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Research · Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD

2002 Toyota TundraRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 511 owner complaints for the 2002 Toyota Tundra. Most complaints involve structure (155) and service brakes, hydraulic (102). The EPA rates it 14–16 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
14–16mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
6campaigns
Latest Nov 2009
Owner complaints
511
Top: structure
Fuel cost / yr
$4,000est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

6 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Structure: underbody shields

Free remedy

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, MINNESOTA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. EXCESSIVE CORROSION OF THE REAR CROSS MEMBER MAY CAUSE THE SEPARATION OF THE SPARE TIRE STOWED UNDER THE TRUCK BED WHICH WOULD PRESENT A ROAD HAZARD THAT COULD CAUSE A CRASH. ALSO, CORROSION OF THE REAR CROSS MEMBER COULD AFFECT THE REAR BRAKE LINES AND THE PROPORTIONING VALVE RESULTING IN DIMINISHED BRAKING CAPABILITY.

StructureReported Nov 18, 2009NHTSA 09V444000

Exterior lighting: headlights

Free remedy

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 REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Exterior lightingReported May 11, 2009NHTSA 09E025000

Exterior lighting

Free remedy

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 MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Exterior lightingReported Jul 17, 2006NHTSA 06E065000
See all 6 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

511 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2002 – Jul 2026
  1. Structure155
  2. Service brakes, hydraulic102
  3. Suspension85
  4. Power train55
  5. Steering39
  6. Air bags23
  7. Fuel system, gasoline17
  8. Tires15
  9. Vehicle speed control14

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

By model year

Complaints for each Tundra model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20001,026
2001421
2002511
2003411
2004466
2005377
2006545
2007390
2008327
200938
2010163
2011134
2012156
201385
201493
201551
2016120
201778
2018100
201974
202047
202124
2022432
2023412
2024349
2025141
Crashes reported
33
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
22
Deaths reported
3
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Structure

155 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Tundra. The contact, who is an independent mechanic, stated that the fuel tank had detached. The contact stated that the subframe was extremely rusted. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V444000 (Structure). The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 5, 2025Fuel system, gasoline, StructureODI 11640935

Service brakes, hydraulic

102 reports3 crashes
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE LINE WAS LEAKING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR FRAMING MEMBER HAD ROTTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 101,300.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 17, 2014Service brakes, hydraulicODI 10598907

Suspension

85 reports11 crashes
“The dealership and Toyota Engagement Center refused to service the 2 recalls that was critical for the truck since October 2025. It was supposed to be including frame replacement and other parts but Toyota Engagement decided to active buy back option and took advantage of low offer to solve the matter which I don't accept.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 12, 2026Suspension, Service brakes, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11749814
All 2002 Tundra problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

6 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD, Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
Engines
3.4L 6-cyl · 4.7L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Manual 5-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Tundra 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
151816$4,000555
Tundra 2WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
151816$4,000555
Tundra 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
131715$4,300592
Tundra 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
141615$4,300592
Tundra 4WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
141615$4,300592
Tundra 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
131614$4,600635
  • Tundra 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L
    15 city · 18 hwy · $4,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Tundra 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L
    15 city · 18 hwy · $4,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Tundra 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L
    13 city · 17 hwy · $4,300/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • Tundra 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L
    14 city · 16 hwy · $4,300/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • Tundra 4WD
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L
    14 city · 16 hwy · $4,300/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • Tundra 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L
    13 city · 16 hwy · $4,600/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2002 Toyota Tundra as of Oct 27, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 27, 2026Vehicle 4682Vehicle 4395
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2002 Tundra questions

How many recalls does the 2002 Toyota Tundra have?

6 safety recalls as of Oct 27, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2002 Toyota Tundra problems?

Owners filed 511 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are structure (155), service brakes, hydraulic (102), suspension (85). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2002 Toyota Tundra get?

The EPA rates the 2002 Toyota Tundra at 14–16 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026