Model year
2002 Toyota Tacoma
NHTSA lists 3 recalls and 333 complaints for the 2002 Toyota Tacoma (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are STRUCTURE:BODY (105), SUSPENSION (60), STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS (30). NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 16–22 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $3,050–$4,200, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 211 complaints
- 2001 396 complaints
- 2002 333 complaints
- 2003 360 complaints
- 2004 414 complaints
- 2005 707 complaints
- 2006 782 complaints
- 2007 541 complaints
- 2008 449 complaints
- 2009 519 complaints
- 2010 294 complaints
- 2011 186 complaints
- 2012 295 complaints
- 2013 125 complaints
- 2014 93 complaints
- 2015 101 complaints
- 2016 324 complaints
- 2017 243 complaints
- 2018 209 complaints
- 2019 219 complaints
- 2020 90 complaints
- 2021 81 complaints
- 2022 59 complaints
- 2023 54 complaints
- 2024 154 complaints
- 2025 112 complaints
- 2026 12 complaints
Recalls
12V542000 · Nov 23, 2012
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2004 Tacoma light trucks manufactured from August 28, 2000, through August 27, 2004, and originally sold, or currently registered, in the following cold climate states with high road salt usage: Connecticut, Delaware,…
05V225000 · May 17, 2005
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, DUE TO A MANUFACTURING ISSUE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINT, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE SURFACE OF THE BALL OF THE JOINT MAY HAVE BEEN SCRATCHED. THE BALL JOINT MAY EVENTUALLY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE WEAR AND LOOSENESS, RESULTING…
03V189000 · May 19, 2003
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, DURING SIDE IMPACT NCAP TEST (I.E. LINCAP TEST), A FLANGE AT THE REAR END OF THE DOUBLE CAB BODY DEFORMED AND INTERFERED WITH THE FUEL INLET HOSE THAT CONNECTS THE FUEL FILLER PIPE AND FUEL TANK, RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE FUEL INLET HOSE.
Complaints
333 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 26, fire flag on 3, injury field 21, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
No investigations are matched to this name.
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tacoma 2WD · 2.4L · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 19 | 23 | 21 | — | — | $3,200 |
| Tacoma 2WD · 2.4L · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 19 | 25 | 22 | — | — | $3,050 |
| Tacoma 2WD · 2.7L · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 17 | 20 | 18 | — | — | $3,700 |
| Tacoma 2WD · 3.4L · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 15 | 18 | 16 | — | — | $4,200 |
| Tacoma 2WD · 3.4L · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 16 | 21 | 18 | — | — | $3,700 |
| Tacoma 4WD · 2.7L · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 16 | 19 | 18 | — | — | $3,700 |
| Tacoma 4WD · 2.7L · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 16 | 20 | 17 | — | — | $3,950 |
| Tacoma 4WD · 3.4L · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 15 | 17 | 16 | — | — | $4,200 |
| Tacoma 4WD · 3.4L · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 15 | 18 | 16 | — | — | $4,200 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2002 Toyota Tacoma at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.