2009
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. *TR
Structure, Jan 8, 2009
2002 TOYOTA TACOMA FRAME ROT TRUCK FRAME HAS ROTTED PREMATURELY AND TOYOTA IS BEING VERY DIFFICULT IN GETTING INFORMATION IN THE MATTER. HAVE REFUSED PROVIDE A LIST OF PARTS TO BE REPLACED ETC. *TR
Structure, Jan 8, 2009
I AM THE OWNER OF A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA, WHICH I HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP, THAT THERE IS A REPURCHASE PROGRAM AVAILABLE. PROBLEM IS, I HAD MY TRUCK AT THE SHOP ON NOV 11, 2008, NOBODY HAS GOT IN TOUCH WITH ME, I WAS TOLD BY TOYOTA I WOULD HEAR SOMETHING IN 45 DAYS. FINALLY GOT THROUGH TO TOYOTA, NOW, THE REPURCHASE PROGRAM IS NOT AVAILABLE AS OF DECEMBER 2008. THEY ARE WANTING TO REPLACE MY ENTIRE FRAME. I HAVE ALOT OF SAFETY ISSUES WITH THIS BEING DONE, I FEEL THIS IS ENTIRELY UNACCEPTABLE. SO, FOR THE TIME BEING, I AM DRIVING WHAT IS CONSIDERED AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. OH, ONE PERSON SAYS IT IS SAFE, THE OTHER SAYS, IT IS DRIVABLE. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY HELP POSSIBLE WITH THIS ISSUE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH TOYOTA, THEY NEED TO MAKE IT RIGHT BY THE CONSUMER. *TR
Structure, Nov 21, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO INSPECT THE MAINFRAME UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE FRAME WAS RUSTED FROM ONE END TO THE OTHER. A TOYOTA REPRESENTATIVE ADVISED HIM TO HAVE THE METAL PLATES WELDED ON THE FRAME, INCLUDING THE SPRING HANGERS. THE SPRING HANGERS WERE UNSAFE BECAUSE THEY WERE ALSO RUSTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IF ANYTHING IS WELDED ON RUST, IT WILL NOT WORK. THE TOYOTA REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT NOTHING ELSE COULD BE DONE TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.
Structure, Oct 28, 2008
I HAVE A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA WITH A RUSTED FRAME WHICH FAILED, BUT THE DEALERSHIP WROTE "OK TO DRIVE" ON MY SLIP. I ORIGINALLY BROUGHT MY VEHICLE IN FOR INSPECTION AT A PRIVATE AUTO SHOP ON 8/12/08 AND THEY TOLD ME TO GO TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP RIGHT AWAY TO GET MY FRAME INSPECTED. I WENT AND THE DEALERSHIP TURNED ME AWAY, I ASKED WHY AND THEY INDICATED THAT I DID NOT HAVE A CASE NUMBER. I CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY GAVE ME A CASE NUMBER AND CLOSED THE CASE THE NEXT DAY BECAUSE MY VEHICLE WAS OUTSIDE THE 95-00 RECALL YRS. I INSISTED THAT THEY HAVE MY VEHICLE INSPECTED BY TOYOTA AND ON 9/12/08 THE BOSTON REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE FAILED MY FRAME. PRIOR TO THAT IRWIN MOTORS IN LACONIA NH ALSO INSPECTED IT AND TOLD ME TO KEEP BUGGING TOYOTA BECAUSE THEY WILL DRAG THEIR FEET. THE DEALERSHIP HAS INDICATED TO ME THAT THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM FOR 01THROUGH THE 2004 YEAR FRAMES. TOYOTA INDICATES THAT THEY WILL NEGOTIATE A BUY BACK WITH ME BUT WILL NOT SEND ANY THING IN WRITING, THEY WILL NOT GIVE ANY TIME FRAME FOR RESOLVING OR EVEN NEGOTIATING THE BUY-BACK. I HAVE FRIENDS WHO ARE MECHANICS WHO INDICATE THAT TOYOTA SHOULD RECALL FROM 2001 TO 2004 AS WELL SINCE THE SAME FRAMES ARE BEING PRODUCED AND USED FOR THESE VEHICLE AS USED FOR THE 1995-2000 VEHICLES. I HAVE A NEWER TOYOTA AND THEY HAVE INDICATED TO ME THAT THEY WILL REPURCHASE MY VEHICLE AND BASED IT ON 100% KELLY BLUE BOOK ONLY. I BELIEVE THAT IF OTHERS HAVE RECEIVED A 150% BUY-BACK THAT THEY SHOULD EXTEND THAT OFFER TO ME AS I HAVE OWNED EIGHT TOYOTAS IN THE PAST TEN YEARS. I AM DISAPPOINTED IN TOYOTA. THE LONGER PERIOD OF TIME GOES BY, THE LESS MY VEHICLE WILL BE WORTH IF THEY ARE BUYING BACK AT BLUE BOOK PRICES. WE HAVE DROVE BY MANY DEALERSHIPS IN OUR AREA, THERE ARE MANY 01-04S WHICH HAVE BEEN BOUGHT BACK, BUT WHEN TALKING TO MY CASE MANAGER, SHE INDICATED THAT THE THERE WERE ONLY A FEW OUTSIDE THE RECALL YEARS, I HAVE TO DISAGREE AS THE DEALERSHIP LOTS INDICATE OTHERWISE. CAN YOU HELP US OWNERS OUT? THANK YOU *TR
Structure, Sep 10, 2008
RUSTED FRAME ON 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. TOOK IT TO HALTERMAN'S TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN JUNE 2006. DEALERSHIP SAID IT DOES NOT WARRANT RUST ON FRAME. WAS TOLD TO UNDERCOAT THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS UNDERCOATED AUGUST 2006. UNDERCOATING STARTED TO PEEL AWAY JANUARY 2007. NOW THE FRAME LOOKS AS IF IT'S STARTING TO RUST THROUGH. THIS IS A CONCERN TO ME BECAUSE I HAD A 1999 TOYOTA TACOMA THAT HAD TOTAL RUST PERFORATION IN FRAME JANUARY 2006. I SOLD IT FOR A THIRD OF IT'S KELLY BLUE BOOK RETAIL VALUE IN MARCH 2006 BEFORE TOYOTA IMPLEMENTED THEIR BUYBACK PROGRAM IN MARCH 2008 FOR 1995-2000 TACOMAS DISPLAYING RUST PERFORATION. I NOW SEE THE SAME SITUATION HAPPENING ALL OVER AGAIN AND TOYOTA WILL NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY. I AM BEGINNING TO BECOME AFRAID TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE IN FEAR OF THE FRAME BREAKING FROM UNDERNEATH ME. *TR
Structure, Sep 8, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS EXAMINING HIS VEHICLE, HE NOTICED RUST HOLES IN THE BOTTOM OF THE FRAME AND ON THE GAS TANK SHIELD. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES BEFOREHAND. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000. UPDATED 10/03/08 *BF UPDATED 10/06/08.*JB
Structure, Jul 31, 2008
I BOUGHT MY 2002 TACOMA V6 4X4 DOUBLE CAB FROM A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP USED IN MARCH OF 2006. ONE THING I NOTICED IS THAT THE FRAME OF THE TRUCK HAD EXCESSIVE EXTERIOR RUST BUILD UP. I USED TO BE AN AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIAN, AND HAVE ALWAYS KNOWN THAT ALMOST ANY TOYOTA PICKUP TRUCK HAS FRAME RUST PROBLEMS. IT HAS BEEN A WELL KNOW FACT FOR YEARS AND YEARS. WHY DID TOYOTA WAIT SO LONG TO POST A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. SHORTLY AFTER BUYING MY 2002 I LOOKED AT A OLDER I BELIEVE 1995 TOYOTA PICK-UP THAT I SAW FOR SALE ONE DAY. I WAS LOOKING THE TRUCK OVER AND FOUND THAT THE FRAME WAS ROTTED THROUGH ON THE DRIVERS SIDE JUST BEFORE THE FRONT SPRING SHACK ON THE REAR OF THE TRUCK. IT HAD A HOLE IN THE FRAME ABOUT 2 1/2 INCHES WIDE, AND WHERE THERE WAS FRAME LEFT YOU COULD PUT YOUR FINGER THROUGH IT WITH LITTLE PRESSURE. I DECIDED IT WASN'T ANYTHING I WANTED TO DEAL WITH. NOW I HEARD ABOUT THE RECALL FOR THE FIRST GENERATION TACOMA'S 95-00 ON THE FRAMES ROTTING OUT JUST LIKE THE ONE I LOOKED AT. SO SEEING THAT MY 2002 TACOMA WAS SHOWING PREMATURE FRAME RUST, I DECIDED TO INSPECT IT CLOSER. I FOUND THAT NOT ONLY WAS THE FRAME RUSTING AND FLAKING ON THE OUTSIDE, IT WAS ALSO RUSTING ON THE INSIDE AS WELL. I ALSO FOUND THAT THE WELDS ON THE FRAME FOR THE SPRING HANGERS LOOKED VERY POORLY WELDED AND RUSTY TOO. I BELIEVE THAT TOYOTA SHOULD INCLUDE THE 2000 AND NEWER TACOMA'S IN THEIR FRAME ROT RECALL AS WELL. DOES ANY ONE KNOW IF THEY CHANGED THE QUALITY OF THE METAL USED IN THE FRAMES ON THE NEWER TACOMA'S OR THE DESIGN? HOW DO THEY JUSTIFY THAT THE NEWER TACOMA'S DON'T HAVE THIS PROBLEM? BECAUSE THEY ARE TOO NEW TO HAVE ROTTED TO THAT POINT YET? THINK ABOUT IT, WHY ELSE WOULD THEY HAVE WAITED SO MANY YEARS TO POST A RECALL ON A TRUCK THAT IS AT THE LEAST 8 YEARS OLD? THEY OBVIOUSLY KNEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM. I KNOW I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO OWNS A 2ND GENERATION TACOMA WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Structure, Jul 22, 2008
IN APRIL OF 2008 I NOTICED THAT THE FRAME OF MY 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA PICKUP TRUCK HAD AN UNUSUALLY HIGH AMOUNT OF SURFACE RUST SHOWING ON THE FRAME. UPON CLOSER INSPECTION I DISCOVERED THAT IN AT LEAST ONE LOCATION THERE IS HOLES IN THE FRAME WERE IT HAS ROTTED THROUGH. I HAVE ALSO INSPECTED THE INTERIOR OF THE FRAME MEMBERS AND HAVE DISCOVERED LARGE AMOUNTS OF RUSTED METAL THAT HAS FALLEN OF THE INSIDE OF THE FRAME. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE FRAME OF THIS 6 YEAR OLD VEHICLE WITH 71,000 MILES ON IT IS ROTTING FROM THE INSIDE AND THE OUTSIDE. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS IS INDEED A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Structure, Jul 21, 2008
I AM THE OWNER OF A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA TRUCK. THE VEHICLE HAS 53K MILES ON IT AND HAS EXCESSIVE RUST THROUGHOUT THE FRAME. THE FRAME WHILE NOT COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH, HAS SEVERE BUILDUP AROUND WELDS AND JOINTS. TOYOTA IS RECALLING 1995-2000 TACOMA TRUCKS FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM, BUT 2001-2004 MODELS ARE EXCLUDED. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN TOYOTA'S CURRENT CAMPAIGN. *TR
Structure, May 12, 2008
EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF RUST ON FRAME OF 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA PICK-UP. FRAME SHOWS EXTENSIVE CORROSION FROM INSIDE WORKING IT'S WAY OUT. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THE LIFE OF THIS VEHICLE WILL BE DRASTICALLY REDUCED DUE TO THIS ISSUE. I UNDERSTAND THAT TOYOTA IS INVESTIGATING THIS PROBLEM FOR YEARS 95 THROUGH 2000. WHAT ABOUT YEARS NEWER THAN 2000 THAT ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM???? *TR
Structure, Dec 2, 2007
2002 TOYOTA TACOMA HAS PREMATURE FRAME DETERIORATION ON FRAME SIDE RAILS AND REAR. REAR FRAME IS SO BAD THAT THE RUST IS CAUSING THE BUMBERTO LIFT UP IN THE MIDDLE BY ABOUT 1-2INCHES. OWNER KEEPS TRUCK WASHED AND WAXED EVEN THROUGH WINTER MONTHS. HAVE NOT YET LOOKED TO GET REAR PROBLEM REPAIRED. *TR
Structure, Jul 7, 2006
I WAS GETTING INTO MY TRUCK AND NOTICED THAT ONE OF THE SCREWS THAT HOLD THE DOOR STRIKER PLATE HAD BACKED OUT AT LEAST HALF THE LENGTH OF THE BOLT AND THE OTHER ONE WAS LOOSE. THE DOOR NEVER RATTLED WITH IT BEING LOOSE. I WAS ABLE TO TIGHTEN THE BOLT. I CHECKED ALL OF THE OTHER DOORS AND FOUND THEY WERE LOOSE, BUT NOT AS BAD AS THE DRIVER'S DOOR. *JB
Structure, Apr 24, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STEPPING ONTO THE TAILGATE, THE SUPPORT CABLES FRACTURED SIMULTANEOUSLY WITHOUT WARNING. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SEEN BY A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. UPDATED 5/10/2006 - *NM
Structure, Apr 4, 2006
PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AS CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED VEHICLE. MASSIVE LEAKS RENDERED BACK OF DRIVERS SIDE CREW CAB FLOODED. REVERSED DRAIN PLUG PREVIOUSLY INSTALLED UP SIDE DOWN, THEN SILICONED OEM ROOF RACK AND LEAK SLOWED. TOYOTA IS REPLACING REAR DOOR SEAL. WAS NOT NOTIFIED OEM ROOF RACK NEGATED WARRANTY. CPV SHOULDN'T LEAK. *NM