1. Toyota Tacoma
  2. Problems
  3. 2002
  4. Body

2002 Toyota Tacoma Body Problems

94
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 94 stored complaint records:

  • 2 indicate a crash
  • 2 indicate injury
  • 0 indicate fire

What owners report

  • failure mileage · 30 records
  • repaired failure · 16 records
  • unsafe drive · 14 records
  • frame rusted · 13 records
  • approximate failure · 13 records
  • needed replaced · 12 records

Mileage in stored records

BandRecords
150–400k mi35
100–150k mi26
60–100k mi17
30–60k mi3
1–30k mi1

Complaint records

Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.

  • November 13, 2019 · 215,325 miles

    Body

    I have a 2002 tacoma that was part of the frame perforation recall. However, i did not get a frame replacement. The "fix" was to apply a gel over the rust on the frame, which, subsequently, all fell off the frame onto my driveway. Recently, i took my truck into the dealership for a 4wd repair and was told that my "frame was shot" and the truck was "unsafe to drive", due to that. And if they lifted my truck to do the…

    ODI 11281389

  • September 19, 2019 · 155,000 miles

    Body · Engine · Unknown Or Other

    Frame failure due to corrosion: toyota had placed a "warranty enhancement" to replace the frames because they weren't treated for corrosion but with an enhancement, it expires and did so in 2017. I just bought the truck and learned they have a safety recall for corrosion of the spare wheel compartment. This is the same issue. Why is the frame not a safety recall?? I have huge holes and large cracks along much of the…

    ODI 11256676

  • September 17, 2019 · 120,500 miles

    Body

    Mechanic told me that my frame was rusted through. He could put his fist through a hole in the frame and recommended i call a dealer to see if this was on a recall list. When i called and gave them the vin, they said no it is not a recall. What can i do? Especially if i cannot afford another vehicle!

    ODI 11256194

  • July 15, 2019 · 305,000 miles

    Body

    Tl* the contact owns a 2002 toyota tacoma. While the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that the rear passenger side was lower than the other side. The contact managed to drive the vehicle to jeff wyler toyota of clarksville (808 e lewis and clark pkwy, clarksville, in 47129, [redacted]) where it was diagnosed that the rear frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made…

    ODI 11232072

  • July 9, 2019 · 124,000 miles

    Body

    Tl* the contact owns a 2002 toyota tacoma. When the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for an alternator and battery change, the technician stated that the frame was completely corroded and the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The contact also stated that the fuel tank cover often popped open without warning. The contact stated that he received a recall notification for nhtsa campaign number: 12v542000…

    ODI 11230717

  • June 5, 2019

    Body

    Tl* the contact owns a 2002 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that there was extensive rust and corrosion on the chassis and the frame had cracks on the passenger side from the front to the rear. Elmhurst toyota (440 w lake st, elmhurst, il 60126, [redacted]) indicated that the vehicle was not safe to drive and that the entire frame and chassis needed to be replaced. The dealer and manufacturer indicated that there…

    ODI 11218136

  • March 14, 2019

    Body

    I recently took my car to my mechanic and he informed me of a recall for my car made due to the rotting of the frame. I've had my daughter call toyota, who's informed her that mails were sent to my home about the recall, which i have never received. I feel the condition of the frame in my car is a very dangerous hazard and i am not able to use this vehicle afraid of what might happen.

    ODI 11186926

  • September 17, 2018 · 120,000 miles

    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

  • June 14, 2018

    Body

    In 2012 we received a recall notice for this vehicles frame. We took the vehicle into the dealership and we were told everyhthing looks ok. No other action was performed on the vehicle. Yesterday we noticed a crack in the frame. The car is non driveable. We called the dealership and we were told this is now out of warranty. I called toyota hq and they stated had it been sprayed - which was toyotas direction on this…

    ODI 11101991

  • June 1, 2018 · 139,000 miles

    Body

    My mechanic told me that the above vehicle's fame is structurally unsafe. I share this truck with my 18 year old grandson. I would just like to know if i have any recall with toyota before i proceed with either fixing it or junking it. It has 140,000 original miles and i believe i am the third owner. I live in the northeast.

    ODI 11113967

  • May 10, 2018 · 118,000 miles

    Body

    Tl* the contact owns a 2002 toyota tacoma. The contact took the vehicle to rick mcgill's airport toyota [redacted], located at 3145 alcoa hwy, alcoa, tn 37701) for an oil change. The technician diagnosed that the entire frame was rusted and the vehicle was dangerous to drive. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall. The manufacturer also informed the contact that a customer…

    ODI 11133183

  • May 3, 2018 · 108,000 miles

    Body

    My 2002 tacoma has severe rust on the frame and drive train and i was told by the toyota dealership that the truck under body was sprayed in 2010 and that there have to be holes in the frame to be covered. He also said that there was a 15 year warranty for my frame to which it is now 2018 and has exspired. I feel that toyota knew that defected steel was used for these frames from 2002. I won't even bother to get in…

    ODI 11091591

  • March 3, 2018 · 135,000 miles

    Body

    Shock rusted away from frame, mechanic tried to put on lift to fix and the frame started to pop and crack at the rear wheel area, it is rusted through. The frame was coated during the recall period in 2011 and they told me it was ok. I very much doubt that it was.

    ODI 11076087

  • March 1, 2018 · 99,000 miles

    Body

    Frame is rusting real bad and falling apart.called toyota and dealer and they said there is nothing they can do. There is a substantial cracking and breaking apart on the frame i read online this is a known issue and there is problems with a lot of tacoma's and like trucks. But no one wants to take ownership of the problem. Everywhere else on the frame is little rusty given the age of the truck but in one spot it is…

    ODI 11163301

  • October 1, 2017 · 105,000 miles

    Body

    My trucks frame rusted to where the cab is in grave danger of separating from the bed of the truck. We didn't get a recall on the frame and had no idea this was happening. The truck was bought new and we do live where they put salt on the roads. Now, toyota said they will not help remedy this at all because the truck wasn't taken into a toyota dealership in approx. 6 mths or however long they had known about this.…

    ODI 11054263

  • October 1, 2017 · 157,000 miles

    Body

    Tacoma frame recall: good day, i was doing some research online with my matter and people were saying to contact the national highway safety administration. I have a 2002 single cab toyota tacoma which frame has totally rusted out now with a hole rite through the frame. I provided toyota with my vin number yet they say i am not eligible for a frame replacement yet this is a factory default on toyotas fault. My truck…

    ODI 11035568

  • September 1, 2017 · 212,000 miles

    Body

    Tl* the contact owns a 2002 toyota tacoma. The contact took the vehicle to toyota of portland ([redacted], portland, or 97232, [redacted]) to be repaired per nhtsa campaign number: 12v542000 (tires). The contact was informed that the recall repair could not be performed due to excessive rust on the vehicle's frame. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was…

    ODI 11151511

  • September 1, 2017

    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

  • August 9, 2017 · 50,000 miles

    Body

    I have a 2002 tacoma and found the frame where the front part of the rear leaf spring has rusted through. The over load spring is holding the driver side rear of the vehicle up. This vehicle had 50,000 actual miles on it and there is noway that this should be happening.

    ODI 11014275

  • July 17, 2017 · 190,000 miles

    Body

    Vehicles frame is rusting through. I have never seen a frame rust through to the point where you can poke holes through it with a finger, this is happening with my tacoma and is very dangerous. I purchased this last april, and did not know about the frame issues toyota's have until they recalled the 05-15 models for the same exact issue, i heard they are also in the process of recalling 95-00. Toyota will not assist…

    ODI 11012153

  • May 8, 2017 · 183,000 miles

    Body

    Tl* the contact owns a 2002 toyota tacoma. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic to be serviced due to excessive swaying when driving. The certified mechanic stated that the frame underneath the vehicle was corroded. The manufacturer stated that the recall was closed and the vehicle would not be repaired. The manufacturer opened case number: 1705200515. The approximate failure mileage was 183,000.

    ODI 10990979

  • April 14, 2017 · 230,000 miles

    Body

    Tl* the contact owns a 2002 toyota tacoma. While the vehicle was stationary, the contact noticed that the frame was rusted and severely corroded. The contact stated that there were holes in the frame of the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 230,000. The vin was not available.

    ODI 10978938

  • March 18, 2017

    Body

    FRAME RUST

    ODI 11042078

  • March 2, 2017 · 176,500 miles

    Body

    Excessive rust corrosion on the vehicle frame. Excessive rust corrosion to the point where there are actual holes in the main frame of the vehicle where the vehicles suspension attaches. The vehicle had been inspected for corrosion and under recall and had additional corrosion protection applied. I just noticed the holes in the frame on march 2, 2017 and wish to inquire if the vehicle falls under the extended frame…

    ODI 10958503

  • January 16, 2017 · 120,000 miles

    Body

    I went to have my tires rotated. When they raised the truck on the lift the frame broke on both sides of the truck near the bed. The entire bed of the truck fell backwards. The frame was completely rusted through. I had owned the truck for four years and never received a notice from toyota that this might be an issue. I called toyota and they admitted that there was an issue with the frame but my vehicle was not…

    ODI 10947228