2002 Toyota Tacoma Structure Problems
Owners have filed 180 complaints with NHTSA about structure problems on the 2002 Toyota Tacoma, 54% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 122,500 miles. The words owners use most often: “frame rust” (13% of reports).
- 180structure complaints
- 122,500median miles at failure
- 3mention a crash
- 2mention an injury
- 0related recalls
- 20%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Frame rust: mentioned in 23 of 180 complaints (13%)
- Spare tire: mentioned in 11 of 180 complaints (6%)
- Severely rusted: mentioned in 9 of 180 complaints (5%)
At what mileage do structure problems happen?
Based on 142 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 180 complaints, 3 mention a crash, 2 an injury.
Toyota Tacoma structure complaints by model year
| Model year | Structure complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Tacoma | 2 | 20% | 12,000 |
| 2025 Tacoma | 42 | 40% | 5,238 |
| 2024 Tacoma | 8 | 5% | — |
| 2022 Tacoma | 8 | 14% | — |
| 2021 Tacoma | 6 | 7% | 281 |
| 2020 Tacoma | 3 | 3% | 9,014 |
| 2019 Tacoma | 12 | 5% | 7,750 |
| 2018 Tacoma | 16 | 8% | 76,000 |
| 2017 Tacoma | 27 | 11% | 20,000 |
| 2016 Tacoma | 22 | 7% | 32,000 |
| 2015 Tacoma | 15 | 15% | 6,500 |
| 2014 Tacoma | 20 | 22% | 35,900 |
| 2013 Tacoma | 11 | 9% | 82,500 |
| 2012 Tacoma | 9 | 3% | 51,000 |
| 2011 Tacoma | 21 | 11% | 86,000 |
| 2010 Tacoma | 30 | 10% | 104,000 |
| 2009 Tacoma | 54 | 10% | 75,000 |
| 2008 Tacoma | 78 | 17% | 115,600 |
| 2007 Tacoma | 109 | 20% | 87,781 |
| 2006 Tacoma | 242 | 31% | 93,000 |
| 2005 Tacoma | 260 | 37% | 109,450 |
| 2004 Tacoma | 203 | 49% | 119,000 |
| 2003 Tacoma | 181 | 50% | 123,208 |
| 2002 Tacoma | 180 | 54% | 122,500 |
| 2001 Tacoma | 228 | 58% | 144,117 |
| 2000 Tacoma | 78 | 37% | 132,000 |
| 1999 Tacoma | 102 | 41% | 124,000 |
| 1998 Tacoma | 98 | 33% | 135,000 |
| 1997 Tacoma | 46 | 35% | 158,500 |
| 1996 Tacoma | 64 | 25% | 170,000 |
| 1995 Tacoma | 29 | 16% | 177,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (0)
No safety recall lists structure for the 2002 Toyota Tacoma. A pattern of complaints does not always lead to a recall.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Found hole in frame (chassis)
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…
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…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2002 Toyota Tacomas have structure problems?
No. NHTSA has 180 owner complaints about structure for the 2002 Toyota Tacoma (54% of the 333 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2002 Toyota Tacoma structure?
No recall currently lists structure for this vehicle.
At what mileage do structure problems start?
The median reported mileage is 122,500 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about structure problems on the 2002 Toyota Tacoma?
The most frequent phrase is “frame rust”, in 23 of 180 complaints, followed by “spare tire” (11).
Other 2002 Toyota Tacoma problems
- Suspension problems (82)
See all 2002 Toyota Tacoma problems or structure problems across all Tacoma years.