2002 Toyota Tacoma Suspension Problems
- 43
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 43 stored complaint records:
- 4 indicate a crash
- 2 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
What owners report
- ball joint · 8 records
- frame rust · 6 records
- leaf springs · 5 records
- failure mileage · 4 records
- frame recall · 4 records
- recall expired · 4 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 150–400k mi | 21 |
| 100–150k mi | 9 |
| 60–100k mi | 8 |
| 1–30k mi | 1 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Suspension
The undercarriage is showing substantial rust and corrosion
ODI 11138770
Body · Suspension
Vehicle failed inspection due to frame rust. Was told that its unsafe to drive. Researched and found that this is long ongoing issue with toyota and a number of there vehicles. Toyota has knowledge of this issue and still sold these inferior frames for many years.
ODI 11131500
Suspension
Driving on local street, 25 mph, then heard clunking sound when hitting road bumps. Mechanic inspection revealed shock mount completely rusted out of frame and excessive rust and rotting throughout the rear frame. Toyota will not help so will have repair privately and weld new sleeves to the frame. Toyota has created a very dangerous situation for its' customers by using inferior metals in its' frames for many years.
ODI 11104554
Suspension
My frame is just rusted out in the back end it's never been flooded always taken care of very well and i heard about the frame recalls but my vin comes back with no recalls i just need to see if this can be investigated i know people who did qualify and there frames were perfectly fine but mine is just falling apart
ODI 11082372
Power Train · Suspension
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 toyota tacoma. While driving approximately 10 mph, the ball joint fractured and came apart. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and was later towed to mike erdman toyota (1545 e merritt island causeway, merritt island, fl 32952) where it was diagnosed that the ball joint separated and damaged the axle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not…
ODI 11064474
Body · Suspension
The frame is rotting out. Toyota had the vehicle frame coated with some kind of tar substance because the frame was suspect to heavy corrosion. The coating which was done around 2010 did not work and the vehicle now has holes in the frame due to heavy rust. This is a known issue with these vehicles. Toyota offered a non-working solution that did not fix the problem. The coating was just a gimmick and not a solution…
ODI 11029944
Air Bags · Suspension
AIRBAG SYSTEM FAILURE BROKEN LEAF SPRINGS.
ODI 10995614
Body · Suspension · Wheels
I was driving on a highway at about 55 mph. The right lower control ball joint broke so the entire wheel broke off the vehicle. The vehicle tried to run/jump over the wheel and caused the vehicle to slammed down on the asphalt. The truck dragged on the asphalt for about 100 to 150 yds until i managed to control and stop it.
Crash reported · 1 injury
ODI 10981109
Power Train · Service Brakes · Suspension
The rust on the rear end assembly is so severe that the brakes are compromised, and the back up emergency brake system has failed. The rust on the differential housing is so severe that the fluid has leaked out and the gears are at risk for catastrophic failure. The spring mounts to the axles are also rusting severely, creating a risk of lost control should either side break away. It takes great effort when braking,…
ODI 10914401
Body · Suspension
I was informed by toyota case worker that the rusty frame recall expired and it is my problem now. I didn't receive any frame recall notice but received a spare tire lift plate recall (which doesn't expire) due to rust and severe corrosion. I was informed by dealership my truck was unsafe to even put on the lift to address current recall, of course they let me drive it home which is a 35-[redacted] for me. I was…
ODI 10903614
Body · Suspension · Unknown Or Other
Frame rot from inside out. Suspension mounting to frame rotted out. Totoya refuses to deal with this and claims the safety recall is expired. How can a recall be expired. Case #1606101548 . Toyota representative very rude and demeaning.
ODI 10874003
Body · Suspension · Unknown Or Other
Excessive unsafe frame rot from inside out. Toyota safety 'recall' offer to fix 'expired'.
ODI 10873590
Body · Suspension
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 toyota tacoma. While backing out of the driveway at a very low rate of speed, the rear driver side spring shackle suddenly fractured and rendered the vehicle undrivable. The vehicle was examined by an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the failure was caused by severe rusting of the vehicle's frame. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 86,039.…
ODI 10870520
Body · Suspension
Rusting frame.i brought my 2002 toyota tacoma truck to dealer for the corrosion resistant spraying to prevent further rusting of frame.spraying completed on 03/25/03.rust on frame continues.spraying did not work.toyota said they only spray truck once.rust warranty extended for 15 years expiring on 10/01/16.toyota should extend rust warranty with no expiration date as truck will have to be sprayed every two…
ODI 10850730
Frame And Members · Suspension
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired under nhtsa campaign number: 12v542000 (tires) however, the contact was informed by the service technician that there was excessive corrosion to the subframe of the vehicle. The contact stated that the corrosion traveled from the front driver side suspension to the rear driver side suspension. The…
ODI 10795092
Body · Suspension
Hello, i own a 2002 toyota tacoma and i brought it to a local toyota dealership where a service advisor came out to the parking lot, got under the vehicle and noticed that the frame has rusted through (he stuck his hand through the rust hole) near where the leaf springs attach to the frame. It is a known safety issue and toyota has repaired/replaced many tacoma's due to this safety issue. I did some research, and…
ODI 10787271
Suspension
I drive a 2002 toyota tacoma. Heard a clunking noise i thought was a loose pick up bed (shortly after driving on the highway at legal but high speed coming home from work). Stopped and noted my truck frame had broken in two places over the rear axel and gas tank area. The broken side of the frame was just sitting loosely on the l rear leaf springs. Luckily i stopped to check the pickup bed. I could have been…
ODI 10749338
Suspension · Unknown Or Other
2002 toyota tacoma was taken into the shop for an oil change, tire rotation and brake inspection when the shop service technician called to report the frame of the vehicle contains pinholes and is noticeably rusting, presenting a safety issue. The shop technician recommended contacting toyota directly as he thought any recall had since expired. Post researching recall information, we did verify that the "recall"…
ODI 10725162
Frame And Members · Suspension · Wheels
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that when the vehicle was taken to the dealer (gerard toyota located on [redacted], new london, ct 06320) for service, the technician noticed corrosion on the rear passenger side frame and a crack in the rear passenger wheel. The shocks could be seen and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure.…
ODI 10995611
Suspension · Underbody Shields
Frame is rusted through in multiple locations and has been treated with corrosion resistant coatings. The coatings are obviously visible but did not prevent the frame from rusting to an unsafe condition. The previous owner brought the truck in for other recalls that are recorded in its history. This one for the frame is not recorded however you can see the coating has been applied. The warranty extension is listed…
ODI 10703933
Body · Suspension
I purchased a tacoma truck december 2014 with an undercoated frame, and was unaware the frames in these trucks rot out, it is now april i look under the truck and see the frame is completely rotten out to the point where there is holes every where and you can poke your fingers holes will develop, i contacted toyota they don't want to even touch the truck, i feel very unsafe driving the truck. *tr
ODI 10703636
Body · Suspension
Purchased this truck 4 months ago for $10,900. Found no evidence of recalls on this truck on carfax and toyotas recall website. It is a great truck in pristine condition. However, after talking to a friend who has a 2004 tacoma he informed me that there was a recall and that his frame was sprayed to prevent corrosion. I called up toyota to see if it had been done on mine and they said no. I asked why they were…
ODI 10692586
Suspension · Underbody Shields
Vehicle has low miles yet the frame has rust holes in it. Toyota won't do anything about it even though it has frame inspections in it's recent service history. The first inspection occurred in 2010, less than 7k miles ago. They indicated to me on the phone that due to an agreement with nhtsa that they could not do anything to help me. They would not take ownership for not inspecting the frame properly. This is a…
ODI 10689725
Suspension · Unknown Or Other
The frame at rear spring hangers has rusted through rear axle separated from frame due to rust
ODI 11119791
Body · Suspension
Part of the frame suddenly broke from the frame rail under the driver's side of the vehicle, resulting in a significant portion of material loosing all structural integrity. This was due, it seems, to a manufacturing defect in the frame quality leading to excessive rot and rust. The vehicle is now structurally unsound and thus unable to be driven safely. *tr
ODI 10629040