Problems · NHTSA complaints
2002 Toyota Tundra problems
Owners filed 511 complaints about the 2002 Toyota Tundra with NHTSA between Jan 2002 and Jul 2026. The most-cited component is structure (155).
Complaints
511
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
33
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
22
People reported injured
Deaths
3
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Structure155
- Service brakes, hydraulic102
- Suspension85
- Power train55
- Steering39
- Air bags23
- Fuel system, gasoline17
- Tires15
- Vehicle speed control14
- Service brakes13
- Wheels11
- Electrical system10
- Exterior lighting8
- Engine and engine cooling8
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
18
25
37
49
14
26
18
40
52
17
18
15
20
22
24
24
18
26
9
13
5
3
8
7
3
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 18 |
| 2003 | 25 |
| 2004 | 37 |
| 2005 | 49 |
| 2006 | 14 |
| 2007 | 26 |
| 2008 | 18 |
| 2009 | 40 |
| 2010 | 52 |
| 2011 | 17 |
| 2012 | 18 |
| 2013 | 15 |
| 2014 | 20 |
| 2015 | 22 |
| 2016 | 24 |
| 2017 | 24 |
| 2018 | 18 |
| 2019 | 26 |
| 2020 | 9 |
| 2021 | 13 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 8 |
| 2025 | 7 |
| 2026 | 3 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Structure
155 reports1 crash1 related recall
“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.”
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.”
Suspension
85 reports11 crashes1 related recall
“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.”
Power train
55 reports2 crashes
“My original owner 2002 Toyota Tundra Truck was being backed up in reverse with a utility trailer attached up a very, very moderate incline on a driveway pushing the trailer onto a gravel pad ALONGSIDE (parallel) the driveway. As it started to spin gravel the truck was put into a 4 wheel Drive LOW RANGE. This is in keeping with the TOYOTA owners manual publication 0M34417U Part Number 01999-34417 Print date 02-0109-01. We followed the manual instruction on 4 WD operation. Within a few feet the truck stopped as if the wheels had hit a curb and there was no further movement no matter the accelerator pedal position and the engine speed was unchanged as if it was in a stall. All of a sudden there was a loud bang underneath the truck and the truck raced rearward 8-10 feet jackknifing the trailer into a tree and upending the truck and trailer. We contacted Toyota on the incident and they had a third party look at the truck for brake condition, floor mat placement and throttle freedom at the body shop & Toyota closed the complaint file. Toyota IGNORED the circumstances and description of the incident in closing the complaint. We have been a very long time TOYOTA truck…”
Steering
39 reports4 crashes
“The contact called on behalf of a friend who owns a 2002 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated in 2012 there was an unknown under coding and a plug was repaired on the vehicle. The driver experienced shaking and vibration from the rack and pinion steering while driving at approximately 35 MPH. The driver found power steering fluid leakage and there was a crack in the front passenger side of the engine frame. The contact was unaware of any failure warning lights. The contact stated the transmission functionality was great. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000”
Air bags
23 reports8 crashes
“The Toyota Tundra 2002 truck did NOT deploy driver's side and passenger's side airbags in a collision consisting of frontal and left-sided collision with immobile objects, with frontal/top profound impact from standing tree. The car was up to date on its inspections and maintenance. The breaks, though appropriately checked and tested, would take longer than normal to break the vehicle. The seatbelt, if pulled hard enough, would easily dislodge from buckle, coming undone. The driver of this vehicle collided as described above and due to the failure(s) of the safety mechanisms in place, resulted in the death of the driver. The driver was restrained with seatbelt, however dislodged from buckle upon impact and NO airbags deployed. The issue(s) have been confirmed by the police report, the county police documented. The vehicle has been inspected by police officers, and possibly others, including the employees of the towing company. There was NO indication thats the airbag deployment was either "off" if possible, and or indications of airbag defect. No messages or lights were indicated for the failure of the deployment of the airbags. No messages or lights were…”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.