2002 Toyota Tacoma Complaint Log

WHILE DRIVING AWAY FROM MY HOUSE AT 5MPH, AT NIGHT IN THE RAIN, APPROXIMATELY 200 FEET FROM MY DRIVEWAY AND JUST AFTER A SPEED BUMP, I HEARD AND FELT A LOUD NOISE, LIKE DRIVING OVER A CONCRETE BLOCK. I STOPPED THE TRUCK AND USING A FLASHLIGHT SAW THAT THE WHEEL WAS BENT AT AN ANGLE AND THE LOWER BALL JOINT WAS COMPLETELY SHEARED OFF. HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK TO GET IT OUT OF THE ROAD AND BACK TO OUR DRIVEWAY. *TR

THE LOWER BALL JOINT FELL OFF THE TRUCK...THIS IS THE 3RD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED IN 11 MONTHS...ONCE ON THE RIGHT SIDE AND TWICE ON THE LEFT...THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE FOR THE VERY ISSUE THAT HAS HAPPENED...AND I BOUGHT IT UNDER WARRANTY SEPTEMBER 2005 FROM TOYOTA, EVANS TOYOTA FORT WAYNE INDIANA...I HAVE SUBMITTED A CLAIM FOR REPAIRS AND DAMAGES TO TOYOTA BUT THEY REFUSED TO HONOR IT...THE TRUCK WAS UNDER RECALL WHEN I BOUGHT IT AND THEY NEVER TOLD ME...I HAVE ALL MY CLAIM AND REPAIR DOCUMENTATION...IT IS A WONDER NO ONE WAS KILLED THE WHEEL JUST COMES OFF WHILE DRIVING...I AM AFRAID THAT THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN AND I OR SOMEONE ELSE WILL BE KILLED...THE WHEELS ARE NOT SUPPOSE TO COME OFF THIS TRUCK.... *TR

2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. CONSUMER STATES IN 2010 WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE BACKYARD, THE LEFT WHEEL AXLE BROKE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED ON JULY 1, 2011, ONLY IT HAPPENED ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE TIRE TWISTED AND THE TRUCK SKIDDED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. *JB

RUSTED OUT REAR DIFFERENTIAL - 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. *TR

THE SECOND TOYOTA TACOMA I HAVE OWNED IN ONE YEAR FAILED ON 02/28/2011. BOTH FRAMES FAILED DUE TO RUST. BOTH PROBLEMS WERE DISCOVERED DURING A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE. TOYOTA BOUGHT BACK THE FIRST TRUCK LAST SUMMER, SO I DECIDED TO BUY ANOTHER LATER MODEL TACOMA. THE SECOND TACOMA PROBLEM OCCURRED ON A LIFT AT AUTO CHOICE IN DERRY NH. THE TRUCK BENT IN HALF WHEN THE LIFT WAS RAISED. THE MECHANIC HAS BEEN IN BUSINESS FOR 30 YEARS AND HAD NEVER SEEN SUCH A THING. LUCKILY, HE WAS NOT UNDER THE TRUCK AND FORTUNATELY I WAS NOT DRIVING THE TRUCK FOR MY FRAME REPLACEMENT APPOINTMENT THE NEXT DAY. IRA TOYOTA TOWED THE VEHICLE AND GAVE ME A LOANER. I AM TOLD THAT THEY WILL REPLACE THE ENTIRE FRAME . IN TALKING TO MY FATHER, MECHANIC FRIENDS AND LEGAL FRIENDS AN ISSUE KEPT COMING UP - IF THE FRAME IS THAT CORRODED, IT WOULD FOLLOW THAT PARTS ATTACHED TO THE FRAME WOULD BE CORRODED AS WELL. THIS PRESENTS AN ALARMINGLY SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM. I WOULD ADD THAT THERE SHOULD BE AN IMMEDIATE INVESTIGATION INTO THE SAFETY OF THIS PROCEDURE AS WELL AS A MEDIA REQUIREMENT MADE THAT TOYOTA RUN ADVERTISEMENTS ON TV, RADIO AND PRINT WARNING THE PUBLIC ABOUT THIS SERIOUS ISSUE. MY TRUCK LOOKS IMMACULATE AND HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. HAD I NOT DONE AN OIL CHANGE, THE OUTCOME WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH DIFFERENT. I CAN THINK OF NO OTHER COMPONENT IN A MOTOR VEHICLE THAT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAT THE FRAME, IT HOLDS EVERYTHING TOGETHER AND SUPPORTS EVERYTHING. THIS ISSUE NEEDS IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. IRA TOYOTA IS THE CURRENT LOCATION OF THE VEHICLE 603-657-2422. *TR

ABS LIGHT CAME ON WENT OFF THEN CAME BACK ON AND STAYED ON. TOYOTA TOOK THREE HOURS TO FIGURE IT OUT. ABS CONTROL MODUAL ( ABS CPU )

SEVERELY RUSTED FRAME AND UNDERCARRIAGE COMPONENTS. INCLUDING THE GAS TANK SKID PLATE, HAD TO REPLACE REAR BUMPER ALREADY AS WELL. ALSO HAD TO WIRE UP THE SKID PLATE SO IT WON'T FLY OFF INTO SOMEONE'S WIND SHIELD. BROUGHT IT TO A DEALER IN MARCH AND THEY INSPECTED IT AND SAID ALL IT NEEDED WAS PAINT, SO THEY PAINTED IT. NOW JUST 8 MONTHS LATER AND THE SKID PLATE IS ABOUT TO FALL OFF! JUST WAITING FOR MY BRAKES TO FAIL SOME DAY. *TR

WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE TRUCK ENGINE BEGAN TO THUMP. TOWED TRUCK TO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WHERE THE FIRST DAY THEY SAID INTERNAL ENGINE FAILURE, THE NEXT DAY THEY SAID ENGINE OIL PUMP FAILURE. THE OIL LIGHT INDICATOR NEVER CAME ON BEFORE AND AFTER THE INCIDENT. I HAD AN OIL CHANGE FROM ANOTHER TOYOTA DEALERSHIP ON NOVEMBER 30TH. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH AND ATTEMPTING A RIGHT TURN WHEN THE FRAME FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE, LEAVING THE WHEEL CONNECTED BY THE BRAKE LINE ONLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS PLACE OF RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THAT YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V225000-SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT) BUT THE RECALL DID NOT INCLUDE HIS VIN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

THE BALL JOINTS AND SUSPENSION ON MY 2002 TOY TACOMA FELL APART WHILE MAKING A ROUTINE TURN ONTO MY STREET! THE BALLJOINTS SEPARATED AND THE FRONT AXLE DUG INTO THE STREET, THE ONLY THING HOLDING THE WHEEL TO THE VEHICLE WAS THE BRAKE LINE! HAD THIS HAPPENED 5 MINUTES EARLIER IT WOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE FREEWAY DOING 65 MPH INSTEAD OF IN A RESIDENTIAL TRACT DOING 20 MPH! *TR

2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. CONSUMER STATES AS HE ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE FELL APART WHILE DRIVING. AXLE DUG INTO THE STREET CAUSING THE BALL JOINTS TO SEPARATE FROM THEIR KNUCKLE SLEEVES. SUSPENSION FELL APART DAMAGING THE VEHICLE. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE ONLY THING HOLDING THE TIRE TO THE VEHICLE WAS THE BRAKE LINE. THE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, HE HEARD A LOUD POP WHILE TURNING RIGHT AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER. HE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE DISCONNECTED FROM THE LOWER CONTROL ARM AND FOLDED BENEATH THE PASSENGER SIDE FENDER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT RECALL 05V225000 (SUSPENSION: FRONT: CONTROL ARM: LOWER BALL JOINT) DID NOT INCLUDE HIS VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 88,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE ENTIRE FRAME WAS COVERED WITH RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE A RUST UNDER COATING WAS APPLIED TO THE FRAME. TWO YEARS LATER, THE FRAME EXHIBITED SEVERE RUST AND CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,871. UPDATED 01/18/13*LJ UPDATED 01/24/13

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE THROTTLE SUDDENLY LOCKED. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKES, WHICH DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY TO SLOW THE VEHICLE. HE TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BUT THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 178,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING OUT OF A CURVE IN THE ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE WHEEL SUDDENLY DISENGAGED AND ROLLED UNDERNEATH THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER AND THEY INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE LOWER BALL JOINT. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V225000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT). THE LOWER BALL JOINT FAILURE CAUSED OTHER DAMAGES TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 156,0000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION DUE TO EXTREME BUMPER AND FRAME RUST. THE DEALER PERFORMED A SAFETY INSPECTION ON THE VEHICLE YET IT DID NOT PASS. THE DEALER ADVISED THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED AT NO COST TO THE CONTACT HOWEVER, THE REPAIR WOULD TAKE MONTHS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 56,360.

TL. THE CONTACT OWNS A KUHMO MOHAVE A/T TIRES ON A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE SIDE WALL OF THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE COLLAPSED WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH. THE CONTACT CHANGE THE TIRE AND TOOK THE TIRE TO A DEALER. THE DEALER EXAMINE TO THE TIRE AND STATED THE TIRE FAILED WITH NO OTHER DEFECTS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TIRE UNDER THE TIRE WARRANTY. THE CONTACT STATED HE DOES NOT FEELS SAFE WITH THE CURRENT TIRES ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000. JO

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT HAS BEEN FLASHING FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS . THIS IS A 2002 TACOMA EXTENDED CAB PICK-UP TRUCK WITH 56K MILES. DEALER SAYS $200.00 TO DIAGNOSE. COSTS TO REMEDY AIRBAG PROBLEM COULD BE AS MUCH AS $500.00 TO $600.00, PERHAPS MORE. DEALER STATES AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY BUT IS NOT SURE OF WHAT IS REALLY THE PROBLEM UNTIL THE DIAGNOSIS IS COMPLETED. MY QUESTION IS; WHY THIS PROBLEM WITH A TRUCK WITH LOW MILEAGE AND TAKEN TO DEALER SINCE NEW FOR ALL REQUIRED MAINTENANCE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO BE EXAMINED WHEN HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRAME UNDER THE VEHICLE WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000. UPDATED 09/02/11*LJ UPDATED 2/9/12 *CN

FRAME RUST RECALL, NOT TAKEN CARE OF IN 2010 WHEN I TOOK INTO HEISER TOYOTA IN MILWAUKEE WI. NOW WE NEED IT TAKEN CARE OF, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND BOTH TOYOTA AND HEISER REFUSE TO TAKE CARE OF.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V225000 (SUSPENSION: FRONT: CONTROL ARM: LOWER BALL JOINT) FOR FRAME RUST AND CORROSION. THE VEHICLE FAILED THE MANUFACTURERS INSPECTION AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE FRAME AT NO COST TO THE CONTACT. THE FRAME WAS NOT AVAILABLE AT THE TIME AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT IT WOULD TAKE APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH TO OBTAIN THE FRAME AND THAT HE COULD CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL THAT TIME. THE CONTACT DID NOT BELIEVE IT WAS SAFE TO CONTINUE OPERATING A RECALLED VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 65,000.

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 FRAME HAS ROTTED AWAY CAN'T EVEN DRIVE IT.

HAD A RECALL ON MY TACOMA. I HAD BOUGHT FROM FATHER, HE BOUGHT NEW FROM SPARTAN TOYOTA IN LANSING MI. IT WAS FOR A POSSIBLE FRAME RUST RECALL. I HAVE THE RECORDS OF TAKING IT IN FOR THAT PURPOSE. IT WAS CLEARED BY SERVICE DEPARTMENT. APPARENTLY, THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO SPRAY A PROTECTIVE COAT ON THE FRAME AT NO COST TO ME, WHICH WOULD INCLUDE A 15 YEAR WARRANTY ON FRAME. THEY DID NOT DO THIS. I SOLD TRUCK TO MY SON, APPROXIMATELY JULY 2014. HE TOOK IT IN FOR MUFFLER WORK AND THEY WOULDN'T PUT ON HOIST BECAUSE FRAME IS WEAK FROM RUST. EVERYONE FROM THE DEALER AND TOYOTA NATIONAL HAS SAID IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN SPRAYED, BUT BECAUSE IT WASN'T THEY SORRY BUT CAN'T DO ANYTHING. I FEEL THAT SOLUTION TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENTS MISTAKE IS NOT ADEQUATE. DO I HAVE ANY OTHER RECOURSE TO HELP MY SON? [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

GAS TANK SHIELD SEVERELY RUSTED. UNDER SIDE OF GASTANK IS PROTECTED BY A SHIELD/SKID PLATE. IT IS RUSTED SO BADLY THAT WHEN HIT WITH A HAMMER THE HAMMER GOES RIGHT THROUGH. PRESUMABLY THIS SHIELD IS TO PROTECT THE GAS TANK FROM DEBRIS AND STONES ESPECIALLY IF THE TRUCK IS USED OFF ROAD. I DISCOVERED THIS AS I WAS INSPECTING THE UNDERSIDE OF THE TRUCK BEFORE DROPPING THE TRUCK OFF AT THE DEALER TO HAVE THE FRAME REPLACED. IN ADDITION TO THIS, IT IS APPARENT THAT THE DRIVE AXLE AND DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING ALSO HAVE SEVERE RUST. IF TAPPED WITH A HAMMER THE RUST COMES OF IN SHEETS. THE PARKING BRAKES ACTUATING LEVERS HAVE RUSTED IN PLACE AND CAN NO LONGER BE USED. THERE APPEARS TO BE MORE TO THIS RUST THAN SIMPLE FRAME RUST. THE RUST IS PERVASIVE THROUGH OUT THE UNDERSIDE OF THE TRUCK. *TR

I TOOK MY TACOMA FOR ITS 95000 MILE SERVICE, AND THEY DISCOVER MY SUB-FRAME WAS RUSTED OUT AND IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. MY TRUCK HAS GONE FOR SERVICE EVERY 5000 MILES FOR 7 YEARS AND NO ONE EVER NOTICED THE RUST. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT TOYOTA DOES NOT COVER THE SUBFRAME IN THEIR FRAME RUST PROBLEM. THE DEALER TRIED FOR 2 DAYS TO GET THEM TO INCLUDE THIS IN THEIR 2001-2004 RUST FRAME REPAIR OR BUY BACK PROGRAM. THEY REFUSE. WHY ISN'T THE SUB FRAME PART OF THE WHOLE FRAME. I BELIEVE THE SUB FRAMES SHOULD BE LOOKED AT. *TR

MY WIFE & I WERE TRAVELING INTO BAKERSFIELD, (WE'RE FROM ARVIN, CA) ALONG BEAR MT. BLVD. ON SAT. SEPT. 5, 2009 AROUND 4:00 P.M. AT ABOUT 60 MPH AND IT BECAME DIFFICULT FOR ME TO STEER. INSTEAD OF GOING ON THE FREEWAY, I DECIDED TO TAKE AN ALTERNATE RT. I CAME TO A STOP AND BEGAN TURNING LEFT AT APPROX. 5- 10 MPH & THE R FRONT TIRE FOLDED OUT & THE LOWER BALL JOINT SNAPPED. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS HURT. WE HAD TO HAVE THE TRUCK TOWED HOME. I ORDERED THE LOWER BALL JOINTS ON LINE SO I COULD REPLACE THEM. THIS IS BECAUSE WHEN I CONTACTED THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP THEY INFORMED ME THAT MY TRUCK WAS NOT ONE ON THE RECALL LIST FOR THIS DEFECTIVE PART. I AM FURIOUS. I BELIEVE TOYOTA IS LIABLE FOR MY DAMAGES. BEFORE THIS OCCURRED, I HEARD A FEW CLICKING & GRINDING SOUNDS & THOUGHT MAYBE MY POWER STEERING WAS GOING OUT. I HAD NO IDEA IT WAS BALL JOINT FAILURE, OR I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN DRIVING IT. I HAVE MY OLD DEFECTIVE PARTS. I ALSO HAVE ANOTHER WITNESS TO THIS INCIDENCE BESIDES MY WIFE. HE LIVES ACROSS THE STREET FROM WHERE THIS OCCURRED & HEARD THE LOUD BOOM WHEN THE TRUCK HIT THE GROUND. I HOPE YOU LOOK INTO THIS MATTER, AS I WOULD HATE FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO EXPERIENCE WHAT WE DID. *TR

MY MOTHER WAS RECENTLY INVOLVED IN A CAR WRECK WHERE SHE WAS HIT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. SHE WAS DRIVING A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA AND THE DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. SHE WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED IN THE WRECK. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT THIS. *TR

EMERGENCY CABLE IS BROKEN. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR ROUTINE INSPECTION AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRAME AND MEMBERS HAD EXCESSIVE RUST. THE DEALER REPLACED THE O2 VALVE, BUT IT DID NOT REMEDY THE STRUCTURAL FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000.

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING AT 35MPH ON A WET SURFACE, THE CONTACT NOTICED A NOISE COMING FROM THE RONT END. MOMENTS LATER THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE STOPPED AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED DURING THE ACCELERATION THE BRAKES WOULD NOT ENGAGE. NO ONE WAS INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED FOR THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE TOYOTA MANUFACTURER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT NO FAILURES COULD BE FOUND. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

I RECENTLY RECEIVED A LETTER FROM TOYOTA ABOUT A FRAME RUSTING PROBLEM THEY ARE HAVING ON TACOMA TRUCKS BUILT BETWEEN 2001-2004. THE FRONT BUMPER ASSEMBLY ON MY TRUCK WAS REPLACED SOON AFTER I PURCHASED IT BECAUSE IS WAS RUSTING FROM THE UNDERSIDE. NOW THE REAR BUMPER IS RUSTING THROUGH FROM THE UNDERSIDE AS WELL. WHEN I CALLED TOYOTA ABOUT THEIR RECENT RECALL THEY SAID ONLY THE FRAME WAS INCLUDED IN THE PROBLEM, NOT THE BUMPERS. IT IS OBVIOUS TO ME THEY HAVE A RUST PROBLEM EVERYWHERE UNDER THE VEHICLE SINCE MY FRONT BUMPER RUSTED SO QUICKLY AND NOW THE REAR BUMPER IS ALSO RUSTING THROUGH FROM THE UNDERSIDE. I CALLED THE TOYOTA DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND THEY TOLD ME THE RECALL WAS JUST FOR RUSTING FRAMES. AS I STATED ABOVE, IT CERTAINLY APPEARS AS THOUGH THE RUST PROBLEM INVOLVES EVERYTHING UNDER THE VEHICLE. MY TRUCK IS A 2002 TACOMA AND IT HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT IT. LIVING IN SOUTHERN MARYLAND (21122), WE HAVE HAD VERY FEW INSTANCES OF SNOW/SALT IN OUR AREA SINCE I PURCHASED THE TRUCK AND I KEEP MY VEHICLE CLEAN AND ALWAYS USE THE UNDERCARRIAGE WASH WHEN GOING THROUGH THE CAR WASH. I BELIEVE TOYOTA DEFINITELY HAS A RUSTING PROBLEM AND SHOULD REPLACE MY REAR BUMPER AS THEY DID WITH THE RUSTING FRONT BUMPER ASSEMBLY. YOUR ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER IS APPRECIATED. *TR

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

EXCESSIVE TRUCK FRAME RUST, 02 TOYOTA TACOMA TRUCK, TOYOTA HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH 95-04 TACOMA'S WITH THE FRAMES RUSTING, SOME GETTING BAD ENOUGH TO BE A SAFETY CONCERN, WITH FRAME PERFORATION. MY TRUCK IS SHOWING THE EARLY SIGNS OF FRAME RUST, AND WILL EVENTUALLY GET TO THE POINT WHERE IT COULD BECOME A SAFETY ISSUE. I WANTED TO HAVE NHTSA COMPLAINT ON FILE IN CASE THE FRAME RUST PERFORATES THE FRAME. *TR

I LOST CONTROL OF MY TRUCK WHEN THE DRIVER FRONT TIRE DEFLATED. THIS OCCURRED AS I WAS TAKING AN OFF RAMP ON TO ANOTHER FREEWAY. THIS CAUSED ME TO BOUNCE OFF THE HOLLOW TUBES IN FRONT OF THE CONCERT DIVIDER. MY 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA WILL REQUIRE OVER $8K TO REPAIR. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED IN MY SINGLE CAB TRUCK. THE DAMAGE TAKEN WAS ON THE FRONT DRIVER FENDER/BUMPER (I HAVE PICTURES) CLEARLY THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED BUT FAILED. THIS CAUSED ME TO SLAM INTO THE STEERING WHEEL UPON IMPACT. *TR

2002 TOYOTA TACOMA FRAME ROT TRUCK FRAME HAS ROTTED PREMATURELY AND TOYOTA IS BEING VERY DIFFICULT IN GETTING INFORMATION IN THE MATTER. HAVE REFUSED PROVIDE A LIST OF PARTS TO BE REPLACED ETC. *TR

I AM THE OWNER OF A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA, WHICH I HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP, THAT THERE IS A REPURCHASE PROGRAM AVAILABLE. PROBLEM IS, I HAD MY TRUCK AT THE SHOP ON NOV 11, 2008, NOBODY HAS GOT IN TOUCH WITH ME, I WAS TOLD BY TOYOTA I WOULD HEAR SOMETHING IN 45 DAYS. FINALLY GOT THROUGH TO TOYOTA, NOW, THE REPURCHASE PROGRAM IS NOT AVAILABLE AS OF DECEMBER 2008. THEY ARE WANTING TO REPLACE MY ENTIRE FRAME. I HAVE ALOT OF SAFETY ISSUES WITH THIS BEING DONE, I FEEL THIS IS ENTIRELY UNACCEPTABLE. SO, FOR THE TIME BEING, I AM DRIVING WHAT IS CONSIDERED AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. OH, ONE PERSON SAYS IT IS SAFE, THE OTHER SAYS, IT IS DRIVABLE. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY HELP POSSIBLE WITH THIS ISSUE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH TOYOTA, THEY NEED TO MAKE IT RIGHT BY THE CONSUMER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO INSPECT THE MAINFRAME UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE FRAME WAS RUSTED FROM ONE END TO THE OTHER. A TOYOTA REPRESENTATIVE ADVISED HIM TO HAVE THE METAL PLATES WELDED ON THE FRAME, INCLUDING THE SPRING HANGERS. THE SPRING HANGERS WERE UNSAFE BECAUSE THEY WERE ALSO RUSTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IF ANYTHING IS WELDED ON RUST, IT WILL NOT WORK. THE TOYOTA REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT NOTHING ELSE COULD BE DONE TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

I HAVE A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA WITH A RUSTED FRAME WHICH FAILED, BUT THE DEALERSHIP WROTE "OK TO DRIVE" ON MY SLIP. I ORIGINALLY BROUGHT MY VEHICLE IN FOR INSPECTION AT A PRIVATE AUTO SHOP ON 8/12/08 AND THEY TOLD ME TO GO TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP RIGHT AWAY TO GET MY FRAME INSPECTED. I WENT AND THE DEALERSHIP TURNED ME AWAY, I ASKED WHY AND THEY INDICATED THAT I DID NOT HAVE A CASE NUMBER. I CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY GAVE ME A CASE NUMBER AND CLOSED THE CASE THE NEXT DAY BECAUSE MY VEHICLE WAS OUTSIDE THE 95-00 RECALL YRS. I INSISTED THAT THEY HAVE MY VEHICLE INSPECTED BY TOYOTA AND ON 9/12/08 THE BOSTON REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE FAILED MY FRAME. PRIOR TO THAT IRWIN MOTORS IN LACONIA NH ALSO INSPECTED IT AND TOLD ME TO KEEP BUGGING TOYOTA BECAUSE THEY WILL DRAG THEIR FEET. THE DEALERSHIP HAS INDICATED TO ME THAT THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM FOR 01THROUGH THE 2004 YEAR FRAMES. TOYOTA INDICATES THAT THEY WILL NEGOTIATE A BUY BACK WITH ME BUT WILL NOT SEND ANY THING IN WRITING, THEY WILL NOT GIVE ANY TIME FRAME FOR RESOLVING OR EVEN NEGOTIATING THE BUY-BACK. I HAVE FRIENDS WHO ARE MECHANICS WHO INDICATE THAT TOYOTA SHOULD RECALL FROM 2001 TO 2004 AS WELL SINCE THE SAME FRAMES ARE BEING PRODUCED AND USED FOR THESE VEHICLE AS USED FOR THE 1995-2000 VEHICLES. I HAVE A NEWER TOYOTA AND THEY HAVE INDICATED TO ME THAT THEY WILL REPURCHASE MY VEHICLE AND BASED IT ON 100% KELLY BLUE BOOK ONLY. I BELIEVE THAT IF OTHERS HAVE RECEIVED A 150% BUY-BACK THAT THEY SHOULD EXTEND THAT OFFER TO ME AS I HAVE OWNED EIGHT TOYOTAS IN THE PAST TEN YEARS. I AM DISAPPOINTED IN TOYOTA. THE LONGER PERIOD OF TIME GOES BY, THE LESS MY VEHICLE WILL BE WORTH IF THEY ARE BUYING BACK AT BLUE BOOK PRICES. WE HAVE DROVE BY MANY DEALERSHIPS IN OUR AREA, THERE ARE MANY 01-04S WHICH HAVE BEEN BOUGHT BACK, BUT WHEN TALKING TO MY CASE MANAGER, SHE INDICATED THAT THE THERE WERE ONLY A FEW OUTSIDE THE RECALL YEARS, I HAVE TO DISAGREE AS THE DEALERSHIP LOTS INDICATE OTHERWISE. CAN YOU HELP US OWNERS OUT? THANK YOU *TR

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 NEWER TACOMA'S OR THE DESIGN? HOW DO THEY JUSTIFY THAT THE NEWER TACOMA'S DON'T HAVE THIS PROBLEM? BECAUSE THEY ARE TOO NEW TO HAVE ROTTED TO THAT POINT YET? THINK ABOUT IT, WHY ELSE WOULD THEY HAVE WAITED SO MANY YEARS TO POST A RECALL ON A TRUCK THAT IS AT THE LEAST 8 YEARS OLD? THEY OBVIOUSLY KNEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM. I KNOW I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO OWNS A 2ND GENERATION TACOMA WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR

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

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.

I OWN AN "02" TOYOTA TACOMA THAT WAS BUILT AND SENT TO ME IN THAT SAME YEAR. THE PROBLEM THAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED IS THAT THE A/C WENT OUT. I RARELY USE THE A/C IN THE SUMMER TIME, BUT I DO GET A LOT OF USE OUT OF THE HEATER IN THE WINTER. THE PROBLEM WAS NOT NOTICEABLE UNTIL I HAD THE VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY FOUR YEARS. I BEGAN TO SMELL A BURNING SMELL. ONCE SMOKE ACTUALLY CAME OUT OF THE VENTS. EVENTUALLY THE FUSE BURNT. I REPLACED IT AND THE A/C WORKED FOR A SHORT WHILE THEN THE FUSE BURNED AGAIN. I BEGAN USING THE A/C TO ATTEMPT TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM WITH THE A/C. IT RECENTLY STOPPED COMPLETELY AND I CAN HEAR THE FAN TICKING AS IT ROTATES. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND I DID NOTHING TO AGGRAVATE THIS SITUATION. I HAVE AND CONTINUE TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE DRIVERS' SIDE SHOULDER HARNESS. I CAN'T MOVE FREELY ONCE IT'S LOCKED IN. IT CATCHES AND KEEPS ME FROM MOVING FREELY. I JUST LOCKS ME DOWN AND I CAN'T REACH FOR ANY CONTROLS UNTIL IT EVENTUALLY RELEASES ME SO I CAN MOVE. IT SEEMS THAT ALL OF THIS OCCURRED AT DIFFERENT INTERVALS. I NEVER EXPECTED SUCH POOR QUALITY OF WORKMANSHIP FROM SUCH A TRUSTED AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURER. HAD I KNOWN OR HAD ANY IDEA THAT THIS WOULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN NO A/C, I WOULD HAVE TAKEN IT IN DURING THE WARRANTY PERIOD. NOW I HAVE NO A/C AND AM NOT FINANCIALLY PREPARED TO PAY THE COST INVOLVED IN REPAIRING IT. I WILL THINK TWICE BEFORE I EVEN CONSIDER PURCHASING ANOTHER TOYOTA PRODUCT. I ALSO HAD ONE OF MY TAILGATE WIRE ROPE SUPPORTS JUST CORRODE AND BREAK. HOW THIS HAPPENED I DON'T KNOW. IT IS INSULATED WITH A THICK PLASTIC, THE ENTIRE LENGTH. THIS IS PENDING AS IS THE A/C. I WENT TO THE TOYOTA PRODUCT FOR THE QUALITY AND ENDED UP REGRETTING THAT I THOUGHT THAT TOYOTA WAS A MARQUE FOR QUALITY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS EXAMINING HIS VEHICLE, HE NOTICED RUST HOLES IN THE BOTTOM OF THE FRAME AND ON THE GAS TANK SHIELD. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES BEFOREHAND. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000. UPDATED 10/03/08 *BF UPDATED 10/06/08.*JB

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

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

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

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.

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