2002 Toyota Tundra Problems and Recalls (475 Complaints)

The most-reported problem on the 2002 Toyota Tundra is Body / frame (27% of 475 owner reports). There are 6 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Body / frame — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-09-07 475 complaints · 6 recalls

What problems show up on the 2002 Toyota Tundra?

129 of 475 filings named Body / frame (27% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.

Second is Brakes (97 reports).

There are 6 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Suspension, Lights, and Body / frame. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.

The 2001 has 409 reports on file; this year has 475. Older years collect more reports just by being on the road longer. If you need a fairer comparison, use the equal-time view.

What to check before you buy a 2002 Toyota Tundra

A useful visit to this page takes five minutes. YearTell does not score years and cannot see the vehicle in front of you.

  1. Look up the VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov. This year has 6 campaigns on file below.
  2. Body / frame. Look for rust, collision repair and body gaps that do not match a clean truck.
  3. Brakes. Have a shop check pads, rotors, fluid and whether the pedal feels firm.
  4. Suspension. Listen for clunks over bumps and look at tire wear for alignment issues.
  5. Skim a few owner reports below for Body / frame. Look for the same symptom repeating.
  6. Take that list to a mechanic. Do not turn the complaint total into a score.

What owners reported

System named most often: Body / frame 129 complaints · 27.2% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
  • Crashes 30
  • Fires 1
  • Injuries 20
  • Deaths 3
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Which systems owners named

Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.

Which systems owners named Body / frame (STRUCTURE) appears in 129 of 475 owner complaints (27.2%) in this vehicle snapshot. Body / frame (STRUCTURE): 129 complaints, 27.2% of reports Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 1 crash reports 129 · 27.2% Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES): 97 complaints, 20.4% of reports Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 3 crash reports 97 · 20.4% Suspension (SUSPENSION): 70 complaints, 14.7% of reports Suspension (SUSPENSION) 11 crash reports 70 · 14.7% Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN): 38 complaints, 8.0% of reports Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 38 · 8.0% Steering (STEERING): 23 complaints, 4.8% of reports Steering (STEERING) 3 crash reports 23 · 4.8% Airbags (AIR BAGS): 18 complaints, 3.8% of reports Airbags (AIR BAGS) 5 crash reports 18 · 3.8% Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM): 14 complaints, 3.0% of reports Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 14 · 3.0% Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL): 11 complaints, 2.3% of reports Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 2 crash reports 11 · 2.3% Tires (TIRES): 8 complaints, 1.7% of reports Tires (TIRES) 8 · 1.7% Unclassified NHTSA leftover: 331 complaints, 69.7% of reports Unclassified NHTSA leftover 18 crash reports 331 · 69.7% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.

View component data as a table
System / Component Complaints Share of Reports Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 129 27.2% 1 crashes · 0 fires
Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 97 20.4% 3 crashes · 0 fires
Suspension (SUSPENSION) 70 14.7% 11 crashes · 0 fires
Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 38 8.0% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Steering (STEERING) 23 4.8% 3 crashes · 0 fires
Airbags (AIR BAGS) 18 3.8% 5 crashes · 0 fires
Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 14 3.0% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 11 2.3% 2 crashes · 0 fires
Tires (TIRES) 8 1.7% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Unclassified NHTSA leftover 331 69.7% 18 crashes · 0 fires
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

When reports and recalls showed up

When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.

When reports and recalls showed up Owner reports in this snapshot begin in Jan 2002; the first recall shown was reported in May 2002. 2002-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2002-Q2: 3 owner reports 3 2002-Q3: 4 owner reports 4 2002-Q4: 5 owner reports 5 2003-Q1: 4 owner reports 4 2003-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2003-Q3: 10 owner reports 10 2003-Q4: 3 owner reports 3 2004-Q1: 10 owner reports 10 2004-Q2: 9 owner reports 9 2004-Q3: 5 owner reports 5 2004-Q4: 8 owner reports 8 2005-Q1: 6 owner reports 6 2005-Q2: 10 owner reports 10 2005-Q3: 14 owner reports 14 2005-Q4: 8 owner reports 8 2006-Q1: 4 owner reports 4 2006-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2006-Q3: 3 owner reports 3 2006-Q4: 5 owner reports 5 2007-Q1: 5 owner reports 5 2007-Q2: 7 owner reports 7 2007-Q3: 4 owner reports 4 2007-Q4: 4 owner reports 4 2008-Q1: 6 owner reports 6 2008-Q2: 6 owner reports 6 2008-Q3: 3 owner reports 3 2008-Q4: 3 owner reports 3 2009-Q1: 3 owner reports 3 2009-Q2: 3 owner reports 3 2009-Q3: 9 owner reports 9 2009-Q4: 25 owner reports 25 2010-Q1: 20 owner reports 20 2010-Q2: 20 owner reports 20 2010-Q3: 4 owner reports 4 2010-Q4: 5 owner reports 5 2011-Q1: 5 owner reports 5 2011-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2011-Q3: 3 owner reports 3 2011-Q4: 7 owner reports 7 2012-Q1: 7 owner reports 7 2012-Q2: 7 owner reports 7 2012-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2012-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2013-Q1: 3 owner reports 3 2013-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2013-Q3: 4 owner reports 4 2013-Q4: 6 owner reports 6 2014-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2014-Q2: 4 owner reports 4 2014-Q3: 7 owner reports 7 2014-Q4: 7 owner reports 7 2015-Q1: 3 owner reports 3 2015-Q2: 5 owner reports 5 2015-Q3: 9 owner reports 9 2015-Q4: 5 owner reports 5 2016-Q1: 5 owner reports 5 2016-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2016-Q3: 6 owner reports 6 2016-Q4: 11 owner reports 11 2017-Q1: 8 owner reports 8 2017-Q2: 5 owner reports 5 2017-Q3: 5 owner reports 5 2017-Q4: 6 owner reports 6 2018-Q1: 6 owner reports 6 2018-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2018-Q3: 4 owner reports 4 2018-Q4: 6 owner reports 6 2019-Q1: 7 owner reports 7 2019-Q2: 9 owner reports 9 2019-Q3: 4 owner reports 4 2019-Q4: 6 owner reports 6 2020-Q1: 3 owner reports 3 2020-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2020-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2020-Q4: 3 owner reports 3 2021-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2021-Q2: 5 owner reports 5 2021-Q3: 5 owner reports 5 2021-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2022-Q2: 3 owner reports 3 2022-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2023-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2023-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2023-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2024-Q1: 3 owner reports 3 2024-Q2: 3 owner reports 3 2024-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2025-Q1: 3 owner reports 3 2025-Q4: 3 owner reports 3 2026-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2026-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2026-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 Owner reports Jan 2002 Jul 2026 Recall campaign 02V129000 ◆ Recall campaign 02V129000 Recall campaign 05V225000 ◆ Recall campaign 05V225000 Recall campaign 06E026000 ◆ Recall campaign 06E026000 Recall campaign 06E065000 ◆ Recall campaign 06E065000 Recall campaign 09E025000 ◆ Recall campaign 09E025000 Recall campaign 09V444000 ◆ Recall campaign 09V444000 Investigation PE04040 ● Investigation PE04040 Investigation EA04024 ● Investigation EA04024 Investigation PE09049 ● Investigation PE09049
  • Campaign 05V225000 was reported 789 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 09E025000 was reported 1,420 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 09V444000 was reported 2,504 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
2002-Q1 Owner reports 2
2002-Q2 Owner reports 3
2002-Q3 Owner reports 4
2002-Q4 Owner reports 5
2003-Q1 Owner reports 4
2003-Q2 Owner reports 2
2003-Q3 Owner reports 10
2003-Q4 Owner reports 3
2004-Q1 Owner reports 10
2004-Q2 Owner reports 9
2004-Q3 Owner reports 5
2004-Q4 Owner reports 8
2005-Q1 Owner reports 6
2005-Q2 Owner reports 10
2005-Q3 Owner reports 14
2005-Q4 Owner reports 8
2006-Q1 Owner reports 4
2006-Q2 Owner reports 2
2006-Q3 Owner reports 3
2006-Q4 Owner reports 5
2007-Q1 Owner reports 5
2007-Q2 Owner reports 7
2007-Q3 Owner reports 4
2007-Q4 Owner reports 4
2008-Q1 Owner reports 6
2008-Q2 Owner reports 6
2008-Q3 Owner reports 3
2008-Q4 Owner reports 3
2009-Q1 Owner reports 3
2009-Q2 Owner reports 3
2009-Q3 Owner reports 9
2009-Q4 Owner reports 25
2010-Q1 Owner reports 20
2010-Q2 Owner reports 20
2010-Q3 Owner reports 4
2010-Q4 Owner reports 5
2011-Q1 Owner reports 5
2011-Q2 Owner reports 2
2011-Q3 Owner reports 3
2011-Q4 Owner reports 7
2012-Q1 Owner reports 7
2012-Q2 Owner reports 7
2012-Q3 Owner reports 2
2012-Q4 Owner reports 2
2013-Q1 Owner reports 3
2013-Q2 Owner reports 2
2013-Q3 Owner reports 4
2013-Q4 Owner reports 6
2014-Q1 Owner reports 2
2014-Q2 Owner reports 4
2014-Q3 Owner reports 7
2014-Q4 Owner reports 7
2015-Q1 Owner reports 3
2015-Q2 Owner reports 5
2015-Q3 Owner reports 9
2015-Q4 Owner reports 5
2016-Q1 Owner reports 5
2016-Q2 Owner reports 2
2016-Q3 Owner reports 6
2016-Q4 Owner reports 11
2017-Q1 Owner reports 8
2017-Q2 Owner reports 5
2017-Q3 Owner reports 5
2017-Q4 Owner reports 6
2018-Q1 Owner reports 6
2018-Q2 Owner reports 2
2018-Q3 Owner reports 4
2018-Q4 Owner reports 6
2019-Q1 Owner reports 7
2019-Q2 Owner reports 9
2019-Q3 Owner reports 4
2019-Q4 Owner reports 6
2020-Q1 Owner reports 3
2020-Q2 Owner reports 1
2020-Q3 Owner reports 2
2020-Q4 Owner reports 3
2021-Q1 Owner reports 1
2021-Q2 Owner reports 5
2021-Q3 Owner reports 5
2021-Q4 Owner reports 2
2022-Q2 Owner reports 3
2022-Q3 Owner reports 2
2023-Q1 Owner reports 1
2023-Q2 Owner reports 1
2023-Q4 Owner reports 1
2024-Q1 Owner reports 3
2024-Q2 Owner reports 3
2024-Q4 Owner reports 2
2025-Q1 Owner reports 3
2025-Q4 Owner reports 3
2026-Q1 Owner reports 1
2026-Q2 Owner reports 1
2026-Q3 Owner reports 1
Recall campaign 1 02V129000
Recall campaign 1 05V225000
Recall campaign 1 06E026000
Recall campaign 1 06E065000
Recall campaign 1 09E025000
Recall campaign 1 09V444000
Defect investigation 1 PE04040
Defect investigation 1 EA04024
Defect investigation 1 PE09049
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-09-06 Open source record

Safety Recalls (6)

Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.

In short, these campaigns were filed about Suspension, Lights, and Body / frame.

  1. Recall campaign 02V129000

    Safety recall 02V129000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    DIFFERENT OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS CAN BE EXPERIENCED WHEN THE SPARE TIRE IS INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE.
    Remedy:
    OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A CAUTION LABEL AND AN INSERT FOR THEIR OWNER'S MANUAL. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 15, 2002. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
  2. Recall campaign 05V225000

    Suspension

    Report date
    Component:
    Suspension (SUSPENSION)
    Consequence:
    THE LOWER BALL JOINT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE KNUCKLE CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
    Remedy:
    DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 5, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
  3. Recall campaign 06E026000

    Safety recall 06E026000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
    Remedy:
    PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
  4. Recall campaign 06E065000

    Safety recall 06E065000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
    Remedy:
    AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
  5. Recall campaign 09E025000

    Lights

    Report date
    Component:
    Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING)
    Consequence:
    DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
    Remedy:
    DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
  6. Recall campaign 09V444000

    Body / frame

    Report date
    Component:
    Body / frame (STRUCTURE)
    Consequence:
    SEPARATION OF THE SPARE TIRE AND DIMINISHED BRAKE CAPACITY COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
    Remedy:
    TOYOTA IS ASKING OWNERS OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES TO REMOVE THE SPARE TIRE FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE UNTIL A REMEDY CAN BE OBTAINED. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR CROSS MEMBER AND RELATED COMPONENTS, INCLUDING THE BRAKE LINES, AND REPLACE THEM IF NECESSARY. IF THE CROSS MEMBER DOES NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED, IT WILL BE SPRAYED WITH A CORROSION PROTECTION COMPOUND. THESE SERVICES WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE, HOWEVER MULTIPLE VISITS TO THE DEALER MAY BE REQUIRED. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT APRIL 30, 2010. OWNER MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

What owners actually wrote

Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-09-07
Safety incident filters
Showing 9 of 475 complaints · page 1 of 19
2026-07-12Suspension (SUSPENSION)
NHTSA ODI 11749814
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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.
2026-04-07Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11729614
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Frame and crossmember is rusting. Has one hole on each side of the frame where the cross member is attached inside the frame.
2026-03-31Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11728356
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Frame failed inspection for holes in frame. Had part of frame welded and got inspected.11/01/2022. Had been turned down by Toyota dealer previously. Now with less than 10,000 miles added, has another location where frame has rusted thru , making inspection passing impossible. And driving dangerous. Needs a new frame nd Toyota said no, according to the dealer. New Country Toyota, Saratoga NY. Can I sue Toyota? Is there statute of limitations on frame defects? What are my options. Thank you for your time and consideration. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2025-12-29Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11707586
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Toyota won’t cover the safety recalls on my truck
2025-12-16Body / frame (STRUCTURE)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11705338
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Excessive frame corrosion and corrosion holes involving even rear subframe
2025-10-23Body / frame (STRUCTURE)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11695290
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Frame needs replacement
2025-03-23EXTERIOR LIGHTING
NHTSA ODI 11649956
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The headlights and high beams are dim . When the high beams are on other cars oncoming are not affected as they never flash their lights because my high beams seem as though they are just headlights. Also the fact that the high beams shine like headlights, there is no option for brighter lighting which makes it hard to see far ahead. I live in a rural location off of a narrow highway with down slopes with water at the bottom on both sides of the highway where large wildlife such as deer are plentiful . Insufficient high beam lighting imposes unsafe travel conditions since the headlights are dim and the high beams are how the headlights should be leaving no option for brighter visibility. I noticed the lighting being dim years ago but I thought it was just something to do with my trucks lighting until I began searching online again for a remedy and found many other owners of the same year make and model with exactly the same issue. Therefore in conclusion perhaps is a manufacturer defect. My truck is the most reliable vehicle I have ever owned, it still runs great, I keep it well maintained and I intend to keep using it for as long as we both shall live. I am [XXX] and obviously my truck is over 20 years old and runs great, it would be terribly upsetting if an accident were to occur due to insufficient exterior lighting. I cannot remember exactly what it was I had previously contacted NHTSA regarding my truck , though the exterior lighting is of greater concern now. I noticed the dimness of the exterior lighting since I have been living in this location a lot because there are no street lights along the freeway nor highway as opposed to where I lived prior. Thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to express my concerns as I appreciate your time and consideration in this matter. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2025-03-01Suspension (SUSPENSION)
NHTSA ODI 11645683
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Was told about the recall awhile ago and they said that my frame was ok. But now I have a perfectly good truck in good condition other than a rusted frame. Had some work done and mechanic said it is unsafe to drive due to rusted frame. They know of the defect and only replace a few and it looks like others are dealing with what I am.
2025-02-05Body / frame (STRUCTURE)
NHTSA ODI 11640935
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 2002 Toyota Tundra?

Owners named Body / frame most often — 129 of 475 reports (27%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.

Are there recalls for the 2002 Toyota Tundra?

NHTSA lists 6 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Suspension, Lights, and Body / frame. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.

What should I inspect before buying a 2002 Toyota Tundra?

Look up the VIN for open recalls. Look for rust, collision repair and body gaps that do not match a clean truck. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.

Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?

No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.

EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Supported range: 1,000–60,000 miles per year
Supported range: $1.50–$10.00 per gallon
55% city45% highway
Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-09-07. YearTell is not a government agency.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources