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Model Year Problem Record

Toyota Tacoma 2002 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2002 Toyota Tacoma: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

333Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
3Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
0Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
49Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Vehicle Structure183 complaints

183 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension89 complaints

89 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 05V225000.

Unknown Or Other27 complaints

27 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train22 complaints

22 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags19 complaints

19 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels18 complaints

18 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes18 complaints

18 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires15 complaints

15 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 12V542000.

Steering9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Engine7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System6 complaints

6 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 03V189000.

Equipment4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

03V189000Reported May 19, 2003 - 123,360 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel and Propulsion System. Recall covering the fuel and propulsion system system, reported to NHTSA on May 19, 2003. The campaign covers an estimated 123,360 vehicles across all affected models.

05V225000Reported May 17, 2005 - 768,379 vehicles potentially affected

Suspension. Recall covering the suspension system, reported to NHTSA on May 17, 2005. The campaign covers an estimated 768,379 vehicles across all affected models.

12V542000Reported November 23, 2012 - 150,000 vehicles potentially affected

Tires. Recall covering the tires system, reported to NHTSA on November 23, 2012. The campaign covers an estimated 150,000 vehicles across all affected models.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

20012
200212
200323
200411
20056
200612
20079
200813
200911
201015
20118
201210
201321
201442
201528
201624
201723
201821
201913
20208
20217
20223
20233
20247
20251
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.