Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2002 record →
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING THE ANNUAL STATE INSPECTION PERFORMED, THE INSPECTOR NOTIFIED HIM THAT THE ENTIRE SUB FRAME, REAR BUMPER AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL WERE EXCESSIVELY CORRODED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 167,152.
EXCESSIVE FRAME RUST. I BROUGHT IT INTO A TOYOTA DEALER FOR AN INSPECTION FOR RUST TO THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER. THE DEALER REFUSED TO PERFORM THE INSPECTION BECAUSE THEY SAID THE FRAME WAS TOO RUSTY FOR THEM TO SAFELY PERFORM THE INSPECTION. *TR
I TOOK IN MY 2002 TACOMA FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT PUT IT UP ON THE LIFT DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION ON THE FRAME. I ONLY RECENTLY BOUGHT THE TRUCK IN OCT. 2013 WITH 65K MILES ON IT. ALL ELSE WORKS FINE. AFTER EXPLAINING THE ISSUE TO TOYOTA THEY ADVISED ME TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALERSHIP THEN TOLD ME THAT THEY WERE ONLY COVERING THE RUSTED SPARE WHEEL CASING IN THE RECALL, NOT THE ENTIRE FRAME, AND ADVISED ME TO TAKE IT UP WITH TOYOTA CORPORATE. THE MODEL BEFORE THE '02 WAS RECALLED DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION ON THE FRAME (IN COLD WEATHER STATES) HOWEVER THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO PERSIST IN LATER MODELS. HAS ANYONE HAD LUCK CALLING TOYOTA ABOUT THIS? I'M IN A TOUGH SPOT AS I PURCHASED THE TRUCK RECENTLY (ALTHOUGH THE RUST DAMAGE DID NOT APPEAR AS BAD THEN AND I'M WONDERING IF SOME COATING WAS APPLIED AT THE DEALER) AND WOULD HAVE MISSED ANY RECALL ON THE FRAME IF THERE HAD BEEN ONE. *JS
FRAME RUSTED AND CRACKED. *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE INSPECTED BECAUSE THE SUBFRAME WAS CORRODED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTICE FOR AN UNRELATED RECALL. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE PER THE RECALL AND RELEASED THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
THE SWAY BAR ARM BRACKET ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE PULLED OUT OF THE FRAME DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS FOUND TO HAVE CORROSION PERFORATIONS IN MULTIPLE AREAS OF THE FRAME. FRAME HAS EXCESSIVE CORROSION AND I HAVE BEEN ADVISED VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO OPERATE. MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING. *TR
FRAME CRACKED AT RIGHT REAR BOX RAIL... *TR
MY FUEL TANK IS RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH TO THE POINT OF LEAKING GAS. I KNOW TOYOTA HAS RECALLED THE FRAME (REPLACED) AND THE SPARE TIRE HOLDER (NOT YET REPLACED) DUE TO RUST. SEEMS LIKE THE WHOLE UNDERSIDE IS RUSTING OUT. *TR
I RECENTLY TOOK MY 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA INTO THE LOCAL DEALER, DCH IN WAPPINGERS FALLS NY, BECAUSE OF LEAK IN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING. UPON LOOKING AT THE VEHICLE,THEY OBSERVED A CRACKED AND RUSTED FRAME. WE TOOK THE CAR DOWN AND I WENT TO MY LOCAL REPAIR SHOP FOR A SECOND OPINION. THAT REPAIR SHOP HAD SAID THERE WAS A FRAME RECALL FOR THAT YEAR. I CALLED TOYOTA IN CALIFORNIA AND THEY CONFIRMED THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THAT YEAR AND THAT THEY SENT OUT A NOTICE, BUT IT HAD TO BE BROUGHT BY THE END OF 2012. I TOLD THEM I NEVER RECEIVED THE NOTICE. THERE HAVE BEEN 2 OTHER RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE WHICH I DID RECEIVE NOTICES. THEY CHECKED WITH THEIR COMPLIANCE OFFICE AND SAID THEY DID SEND IT TO ME. I ASKED HOW MANY NOTICES WENT OUT AND THEY SAID ONE AND THEY DO NOT SEND THEM CERTIFIED MAIL. WHEN I STATED THAT I NEVER RECEIVED THE NOTICE, THEY TOLD THERE WAS A DEPARTMENT THAT MAY STILL BE ABLE TO ASSIST ME. AFTER OPENING UP A CASE WITH TOYOTA, THEY CAME TO THE CONCLUSION, THERE WAS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT BECAUSE I FAILED TO BRING THE CAR IN BY THEIR DEADLINE. I TOLD THEM AGAIN THAT I NEVER RECEIVED THE NOTICE AND THAT I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH A RUSTED AND CRACKED FRAME. THIS SEEMS TO BE PROBLEM WITH A GOOD DEAL OF TOYOTAS. I WAS HOPING FOR SOME KIND OF HELP, SINCE THEY'VE ADMITTED THE PROBLEM AND I NEVER RECEIVED THE NOTICE AND WE, AT THIS POINT HAVE ONLY THEIR WORD THAT THEY SENT ME A NOTICE. THANK YOU. TOYOTA CASE# 1405131065. UPDATED 07/03/14
I CALLED TOYOTA IN 2012 TO ASK ABOUT FRAME. WAS TOLD I DIDN'T QUALIFY. HAVE HAD TO REPLACE EVERYTHING ATTACHED TO FRAME IN A 2 YEAR PERIOD. LAST FALL THE GAS TANK FELL OFF. FRAME SO RUSTED IT WOULDN'T HOLD IT. CALLED TOYOTA AGAIN, AS RECOMMENDED BY MECHANIC, WAS TOLD I DIDN'T QUALIFY. WENT TO DEALER FOR RECALL REPAIR ON SPARE TIRE HOLDER, THEY COULDN'T FIX IT. TOO RUSTED. TOLD ME IT S NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. TOLD ME TO CALL TOYOTA. I DID. TOLD ME I DIDN'T QUALIFY BECAUSE RECALL EXPIRED. EXPIRED?! I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE!! I HAVE LIVED AT THE SAME ADDRESS FOR 32 YEARS. THEY FOUND ME THIS TIME, THEY SHOULD HAVE FOUND ME FOR THAT ONE. NOW WHAT? I AM OUT WELL OVER $3500 DOLLARS I'VE PAID OUT THE LAST 3 YRS AND ITS NOT SAFE! NEED HELP HERE. *JS
FRAME RUST WHEN PURCHASED OUT OF STATE (MINNESOTA) FROM DEALER AND INSPECTED ON 10/2/2012 (IN VIRGINIA, UPON TRANSPORT ARRIVAL). THEY SAID THEY BELIEVED IT WAS MOSTLY SURFACE RUST. INSPECTED AGAIN IN MAY OF 2014 AND FOUND WITHIN 20 MONTHS AND 24000 MILES LATER, THE FRAME HAD PERFORATED, AND DEEMED UNSAFE TO DRIVE. IT WAS MARKETED AS A VEHICLE IN GREAT SHAPE, AND WASN'T CHEAP. MUCH MONEY IS STILL OWED ON THIS CONDEMNED VEHICLE. THESE VEHICLES HAVE A HISTORY OF THIS, YET THERE IS NOTHING BEING DONE CONCERNING THESE UNSAFE VEHICLES. *JS
I CONTACTED TOYOTA IN NOVEMBER OF 2013 PRIOR TO PURCHASING A USED 2002 DOUBLE CAB TACOMA. I WAS AWARE OF THE FRAME ISSUE SO I CALLED TO CHECK TO SEE IF IT HAD BEEN SERVICED. I GAVE THE VIN TO THE CUSTOMER SERVICE ASSOCIATE AND HE WAS ABLE TO PULL RECORDS ON THE VEHICLE. HE TOLD ME THAT IT HAD NOT HAD THE CORROSION TREATMENT, HOWEVER, THE CORROSION TREATMENT FAILED AND WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REFORMULATED. HE SAID THAT THE PROGRAM HAD BEEN REOPENED DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE TREATMENT FAILED. HE SAID AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE I SHOULD TAKE IT TO BE INSPECTED AND IF ANY RUST WAS FOUND IT WOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE FRAME PROGRAM. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN NOVEMBER OF 2013 AND UPON INSPECTION WE FOUND THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED. IN JANUARY OF 2014 MY HUSBAND CALLED A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER TO SET UP AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE FRAME INSPECTION AND THEY SAID THAT THEY HAD NO IDEA ABOUT THE FRAME PROGRAM BEING REOPENED. MY HUSBAND CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY PULLED UP THE VEHICLE AND SAID SINCE THE ORIGINAL TREATMENT HAD NOT BEEN APPLIED THEY WOULD NOT HONOR THE FRAME PROGRAM. WE SPOKE TO SEVERAL TOYOTA ASSOCIATES AND WE WERE TOLD THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. WE HAVE CONTACTED THE TOYOTA LEGAL DEPARTMENT AND THE VIRGINIA ATTORNEY GENERAL WITH NO SUCCESS. *TR
THREE MONTHS AGO I RECEIVED MY NOTICE ABOUT EXCESSIVE CORROSION OF THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER LIFT PLATE. I CALLED THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER TO SCHEDULE THE REPAIR, THE COLLISION MANAGER HAD NO KNOWLEDGE ABOUT IT. I CALLED AGAIN TO SCHEDULE A FIX BUT WAS TOLD THAT SOME ONE WILL CALL ME BUT ,NO ONE DID. TOYOTA OF YORK ,PA17402. *TR
LETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN RAHALL ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE A RECALL FROM SEVERAL YEARS AGO ON HIS TOYOTA TACOMA SR 5 PICK UP TRUCK. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE SAW ON THE NEWS A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED, REGARDING DEFECTIVE FRAMES, AND HE MISSED OUT ON THE RECALL, DUE TO PERSONAL ISSUES. HE WOULD LIKE TO GET THE VEHICLE FIXED, BECAUSE IT CAN NO LONGER BE DRIVEN DUE TO A CRACKED FRAME. *JB
WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM PICKING UP MY DAUGHTER FROM SCHOOL. I HIT A POT HOLE MY TRUCK BECAME VERY LOOSE AND HARD TO HANDLE. I GOT HOME AND INSPECTED THE TRUCK. I FOUND THAT THE REAR LEAF SPRING MOUNTS ON BOTH SIDES PULLED/ RIPPED THE FRAME! MY BACK AXEL ALSO SLID BACK ABOUT 2"! I'M GLAD WE DIDN'T GET HURT, BUT I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT THIS IS ACCEPTABLE. I ONLY WONDER WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF THE AXEL WOULD HAVE CAME TOTALLY DISCONNECTED FROM THE TRUCK. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME AND CHASSIS WERE CORRODED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO CONCERNED THAT THE SPARE TIRE WOULD BECOME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO OPEN RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 212,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SWAY FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE ENTIRE SUB FRAME OF WAS RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.
MY TRUCKS FRAME IS CORRODED AND FALLING APART. TOYOTA HAD A RECALL OUT FOR THE FRAME. DUE TO PREVIOUS OWNER NOT HAVING CHEMICAL COMPOUND SPRAYED ON THE FRAME, I AM TOLD THERE IS NOTHING I CAN DO. I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED ANYTHING REGARDING MY TRUCKS UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION. I HAVE BEEN TO IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE BUT TOYOTA IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND THE FRAME AREA NEAR THE TIRES EXHIBITED CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V542000 (TIRES) AND STATED THAT THE LOCAL DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THE RECALL WAS NO LONGER ACTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE INSPECTED AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. UPDATED 01/12/16*LJ, UPDATED 02/23/16*LJ UPDATED 8/22/2017*CN
FRAME IS RUSTED AND BROKEN AND TRUCK IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR
THE WHOLE SPARE TIRE ASSEMBLY FELL OFF THE TACOMA TRUCK. THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL FOR THIS. THE PROBLEM IS THIS TACOMA TRUCK ALSO HAS TOTALLY ROTTED FRAME RAILS (AN OLDER, EXPIRED SAFETY RECALL). THE BIG ISSUE IS TOYOTA CAN ONLY OFFER A DATE WHEN THE ACTUAL RECALL NOTICE LEFT THEIR PRINT FACILITY. I DO NOT RECALL RECEIVING THIS NOTICE SINCE IT DID NOT COME REGISTERED MAIL. TOYOTA WILL NOT HONOR THE OLD, EXPIRED FRAME RAIL RECALL AND THUS CANNOT FULFILL THIS ACTIVE, SPARE TIRE RECALL. BOTH RECALLS ARE FOR THE SAME SYMPTOM (EXCESSIVE ROAD SALT CORRODING PARTS). WHY DID THE FRAME RAIL RECALL EXPIRE WHEN THE MOST-RECENT SPAR TIRE RECALL IS THE SAME SYMPTOM?? I DO NOT KNOW IF ANYONE HAS DIED BECAUSE MY SPARE TIRE FELL OFF...THAT SCARES ME VERY MUCH. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BECOME UNCONTROLLABLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT DURING THE INCIDENT THE STEERING RACK HAD FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE CONTACT. IN A SECOND INCIDENT THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT 2 PISTONS HAD COME THROUGH THE ENGINE BLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND AS A RESULT, THE REAR AXLE AND SPRING HANGER BECAME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT BEING DRIVEN DUE TO A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 162,000.
THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE FOR PREMATURE FRAME RUSTING. I TOOK IT IN FOR THE INSPECTION AND WAS TOLD IT WAS OK. WHEN I TOOK IT IN FOR THE LAST SERVICE, IT WAS POINTED OUT TO ME THAT THERE ARE TWO HOLES RUSTED THROUGH THE FRAME IN FRONT OF THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL AREA. THE FRAME IS RUSTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT. THE BODY OF THE TRUCK HAS NO RUST. WITH THE LOW MILEAGE I HAD HOPED TO DRIVE THE TRUCK FOR MANY MORE YEARS. I CONTACTED TOYOTA AND DID NOT EVEN GET A RESPONSE. WHAT RECOURSE DO I HAVE? *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME STARTED TO DETERIORATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN APPLIED AN UNDER COATING TO THE FRAME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COATING EVENTUALLY WORE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. UPDATED 04/21/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED HE MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE CORROSION FRAME RECALL. BEFORE THE APPOINTMENT, HE NOTICED A LOT OF OIL DROPLETS ON THE TAIL GATE OF THE TRUCK, AS HE DROVE OFF, HE NOTICED A PUDDLE OF OIL. AN INSPECTION REVEALED, THE DIFFERENTIAL CASE WAS LEAKING AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS EXTREMELY RUSTY. ALSO, THE FRAME WAS RUSTED, AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 04/24/14
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT RUSTING AND CORROSION WAS DISCOVERED ON THE FRAME. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE LEAF SPRING SHACKLE HAD SUNK INTO THE UNDER FRAME DUE TO THE RUST AND CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT BUT NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME HAD STARTED TO DETERIORATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN APPLIED AN UNDERCOATING TO THE FRAME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COATING EVENTUALLY WORE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
I PURCHASED THIS TRUCK WITH 100,000 MILES IN A PRIVATE SALE IN 2010. I DROVE IT FOR A FEW YEARS AND WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN FOR INSPECTION THEY FAILED IT FOR A RUSTED OUT FRAME. THEY SAID THAT THEY WOULDN'T DRIVE IT AND THAT IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS. I CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING TO HELP ME OUT. THEY SAID SINCE THE PREVIOUS OWNER DID NOT GET IT SPRAYED THE WARRANTY WAS NULL AND VOID. SO MY TRUCK THAT HAS 100,000 MILES AND WAS KBB AT $8-$9K IS WORTH NOTHING. I AM NOT A PERSON THAT IS WELL OFF AND THAT WAS A BIG HIT FOR ME. I LIVE PAY CHECK TO PAY CHECK AND I WONDER HOW MANY OTHERS WERE EFFECTED BY AN OBVIOUSLY CHEAP FRAME. 100,000 MILES AND THE FRAME RUSTS, THAT JUST SEEMS WRONG. *TR
SOMETIME IN 2012, MY SPARE TIRE AND RIM WERE LOST ON THE HIGHWAY DUE TO A FAILED SPARE TIRE CARRIER. THE LIFT PLATE ON THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER, FAILED DUE TO CORROSION AND RELEASED THE SPARE TIRE (AND RIM) ON THE HIGHWAY. NO CRASH OF INCIDENT OCCURRED BECAUSE NO ONE WAS FOLLOWING THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME. *TR
INFORMED BY DEALER THAT FRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH AND TRUCK IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. ALSO INFORMED THAT THERE HAD BEEN A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS PROBLEM. BUT MY TRUCK IS NO LONGER ELIGIBLE FOR REPAIR UNDER THE VOLUNTARY SERVICE RECALL (OF WHICH I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED), AS IT HAD EXPIRED. I THINK TOYOTA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE. THEY RECOGNIZED THEIR DEFECTIVE PRODUCT; HOWEVER MY TRUCK IS INELIGIBLE FOR REPAIR BECAUSE THEY GET TO LIMIT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE THEIR REMEDY IS NOT TECHNICALLY A "RECALL". I, AND I'M SURE MANY OTHERS, ARE BY NECESSITY, DRIVING UNSAFE VEHICLES. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR UNRELATED REPAIRS WHEN HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE SUB-FRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. AS A RESULT, THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V542000 (TIRES). THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE SERVICE UNDER THE RECALL BECAUSE OF EXCESSIVE CORROSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS NEVER ADVISED OF CORROSION WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED IN 2010 FOR A MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SEVERE FRAME RUST ISSUE AND NO WARNING OF RECALLS. *SMD TOYOTA USA INFORMED THE CONSUMER, A RECALL WAS NOT ISSUED, BUT A CUSTOMER SERVICE PROGRAM WAS OFFERED, BUT IT EXPIRED AT THE END OF 2011. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED SIX LETTERS WERE MAILED INFORMING HER OF THE ISSUE. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER STATED SHE NEVER RECEIVED ANY LETTERS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR FRAME WAS DETERIORATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL AND SEVERAL NOTICES HAD BEEN SENT HOWEVER, THE CONTACT FAILED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE SERVICED PER THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 220,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR STATE INSPECTION WHEN HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE FRONT AREA OF THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE FRAME WAS NOT SAFELY COATED THEREFORE, THEY DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH ANY REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 161,250.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, HE HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE IN THE REAR OR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE REAR SHOCK WAS CORRODED NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,000.
DEAR [XXX], I SINCERELY APPRECIATE YOUR EMAIL BUT I AM COMPLETELY SATISFIED WITH MY 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA PICK UP TRUCK AT THE MOMENT WITH 134,000 MILES AS OF TODAY. THE PROBLEM LIES WITH THE ?DEFECTIVE AIR BAGS AND DEFECTIVE COMPUTER AIR BAG.? OVER A YEAR AGO, THIS WAS ACCESSED FROM HALEY LOCATED OFF RT 288 AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS COMING ON AT THAT TIME. I PAID FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN RESOLVED THEN, NOT TO REOCCUR A YEAR LATER. IN ANY CASE, IF A TOYOTA VEHICLE HAS DEFECTIVE PARTS SUCH AS THE AIR BAG AND ITS COMPUTER THAT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MANUFACTURER TO REPLACE THE PART AND ABSORB THE LABOR AND COSTS INVOLVED TO DO SO NOT AT THE EXPENSE OF THE CLIENT. THE CLIENT DID NOT CAUSE THE PROBLEM, IT IS A DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURING OF THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM I AM NOW FACING IS THAT HALEY TOYOTA WANTS ME TO ABSORB THIS COST OF PARTS AND LABOR TO THE TUNE OF $711.00 FOR A DEFECTIVE AIR BAG. I HAVE NOT BEEN IN CONTACT WITH AN ATTORNEY SPECIALIZING IN AUTO INJURY, BUT WITH SOME RESEARCH AND TAKING WITH A FRIEND OF MINE WHO IS A LAWYER; HE HIGHLY SUGGESTS THAT UNLESS TOYOTA REPLACES THE PARTS AND LABOR AT THEIR EXPENSE THAT I SHOULD PROCEED WITH HIRING AN ATTORNEY AND EXPLAIN WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE AIR BAG AND WHAT HALEY HAS SAID. FOR HALEY TO DISMISS THIS DEFECTIVE PART AND SAY THAT THEY CANNOT BE RESPONSIBLE IS IN ITSELF AN ?EGREGIOUS? REMARK FOR WHICH THEY CAN BE LIABLE FOR IF SOMETHING WERE TO HAPPEN WHILE THE PASSENGER IS DRIVING THE CAR/TRUCK
AFTER HAVING MY 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA OFF THE ROAD AND GARAGED FOR THE PAST 3 YEARS, I WAS GETTING THE TRUCK READY TO BE DRIVEN ON THE ROAD AGAIN. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. I TOOK THE TRUCK OFF THE ROAD BECAUSE MY JOB WAS ELIMINATED IN OCTOBER 2010. AFTER CHANGING THE OIL LAST WEEKEND IN MY GARAGE I NOTICED AN ABNORMAL AMOUNT OF RUST ON THE FRAME. IN FACT, SO MUCH RUST THAT THE RUBBER BODY MOUNT BLOCK ON TOP OF THE REAR LEAF SPRING SNAPPED OFF IN MY HAND. THE LEAF SPRINGS, BRAKE LINES, AND FRONT SUSPENSION AND FRAME ARE ALL IN QUESTION REGARDING VEHICLE SAFETY. I IMMEDIATELY DID RESEARCH ONLINE TO CHECK OUT WHAT I THOUGHT WAS ABNORMAL AMOUNTS OF RUST ON THE FRAME AND TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE HAD EXPERIENCED THIS TOO. I WAS SHOCKED AT WHAT I FOUND. A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE WITH TOYOTA TACOMA RUSTED FRAMES. I COME TO FIND OUT ONLINE THAT TOYOTA HAS A HISTORY OF RUSTED FRAMES, BREAKING FRAMES, UNSAFE FRAMES, AND A RECALL CURRENTLY FOR A REAR SPARE TIRE MOUNT ISSUE DUE TO RUST. I ALSO FOUND OUT TOYOTA WAS REPLACING FRAMES ON MY MODEL. I CALLED MY DEALERSHIP TO SET UP AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THIS TRUCK INSPECTED FOR PENNSYLVANIA STATE REQUIREMENTS AND TO HAVE THE RUST CHECKED. THEY TOLD ME MY VEHICLE WAS NOT VALID FOR THE RUST INSPECTION AND THE FRAME REPLACEMENT BECAUSE THE PROGRAM EXPIRED, I WAS TOLD TO CALL TOYOTA. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED BY TOYOTA OR MY DEALER THERE WAS AN ISSUE, NOT BY MAIL, PHONE CALLS OR CERTIFIED MAIL. I HAD THE TRUCK PARKED IN MY GARAGE FOR THREE YEARS SO IT WASN'T EVEN
I AM A CANADIAN CITIZEN, CURRENTLY THE SECOND OWNER OF A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA AND HAVE ACCESSED THIS SITE TO INFORM OTHER OWNERS BUT HAD TO REGISTER THIS COMPLAINT UNDER THE PREVIOUS OWNERS NAME. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN NEW HAMPSHIRE AND RETURNED TO CANADA. IN LATE 2011 I WAS ADVISED THAT MY VEHICLE FRAME WAS STARTING TO SHOW SEVERE RUST CORROSION. I TOOK STEPS, AS ADVISED, TO HAVE IT UNDERCOATED BUT WHEN TAKING IT IN FOR INSPECTION THIS YEAR, I WAS TOLD IT WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION. I WAS FORTUNATE TO BE ABLE TO DO A TEMPORARY FIX BY HAVING THE FRAME WELDED BUT THAT WOULD ONLY BE IN THE SHORT TERM. IN PURSUING THIS WITH TOYOTA USA I'VE TOLD THAT THERE WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY PUT ON THESE VEHICLES WHICH EXPIRED IN 2011 AND SINCE THEY DIDN'T HAVE IT REGISTERED IN THE UNITED STATES THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. IT SEEMS LIKE THEY DO EVERYTHING TO AVOID RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT I AM AWARE THEY HAVE REPLACED MANY FRAMES FOR SIMILAR VEHICLES AT THEIR COST OR PAID OUT THE CUSTOMERS BY BUYING BACK THE VEHICLES. SO MANY CUSTOMERS ARE FRUSTRATED WITH TOYOTA, ME INCLUDED AND THEY'VE ADVISED ME SINCE IT ISN'T REGISTERED IN THE US CURRENTLY THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING. ON THE OTHER HAND, CHECKING WITH TOYOTA CANADA THEN THEY SAY I HAVE TO RESOLVE THE MATTER WITH TOYOTA USA. TALK ABOUT PASSING THE BUCK BACK AND FORTH. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REGISTERED IN NORTH AMERICA SINCE 2002 AND WAS BUILT IN CALIFORNIA. WHY SHOULD THIS MATTER? IT'S STILL A TOYOTA. POOR CUSTOMER RELATIONS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPARE TIRE BECAME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE REMEDY FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 12V542000 (TIRES) HAD NOT BEEN FINALIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 164,000. UPDATED 09/05/13*LJ
2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SPLIT IN HALF DUE TO RUSTED FRAME. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRAME RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE OUT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED SEVERE RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR BUMPER HAD RUSTED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TOW ANYTHING WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME AND THE REAR LEAF SPRINGS CONTAINED MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF RUST AND WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 151,000.
I COULD HEAR A RATTLING NOISE. UPON INSPECTION I SAW THAT THE FUEL TANK HAD DROPPED ALMOST TO THE GROUND. THE REAR STRAP , THAT HOLDS THE FUEL TANK TO THE BODY HAD BROKEN FROM CORROSION(RUST) . THIS RUST HAD ALSO DESTROYED THE PROTECTIVE SHIELD THAT WAS MOUNTED OVER THE FUEL TANK STRAP ,TO PROTECT IT FROM CORROSION AND PHYSICAL DAMAGE. A GAS TANK FALLING TO THE ROAD IS A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR
WHEN ENGINE (COLD) FIRST STARTED, THERE IS ENGINE (PISTON SLAP/RATTLE) NOISE. SUCH CONTINUES FOR APPROX. ONE FULL MINUTE AND THEN SOUNDS NORMAL. SUCH NOISE IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR, COMPLETE ENGINE OVERHAUL AND SHOULD CERTAINLY NOT BE OCCURRING IN VEHICLE WITH ONLY 50,000 MILES. TRUCK WAS VERY CAREFULLY BROKEN IN WHEN NEW AND ALL APPROPRIATE OIL CHANGES AT TOYOTA RECOMMENDED TIMES...OR EVEN SOONER. *TR
THIS VEHICLE WAS ALREADY INVOLVED IN A "CAMPAIGN" BY TOYOTA TO REPLACE SEVERELY RUSTED FRAMES. NOW THE SPARE TIRE LIFT PLATE IS ALSO RUSTED THROUGH ON MANY OF THEM WHICH TOYOTA IS "IMPLEMENTING A REMEDY FOR". MY COMPLAINT IS THAT I HAVE A SEVERELY RUSTED HOUSING OF THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL, NEXT TO AND JUST BELOW THE RUSTED SPARE TIRE CARRIER LIFT PLATE,TOYOTA REFUSES TO PAY FOR THE RUSTED THROUGH HOUSING OF THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. THIS IS A NEGLIGENT SAFETY ISSUE ON THEIR PART, BECAUSE THOSE OWNERS WHO ARE NOT AWARE OF THE LEAKAGE OF THIS PART MAY FIND THEMSELVES WITHOUT POWER, OR WORSE PERHAPS, A LOCKUP OF THAT PART WHEN THEY ARE GOING 65 MPH ON HIGHWAY POSSIBLY WITH CHILDREN IN THEIR VEHICLE. THE RUST ON THESE VEHICLES IS LEGENDARY AMONG TOYOTA OWNERS AS EVIDENCED BY THEIR COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET. TOYOTA DID REPLACE THE FRAME ON MY 2002 TACOMA, BUT IN MY OPINION, IT IS THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO REPLACE THE RUSTED OUT HOUSING. IT IS NOT AS IF THAT IS THE ONLY RUST ON THIS VEHICLE, AND NO OTHER VEHICLES THAT I AM AWARE OF HAVE THIS PROBLEM. *TR
UPON BRINGING 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA TO MECHANIC FOR TIRE ROTATION AND OIL CHANGE, THE FRAME BROKE IN HALF DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION. CONTACTED TOYOTA WHO SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER 2008 EXTENDED CORROSION WARRANTY SINCE IT HAD NOT BEEN BROUGHT IN FOR THE UNDERCARRIAGE COMPOUND APPLICATION BEFORE 2011. WE WERE NEVER NOTIFIED BY ANY RECALL THAT IT SHOULD BE BROUGHT IN. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME NEAR THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE WAS RUSTED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FRAME COULD NOT BE REPAIRED AND THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD BE REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR REGISTRATION INSPECTION AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND ROTTED. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000 UPDATED 02/22/13. *JB
NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Full record for the 2002 Toyota Tacoma → · Every Tacoma year → · How the figures are calculated →