The 2002 Toyota Tacoma has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,041,739 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 443 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the structure. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
TIRES12V5420002012-11-23150,000 affected
Defect
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,…
Consequence
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.
Remedy
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.
SUSPENSION05V2250002005-05-17768,379 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
THE LOWER BALL JOINT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE KNUCKLE CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy
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.
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.
Consequence
THIS DAMAGE COULD RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE IF IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE.
Remedy
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.
Complaints by component
STRUCTURE:BODY
105
2crashes2injuries
SUSPENSION
60
5crashes3injuries
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
30
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
29
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
27
STRUCTURE
14
WHEELS
14
4crashes4injuries
AIR BAGS
13
9crashes1fires8injuries
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
11
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
10
1crashes1injuries
Total complaints443
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Found hole in frame (chassis)”
“Found hole in frame (chassis)”
“I recently lost both front wheels in two different incidents within a month. Early august drivers side ball joint failed on me. And on september 25th the passenger side failed on me on the freeway almost causing a collision with a mercedes and a semi truck.”
“As I was pulling out from being parked the truck just dropped to the floor on the drivers side. When I got out to see what happened? My wheel broke off at the lower ball joint yesterday evening. I had to wait 2 hours for a tow. I had no warning or symptoms prior.”
“The contact owns a 2002 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 mph, the front passenger’s side wheel separated from the vehicle, causing the driver to lose control of the steering and drove into the opposite lane. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer who…”
“My air conditioning is not working right blowing hot air. Had it charged and no change, I believe that I have the same issue as others, my air bags light keeps going off and on when driving. I see where there was a recall on other toyota vehicles that had the same problem as me.”
“My air conditioning is not working right blowing hot air. Had it charged and no change, I believe that I have the same issue as others, my air bags light keeps going off and on when driving. I see where there was a recall on other toyota vehicles that had the same problem as me.”
“We heard they issued a recall for faulty frames. When someone told us this we contacted toyota. They said it had expired. I never received a recall of any kind.I take excellent care of my vehicles and this tacoma only roughly 98,000 miles. The body is great shape, it runs great. My question is if…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2002 Toyota Tacoma as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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