Problems · by component

2002 Toyota Tacoma structure problems

181 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2002 Toyota Tacoma cite structure, 50% of all 360 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
181
50% of all complaints
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the structure

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The contact's daughter owns a 2002 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that several independent mechanics and an auto body repair shop had informed her that there was a hole in the subframe, and the subframe was significantly corroded. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 5, 2023StructureODI 11542694
“I went to get my 02 tacoma tires balanced and was called and told that where the frame was cracked. Upon inspecting it myself the crack is where the manufacturer welded the frame together. I'm the 3rd owner of this vehicle and there original owner didn't get frame warranty recall done. Which led to it running out. Now Toyota corporate has a frame case number ([XXX]) and was told that there's nothing that could be done until enough complaints about this case number reaches a certain number then they'll look into it.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 7, 2023Suspension, Structure, Unknown or otherODI 11536923
“The truck frame has completely rusted out and has snapped in half. Leaving my truck undriveable. Toyota had an extended warranty but only if you followed exact criteria. This is a big safter issue that should be recalled”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 4, 2021StructureODI 11431698
“Truck frame is rusted to the point the the vehicle is not usable. The problem has been confirmed by a local independent service center. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer. The first symptom was that the right rear shock became detached from the frame. When I brought the vehicle in to have the shock repaired they stated that there was not enough frame left in that area to re-attach the shock.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 30, 2021Suspension, StructureODI 11427105
“Truck was taken to dealer about 5 years ago or less for underbody spray and frame inspection "recall". Truck was cleared as safe. Today, Tire shop informs me frame is unsafe to lift the car by, and proceeded to put his hand through the frame to show the severity of the issue. So I take the truck to my local dealer and ask them what can be done about it. They inform me that, this "program" ended in 2016. I read that 10mm holes in frame would issue a frame/car recall. There is no way there wasn't an issue less than 5 years ago. I believe this is negligence of the dealer in keeping people safe in this vehicle and on the highway.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 5, 2021StructureODI 11419771
“MY FRAME IN MY 2002 TACOMA IS ALMOST FULLY RUSTED . I CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO HELP EVEN THOUGH THEY KNOW THAT THEIR TRUCKS ARE RUSTING AND THAT THERE WAS A PREVIOUS RECALL SET TO REPLACE THE FRAME. SINCE I JUST GOT THIS TRUCK FORM SOMEONE, I HAD NO IDEA OF THE RECALL AND OF THE RUST . THE CAR IS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE AT THIS POINT SINCE IT IS ABOUT TO BREAK IN HALF .”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 3, 2020Suspension, StructureODI 11377833

Showing 6 of 181 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Other 2002 Tacoma problem areas