Model year record

2002 Toyota Tundra recalls & problems

The 2002 Toyota Tundra has 6 safety recalls and 482 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is structure (162 complaints).

Recalls6safety recalls

Complaints482filed by owners

Crashes · fires30 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths20 · 3reported in complaints

2002 Toyota Tundra in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

StructureNov 18, 2009

Frame and members › Underbody shields

Recall 09V444000110,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Risk: SEPARATION OF THE SPARE TIRE AND DIMINISHED BRAKE CAPACITY COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: 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.

Exterior lightingMay 11, 2009

Headlights

Recall 09E02500042,540 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: 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.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: 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.

Exterior lightingJul 17, 2006

Exterior lighting

Recall 06E0650003,593 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: 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.
Risk: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: 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.

Exterior lightingMar 23, 2006

Exterior lighting

Recall 06E02600061,944 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: 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.

SuspensionMay 17, 2005

Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint

Recall 05V225000768,379 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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 IN INCREASED STEERING EFFORT.
Risk: THE LOWER BALL JOINT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE KNUCKLE CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Fix: 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.

WheelsMay 1, 2002

Wheels

Recall 02V1290003,041 vehicles

Problem: ON CERTAIN 4X2 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN ALLOY WHEEL TIRE UPGRADE (OPTIONS WM4, WM8, ZL1-ZL4, DH4, OR DH5) INSTALLED BY THE PROCESSING CENTERS IN JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA OR COMMERCE, GEORGIA, A LABEL IDENTIFYING THE SPARE TIRE AS A TEMPORARY USE SPARE TIRE WAS NOT INSTALLED. THE UPGRADE INCLUDES 4 LARGER SIZE TIRES WITH ALLOY WHEELS. THE ORIGINAL SPARE TIRE/STEEL WHEEL IS NOT PART OF THE UPGRADE AND WAS NOT CHANGED.
Risk: DIFFERENT OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS CAN BE EXPERIENCED WHEN THE SPARE TIRE IS INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE.
Fix: 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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2002 Toyota Tundra Extended Cab

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

2002 Toyota Tundra Regular Cab

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

2002 Toyota Tundra NHTSA side crash test — NHTSA side barrier crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Tundra 2WD

16mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 18 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.4 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

Tundra 2WD

16mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 18 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.4 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

Tundra 2WD

15mpg combined

City / highway	13 / 17 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.7 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/year to fuel

Tundra 4WD

15mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 16 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.4 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/year to fuel

Tundra 4WD

15mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 16 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.4 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/year to fuel

Tundra 4WD

14mpg combined

City / highway	13 / 16 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.7 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,800/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Injuries	Typical mileage*
StructureBody; Frame and members	162	1	0	120,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Disc › Rotor; Foundation components › Disc › Caliper	118	3	1	29,017 mi
SuspensionFront › Control arm › Lower ball joint; Front	96	12	7	105,459 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shift	53	2	3	87,000 mi
SteeringRack and pinion; Hydraulic power assist system	38	4	4	115,728 mi
Unknown or other	30	0	0	150,000 mi
Air bagsFrontal; Frontal › Sensor/control module	21	7	3	126,000 mi
Fuel system, gasolineStorage › Tank assembly; Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap	16	0	0	100,000 mi
Vehicle speed controlLinkages	14	3	2	99,500 mi
TiresSidewall; Temporary/emergency spare tire	13	0	0	61,500 mi
Service brakes	13	2	1	149,500 mi
WheelsLugs/nuts/bolts/studs; Rim	11	0	0	104,730 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Service brakes
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.
Oct 27, 2025
Unknown or other
Frame and crossmember is rusting. Has one hole on each side of the frame where the cross member is attached inside the frame.
Apr 8, 2022
Unknown or other
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)
Nov 1, 2022
Unknown or other
Toyota wonât cover the safety recalls on my truck
Oct 25, 2025
Structure › Body
Excessive frame corrosion and corrosion holes involving even rear subframe
Nov 15, 2025
Structure › Body
Frame needs replacement
Oct 16, 2025
Seat belts
The date it started happening was probably late March now into April to present day as the receptacle on the driver side doesnât click always and comes undone while on the road and can not get the seatbelt to go back in and has not been assessed or replaced by my local Toyota Dealer and the issue is getting worse these are Stock parts
Mar 22, 2025
Exterior lighting
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…
Jun 15, 2023

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

FRAME CORROSIONClosedLed to recall 09V444000
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED BASED ON 20 REPORTS OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES EXPERIENCING SEVERE CORROSION OF THE FRAME, RESULTING IN EITHER UNDER-BODY MOUNTED SPARE TIRE SEPARATION OR REAR BRAKE FAILURE.THE FAILURE REPORT COUNTS SHOWN ABOVE ARE FOR MY 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES ONLY.BY LETTER OF NOVEMBER 16, 2009 TOYOTA HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (09V-444) OF APPROXIMATELY 110,000 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000 THROUGH 2003 TUNDRA VEHICLES.THE AFFECTED RECALLED VEHICLES WERE SOLD OR ARE CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AND THE STATES OF CT, DE, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VA, VT, WI, WV.TOYOTA ALLEGES HIGH AMOUNTS OF ROAD SALTS ARE USED IN THESE AREAS AND EXCESSIVE CORROSION OF THE REAR CROSS-MEMBER (TO WHICH THE SPARE TIRE IS MOUNTED) CAN OCCUR AND CAUSE THE SPARE TIRE TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE AND CAN…
PE09049 · opened Oct 6, 2009 · closed Jan 26, 2010
BALL JOINT SEPARATIONClosedLed to recall 05V225000
ODI RECEIVED 3 CONSUMER REPORTS OF ALLEGED BALL JOINT SEPARATION ON MY 2002 TUNDRA VEHICLES.THE COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT A FRONT SUSPENSION BALL JOINT SEPARATED WHILE DRIVING, WHICH CAUSED THE SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE AND RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.BASED ON THESE COMPLAINTS, ODI OPENED PE02-040 AND LATER UPGRADED TO EA04-024 FOR MY 2002 TUNDRA VEHICLES.DURING EA04-024, ADDITIONAL FAILURE DATA WAS IDENTIFIED AS NOTED IN THE FAILURE REPORT SUMMARY ABOVE. ON MAY 16, 2005, TOYOTA NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT ON MY 2002-2004 TUNDRA AND SEQUOIA VEHICLES (PRODUCED BETWEEN AUGUST 1, 2001 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 2003), MY 2001-2004 TACOMA VEHICLES (PRODUCED BETWEEN JULY 31, 2001 AND DECEMBER 23, 2003), AND MY 2001-2002 4RUNNER VEHICLES (PRODUCED BETWEEN MAY 22, 2001 AND AUGUST 23, 2002).THE NOTIFICATION STATED THAT DUE TO A MANUFACTURING ISSUE WITH THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS…
EA04024 · opened Aug 20, 2004 · closed Jul 8, 2005
FRONT SUSPENSION BALL JOINT BREAKAGEClosed
ODI OPENED PE04-040 BASED ON THREE CONSUMER REPORTS OF ALLEGED BALL JOINT FAILURE.THE COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT A FRONT SUSPENSION BALL JOINT SEPARATED WHILE DRIVING, WHICH CAUSED THE SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE AND RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.ALL OF THESE COMPLAINTS INVOLVED THE FAILURE OF A LOWER BALL JOINT.DURING THE INVESTIGATION, TOYOTA IDENTIFIED A TOTAL OF 15 COMPLAINTS OF LOWER BALL JOINT SEPARATION, ONE OF WHICH RESULTED IN A CRASH, AND 28 WARRANTY CLAIMS RELATED TO LOWER BALL JOINT WEAR.ODI'S ANALYSIS SHOWED THAT OF THE 15 SEPARATIONS, 11 WERE ON FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES (24.2 PER 100,000 VEHICLES), WHICH MAKE UP APPROXIMATELY 40% OF THE 2002 MY POPULATION (45,448 VEHICLES).ODI'S ANALYSIS ALSO SHOWED THAT SOME DRIVERS LOST FRONT BRAKING ABILITY AS THE BRAKE LINE SEVERED WHEN THE FRONT SUSPENSION COLLAPSED.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING…
PE04040 · opened Apr 13, 2004 · closed Aug 20, 2004