NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Toyota Tacoma. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
I HAVE DRIVEN THIS VEHICLE VERY LITTLE. HAS 46500 MILES, DONE IN STAMFORD CT A CITY THAT DOES NOT USE SALT IN THE WINTER BUT ONLY SAND. I NOTICED EXCESSIVE RUST UNDER AND IT NEEDED TO WELD STEEL PLATES TO SUPPORT THE CHASSIS TWICE ( THE FIRST WHEN THE CAR WAS 5 YEARS OLD). IN SPITE OF THAT THE DETERIORATION CONTINUED AND NOW THE CHASSIS IS BROKEN NEAR THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL MAKING THE CAT LOCK ,UNABLE TO TURN,UNDRIVABLE, PARKED AT HOME. CARS OF THIS MODEL WERE RECALLED BY TOYOTA AT FIRST SOME YEARS AGO AND EVEN AFTER THAT MORE PEOPLE COMPLAINED AND ADDITIONAL PRIOR YEARS WERE ADDED. I HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA DEALER IN STAMFORD AND TELLS ME IT IS PRIOR TO THE LATEST RECALL.
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
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.
THIS IS IN RESPONSE TO THE NEW TOYOTA RECALL ON THE SIENNA MINI-VANS SPARE TIRE. I OWN A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA, IN WHICH THE FRAME WAS RECENTLY REPLACED DUE TO RUST PERFORATION IN CERTAIN STATES. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND BACK IN 8/2007 I HAD A FLAT TIRE AND HAD TO CHANGE IT. THE SPARE TIRE RESIDES UNDER THE VEHICLE AND IS SECURED BY A CABLE. WHEN I WENT TO ACCESS THE SPARE, I NOTICED THE WHOLE CABLE AND THE SURROUNDING PIECES WERE SEVERELY RUSTED AND WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO SEPARATE THE TIRE FROM THE CABLE. AFTER HEARING ABOUT THE RECALL ON THE SIENNA FOR THE SPARE TIRE GETTING RUSTY, AND POSSIBLY FALLING LOOSE WHILE DRIVING, I REALIZED THAT MY TACOMA, AND POSSIBLY OTHER VEHICLES THAT USE THIS METHOD, AND ARE EXPOSED TO EXTREME CLIMATE CONDITIONS, COULD TRIGGER A SIMILAR EVENT. *TR
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.
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
PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM CONTINUALLY FREEZES UP DUE TO POOR CABLE AND SPRING ROUTING. PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE WELL KNOWN TO AREA MECHANICS. *TR
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
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
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
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
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.
MY EXPERIENCE WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION ON MY CURRENT AND PREVIOUS TOYOTA PICK-UP TRUCKS WAS NOT VERY GOOD. FIRST MY PREVIOUS, EARLIER MODEL 98 TOYOTA TACOMA 2WD MANUAL TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED AT ABOUT 55,000 MILES JUST PRIOR TO THE 60,000 MILE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY LIMIT. THE FAILURE HAPPENED AT THE SYNCHRONIZER FROM 4TH TO 5TH GEAR WHEN SHIFTING FROM NEUTRAL ACCORDING TO TOYOTA TECHNICIAN AT THE TIME. THE SAFETY ISSUE ON THIS IS THAT WHILE DRIVING AND ONE NEEDS TO SHIFT TO 5TH GEAR FROM NEUTRAL, ONE MAY HAVE DIFFICULTY SHIFTING AND THE TRANSMISSION COULD HAVE A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE AND AT SUCH FREEWAY SPEED THE VEHICLE COULD SUDDENLY STALL, STOP AND MAY GO IN A TAILSPIN. PREVIOUS DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE FROM REPAIRED THE TRANSMISSION PER THE WARRANTY. NOW I HAVE ANOTHER TOYOTA TACOMA PICK-UP 4X4 HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I TOOK IT TO THE A TOYOTA DEALER PREVIOUSLY SINCE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY FOR POWERTRAIN AND AROUND 55,000 MILES BUT DEALER REFUSED TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE PROBLEM EVEN AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO GET THE PROBLEM CORRECTED. I INFORMED THEM THAT I HAVE A SIMILAR PROBLEM BEFORE AND THEY HAVE FIXED IT. BUT THIS TIME AROUND THEY REFUSED. I HAVE ATTEMPTED SEVERAL TIMES FROM SEP 2006 UNTIL JAN 2007 AND EVEN CALLED TOYOTA USA REPS ON THE ISSUE. I STILL OWN THE TRUCK AND TO GET AROUND THE SYNCHRONIZER PROBLEM, I HAVE TO DOWNSHIFT BACK TO 3RD, 4TH BEFORE I CAN GO BACK TO 5TH GEAR. THIS CAN CAUSE A LOT OF DISTRACTION WHILE DRIVING AND TO CON UNWITTING DRIVER UNAWARE OF WHAT TO DO SUDDENLY SHIFTS TO 5TH FROM NEUTRAL THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION SQUEAKS/RATTLES LIKE THE SOUND OF GEARS HAVING PROBLEM MESHING OR BREAKING - THUS IN A WORST CASE SCENARIO ONE MAY LOOSE DRIVEABILITY AND CAPABILITY TO MOVE THE VEHICLE SINCE THE DRIVE COULD GET LOST AND MAY RESULT IN A FAILURE. I KIND A GIVE UP ON IT SINCE THE DEALERS AND TOYOTA USA BEFORE DON'T WANT TO PAY ATTENTION TO ME. I KNOW THIS CURRENT TOYOTA RECALL MAY RESULT IN THEM LOOKING INTO THIS - SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DASHBOARD GAUGES AND LIGHTS PERFORM INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER CAN NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
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.
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
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
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.
RUSTED FRAME ON 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. TOOK IT TO HALTERMAN'S TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN JUNE 2006. DEALERSHIP SAID IT DOES NOT WARRANT RUST ON FRAME. WAS TOLD TO UNDERCOAT THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS UNDERCOATED AUGUST 2006. UNDERCOATING STARTED TO PEEL AWAY JANUARY 2007. NOW THE FRAME LOOKS AS IF IT'S STARTING TO RUST THROUGH. THIS IS A CONCERN TO ME BECAUSE I HAD A 1999 TOYOTA TACOMA THAT HAD TOTAL RUST PERFORATION IN FRAME JANUARY 2006. I SOLD IT FOR A THIRD OF IT'S KELLY BLUE BOOK RETAIL VALUE IN MARCH 2006 BEFORE TOYOTA IMPLEMENTED THEIR BUYBACK PROGRAM IN MARCH 2008 FOR 1995-2000 TACOMAS DISPLAYING RUST PERFORATION. I NOW SEE THE SAME SITUATION HAPPENING ALL OVER AGAIN AND TOYOTA WILL NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY. I AM BEGINNING TO BECOME AFRAID TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE IN FEAR OF THE FRAME BREAKING FROM UNDERNEATH ME. *TR
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
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
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
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
REAR BUMPER DECAY/STRUCTURE BREAKDOWN ON 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. UNSAFE IN CASE OF FROM THE REAR COLLISION. NOTICED START OF RUST/LOSS OF STRUCTURE IN 2/2006. *TR
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
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
DRIVER SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT AFTER RELEASE. CONCERNED THE SEAT BELT MAY BE DEFECTIVE DURING AN ACCIDENT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED, HAD HOLES IN IT, AND WAS SEPARATING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND WAS GOING TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
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
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
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
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
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
2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING- LETTER TO THE SECRETARY FROM RE TOYOTA PROBLEM *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED IN A MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT AND IT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN THAT SERIOUS, HAD HE BEEN ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL WHICH CAUSED HIM TO JUMP THE CURB AND CRASH INTO A BRIDGE. *JB
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
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
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
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 - 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
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
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
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
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
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
TRUCK DASH HAS RATTLED SINCE SHORTLY AFTER WE BOUGHT THE TRUCK. NEVER HAS BEEN FIXED CORRECTLY. ALSO, THE CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T KEEP YOU AT CONSISTENT SPEED AT ALL ON MOUNTAINS/HILLS. IF YOU WANT TO GO 55, IT WILL PUT YOU UP OVER 60 VERY QUICKLY AND THEN GRADUALLY DROP YOU DOWN TO AROUND 55. *AK
BRAKING PROBLEMS WITH A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA 4X4. SHAKING OF TRUCK WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. FRONT BRAKES WERE RESURFACED AND ADJUSTED ON 8/6/03. PROBLEM CONTINUED AND I WAS CHARGED TO REPLACE REAR DRUMS & SHOES ON A TRUCK WITH LESS THAN 30000 MILES ON 8/15/03. *AK
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.
TOPIC:" DRIVERS-SIDE AIRBAG FAILURE.NFORTUNATELY, I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT, WHICH I WAS CITED. FORTUNATELY, NO ONE WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED. I IMPACTED THE REAR OF A STATTIONARY CAR AT APPROX. 50MPH AND MY AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. I THANK THE LORD NOBODY WAS HURT. BUT, WHAT IF SOMEONE WAS INJURED, THE MANUFACTURER WOULD CLEARLY BE LIABLE. I CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT THE INCIDENT. THIER REPRESENTATIVE REPORTED THE SENSORS WERE NOT TRIGGERED, THEREFORE, THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I FEEL THIS IS AN INSUFFICIENT EXPLAINATION AND I NEED FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH HOOD FLEW OPEN AND CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD. DUE TO NO VISIBILITY THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. VEHICLE HIT THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED ON 7/10/2003. *AK
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD, AND SHORTLY AFTER VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. *AK THE CONSUMER HEARD THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. *SCC *JB