Photo: Cutlass / CC0 / Wikimedia Commons
2002 Toyota Tacoma: common problems and reliability
One of the weaker Tacoma years.
360 owner complaints, most about structure. 5 recalls.
Should I buy a 2002 Tacoma?The 2002 Toyota Tacoma has 360 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are structure and suspension.
Safety record for the 2002 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2002 Toyota Tacoma vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Tacoma years only. How we score it
Is 2002 a good year for the Tacoma?
Across the 29 Tacoma model years we track, complaint volume runs from 54 (2023) to 882 (2010). With 360 complaints, the 2002 Tacoma sits above the model's median of 239.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2002 Tacoma
tires:temporary/emergency spare tire
Campaign 12V542000Toyota is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2004 Tacoma light trucks manufactured from August 28, 2000, through August 27, 2004, and originally sold, or currently registered, in the following cold climate states with high road salt usage: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. The spare tire in the subject vehicles is located underneath the rear of the vehicle and held by a spare tire carrier. A lift plate on the carrier is used to help raise, lower and retain the tire. During its manufacture, the lift plate may not have been sufficiently coated with anti-corrosion materials. If the plate is insufficiently coated and the vehicle is operated in cold climate regions where road salts are frequently used, road spray can reach the carrier assembly and corrode the lift plate.
exterior lighting
Campaign 06E065000CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
exterior lighting
Campaign 06E026000CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint
Campaign 05V225000ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, DUE TO A MANUFACTURING ISSUE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINT, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE SURFACE OF THE BALL OF THE JOINT MAY HAVE BEEN SCRATCHED. THE BALL JOINT MAY EVENTUALLY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE WEAR AND LOOSENESS, RESULTING IN INCREASED STEERING EFFORT.
Show 1 more recall
fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Campaign 03V189000ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, DURING SIDE IMPACT NCAP TEST (I.E. LINCAP TEST), A FLANGE AT THE REAR END OF THE DOUBLE CAB BODY DEFORMED AND INTERFERED WITH THE FUEL INLET HOSE THAT CONNECTS THE FUEL FILLER PIPE AND FUEL TANK, RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE FUEL INLET HOSE.
What owners say across generations
Sentiment is mixed and heavily dependent on the specific model year and generation.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Tacoma. See the full Tacoma owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Tacoma listings typically run $23,146–$35,275.
Other Tacoma model years
Compare every Tacoma year side by side to see how 2002 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Tacoma against its rivals
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