Page 6 of 10 · complaints 251–300 of 482

2002 Toyota Tundra 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 →

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed May 9, 201058,000 milesNY

TOP OF GAS TANK RUSTED OUT AND WHOLE HAD TO BE REPLACED IN 2009 ON MY 2002 TOYOTA TUNDRA. COST ABOUT $700.00. PROBLEM WAS NOTICED BY STRONG SMELL OF GAS AFTER FILL UP OF TANK. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System
Filed May 9, 201060,000 milesNY

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. DEALER CHECKED THE FAULT CODES AND TOLD ME BOTH OXYGEN CENSORS HAD FAILED, AND THAT THEY HAD TO BE REPLACED TO PASS NY STATE INSPECTION. COST OVER $600.00. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed May 6, 201029,000 milesCO

BRAKE PROBLEM. MY VEHICLE SHAKES TO THE POINT THE VEHICLE NEARLY LOSES CONTROL WHEN SLOWING TOYOTA IS AWARE OF PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. HAVE CALLED BUT THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members › Underbody Shields
Filed May 5, 201087,000 milesNY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT REFERENCED RECALL 09V444000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS: UNDER BODY SHIELDS) FOR WHICH HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTING AND FLAKING IN THE REAR CROSS MEMBER BUT THE DEALER DID NOTHING. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50-60 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE A CLUNKING NOISE AND SHOOK FROM THE FRONT END. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE FAILURE AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 87,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 89,000.

Suspension › Front › Stabilizer Bar
Filed May 4, 2010157,000 milesMI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TUNDRA. WHILE CHANGING THE OIL, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SWAY BAR IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE HAD RUSTED AND BROKEN. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE AS THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 157,000.

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed May 4, 2010PA

SEVERE CORROSION OF VEHICLE FRAME AND FRAME CROSS MEMBERS, FRONT END PARTS, AND ATTACHMENT HANGERS TO FRAME OF 2002 TOYOTA TUNDRA WHICH WILL RESULT IN EVENTUALLY WEAKENING AND FAILURE OF THE ABOVE MENTIONED ITEMS CAUSING A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT, INJURIES AND POSSIBLY DEATH. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed May 3, 201089,000 milesOR

TODAY I WAS CRUISING ALONG AT 50MPH AND MY TRUCK (2002 TOYOTA TUNDRA V8) FELT AS IF THE FUEL CUT OUT. I LET OFF THE THROTTLE AND GOT BACK INTO IT AND THE RESPONSE WAS VERY SLOW. THEN THERE WAS NO RESPONSE AT ALL AS I COASTED TO A STOP. THE TRUCK IDLED, BUT NO RESPONSE TO THE ACCELERATOR. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED TWICE IN THE LAST WEEK. TOYOTA TROUBLESHOOTING CODE SAYS IT IS A FAULTY ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SENSOR. THEY WANT $500 TO FIX. *TR

Steering › Rack and Pinion
Filed Apr 21, 2010DC

2002 TOYOTA TUNDRA RACK AND PINION REPLACEMENT*CW

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Apr 20, 2010111,000 milesTX

I ENCOUNTERED THE SAME TRANSMISSION FAILURE THAT'S SIMILAR TO OTHER NHTSA ODI REPORTS. THE PROBLEM - WHICH I UNDERSTAND IS FAIRLY COMMON WITH THIS 2002 TOYOTA TUNDRA - STARTED WITH ROUGH SHIFTING AND CLUNKING NOISES IN THE POWER TRAIN AT AROUND 60,000 MILES. THE ODD SOUNDS STARTED INTERMITTENTLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND THEN BECAME MORE FREQUENT AND THEN FINALLY RESULTED IN FAILURE AT AROUND 111,000. THE TRANSMISSION QUIT AT A HIGHWAY INTERSECTION STOP 140 MILES FROM HOME IN JANUARY, 2010. IT WOULD NOT GO INTO PROPER GEAR AFTER STOPPING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST TOYOTA DEALER IN VICTORIA, TEXAS ON SATURDAY EVENING FOR REPAIR WORK THAT WAS EVENTUALLY DONE FOUR DAYS LATER AT A TOTAL OUT-OF-POCKET COST OF NEARLY $4,000 (PARTS, LABOR, RENTAL CAR, TOWING; DOES NOT INCLUDE MISSED WORK)...THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED PROPERLY BY MY TOYOTA DEALER. SO THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED SO SOON, AS MY OTHER TRUCKS (FORD, DODGE, AND EVEN NISSAN) NEVER REQUIRED TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENTS, LEAVING ME STRANDED IN HARM'S WAY ALONG A RURAL HIGHWAY. SO MY NEXT PICKUP TRUCK WILL MOST LIKELY NOT BE A TOYOTA. *TR

Steering
Filed Apr 15, 201069,980 milesME

THE STEERING RACK ON MY 2002 TOYOTA TUNDRA RUSTED OUT, BURST AND CAUSED A POWER STEERING FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS A PERMANENT FAILURE AND THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP ADVISED NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. NOTHING WAS OFFERED TO FIX IT WITHOUT A $1400 REPAIR BILL. *TR

Structure
Filed Apr 9, 201048,000 milesMA

I HAVE A 2002 TOYOTA TUNDRA THAT IS LEAKING GAS. INITIALLY I NOTICED A FUEL SMELL WHEN I WALKED BY THE TRUCK WHICH PROGRESSED TO SEEING FUEL ON THE GROUND. IF I PUT TOO MUCH GAS IN THE TRUCK, OVER 1/2 TANK, YOU CAN SEE THE FUEL LEAKING THROUGH THE 4X4 FUEL TANK PROTECTIVE COVER. I HAD THE TRUCK PUT ON A LIFT AND WAS TOLD THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE SEAM OF THE TANK. I RECENTLY TOOK MY TRUCK TO TOYOTA IN RESPONSE TO THE RECALL RE:EXCESSIVE FRAME RUST AND MY TRUCK PASSED THAT INSPECTION. I HAVE LESS THAN 51,000 MILES ON THIS TRUCK AND I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE LIVED IN MA FOR 22 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD A FUEL TANK PROBLEM. ON 04/06/10 I TOOK MY TRUCK TO A REQUIRED YEARLY INSPECTION. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AND THE GARAGE TOLD ME THAT MY VEHICLE HAD FAILED THE EMISSIONS TEST. I HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING OTHER OWNERS REPORTS ONLINE AND HAVE NOTICED THAT MORE PEOPLE ARE REPORTING LEAKING FUEL TANKS. EXTENSIVE RESEARCH INDICATES THAT AFTERMARKET GAS TANKS ARE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THIS MODEL/YEAR SO I MUST HAVE TOYOTA EITHER DO THE WORK, OR MINIMALLY, GET THE PART FROM THEM. BASED ON THEIR RECENT REPUTATION, I AM NOT THRILLED ABOUT TAKING MY TRUCK BACK TO THEM. I HAVE 60 DAYS FROM THE FAILURE DATE TO GET IT REPAIRED AND REINSPECTED TO AVOID LOSING MY REGISTRATION! I NEED THIS TRUCK TO BE SAFE FOR ME AND ALL THE OTHER DRIVERS THAT I ENCOUNTER. CAN YOU PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS SAFETY CONCERN? *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Apr 5, 201010,000 milesAZ

POOR BRAKING AND SHIMMY FROM TOYOTA TUNDRA. *TR

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint
Filed Apr 1, 201063,300 milesVA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN MAKING A TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 4 MPH, HE BEGAN TO HEAR A LOUD NOISE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. HE ALSO STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AROUND A CURVE, THE DOORS WOULD UNLOCK INVOLUNTARILY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND WOULD BE DONE AT NO CHARGE ACCORDING TO RECALL 05V225000 (SUSPENSION, FRONT CONTROL ARM, LOWER BALL JOINT). HE WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE OXYGEN SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REMEDY WAS TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY FOR SEVEN YEARS OR 90,000 MILES BUT THE CONTACT HAD OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR EIGHT YEARS. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED HIM THAT WITH A RECALL IN EFFECT, BECAUSE THE WARRANTY WAS NO LONGER VALID, THEY WOULD NOT HONOR IT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 60,300.

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Mar 22, 2010NH

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TUNDRA SHE STATED THAT THERE IS CORROSION ON THE ENTIRE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL # 09V444000 RECALL NOTICE; STRUCTURE FRAME AND MEMBERS, UNDERBODY SHIELDS AND NOTIFIED THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED DUE TO THE CROSS MEMBER BEING CORRODED THROUGH OUT THE ENTIRE FRAME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Mar 20, 201080,000 milesNY

THE FRAME ON MY 2002 TOYOTA TUNDRA IS RUSTING AWAY. I HAVE REMOVED RUST PIECES AS LARGE AS 11 INCHES LONG AND 1'8 INCH THICK. I TOW A 7000 POUND TRAILER AND I FEAR THE FRAME WILL FAIL. THE BODY LOOKS NEW AND I HAVE ONLY 80,000 MILES ON THE TRUCK. *TR

Structure › Body
Filed Mar 19, 2010MA

MY 2002 TUNDRA RECALL ON THE FRAME. PASSED REAR CROSS MEMBER INSPECTION, HOWEVER THE REST OF THE UNDER BODY IS SEVERALLY CORRODED. DEALERSHIP IS TELLING ME THAT THE TRUCK NEEDS ABOUT $4500 TO PASS INSPECTION? THE FRONT END IS RUSTED OUT. AS OF NOW, MY TRUCK IS STILL AT DEALERSHIP, WAITING FOR TOYOTA REP TO INSPECT MY TUNDRA. I FEEL THAT IM GETTING THE BAD END OF THIS RECALL. I NEED HELP. *TR

Interior Lighting
Filed Mar 17, 201060,000 milesIL

WE BOUGHT A USED 2002 TOYOTA TUNDRA ON 6-16-2005 THAT HAD 45,134 MILES ON IT. IT NOW HAS 109,000 MILES ON IT . WHEN WE FIRST BOUGHT THE TRUCK FROM THE DEALERSHIP, THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED BEFORE WE TOOK IT HOME BECAUSE WE NOTICED A VIBRATION. SINCE THEN, WE HAVE REPLACED THE BRAKES, PADS, ETC. TWICE. WE NOW HAVE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE SERVICE AGAIN BECAUSE WHILE DRIVING THE TRUCK SHAKES VIOLENTLY AT AROUND 40 MPH AND BRAKING LITERALLY SHAKES THE ENTIRE TRUCK. IT SEEMS HIGHLY UNREASONABLE TO HAVE TO REPLACE THE BRAKING SYSTEM 4 TIMES IN THREE YEARS OF OWNERSHIP. I BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A SERIOUS DEFECT IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM IN THE 2002 TOYOTA TUNDRA THAT COULD LEAD TO ACCIDENTS CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH. WHEN WILL TOYOTA RECALL THESE VEHICLES DUE TO MANUFACTURING DEFECTS IN THEIR BRAKING SYSTEM? I AM STARTING THE INCIDENT DATE AS OF THE DATE OF PURCHASE SINCE THAT IS WHEN WE FIRST HAD THE BRAKES REPLACED. I NOW HAVE TO PAY MORE MONEY TO HAVE THE ENTIRE TRUCK BRAKING SYSTEM CORRECTED AGAIN SO THAT WE DO NOT END UP IN HARMS WAY. TOYOTA NEEDS TO STEP UP AND REVIEW ALL THE COMPLAINTS THAT HAVE BEEN FILED ABOUT THIS COMPLAIN. SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM IN THIS VEHICLE. *TR

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Mar 4, 2010MA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE DRIVER LOST CONSCIOUSNESS WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, AND CRASHED INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED A WEEK BEFORE THE CRASH OCCURRED AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER WAS INJURED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILES WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Mar 1, 201085,000 milesCA

I HAVE EXPERIENCED EXCESSIVE FRONT SUSPENSION SHAKING WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED TO MY 2002 TOYOTA TUNDRA. I HAVE JUST A LITTLE OVER 100K MILES BUT THE SHAKING IS GETTING WORSE. I HAVE HAD MY BRAKES PADS CHANGED IN ACCORDANCE WITH STANDARDS, I HAVE ROTATED MY TIRES AS WELL. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Feb 24, 2010110,000 milesAR

I WAS DRIVING IN A LARGE PARKING LOT AT A SPEED NOT MORE THAN A WALK. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND TOUCHED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE TRUCK SURGED FORWARD HARD ENOUGH THAT THE THREE PEOPLE IN THE TRUCK WERE THROWN BACK AGAINST THEIR SEATS. I IMMEDIATELY BRAKED AND THE TRUCK CAME TO A STOP WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. THE ACCELERATION WAS SUDDEN AND VIOLENT, AND THE ONLY REASON AN ACCIDENT DID NOT OCCUR WAS THAT THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES OR PEDESTRIANS IN FRONT OF THE TRUCK WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. THE TRUCK IS A TOYOTA 2002 TUNDRA WITH THE V-8 ENGINE. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Feb 17, 201015,000 milesCA

THE BRAKES HAVE A SERIOUS BRAKE VIBRATION WHEN APPLIED. IT ORIGINALLY ONLY HAPPENED WHEN GOING DOWN LONG GRADES BUT NOW IT HAPPENS ALL OF THE TIME. THE BRAKES AND ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED BUT THAT ONLY FIXES THE ISSUE FOR ABOUT 5K MILES. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Feb 17, 2010WI

CRUISE CONTROL WON'T SHUT OFF AT BRAKING. VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Feb 16, 2010CA

THE FILL NECK ON THE GAS TANK IS VERY DIFFICULT TO PUT GAS INTO MY TRUCK. I MUST USE A SCREWDRIVER AT TIMES TO FILL MY GAS TANK. I FEEL THAT THIS WOULD BE VERY DANGEROUS AT A SERVICE STATION, BECAUSE THAT IF A SPARK FROM THE SCREWDRIVER BEING FORCED INTO THE FILL NECK COULD IGNITE THE FUMES. *TR

Power Train › Driveline
Filed Feb 10, 201011,486 milesNY

RUSTED OUT REAR DIFFERENTIAL AND AXLE. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Feb 10, 201015,000 milesCA

DO YOUR JOB NHTSA. THE 2000-05 TUNDRAS HAVE A BRAKE PROBLEM. HOW MANY COMPLAINTS DO YOU NEED TO RECALL AN OBVIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM THAT TOYOTA HAS IGNORED? THEY ARE ON THE ROPES NOW FOR SOME OF THE OTHER PROBLEMS THAT THEY HAVE BEEN IGNORING FOR YEARS. YOU CAN ACT TOUGH AND STRIKE NOW, WHILE THEY ARE UNABLE TO STRIKE BACK. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Feb 10, 2010120,000 milesMD

2002 TOYOTA TUNDRA-BRAKE LINE LOCKED UP DUE TO RUST. TOYOTA QUOTED APPROXIMATELY 1300.00 TO REPAIR. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Feb 9, 2010155,800 milesMA

THE SPARE WHEEL/TIRE FELL OFF MY 2002 TOYOTA TUNDRA AS I PASSED OVER A SPEED BUMP (AT A VERY LOW SPEED) WHILST LEAVING AN APARTMENT COMPLEX. I WAS UNAWARE OF HAVING LOST THE WHEEL BUT MY SON, WHO LIVES IN THE COMPLEX, SAW THE INCIDENT & CALLED ME - BY THE TIME HE CALLED I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED - IF THE WHEEL HAD FALLEN OFF WHILST I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY THE CONSEQUENCES COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC. I SUBMITTED A REPORT (CASE # 208366) TO NHTSA 11/25/09 AFTER GOING ON LINE & DISCOVERING THAT CORROSION WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE FRAME OF THIS VEHICLE & THAT OTHER INCIDENTS OF A SIMILAR NATURE HAD BEEN REPORTED & THAT TOYOTA WERE PREPARING A REMEDY. ON 01/10/10 I CONTACTED MY LOCAL TOYOTA SEALER & WAS ADVISED TO BRING IN THE VEHICLE AT MY CONVENIENCE WHEN THE SPARE WHEEL WOULD BE SAFELY SECURED WITHIN THE TRUCK BED PENDING A PERMANENT FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Feb 5, 2010WA

APPROX EVERY 3000 MILES THE ROTORS WARP AND HAVE TO BE REPLACE. IT IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION IF TRAVELING OR PULLING TRAILERS. I DO NOT DO EITHER AND VERY CAREFUL WITH TRUCK. STILL HAPPENS. DEALER DIDN'T DO THE TSB BEFORE I BOUGHT IT WITH 16,000 MILES ON IT. I DON'T PUT MANY MILES ON IT SO IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY WHEN FIRST HAD THE PROBLEM. DIDN'T REALIZE IT WAS A RECURRING PROBLEM UNTIL THE SECOND TIME I HAD TO HAVE IT FIXED. LOTS OF FORUMS ON THE SAME PROBLEM. NO COOP FROM TOYOTA OR DEALERS. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Feb 4, 201089,000 milesRI

MY 2002 TOYOTA TUNDRA TRUCK IS NOT DRIVABLE AT THIS TIME. THE TRUCK WAS BROUGHT TO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AFTER A LOCAL MECHANIC FOUND FLUID LEAKING FROM REAR DIFFERENTIAL DUE TO RUST/ROT. DURING THE DEALERS INSPECTION, THEY ALSO NOTED A GAS SMELL AND SUSPECT THAT THE GAS TANK OR GAS LINES ARE LEAKING ALSO. THE DEALER DID A FRAME INSPECTION AND WHILE THE WHOLE FRAME IS EXCESSIVELY RUSTED, THE FRAME PASSED THE RECALL TEST BECAUSE IT HAD NOT BEEN PERFORATED YET. THE DEALER DID NOT WANT TO EVEN REMOVE THE DIFFERENTIAL PLUG BECAUSE THE WHOLE UNIT WAS SO RUSTY. I HAVE BEEN UNDER THE TRUCK AND PERSONALLY SEEN THE EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE FRAME, FUEL SYSTEM, AND SUSPENSION COMPONENTS. AMAZINGLY, THE BODY PANELS HAVE LITTLE OR NO RUST AND IN VERY GOOD CONDITION. DURING PREVIOUS DEALER VISITS WE WERE VERBALLY TOLD THAT THE RUST WAS NORMAL. THE REPAIR ESTIMATE FOR GAS TANK/LINES AND NEW DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING, ETC. WAS APPROXIMATELY $7000. I PURCHASED THIS TRUCK NEW AND HAVE ALWAYS DONE ALL REQUIRED MAINTENANCE AND WAS PLANNING ON HAVING THE TRUCK FOR A LONG TIME. IT CURRENTLY HAS 89,101 MILES ON IT. THE EXCESSIVE RUST IS NOT NORMAL AND I FEEL THAT THE FRAME AND SOME ASSOCIATED COMPONENTS ARE DEFECTIVE. I FEEL THAT DUE TO THE NATURE OF THESE DEFECTS THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND I'M GUESSING THAT IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO SELL AND IF I DID, IT WOULD BE AT A GREATLY REDUCED VALUE. I PURCHASED A TOYOTA TRUCK BECAUSE OF THEIR REPUTATION FOR BUILDING LONG LASTING, HIGH QUALITY VEHICLES. I F

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jan 30, 201035,000 milesGA

2002 AND 2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA BRAKES WARP EVERY 10,000 MILES. I HAVE OWNED A 2002 TOYOTA TUNDRA SINCE IT WAS NEW. AT 35,000 MILES, I BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE A BRAKE PROBLEM WITH VIOLENT SHAKING OF THE FRONT END. MY NORMAL MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT IT WAS WARPED FRONT BREAK ROTORS AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO BE GROUND DOWN FLAT. I DID THIS AND THEN EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AT APPROXIMATELY 45,000, 55,000 AND 65,000 MILES. I AM NOW NEARING 75,000 MILES AND THE VIBRATION IS STARTING. I ONLY DRIVE ABOUT 10,000 MILES A YEAR AND HAVE HAD HEAVY LOADS ON THE TRUCK ABOUT 5 TIMES IN THE LAST 8 YEARS. MY MECHANIC SHOWED ME A SET OF INSTRUCTIONS THAT MECHANICS HAD FOR UPGRADING TOYOTA TUNDRA BREAKS BECAUSE OF A DESIGN PROBLEM WITH UNDERSIZED FRONT DISC BRAKES AND DRUM BRAKES IN THE BACK AFTER MY LAST BRAKE JOB. I CONTACTED MY TOYOTA DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT BRAKES ARE GENERALLY COVERED AND ARE CONSIDERED ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. HOWEVER, THEY WERE AWARE THAT THE BRAKES ON THE 2002 -2003 TUNDRAS HAD A DESIGN PROBLEM AND DID NOT HOLD UP PROPERLY. THEY CONTINUED THAT THE BRAKES HAD BEEN UPGRADED WITH A LABOR ONLY CHARGE FOR ANYONE WHO CONTACTED THEM WITHIN THE FIRST 3 YEARS OR 36,000 MILES. THEY ALSO STATED THAT THIS BRAKE UPGRADE KIT WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE AS A KIT AND I WOULD HAVE TO PURCHASE THE PARTS SEPARATELY IF I WANTED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE COST OF THE PARTS IS OVER $2000 WITHOUT LABOR. THE TOYOTA 800 NUMBER TOLD ME I HAD NO OPTIONS BECAUSE BRAKES ARE ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, PERIOD. CURRENTLY, MY

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Jan 24, 201076,000 milesMD

CONSIDERABLE RUST ON FRAME OF 2002 TUNDRA SR5 4X4. THE FRAME ACTUALLY HAS HOLES CAUSED BY RUST ON ONE OF THE MAIN SUPPORT STRUCTURES ON THE DRIVER SIDE. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Jan 12, 2010133,168 milesRI

EXCESSIVE FRAME RUST AND SAFETY ISSUE AROUND STEERING RACK MOUNTING AND CORROSION TO STEERING RACK ITSELF. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Jan 7, 2010150,000 milesPA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2002 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHASSIS AND THE FRAME ALONG THE BRAKE LINES AND MOUNTS HAVE RUST ON THEM. THE RUST HAS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DETACH FROM THE FRAME WHILE DRIVING WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH TO OCCUR. THE SPEED IS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAS NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THIS ISSUE. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE WILL FALL APART AT ANY TIME AND CAUSE A CRASH TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE VIN # WAS NOT AVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Dec 27, 200981,500 milesCA

STEERING VIBRATES EXCESSIVELY EVERY TIME WHEN BRAKING THE VEHICLE AT SPEED GREATER THAN 40 MILES PER HOUR. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Nov 29, 200950,000 milesNY

2002 TOYOTA TUNDRA SR5 HAS SIGNIFICANT RUST DAMAGE TO UNDERCARRIAGE OF VEHICLE. THE DAMAGE IS LOCATED ON FRAME COMPONENTS INCLUDING CROSS MEMBERS, BRAKE LINES, SPARE TIRE HOLDER, SUSPENSION PARTS, FRONT & REAR BUMPERS WHERE THEY ATTACH TO THE FRAME, ETC. THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE IS TOTALLY COVERED IN RUST. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Nov 25, 200940,000 milesCA

I HAVE A 2002 TOYOTA TUNDRA SR5. HEADLIGHT LENS MATERIAL HAS BECOME BLURRED AND MORE OPAQUE IN RECENT YEARS, CAUSING DRIVING AT NIGHT TO BE LESS ILLUMINATED AND MORE HAZARDOUS. THIS BEGAN DEVELOPING A FEW YEARS AGO, APPROXIMATELY 2005. I ATTEMPTED TO USE A LENS POLISHING PRODUCT, BUT THAT PRODUCED ONLY MARGINAL IMPROVEMENTS. THE LENSES CONTINUE TO DETERIORATE OVER TIME, AND IT IS ONLY THE HEADLIGHT LENSES WHILE THE SAME LENS MATERIAL IS CRYSTAL CLEAR OVER THE MARKER LIGHTS. THE LENS MATERIAL WAS POORLY DESIGNED FOR USE WITH HEADLIGHTS AND APPEARS TO REACT POORLY TO THE HIGHER HEAT PRODUCED FROM THE HEADLIGHT BULBS. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Nov 25, 2009106,800 milesMN

I HAVE A 2002 TOYOTA TUNDRA SR5 4X4 PICK-UP TRUCK. ON 11-23-09, MY SPARE TIRE AND THE SUPPORT/FRAME BROKE AND FELL OFF THE VEHICLE WHILE I WAS DRIVING . I WOULD LIKE TO CONTACT A DEALER TO REMEDY THIS PROBLEM, AND ALSO HAVE MY TRUCK INSPECTED FOR ANY OTHER POTENTIAL SAFETY DEFECTS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP! *TR

Structure
Filed Nov 25, 200960,000 milesWI

2002 TOYOTA TUNDRA. EXCESSIVE UNDERBODY AND FRAME RUST. DRIVEN MAINLY IN WISCONSIN. FIRST NOTICED MARCH 2008. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Nov 25, 2009109,810 milesMA

2002 TOYOTAS TUNDRA SR5 EXTENDED CAB: ON SUNDAY 8/15/09 BRAKES FAILED AND I EVACUATED VEHICLE BECAUSE OF SMOKE COMING OUT OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT. VEHICLE TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP, MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT RACK AND PINION HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND BRAKE FLUID CAUSED THE SMOKE AS IT BURNED ON THE ENGINE BLOCK. THE BREAK LINES DID NOT FAIL IT WAS A HOLE IN THE ASSEMBLY THROUGH WHICH THE BRAKE FLUID ESCAPED. VERY SERIOUS INCIDENT THAT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT HAS IT OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AT SPEED, INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE I WAS LEAVING MY DRIVEWAY. I CALLED TOYOTA ON 8/21/09 TO REPORT FAILURE AND FIND OUT IF THERE WAS RECALL, NUMBER CALLED, 800-331-4331 EXT 5, REF NUMBER FOR CALL 0908132654. TOYOTA INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. I AM REPORTING THIS INCIDENT NOW, 11/25/09, IN LIGHT OF THE RECENT RECALL FOR RUSTING FRAME MEMBER. MY LOSS A BRAKES RESULTED FROM THE CORROSION OF A COMPONENT THAT MY MECHANIC WAS SURPRISED TO SEE FAIL. THIS WAS A FIRST DURING HIS 15 YEARS WORKING AS A MECHANIC. *TR

Structure
Filed Nov 25, 200960,000 milesWI

FRAME OF TRUCK IS RUSTING SO BAD, I DON'T KNOW IF TRUCK IS STRUCTURALLY SOUND! *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Nov 24, 2009110,000 milesMA

I FIND IT INTERESTING THAT MY 2002 TOYOTA MAY BE RECALLED DUE TO THE SPARE TIRE MOUNTING BEING RUSTED. I HAVE BEEN VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS TRUCK SINCE THE GAS TANK THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL COVER AND FUEL LINES HAVE RUSTED THROUGH. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE DUE TO THE TOYOTA RELIABILITY REPUTATION. WOULD YOU PLEASE REVIEW THE FREQUENCY OF RUST ON THESE AREAS AND ISSUE WHAT EVER RECALLS APPROPRIATE. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Nov 23, 2009MA

I HAVE A 2002 TOYOTA TUNDRA PU THAT WAS BUILT IT 2001. THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING SEVERE RUST. PIECES OF RUSTED METAL HAVE FALLEN FROM THE VEHICLE'S FRAME. THE SPARE TIRE IS ALSO IN A RUSTED/PITTED CONDITION. THE VEHICLE HAS GONE ONLY 40,247 MILES AND I LIVE IN MASSACHUSETTS. THE TRUCK IS IN MINT CONDITION THROUGHOUT WITH THE EXCEPTION OF RUST AND METAL DETERIORATION LOCATED ONLY ON THE FRAME. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL DEALER AND THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE RUST/DETERIORATION WAS SEVERE, ESPECIALLY FOR THE LOW MILEAGE. HOWEVER, THEY DID CONDUCT AN INSPECTION AND DETERMINED THAT THE FRAME WAS NOT PERFORATED. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE DETERIORATION WILL GET WORSE OVERTIME, AND DUE TO THE LOW MILES THE VEHICLE WOULD BE ON THE ROAD FOR MANY YEARS. AS A RESULT, A SAFETY FAILURE IN THE FRAME WOULD BE PROBABLE. THE DEALER SAID THAT I COULD CALL THE TOYOTA REP. TO VOICE MY CONCERNS. HE ALSO SAID THAT THEY WOULD INSPECT THE VEHICLE'S FRAME EACH TIME I BRING THE TRUCK IN FOR SERVICE, IF I REQUESTED IT. THIS TYPE OF FRAME DETERIORATION IS NOT ACCEPTABLE FOR ONLY 40, 247 MILES. I ALSO KEEP THE TRUCK IN A GARAGE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Nov 23, 200985,000 milesCA

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY I WOULD OCCASIONALLY HEAR A SLIGHT "CLUNK". SOUNDED LIKE IT MIGHT BE THE TRANSMISSION. THIS FIRST OCCURRED AROUND 85K MILES. THEN AGAIN ABOUT A YEAR LATER. AFTER THE SECOND OR THIRD TIME, I TOOK THE CAR A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST. THEY REPORTED THAT THE OVERDRIVE GEAR BEARING WAS FAILING AND THIS WAS COMMON ON THE EARLY TUNDRAS. APPARENTLY THE NEEDLE BEARING BEGINS TO FALL APART AND EVENTUALLY THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION GOES OUT. REBUILDING THE TRANSMISSION COSTS JUST ABOUT AS MUCH AS REPLACING IT AND THERE WAS ALREADY DAMAGE TO THE GEARS. END RESULT -- I HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION AT 100K MILES. IF THIS IS TRULY A COMMON FAILURE, IT SEEMS THAT TOYOTA PUT THESE TRUCKS ON THE ROAD WITH A TRANSMISSION THAT WASN'T UP TO THE TASK. I RARELY HAUL HEAVY LOADS OR TRAILERS AND CONSIDER MY USE OF THE TRUCK TO BE VERY GENTLE. HARDLY ANYTHING THAT WOULD CAUSE THE EARLY DEMISE OF A TRANSMISSION. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Nov 19, 200978,000 milesNY

I WAS UNDER MY 2002 TOYOTA TUNDRA INSPECTING THE FRAME. I NOTICED SEVERE FRAME RUST ON PARTS OF THE FRAME AND CROSS MEMBER. NOT JUST SURFACE RUST SEVERE RUST. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE RUST IS SO SEVERE THAT IT HAS COMPROMISED THE INTEGRITY OF THE FRAME AND THEREFORE THE SAFETY OF THE TRUCK. THERE HAS BEEN NOTHING DONE YET TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Nov 16, 200975,000 milesMA

FRAME RUST AND ROT COMING UP THROUGH THE BED OF THE TRUCK FROM THE FRAME RAILS. ALSO RUST AND ROT ON MAJORITY OF UNDERCARRIAGE INCLUDING SPARE TIRE AREA AND SUSPENSION MEMBERS. *TR

Parking Brake
Filed Nov 10, 200984,668 milesNH

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I GOT UNDER MY 2002 TOYOTA TUNDRA TRD SR5 EXTRA CAB TO ASSESS THE RUST THIS PAST WEEKEND. I WAS DUMBFOUNDED! CONTROL ARMS, FRONT WISHBONE, SUSPENSION BRACKETS, AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL LOOK LIKE A SHIPWRECK THAT'S BEEN UNDER THE SEA FOR 100 YEARS. THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING HAS RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH AND IS LEAKING THROUGH THE SIDE OF THE HOUSING! THE SPARE TIRE HOLDER IS SO RUSTED THE WHEEL IS ABOUT TO FALL OFF. ALL SHIELDS AND SAFETY GUARDS HAVE FALLEN OFF OR WILL SOON. I BOUGHT THE TRUCK NEW IN NOV OF '01. IT NOW HAS 84,000 MILES. I'VE HAD ALL RECOMMENDED SERVICES PERFORMED AT THE DEALER.THEY NEVER MENTIONED THE RUST ALTHOUGH THEY DO A "SAFETY INSPECTION" AT EVERY SERVICE. I'VE ALWAYS WASHED OFF THE SALT IN THE WINTER. THE BODY PANELS SHOW NO RUST AT ALL AND THE OUTSIDE OF THE TRUCK LOOKS LIKE NEW. I HAVE TAKEN EXCELLENT CARE OF THIS VEHICLE. I HAD A CHEVY TRUCK KEPT UNDER THE SAME CONDITIONS THAT AFTER 15 YEARS AND 250,000 MILES LOOKED NOTHING LIKE THIS. I CANNOT DRIVE THIS TRUCK IN THIS CONDITION. *TR

Parking Brake
Filed Nov 10, 200983,000 milesOH

FRAME RUST CONCERN AND REAR BRAKES / PARKING BRAKES NEEDING TO BE REPAIRED DUE TO RUST... MY CONCERN IS THE ONGOING INVESTIGATION INTO SEVERE RUST PROBLEMS. I BOUGHT THE TRUCK USED (2 YRS. OLD). THE TRUCK WAS NOT PREVIOUSLY UNDERCOATED. THE TRUCK IN SERVICE DATE IS OCT 01. I BOUGHT IT USED IN 02. I THEN HAD IT UNDERCOATED AND HAVE DONE SO EVERY FALL SINCE THEN. MY CONCERN IS WHAT MAY BE GOING ON UNDERNEATH THE UNDERCOATING THAT I CAN'T SEE. ALSO, I HAD TO HAVE THE REAR BRAKES TORE APART AND REBUILT DUE TO RUSTING COMPONENTS. *TR

Structure › Body
Filed Nov 9, 2009140,000 milesVT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TUNDRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE SPARE TIRE DISENGAGED FROM THE REAR SPARE TIRE CARRIER WITHOUT WARNING. HE PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE TIRE WAS RETRIEVED FROM THE ROADWAY. THE CARRIER BRACKET HAD FRACTURED BECAUSE OF SEVERE CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 141,841.

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Nov 9, 2009NH

TOYOTA TUNDRA 2002 - FRAME RUST MY 02 TUNDRA ONLY HAS 60K MILES ON IT AND THE RUST UNDERNEATH IS CAUSING PARTS CONNECTED TO THE FRAME TO FLAKE OFF AS WELL AS PARTS OF THE FRAME. THE SMALLER PIECES FOR EXAMPLE THE SPARE TIRE HOLDER IS ALMOST TURNED TO DUST. ARE YOU INVESTIGATING THIS PROBLEM WITH 2002 MODEL'S ? I WAS TOLD THAT 2000-1 HAVE BEEN. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Nov 7, 2009119,000 milesNH

UPPER BALL JOINTS, REAR SPRINGS, BRAKES FRONT & BACK, AND MANUAL TRANSMISSION, AND O2 SENSORS TOO! THIS IS WHAT I HAVE BEEN REPAIRING AND WAS NOT AWARE OF ALL OF THE RECALLS ON MY TRUCK! SO FAR I HAVE JUST REPAIRING IT UNTIL TODAY, AFTER HEARING ABOUT THE NEWEST RECALL! I WILL BE CALLING MY DEALER MONDAY.... *TR

Reading these

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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