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
360 reports, newest first.
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
Suspension, Jul 7, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE PASSENGER RIGHT FRONT TIRE BALL JOINT BROKE IN HALF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WASN'T INCLUDED IN RECALL 05V225000. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT HE WOULD RECEIVE A CALL BACK. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000.
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
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 30, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE FRONT BRAKES DETACHED FROM THE PADS AND BECAME JAMMED BETWEEN THE ROTOR AND THE CALIPER. A PORTION OF THE BRAKES STRUCK THE FRONT FENDER LIKE A BULLET. THE CONTACT CALLED TOYOTA, BUT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST. HE REPAIRED THE VEHICLE HIMSELF AND STATED THAT HE WAS TAKING HIS VEHICLE OUT OF SERVICE FOR SAFETY REASONS. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.
Suspension, Fuel system, Gasoline, Apr 11, 2008
I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF SEVERAL RECALLS ON MY 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA TRUCK. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 22, 2008
THE 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA PRERUNNER WAS RUNNING GREAT WITH ONLY 54,000 MILES. ALL OIL CHANGES AND TUNE-UPS WERE UP TO DATE. WITHOUT MAKING ANY UNUSUAL SOUNDS, I EXPERIENCED A LOUD THUMP, LOTS OF SMOKE AND THE TRUCK ROLLED TO A STOP. UPON CHECKING, LOTS OF OIL WAS LEAKING OUT OF BOTTOM OF THE CAR AND PIECES WERE HANGING OUT OF THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE WHICH TURNED OUT TO BE PARTS OF A THROWN ROD. THANK GOD MY YOUNG NEPHEW WAS NOT IN THE AUTO AS THERE WAS LOTS OF SMOKE. *TR
Parking brake, Dec 4, 2007
PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM CONTINUALLY FREEZES UP DUE TO POOR CABLE AND SPRING ROUTING. PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE WELL KNOWN TO AREA MECHANICS. *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
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Exterior lighting, Nov 16, 2007
I HAVE A 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA WITH 62,000 MI. I HAVE BEEN TO TWO TOYOTA DEALERS TO FIGURE OUT MY PROBLEM. THE VSC TRAC, VSC OFF, ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS ARE COMING ON. FINALLY AFTER @$700 OF MY MONEY, THEY FIGURED OUT THE PROBLEM TO BE THE ECU. THIS WILL NOW COST ME @1800 FOR PARTS, AND WHO KNOWS YET FOR LABOR. I HAVE READ ONLINE THAT MANY OTHER TOYOTA OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE SITUATION, UNLESS YOU HAVE THE EXT. WARRANTY. I FEEL THAT TOYOTA NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS, MAYBE RECALL THIS AND FIX THESE CARS BEFORE THERE IS AN ACCIDENT. I LIVE IN NEW YORK WHERE THERE IS ALOT OF SNOW. MY VSC WILL NOT WORK UNTIL I GET THIS FIXED. I HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN AND HAVE TO RELAY ON STANDARD BRAKES IN THE SNOW UNTIL THIS IS FIXED. TOYOTA SHOULD STAND BEHIND THEIR REPUTABLE NAME AND FIX THESE PROBLEMS ASAP..... *TR
Steering, Oct 3, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA PRIUS. EACH TIME THE VEHICLE IS DRIVING FORWARD OR IN REVERSE AT APPROXIMATELY 4 TO 10 MPH, IT SHAKES VIOLENTLY. THE FAILURE OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY AND USUALLY IN COLD WEATHER. THE VEHICLE SHAKES ROUGHLY AFTER IT HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR A WHILE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER ON TWO OCCASIONS. SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER 20040604 WAS REFERENCED. THE DEALER DISCOVERED THAT THE STEERING RACK AND STEERING COMPUTER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $2,200. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
Suspension, Oct 1, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND HAD IT REPAIRED AT APPROXIMATELY 100,000 MILES. SIX MONTHS LATER, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, HE SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING. HE WAS ABLE TO DECELERATE AND PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HE THEN NOTICED THAT THE WHEEL WAS DETACHED FROM THE STEERING ASSEMBLY. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE REMAINS AT THE FAILURE LOCATION. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, NUMBER OF CYLINDERS, AND RECALL NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,000.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Aug 6, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE CANNOT PUT FUEL IN THE GAS TANK OF HIS VEHICLE WITHOUT THE PUMP SHUTTING OFF EVERY TENTH OF A GALLON. HE STATED THAT HE HAS TO PULL THE LEVER 141 TIMES TO FILL UP HIS GAS TANK. THE FAILURE OCCURS EVERY TIMES HE ATTEMPTS TO GET GAS AND AT ANY FUEL STATION. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 33,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. UPDATED 02-04-08. *KB
Suspension, Jul 12, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE # 05V225000 (SUSPENSION: LOWER BALL JOINT). HE HAS MADE THREE ATTEMPTS TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED, BUT HE KEEPS GETTING THE RUNAROUND. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 53,000.
Suspension, Power train, May 23, 2007
THE TOYOTA TACOMA HAD A REAR AXLE WRAP UP, THIS WAS WHERE THE TWO PIECE DRIVESHAFT BECOMES LOOSE AT THE SPLEEN AND CAUSED A CLUNG OR LOOSENESS IN THE DRIVE LINE, WHICH CAUSED UNDUE STRESS ON THE ENGINE AND THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE DRIVESHAFT TO BREAK AT THE YOKE AND FALL TO GROUND, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THIS WAS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE ON THE TRUCK. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR UNDER WARRANTY TO THE DEALER. THEY DISMISSED IT AS NORMAL. THIS WAS NOT NORMAL. IT WAS A FLAW IN THE SPRINGS THEY USED ON THE TRUCK.*AK
Visibility, May 22, 2007
I PURCHASED A 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA IN NOVEMBER 2002. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED THE SALES PERSON TOLD ME THAT THE HEATING/AIR CONDITIONER SYSTEM APPEARED TO BE A POORLY DESIGNED, BUT I DID NOT THINK THAT A BIG OBSTACLE TO MY PURCHASE. I HAD CONTINUAL PROBLEMS TRYING TO REGULATE THE TEMPERATURE IN THE VEHICLE. IT WAS EITHER 65 DEGREES AND THE NEXT LEVEL DOWN WAS COLD. I WAS ALWAYS FLIPPING THE KNOB BACK AND FORTH TRYING TO REGULATE THE TEMPERATURE. THIS WAS NOT A BIG SAFETY ISSUE UNLESS TAKING MY EYES OFF THE ROAD FOR THESE ADJUSTMENTS CAN BE CONSIDERED HAZARDOUS. BUT I LIVE IN A SOMEWHAT COLD CLIMATE AND I HAVE HAD TROUBLE KEEPING THE WINDOWS DEFROSTED ON SOME DAYS PARTICULARLY IF THE HUMIDITY WAS HIGH. THIS COULD BE CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE. I JUST TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE TOYOTA SERVICE DEPARTMENT BECAUSE AIR CONDITIONER LIGHT WAS BLINKING. LOOKING AT A REPAIR BILL OF AROUND $1,600.00 FOR A NEW COMPRESSOR AND CLUTCH. OF COURSE, I DO NOT HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AS THIS WAS MY SIXTH TOYOTA ,AND I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS SUCH AS THIS IS THE PAST. SINCE I HAVE READ THAT OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS I WOULD URGE SOMEONE TO LOOK INTO THE ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE GOT KILLED BECAUSE OF INABILITY TO SEE OUT THE FRONT WINDOW. *AK
Power train, May 19, 2007
ONE WEEK AGO I WAS RUNNING ERRANDS WITH THE TOYOTA SEQUOIA, BUT THE CAR REFUSED TO START ONCE I COMPLETED MY ERRANDS. EVENTUALLY, THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED AND THE REPAIR SHOP REPORTED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT BRACKET AND LEVER WERE BROKEN AND THEREFORE PREVENTED THE GEAR FROM PROPERLY GOING INTO PARK. THE REPAIR SHOP REPORTED SEEING SEVERAL SUCH CASES RECENTLY BUT STATED THAT TOYOTA HAS INFORMED HIM THAT THE PROBLEM RESULTED FROM IMPROPER HANDLING OF THE GEAR SHIFT. I HAD THECAR FOR MORE THAN 5 YEARS AND HAVE ALWAYS FOLLOWED THE PROPER PROCEDURE. PERHAPS THIS NEEDED FURTHER INVESTIGATION. *AK
Wheels, Equipment, Apr 12, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT PURCHASED 4 WELD WHEEL THE MOUNTAIN CRUSHER RIMS. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS WASHED AND IT RAINED THE WATER SEEPED INTO THE RIMS AND CREATED A PUDDLE. THE WATER ALSO DAMAGED THE COLOR OF THE RIMS. INTENSE MOTOR SPORTS DIAGNOSED THE RIMS, AND STATED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 26, 2007
THE PARKING BRAKE INTERMEDIATE LEVER RUSTED ,RESULTING IN THE PARKING BRAKE NOT DISENGAGING. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE TRUCK WAS VIBRATING SO BADLY THAT IT FELT LIKE A WHEEL WAS FALLING OFF. AFTER RETURNING HOME AT 35 MPH THE LEFT REAR WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY HOT WHICH RESULTED IN WARPING THE DRUMS. IT WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE OVER 40 MPH. THE PARTS NEED TO BE ORDERED AND THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED AS OF THIS TIME. THE LEVER IN QUESTION IS THE ONE THAT LINKED THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE INTO THE REAR BRAKE DRUM ASSEMBLY. ITWAS COVERED BY A RUBBER BOOT THAT OBVIOUSLY DID NOT KEEP OUT MOISTURE, THUS RUSTING. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS JACKED UP THE LEFT REAR TIRE WOULD NOT EVEN TURN DUE TO THE BRAKES NOT BEING ABLE TO DISENGAGE.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 9, 2007
I BOUGHT THIS NEW AND IN EARLY 2007 THE VEHICLE STARTED ACTING AS IF IT WASN'T GETTING GAS AROUND 40-45 MPH. I WAS THINKING MAYBE A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM OR FUEL FILTER WAS CLOGGED. A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER, I TOOK IT TO A FRIEND (A RETIRED MECHANIC). HE CHANGED THE FUEL FILTER, TRANSMISSION FILTER AND FUEL ALSO. STARTED UP MY TRUCK, WENT INSIDE HIS HOME TO WASH HIS HANDS AND UPON RETURNING OUTSIDE, THE ENGINE OIL WAS POURING FROM UNDERNEATH. MY TRUCK SOMEHOW THREW A ROD AT 82,000 MILES AND WARRANTY JUST EXPIRED. *JB
Suspension, Feb 2, 2007
1:40 PM, JAN 20, 2007, I WAS DRIVING MY SEQUOIA N/B ON SIERRA HWY IN THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA. I WAS TRAVELING APPROX 40-45 MPH. I NOTICED A SLIGHT STIFFNESS IN THE STEERING. A SHORT TIME LATER THE LEFT FRONT OF MY VEHICLE VIOLENTLY FELL TO THE GROUND. THERE WERE VEHICLES BEHIND ME AND WITH DIFFICULTY I STEERED TO THE CURB. WHEN THE VEHICLE FELL TO THE GROUND, I HEARD A LOUD 'BANG', AND I FELT THAT I LOST SOME OF MY BRAKES. ONE OF THE DRIVERS BEHIND ME TOLD ME SHE SAW SPARKS COMING FROM UNDER MY VEHICLE. I LOOKED AT THE FRONT OF MY VEHICLE. I SAW THE LEFT FRONT TIRE, WHEEL & HUB (ALL STILL ATTACHED) FOLDED UNDER THE LEFT RUNNING BOARD PREVENTING THE FRONT FENDER AND BUMPER FROM FALLING DIRECTLY TO THE ROADWAY. I SAW THAT THE BRAKE LINES APPEARED TO BE BROKEN. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO TOYOTA ON MON, JAN 22, 2007. I WAS TOLD THAT IT APPEARED THE LEFT UPPER BALL JOINT HAD BROKEN CAUSING THE WHEEL TO BREAK AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP CONTACTED THEIR SERVICE DIRECTOR TO DETERMINE WHAT REPAIRS SHOULD BE MADE. I WAS SUBSEQUENTLY TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THAT TOYOTA HAD 'NO LIABILITY' TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE AT THEIR EXPENSE. REPAIR ESTIMATE IS APPROX $5,000. + THE RENTAL VEHICLE THEY ARRANGED. I WAS TOLD A REGIONAL SERVICE INSPECTOR WOULD LOOK AT MY VEHICLE. I TOLD THEM THAT I WANTED THE OLD PARTS IF REPAIRS WERE TO BE MADE. I AM NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE. I WENT TO THE TOYOTA WEB SITE AND NOTICED NUMEROUS RECALL NOTICES FROM TOYOTA FOR FRONT BALL JOINT FAILURES ON MY TYPE OF VEHICLE. I RECEIVED NO RECALL NOTICES FROM TOYOTA. TOYOTA STATED MY VIN WAS NOT ON THE LIST FOR ANY RECALL NOTICES. THE TOYOTA SERVICE DEPT STATED THAT THIS WOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED 'NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR' THAT WOULD REQUIRE ME TO HAVE THIS ITEM CHECKED DURING ALL OF MY REGULAR MAINTENANCE SERVICES. THIS FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE, CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY TO MYSELF AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD. AS OF THIS DATE I HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED THAT THE REGIONAL INSPECTOR HAS INSPECTED MY VEHICLE. *JB
Visibility, Sep 18, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WAS EITHER COOL OR COLD, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD NOT ACTIVATE. THIS OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE A PROBLEM.
Electrical system, Jul 25, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DASHBOARD GAUGES AND LIGHTS PERFORM INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER CAN NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK