Page 6 of 7 · complaints 251–300 of 333

2002 Toyota Tacoma complaints

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 →

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Jul 31, 200871,000 milesNY

I BOUGHT MY 2002 TACOMA V6 4X4 DOUBLE CAB FROM A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP USED IN MARCH OF 2006. ONE THING I NOTICED IS THAT THE FRAME OF THE TRUCK HAD EXCESSIVE EXTERIOR RUST BUILD UP. I USED TO BE AN AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIAN, AND HAVE ALWAYS KNOWN THAT ALMOST ANY TOYOTA PICKUP TRUCK HAS FRAME RUST PROBLEMS. IT HAS BEEN A WELL KNOW FACT FOR YEARS AND YEARS. WHY DID TOYOTA WAIT SO LONG TO POST A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. SHORTLY AFTER BUYING MY 2002 I LOOKED AT A OLDER I BELIEVE 1995 TOYOTA PICK-UP THAT I SAW FOR SALE ONE DAY. I WAS LOOKING THE TRUCK OVER AND FOUND THAT THE FRAME WAS ROTTED THROUGH ON THE DRIVERS SIDE JUST BEFORE THE FRONT SPRING SHACK ON THE REAR OF THE TRUCK. IT HAD A HOLE IN THE FRAME ABOUT 2 1/2 INCHES WIDE, AND WHERE THERE WAS FRAME LEFT YOU COULD PUT YOUR FINGER THROUGH IT WITH LITTLE PRESSURE. I DECIDED IT WASN'T ANYTHING I WANTED TO DEAL WITH. NOW I HEARD ABOUT THE RECALL FOR THE FIRST GENERATION TACOMA'S 95-00 ON THE FRAMES ROTTING OUT JUST LIKE THE ONE I LOOKED AT. SO SEEING THAT MY 2002 TACOMA WAS SHOWING PREMATURE FRAME RUST, I DECIDED TO INSPECT IT CLOSER. I FOUND THAT NOT ONLY WAS THE FRAME RUSTING AND FLAKING ON THE OUTSIDE, IT WAS ALSO RUSTING ON THE INSIDE AS WELL. I ALSO FOUND THAT THE WELDS ON THE FRAME FOR THE SPRING HANGERS LOOKED VERY POORLY WELDED AND RUSTY TOO. I BELIEVE THAT TOYOTA SHOULD INCLUDE THE 2000 AND NEWER TACOMA'S IN THEIR FRAME ROT RECALL AS WELL. DOES ANY ONE KNOW IF THEY CHANGED THE QUALITY OF THE METAL USED IN THE FRAMES ON THE NEWE

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Jul 22, 200871,000 milesMA

IN APRIL OF 2008 I NOTICED THAT THE FRAME OF MY 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA PICKUP TRUCK HAD AN UNUSUALLY HIGH AMOUNT OF SURFACE RUST SHOWING ON THE FRAME. UPON CLOSER INSPECTION I DISCOVERED THAT IN AT LEAST ONE LOCATION THERE IS HOLES IN THE FRAME WERE IT HAS ROTTED THROUGH. I HAVE ALSO INSPECTED THE INTERIOR OF THE FRAME MEMBERS AND HAVE DISCOVERED LARGE AMOUNTS OF RUSTED METAL THAT HAS FALLEN OF THE INSIDE OF THE FRAME. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE FRAME OF THIS 6 YEAR OLD VEHICLE WITH 71,000 MILES ON IT IS ROTTING FROM THE INSIDE AND THE OUTSIDE. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS IS INDEED A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Jul 21, 2008OH

I AM THE OWNER OF A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA TRUCK. THE VEHICLE HAS 53K MILES ON IT AND HAS EXCESSIVE RUST THROUGHOUT THE FRAME. THE FRAME WHILE NOT COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH, HAS SEVERE BUILDUP AROUND WELDS AND JOINTS. TOYOTA IS RECALLING 1995-2000 TACOMA TRUCKS FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM, BUT 2001-2004 MODELS ARE EXCLUDED. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN TOYOTA'S CURRENT CAMPAIGN. *TR

Suspension › Front
Filed Jul 7, 2008100,000 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE PASSENGER RIGHT FRONT TIRE BALL JOINT BROKE IN HALF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WASN'T INCLUDED IN RECALL 05V225000. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT HE WOULD RECEIVE A CALL BACK. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000.

Structure
Filed May 12, 2008NY

EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF RUST ON FRAME OF 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA PICK-UP. FRAME SHOWS EXTENSIVE CORROSION FROM INSIDE WORKING IT'S WAY OUT. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THE LIFE OF THIS VEHICLE WILL BE DRASTICALLY REDUCED DUE TO THIS ISSUE. I UNDERSTAND THAT TOYOTA IS INVESTIGATING THIS PROBLEM FOR YEARS 95 THROUGH 2000. WHAT ABOUT YEARS NEWER THAN 2000 THAT ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM???? *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Apr 30, 200838,000 milesTX

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE FRONT BRAKES DETACHED FROM THE PADS AND BECAME JAMMED BETWEEN THE ROTOR AND THE CALIPER. A PORTION OF THE BRAKES STRUCK THE FRONT FENDER LIKE A BULLET. THE CONTACT CALLED TOYOTA, BUT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST. HE REPAIRED THE VEHICLE HIMSELF AND STATED THAT HE WAS TAKING HIS VEHICLE OUT OF SERVICE FOR SAFETY REASONS. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint
Filed Apr 11, 200899,000 milesRI

I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF SEVERAL RECALLS ON MY 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA TRUCK. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jan 22, 200854,000 milesCA

THE 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA PRERUNNER WAS RUNNING GREAT WITH ONLY 54,000 MILES. ALL OIL CHANGES AND TUNE-UPS WERE UP TO DATE. WITHOUT MAKING ANY UNUSUAL SOUNDS, I EXPERIENCED A LOUD THUMP, LOTS OF SMOKE AND THE TRUCK ROLLED TO A STOP. UPON CHECKING, LOTS OF OIL WAS LEAKING OUT OF BOTTOM OF THE CAR AND PIECES WERE HANGING OUT OF THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE WHICH TURNED OUT TO BE PARTS OF A THROWN ROD. THANK GOD MY YOUNG NEPHEW WAS NOT IN THE AUTO AS THERE WAS LOTS OF SMOKE. *TR

Parking Brake › Conventional › Mechanical › Linkage and Cable
Filed Dec 4, 200728,000 milesNY

PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM CONTINUALLY FREEZES UP DUE TO POOR CABLE AND SPRING ROUTING. PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE WELL KNOWN TO AREA MECHANICS. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members › Underbody Shields
Filed Dec 2, 200760,000 milesNH

2002 TOYOTA TACOMA HAS PREMATURE FRAME DETERIORATION ON FRAME SIDE RAILS AND REAR. REAR FRAME IS SO BAD THAT THE RUST IS CAUSING THE BUMBERTO LIFT UP IN THE MIDDLE BY ABOUT 1-2INCHES. OWNER KEEPS TRUCK WASHED AND WAXED EVEN THROUGH WINTER MONTHS. HAVE NOT YET LOOKED TO GET REAR PROBLEM REPAIRED. *TR

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint
Filed Oct 1, 2007100,000 milesVA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND HAD IT REPAIRED AT APPROXIMATELY 100,000 MILES. SIX MONTHS LATER, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, HE SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING. HE WAS ABLE TO DECELERATE AND PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HE THEN NOTICED THAT THE WHEEL WAS DETACHED FROM THE STEERING ASSEMBLY. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE REMAINS AT THE FAILURE LOCATION. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, NUMBER OF CYLINDERS, AND RECALL NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery
Filed Aug 6, 200730,000 milesNY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE CANNOT PUT FUEL IN THE GAS TANK OF HIS VEHICLE WITHOUT THE PUMP SHUTTING OFF EVERY TENTH OF A GALLON. HE STATED THAT HE HAS TO PULL THE LEVER 141 TIMES TO FILL UP HIS GAS TANK. THE FAILURE OCCURS EVERY TIMES HE ATTEMPTS TO GET GAS AND AT ANY FUEL STATION. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 33,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. UPDATED 02-04-08. *KB

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint
Filed Jul 12, 200753,000 milesNM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE # 05V225000 (SUSPENSION: LOWER BALL JOINT). HE HAS MADE THREE ATTEMPTS TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED, BUT HE KEEPS GETTING THE RUNAROUND. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 53,000.

Power Train › Driveline
Filed May 23, 200761,923 milesFL

THE TOYOTA TACOMA HAD A REAR AXLE WRAP UP, THIS WAS WHERE THE TWO PIECE DRIVESHAFT BECOMES LOOSE AT THE SPLEEN AND CAUSED A CLUNG OR LOOSENESS IN THE DRIVE LINE, WHICH CAUSED UNDUE STRESS ON THE ENGINE AND THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE DRIVESHAFT TO BREAK AT THE YOKE AND FALL TO GROUND, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THIS WAS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE ON THE TRUCK. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR UNDER WARRANTY TO THE DEALER. THEY DISMISSED IT AS NORMAL. THIS WAS NOT NORMAL. IT WAS A FLAW IN THE SPRINGS THEY USED ON THE TRUCK.*AK

Wheels › Rim
Filed Apr 12, 2007HI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT PURCHASED 4 WELD WHEEL THE MOUNTAIN CRUSHER RIMS. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS WASHED AND IT RAINED THE WATER SEEPED INTO THE RIMS AND CREATED A PUDDLE. THE WATER ALSO DAMAGED THE COLOR OF THE RIMS. INTENSE MOTOR SPORTS DIAGNOSED THE RIMS, AND STATED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Drum
Filed Mar 26, 200749,000 milesVA

THE PARKING BRAKE INTERMEDIATE LEVER RUSTED ,RESULTING IN THE PARKING BRAKE NOT DISENGAGING. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE TRUCK WAS VIBRATING SO BADLY THAT IT FELT LIKE A WHEEL WAS FALLING OFF. AFTER RETURNING HOME AT 35 MPH THE LEFT REAR WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY HOT WHICH RESULTED IN WARPING THE DRUMS. IT WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE OVER 40 MPH. THE PARTS NEED TO BE ORDERED AND THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED AS OF THIS TIME. THE LEVER IN QUESTION IS THE ONE THAT LINKED THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE INTO THE REAR BRAKE DRUM ASSEMBLY. ITWAS COVERED BY A RUBBER BOOT THAT OBVIOUSLY DID NOT KEEP OUT MOISTURE, THUS RUSTING. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS JACKED UP THE LEFT REAR TIRE WOULD NOT EVEN TURN DUE TO THE BRAKES NOT BEING ABLE TO DISENGAGE.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Mar 9, 2007GA

I BOUGHT THIS NEW AND IN EARLY 2007 THE VEHICLE STARTED ACTING AS IF IT WASN'T GETTING GAS AROUND 40-45 MPH. I WAS THINKING MAYBE A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM OR FUEL FILTER WAS CLOGGED. A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER, I TOOK IT TO A FRIEND (A RETIRED MECHANIC). HE CHANGED THE FUEL FILTER, TRANSMISSION FILTER AND FUEL ALSO. STARTED UP MY TRUCK, WENT INSIDE HIS HOME TO WASH HIS HANDS AND UPON RETURNING OUTSIDE, THE ENGINE OIL WAS POURING FROM UNDERNEATH. MY TRUCK SOMEHOW THREW A ROD AT 82,000 MILES AND WARRANTY JUST EXPIRED. *JB

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Sep 18, 200668,260 milesOH

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WAS EITHER COOL OR COLD, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD NOT ACTIVATE. THIS OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE A PROBLEM.

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Jul 25, 2006221,000 milesCA

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DASHBOARD GAUGES AND LIGHTS PERFORM INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER CAN NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

Air BagsCrash
Filed Jul 8, 200668,000 milesME

HIT A DEER AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH. DESTROYED FROM CENTER OF GRILL TO THE RIGHT FRONT FENDER. TWO MORE INCHES AND THE RADIATOR WOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED. NO AIR BAG DEPLOYED. SEAT BELTS PREVENTED ANY SERIOUS INJURY. HAD ONLY SORE MUSCLES. *NM

Electrical System › Wiring › Fuses and Circuit Breakers
Filed Jul 7, 200660,000 milesFL

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S WIRING, AND FUSES ARE DEFECTIVE. THE FUSES WERE WIRED IN A RANDOM FORMAT THAT MADE THEM INOPERABLE. THIS DEFECT CREATED AN ATMOSPHERE WHICH SEVERELY LIMITED ONE'S ABILITY TO PERFORM MAINTENANCE TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. WIRING DIAGRAMS WERE REQUESTED FROM BOTH THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER HOWEVER THEY REFUSED TO PROVIDE THEM.

Structure › Body › Door
Filed Jul 7, 200665,098 milesTX

I WAS GETTING INTO MY TRUCK AND NOTICED THAT ONE OF THE SCREWS THAT HOLD THE DOOR STRIKER PLATE HAD BACKED OUT AT LEAST HALF THE LENGTH OF THE BOLT AND THE OTHER ONE WAS LOOSE. THE DOOR NEVER RATTLED WITH IT BEING LOOSE. I WAS ABLE TO TIGHTEN THE BOLT. I CHECKED ALL OF THE OTHER DOORS AND FOUND THEY WERE LOOSE, BUT NOT AS BAD AS THE DRIVER'S DOOR. *JB

Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Jun 9, 2006205,000 milesFL

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONTAL AIRBAG SENSORS PICK UP RADIO TRANSMITTERS. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE AIRBAGS HAVE A GLOBAL POSITIONING SENSOR AND A SECRET SURVEILLANCE DEVICE, WHICH CAUSED THE RADIO TRANSMISSIONS. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED.

Steering › Rack and Pinion
Filed May 25, 200619,714 milesWA

NOTICED ABNORMAL TIRE WEAR ON FRONT TIRE. TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND WAS INFORMED THE BUSHING, INTEGRAL TO RACK AND PINION HAS FAILED. AS A CONSEQUENCE THE WHOLE RACK AND PINION STEERING SYSTEM NEEDS REPLACING. MECHANIC INFORMED ME THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR TOYOTA TACOMA. HE ALSO INFORMED ME HE HAS HAD TACOMAS WITH AS LITTLE AS 9000 MILES HAVING THIS PROBLEM. MY TACOMA HAS 19000 MILES ON IT, I GUESS WE ARE LUCKY. HE ALSO STATED HE DID NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL. APPARENTLY IT IS A COMMON DEFECT. THIS TACOMA HAS NEVER BEEN OFF ROAD OR OTHERWISE ABUSED SINCE WE BOUGHT IT NEW. THIS PROBLEM COULD LEAD TO STEERING FAILURE. *JB

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Apr 24, 200629,000 milesPA

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE REVS BY ITSELF. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON FIVE SEPARATE OCCASIONS EITHER DRIVING OR PARKED. ONCE WHILE PARKED WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED THE VEHICLE REVVED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION WHILE DRIVING IT FELT AS THOUGH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS PUSHING DOWN BY ITSELF. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. UPDATED 05/10/06

Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge and Attachments
Filed Apr 24, 200650,000 milesCA

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STEPPING ONTO THE TAILGATE, THE SUPPORT CABLES FRACTURED SIMULTANEOUSLY WITHOUT WARNING. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SEEN BY A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. UPDATED 5/10/2006 - *NM

Structure
Filed Apr 4, 200636,735 milesCA

PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AS CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED VEHICLE. MASSIVE LEAKS RENDERED BACK OF DRIVERS SIDE CREW CAB FLOODED. REVERSED DRAIN PLUG PREVIOUSLY INSTALLED UP SIDE DOWN, THEN SILICONED OEM ROOF RACK AND LEAK SLOWED. TOYOTA IS REPLACING REAR DOOR SEAL. WAS NOT NOTIFIED OEM ROOF RACK NEGATED WARRANTY. CPV SHOULDN'T LEAK. *NM

Structure
Filed Mar 10, 200662,417 milesIN

MOTOR MOUNT BRACKET BROKE ON 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA 4X4 EXTRA CAB. PURCHASED VEHICLE USED FROM ROYAL TOYOTA IN BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA ON JAN. 25, 2006, ALONG WITH AN EXTENDED WARRANTY (36,000/36 MONTH). HAVE DRIVEN IT LESS THAN 3,000 MILES - MOSTLY HIGHWAY. DISCOVERED OIL LEAK UNDER THE FRONT. FORTUNATELY, TOOK IT TO A PERFORMANCE TOYOTA IN FAIRFIELD, OHIO BEFORE THE MOTOR FELL OUT. THE BRACKET IS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AS A CERTIFIED INSPECTED USED TOYOTA VEHICLE. THE BRACKET BROKE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *NM

Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft
Filed Jan 9, 200630,000 milesNE

MY TOYOTA TACOMA HAS WHAT TOYOTA REFERS TO AS REAR AXLE WRAP UP, WHERE THE TWO PIECE DRIVE SHAFT BECOMES LOOSE AT THE SPLINE AND CAUSES A CLUNK OR LOOSENESS IN THE DRIVELINE WHICH CAUSE UNDUE STRESS ON THE ENGINE AND THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE DRIVE SHAFT TO BREAK AT THE YOKE AND FALL TO GROUND CAUSING ACCIDENT.*JB

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint
Filed Nov 7, 200558,946 milesCA

CONSUMER COMPLAINT REGARDING SAFETY ISSUE WITH BALL JOINTS. *TS *** NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** UPDATED 11/7/2005 - THE CONSUMER HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TOYOTA DEALER THEREFORE DECIDED TO TAKE HIS VEHICLE TO A NON-TOYOTA DEALER TO HAVE RECALL ON THE LOWER BALL JOINT REPAIRED (RECALL NUMBER 05V225000). THE CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FORM THE MANUFACTURER SINCE HE HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT. *NM

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint
Filed Oct 18, 2005TX

INFO COPY LTR FWD TO TOYOTA REGARDING FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINT RECALL, CUSTOMER DISSATISFIED W/QUALITY OF CURRENT TOYOTA VEHICLES. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED HE EXPERIENCED STEERING PROBLEMS AND THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS LOOSE. THE CONSUMER TRADED THE VEHICLE ON JUNE 4, 2005 AND 4 MONTHS SHE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER IN THE MAIL. *JB

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball JointCrash1 injured
Filed Sep 6, 200558,000 milesNJ

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH ON MAY 20, 2005. THE DRIVER HEARD NOISES IN THE FRONT END, LIKE A CLICKING SOUND. THE CONSUMER WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE FLIPPED UPON ITS SIDE. THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED SOME MINOR INJURIES. THE CONSUMER LATER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 05V225000 CONCERNING LOWER BALL JOINTS. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY SAID THEY WILL MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE PARTS TO BE REPLACED FROM THE RECALL, AND THEY WOULD DO THEIR OWN INSPECTION. TOYOTA CALLED THE CONSUMER TODAY WITH THE REPORT. THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE FRONT END OR THE BALL JOINTS. THE CONSUMER WAS UPSET THAT HE COULD NOT SEE THE JOINT BALLS THAT WERE REPLACED. HE THOUGHT THAT HE WAS CHEATED IN THE FACT THAT HE COULD NOT SEE THE JOINTS BEFORE TOYOTA TOOK THEM. THE CONSUMER WANTED TO DO HIS OWN INSPECTION ON THE PARTS. HE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKING, AND HE THOUGHT THAT THE POWERING STEERING WAS UNDER STRESS. A POLICE AND INSURANCE REPORTS WERE TAKEN. . THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS OF NOW. THE SPEED WAS BETWEEN 25-35 MPH WHEN THE CRASH OCCURRED.*AK

Wheels
Filed May 23, 200542,200 milesNY

WHEEL STUDS STRETCHING AND BREAKING AT RECOMMENDED TORQUE SPECIFICATION. POTENTIAL FOR WHEELS TO BREAK LOOSE FROM VEHICLE WHILE DRIVEN. LIKELY TO CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO OCCUPANTS OR OTHER VEHICLES AND OCCUPANTS. *NM

Steering › Column Locking › Anti-theft DeviceCrash
Filed May 18, 2005KY

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. HE STATES THAT ON MARCH 20, 2005 HE HIT A TELEPHONE POLE HEAD ON WHEN HIS STEERING LOCKED UP AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK

Seat Belts › Front › Retractor
Filed Mar 23, 2005MI

THE LEFT FRONT SEAT BELT LOCKED UP AND FAILED TO RELEASE WHEN APPLIED. DRIVER BROUGHT VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR AND OTHER PARTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

Suspension › FrontCrash1 injured
Filed Nov 15, 200436,000 milesLA

NO KNOWN EVENTS LEADING TO THE FAILURE. PROGRESSIVE, SUCCESSIVE FAILURE OF BOLTS HOLDING LEFT FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY AND SUSPENSION ARM TO THE TRUCK. THIS CAUSED SEPARATION OF MENTIONED MEMBER FROM THE VEHICLE RESULTING IN TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL AND OVERTURNING OF SAID VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS AS A RESULT OF THE INCIDENT.*AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Oct 15, 200476,000 milesMS

TRANSMISSION-POWER TRAIN.WHILE DRIVING IN LOW SPEED SITUATIONS THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION SHIFTS FROM 1ST TO 2ND.....BACK AND FORTH FROM 1ST TO 2ND AND 2ND TO 1ST. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED THAT THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. IT HAS 76K MILES ON IT. I WAS JUST WONDERING IF ANYONE ELSE WAS HAVING THIS PROBLEM.*AKL

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Pump
Filed Oct 1, 2004CA

WHILE DRIVING STEERING POWER ASSIT PUMP FAILED. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

WheelsCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 27, 200440,200 milesCA

THE LEFT REAR TIRE (DUNLOP GRANDTREK P265) OF 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA BLEW OUT ON CA 215 FREEWAY (WITH SPEED OF 60-70 MPH). I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, IT SPUN AND COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE WHICH RESULTED TO MINOR PHYSICAL INJURY TO THE OTHER VEHICLE'S DRIVER. ORIGINAL TIRES CAME FROM THE DEALERSHIP, CARSON TOYOTA (CALIFORNIA). CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THE DEALERSHIP--THEY GAVE US THE RUN-AROUND. THE DEALERSHIP WAS VERY UNRESPONSIVE STATING THAT THEY ARE NOT AT FAULT, DID NOT KNOW THAT THE TIRE WOULD BLOW UP ON THE VEHICLE THAT DURING THE SALE--NEVERTHELESS, TO CUT COST ON A $2OK VALUE TRUCK, PUT SUBSTANDARD, DEFECTIVE TIRES, LEAST EXPENSIVE IN THE MARKET. I WILL END UP PUTTING UP THE COSTS FOR REPLACING ALL TIRES WITH MORE RELIABLE TIRES (MICHELIN). I HOPE THAT THERE WOULD BE BETTER LAW/LEGISLATION PROTECTING CONSUMERS AND NO ONE WOULD EXPERIENCE THE SAME INCIDENT THAT OCCURED TO ME.*AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 4, 2004UT

POWER TRAIN - JUST BOUGHT MY TRUCK ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO. DURING THE TEST DRIVE, I WAS EXTREMELY IMPRESSED BY THE RIDE OF MY TACOMA. A FEW WEEKS AFTER I HAD IT, I STARTED TO EXPERIENCE THE CLUNKING SOUND COMING FROM UNDERNEATH. I HAVE TO THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES NOW, AND EVERYTIME I HAVE BEEN TOLD WAS NORMAL. I WAS TOLD ALL AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS DO THIS. THIS IS THE SECOND TOYOTA TRUCK I HAVE OWNED, AND I COULD TELL YOU THIS, THEY DON'T COME UP WITH A RESOLUTION, IT WILL BE MY LAST. I ALSO DRIVE A CELICA (GREAT CAR), BUT IF I LOSE THE TRUCK, THEN I LOSING THE CELICA, AND WILL WANT NOTHING TO DO WITH TOYOTA'S AGAIN!!! *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jul 6, 2004CA

I HAVE A TACOMA 2002 AND THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES. ALTHOUGH I HAVE CALLED AND EXPLAINED THE SOMETIMES THEY SLIP, TOYOTA REFUSES TO REALLY LOOK AT THEM. I WANTED TO FILE THIS IN CASE THEY DO GIVE WHILE I AM DRIVING, THERE WILL BE A RECORD OF THIS PROBLEM, SINCE I HAVE MENTIONED IT SEVERAL TIMES TO TOYOTA BUT THEY NEVER WRITE IT DOWN, ACCORDING TO THE NEWEST CUSTOMER SERVICE? PERSON I SPOKE TO. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE CLUNKING NOISES, THE 5 MONTH BRAKE CHANGES AND THE SLIPPING OF THE BRAKES IS NATURAL. THIS CANNOT BE RIGHT. *JB

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint
Filed Jun 22, 2004AZ

WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND NOTICED THAT PASSENGER'S FRONT TIRE FELL OFF. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 3, 2004MD

TRANSMISSION/DRIVESHAFT EXPERIENCES LOUD CLUNK NOISE WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED THEN RELEASED. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM TO TOYOTA HOWEVER THEY OFFER NO RESOLUTION. RESEARCH HAS INDICATED ADDING LEAF SPRINGS TO STIFFEN REAR SUSPENSION RESLOVES THIS ISSUE TOYOTA WILL NOT DO THIS MODIFICATION. *JB

Tires
Filed Mar 31, 200436,005 milesAL

TWO FIRESTONE TIRES ON MY TRUCK BLEW OUT ON THE FREEWAY WITHIN 10 DAYS OF EACHOTHER, WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING. THIS PUT HER IN EXTREME DANGER AND A VERY UNSAFE SITUATION.*AK

Wheels › Hub
Filed Feb 24, 200444,000 milesPA

REAR WHEEL CAN'T BE REMOVED FROM HUB. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. DEALER STATED WE BEAT THE WHEEL OFF WITH A SLUDGE HAMMER. *AK

Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise ControlCrash
Filed Feb 16, 200415,000 milesCA

THE CRUISE CONTROL ON THE 2002 TACOMA PRE-RUNNER THAT I OWN DID NOT DIS-ENGAGE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE HIT AFTER GOING INTO A SKID DUE TO BLACK ICE. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL AND CRASH. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc
Filed Oct 29, 200311,000 milesCA

FRONT WHEELS WOBBLE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. ALSO, THERE'S AN UNKNOWN SQUEAKING NOISE. THIS IS CAUSED BY PREMATURE BRAKE WEAR, PER DEALERSHIP.*AK

Air BagsCrash2 injured
Filed Oct 14, 2003FL

I APPROACHED AN INTERSECTION WHEN A ON COMING CAR MADE A LEFT TURN IN TO MY CAR. WE COLLIDED HEAD ON IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION. NEITHER ONE OF THE AIR BAGS WORKED. I'M WORKING FOR AN AUTO SUPPLY SHOP AND THIS IS MY DELIVERY TRUCK SO I CAN'T ANSWER ALL THE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE VEHICLE. *LA

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Sep 29, 200320,000 milesGA

MY 2002 TACOMA VIBRATES AT HIGH SPEEDS AND WHEN STOPPING. I'VE HAD THE BRAKES FIXED 5 TIMES NOW AND IT'S STILL NOT RIGHT. MY TRANSMISSION CLUNKS WHEN I STOP AND START, SHUTTERS WHEN COMING TO A STOP, AND SHIFTS HARD. SOMETIMES THE TRANSMISSION CLUNKS AFTER I'VE ALREADY STARTED MOVING. THE PROBLEMS STARTED ABOUT A YEAR AGO. I'VE RECENTLY BEEN TO TWO DEALERSHIPS BEFORE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AND NOTHING WAS DONE. ONE TOYOTA TECHNICIAN SAID IT WAS MY BRAKES, YEAH RIGHT, THE OTHER WOULDN'T EVEN TAKE IT FOR A TEST DRIVE. I THINK THE PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY MY TRANSMISSION SLIDING BACK AND FORTH, WHICH I DON'T THINK IT'S SUPPOSED TO DO. WHENEVER I STOMP ON THE GAS TO PASS SOMEONE IT SHIFTS INTO THE WRONG GEAR AND THE ENGINE RED LINES. MY DASH SQUEAKS, SO I HAVE TO WEDGE MY WALLET IN BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD AND DASH TO STOP IT. MY DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR DOESN'T SHUT FLUSH WITH THE BODY. LAST BUT NOT LEAST, I HAD TO REPLACE MY OXYGEN SENSOR. I WOULD LIKE TO SELL MY TRUCK, BUT CAN'T WITH ALL THE PROBLEMS. THIS WAS MY FIRST TOYOTA AND WILL PROBABLY BE MY LAST.

Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 2, 2003NC

CONSUMER STATED WATER LEAKED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH CAUSED THE FLOOR TO BE WET. THERE WAS A MILDEW SMELL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *PH

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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.

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