2002 Toyota Tacoma
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Body, Seats & Latches
Body, Seats & Latches leads by volume: 181 of 333 complaints (54%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (13) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 396 in 2001 to 333 in 2002.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | vs. 2002 Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,950–3,900 | 2,950–3,900 | 2,850–3,900 | 2,850–3,900 | 2,850–3,900 | |
| Combined MPG | 16–21 | 16–21 | 16–22 | 16–22 | 16–22 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 15–19 / 18–24 | 15–19 / 18–23 | 15–19 / 17–25 | 15–20 / 18–25 | 14–20 / 18–25 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 423–555 | 423–555 | 404–555 | 404–555 | 404–555 | |
| Complaints filed | 210 | 396 | 333 | 359 | 414 | |
| Recalls issued | 5 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 24 | 40 | 26 | 30 | 27 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 2 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 3 | |
| Injuries reported | 17 | 36 | 21 | 21 | 23 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2002 Toyota Tacoma have?
5 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2002 Toyota Tacoma?
Body, Seats & Latches: 181 of 333 NHTSA complaints (54%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Toyota Tacoma get?
EPA rates it 16–22 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2002 Toyota Tacoma?
EPA estimates $2,850–$3,900 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (9)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.4L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD | 19 mpg (high) | 23 mpg | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 423 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.4L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD | 19 mpg (high) | 25 mpg (high) | 22 mpg (high) | $2,850 (low) | 404 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.7L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD | 17 mpg | 20 mpg | 18 mpg | $3,450 | 494 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.4L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD | 15 mpg (low) | 18 mpg | 16 mpg (low) | $3,900 (high) | 555 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 5 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 3.4L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD | 16 mpg | 21 mpg | 18 mpg | $3,450 | 494 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.7L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD | 16 mpg | 19 mpg | 18 mpg | $3,450 | 494 g/mi |
| Configuration 7 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.7L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD | 16 mpg | 20 mpg | 17 mpg | $3,650 | 523 g/mi |
| Configuration 8 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.4L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD | 15 mpg (low) | 17 mpg (low) | 16 mpg (low) | $3,900 (high) | 555 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 9 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 3.4L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD | 15 mpg (low) | 18 mpg | 16 mpg (low) | $3,900 (high) | 555 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 7 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Brakes | 17 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 9 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 103 | 9 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 23 | 13 | 2 | 13 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 9 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 181 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 30 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (5)
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE · Campaign 12V542000 · Nov 23, 2012
Defect: 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, 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. The spare tire in the subject vehicles is located underneath the rear of the vehicle and held by a spare tire carrier. A lift plate on the carrier is used to help raise, lower and retain the tire. During its manufacture, the lift plate may not have been sufficiently coated with anti-corrosion materials. If the plate is insufficiently coated and the vehicle is operated in cold climate regions where road salts are frequently used, road spray can reach the carrier assembly and corrode the lift plate.
Consequence: Corrosion of the plate could cause it to break, which could result in detachment of the spare tire from the vehicle. Detachment of the spare tire could result in a road hazard which may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace the spare tire carrier lift plate as necessary, free of charge. The recall began in February 2013. Owners may contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING · Campaign 06E065000 · Jul 17, 2006
Defect: 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.
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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING · Campaign 06E026000 · Mar 23, 2006
Defect: 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.
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.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT · Campaign 05V225000 · May 17, 2005
Defect: 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.
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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS · Campaign 03V189000 · May 22, 2003
Defect: 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.
Consequence: THIS DAMAGE COULD RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE IF IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUEL HOSE PROTECTOR ON THE BODY FLANGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 3, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.