2002 Toyota Tundra: common problems and reliability

The 2002 Toyota Tundra has 510 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 6 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are structure and service brakes. Owners most often flag *second generation (2007-2021):.

Safety record for the 2002 model year

510
Owner complaints
6
Recalls
33
Crash reports
1
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2002 Toyota Tundra vehicles (US, public record).

Where owners report problems

structure
155
service brakes
120
hydraulic
102
suspension
84
power train
55

Recalls affecting the 2002 Tundra

exterior lighting:headlights

Campaign 09E025000

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMEN

structure:frame and members:underbody shields

Campaign 09V444000

TOYOTA IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2000-2003 TUNDRA VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, M

exterior lighting

Campaign 06E065000

CERTAIN 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

exterior lighting

Campaign 06E026000

CERTAIN 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 T

What owners say across generations

Sentiment is sharply divided by generation. For the second-generation Tundra (approximately 2007-2021), particularly those equipped with the 5.7L V8, sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, characterized by extremely high praise for reliability, longevity, and r

  • *Second Generation (2007-2021):
  • Poor fuel economy — 11.5-16 MPG reported in real-world use, significantly lower than some competitors. Frequency: very frequent.
  • Paint quality issues — Clear coat peeling and paint chipping, specifically noted on 2014 models in metallic blue. Frequency: isolated.
  • Electrical gremlins — Random electrical issues noted in isolated reports. Frequency: isolated.
  • *Third Generation (2022-Present):

Owner insights cover all generations of the Tundra.

Typical used price

Used Tundra listings typically run $42,173–$66,899 across 2006 to 2026 model years.

Other Tundra model years