RecallRepo

2002 Toyota Tundra Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2002 Toyota Tundra has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 881,420 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 645 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the structure. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

STRUCTURE 09V444000 2009-11-18 110,000 affected
Defect

TOYOTA IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2000-2003 TUNDRA VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT,…

Consequence

SEPARATION OF THE SPARE TIRE AND DIMINISHED BRAKE CAPACITY COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

TOYOTA IS ASKING OWNERS OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES TO REMOVE THE SPARE TIRE FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE UNTIL A REMEDY CAN BE OBTAINED. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR CROSS MEMBER AND RELATED COMPONENTS, INCLUDING THE BRAKE LINES, AND REPLACE THEM IF NECESSARY. IF THE CROSS MEMBER DOES NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED, IT WILL BE…

SUSPENSION 05V225000 2005-05-17 768,379 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.

WHEELS 02V129000 2002-05-01 3,041 affected
Defect

ON CERTAIN 4X2 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN ALLOY WHEEL TIRE UPGRADE (OPTIONS WM4, WM8, ZL1-ZL4, DH4, OR DH5) INSTALLED BY THE PROCESSING CENTERS IN JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA OR COMMERCE, GEORGIA, A LABEL IDENTIFYING THE SPARE TIRE AS A TEMPORARY USE SPARE TIRE WAS NOT INSTALLED. THE UPGRADE INCLUDES 4 LARGER SIZE TIRES…

Consequence

DIFFERENT OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS CAN BE EXPERIENCED WHEN THE SPARE TIRE IS INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE.

Remedy

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A CAUTION LABEL AND AN INSERT FOR THEIR OWNER'S MANUAL. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 15, 2002. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.

Complaints by component

STRUCTURE:BODY
76
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
54
2crashes1injuries
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
45
1crashes1deaths
SUSPENSION
42
2crashes2injuries
STEERING
34
2crashes1injuries
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
32
5crashes4injuries
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
30
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
27
POWER TRAIN
22
1crashes1injuries
STRUCTURE
22
Total complaints645

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“Excessive frame corrosion and corrosion holes involving even rear subframe”

STRUCTURE:BODY · reported 2025-11-15

“Toyota won’t cover the safety recalls on my truck”

UNKNOWN OR OTHER · reported 2025-10-25

“Frame needs replacement”

STRUCTURE:BODY · reported 2025-10-16

“The date it started happening was probably late march now into april to present day as the receptacle on the driver side doesn’t click always and comes undone while on the road and can not get the seatbelt to go back in and has not been assessed or replaced by my local toyota dealer and the…”

SEAT BELTS · reported 2025-03-22

“Was told about the recall awhile ago and they said that my frame was ok. But now I have a perfectly good truck in good condition other than a rusted frame. Had some work done and mechanic said it is unsafe to drive due to rusted frame. They know of the defect and only replace a few and it looks…”

SUSPENSION · reported 2025-03-01

“The contact owns a 2002 toyota tundra. The contact, who is an independent mechanic, stated that the fuel tank had detached. The contact stated that the subframe was extremely rusted. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to nhtsa campaign number:…”

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE · reported 2025-02-05

“The contact owns a 2002 toyota tundra. The contact, who is an independent mechanic, stated that the fuel tank had detached. The contact stated that the subframe was extremely rusted. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to nhtsa campaign number:…”

STRUCTURE · reported 2025-02-05

“The contact owns a 2002 toyota tundra. The contact stated that the frame and the front bumper were severely rusted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the nhtsa hotline for…”

STRUCTURE · reported 2024-11-12

Defect investigations

Investigation EA04024 Opened 2004-08-20 · closed 2005-07-08

BALL JOINT SEPARATION

ODI RECEIVED 3 CONSUMER REPORTS OF ALLEGED BALL JOINT SEPARATION ON MY 2002 TUNDRA VEHICLES.THE COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT A FRONT SUSPENSION BALL JOINT SEPARATED WHILE DRIVING, WHICH CAUSED THE SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE AND RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.BASED ON THESE COMPLAINTS, ODI OPENED PE02-040 AND LATER…

Investigation EA04024 Opened 2004-08-20 · closed 2005-07-08

BALL JOINT SEPARATION

ODI RECEIVED 3 CONSUMER REPORTS OF ALLEGED BALL JOINT SEPARATION ON MY 2002 TUNDRA VEHICLES.THE COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT A FRONT SUSPENSION BALL JOINT SEPARATED WHILE DRIVING, WHICH CAUSED THE SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE AND RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.BASED ON THESE COMPLAINTS, ODI OPENED PE02-040 AND LATER…

Investigation EA04024 Opened 2004-08-20 · closed 2005-07-08

BALL JOINT SEPARATION

ODI RECEIVED 3 CONSUMER REPORTS OF ALLEGED BALL JOINT SEPARATION ON MY 2002 TUNDRA VEHICLES.THE COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT A FRONT SUSPENSION BALL JOINT SEPARATED WHILE DRIVING, WHICH CAUSED THE SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE AND RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.BASED ON THESE COMPLAINTS, ODI OPENED PE02-040 AND LATER…

Investigation EA04024 Opened 2004-08-20 · closed 2005-07-08

BALL JOINT SEPARATION

ODI RECEIVED 3 CONSUMER REPORTS OF ALLEGED BALL JOINT SEPARATION ON MY 2002 TUNDRA VEHICLES.THE COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT A FRONT SUSPENSION BALL JOINT SEPARATED WHILE DRIVING, WHICH CAUSED THE SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE AND RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.BASED ON THESE COMPLAINTS, ODI OPENED PE02-040 AND LATER…

Investigation PE04040 Opened 2004-04-13 · closed 2004-08-20

FRONT SUSPENSION BALL JOINT BREAKAGE

ODI OPENED PE04-040 BASED ON THREE CONSUMER REPORTS OF ALLEGED BALL JOINT FAILURE.THE COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT A FRONT SUSPENSION BALL JOINT SEPARATED WHILE DRIVING, WHICH CAUSED THE SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE AND RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.ALL OF THESE COMPLAINTS INVOLVED THE FAILURE OF A LOWER BALL…

Investigation PE04040 Opened 2004-04-13 · closed 2004-08-20

FRONT SUSPENSION BALL JOINT BREAKAGE

ODI OPENED PE04-040 BASED ON THREE CONSUMER REPORTS OF ALLEGED BALL JOINT FAILURE.THE COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT A FRONT SUSPENSION BALL JOINT SEPARATED WHILE DRIVING, WHICH CAUSED THE SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE AND RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.ALL OF THESE COMPLAINTS INVOLVED THE FAILURE OF A LOWER BALL…

Investigation PE09049 Opened 2009-10-06 · closed 2010-01-26

FRAME CORROSION

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED BASED ON 20 REPORTS OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES EXPERIENCING SEVERE CORROSION OF THE FRAME, RESULTING IN EITHER UNDER-BODY MOUNTED SPARE TIRE SEPARATION OR REAR BRAKE FAILURE.THE FAILURE REPORT COUNTS SHOWN ABOVE ARE FOR MY 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES ONLY.BY LETTER OF NOVEMBER…

Investigation PE09049 Opened 2009-10-06 · closed 2010-01-26

FRAME CORROSION

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED BASED ON 20 REPORTS OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES EXPERIENCING SEVERE CORROSION OF THE FRAME, RESULTING IN EITHER UNDER-BODY MOUNTED SPARE TIRE SEPARATION OR REAR BRAKE FAILURE.THE FAILURE REPORT COUNTS SHOWN ABOVE ARE FOR MY 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES ONLY.BY LETTER OF NOVEMBER…

Investigation PE09049 Opened 2009-10-06 · closed 2010-01-26

FRAME CORROSION

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED BASED ON 20 REPORTS OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES EXPERIENCING SEVERE CORROSION OF THE FRAME, RESULTING IN EITHER UNDER-BODY MOUNTED SPARE TIRE SEPARATION OR REAR BRAKE FAILURE.THE FAILURE REPORT COUNTS SHOWN ABOVE ARE FOR MY 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES ONLY.BY LETTER OF NOVEMBER…

Investigation PE09049 Opened 2009-10-06 · closed 2010-01-26

FRAME CORROSION

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED BASED ON 20 REPORTS OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES EXPERIENCING SEVERE CORROSION OF THE FRAME, RESULTING IN EITHER UNDER-BODY MOUNTED SPARE TIRE SEPARATION OR REAR BRAKE FAILURE.THE FAILURE REPORT COUNTS SHOWN ABOVE ARE FOR MY 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES ONLY.BY LETTER OF NOVEMBER…

Investigation PE09049 Opened 2009-10-06 · closed 2010-01-26

FRAME CORROSION

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED BASED ON 20 REPORTS OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES EXPERIENCING SEVERE CORROSION OF THE FRAME, RESULTING IN EITHER UNDER-BODY MOUNTED SPARE TIRE SEPARATION OR REAR BRAKE FAILURE.THE FAILURE REPORT COUNTS SHOWN ABOVE ARE FOR MY 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES ONLY.BY LETTER OF NOVEMBER…

Investigation PE09049 Opened 2009-10-06 · closed 2010-01-26

FRAME CORROSION

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED BASED ON 20 REPORTS OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES EXPERIENCING SEVERE CORROSION OF THE FRAME, RESULTING IN EITHER UNDER-BODY MOUNTED SPARE TIRE SEPARATION OR REAR BRAKE FAILURE.THE FAILURE REPORT COUNTS SHOWN ABOVE ARE FOR MY 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES ONLY.BY LETTER OF NOVEMBER…

Investigation PE09049 Opened 2009-10-06 · closed 2010-01-26

FRAME CORROSION

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED BASED ON 20 REPORTS OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES EXPERIENCING SEVERE CORROSION OF THE FRAME, RESULTING IN EITHER UNDER-BODY MOUNTED SPARE TIRE SEPARATION OR REAR BRAKE FAILURE.THE FAILURE REPORT COUNTS SHOWN ABOVE ARE FOR MY 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES ONLY.BY LETTER OF NOVEMBER…

Investigation PE09049 Opened 2009-10-06 · closed 2010-01-26

FRAME CORROSION

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED BASED ON 20 REPORTS OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES EXPERIENCING SEVERE CORROSION OF THE FRAME, RESULTING IN EITHER UNDER-BODY MOUNTED SPARE TIRE SEPARATION OR REAR BRAKE FAILURE.THE FAILURE REPORT COUNTS SHOWN ABOVE ARE FOR MY 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES ONLY.BY LETTER OF NOVEMBER…

Sources & methodology

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 Tundra as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.