Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2002 Toyota Tacoma
NHTSA data on file today
The 2002 Toyota Tacoma has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 333 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #12V542000 Spare Tire Carrier may Fail NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06E065000 FMVSS 108/AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06E026000 FMVSS 108/AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #05V225000 BALL JOINT FAILURE NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #03V189000 TOYOTA/FUEL LEAKAGE NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Structure 180 complaints
- Suspension 82 complaints
- Unknown or Other 27 complaints
- Power Train 21 complaints
- Air Bags 19 complaints
- Wheels 18 complaints
Of the 333 complaints on file, 26 report a crash and 3 a fire; across all 333 complaints, owners report 21 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $7,000–$15,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2002 Toyota Tacoma shows an average reliability rating. Key issues involve the structure and suspension, as reflected in recall and complaint data. While some recalls address less critical components, recurring issues with the structure and suspension affect overall reliability.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| structure | 100,000–150,000 miles | $500–$3,000 | very common |
| suspension | 80,000–120,000 miles | $300–$1,500 | common |
| powertrain | 120,000–160,000 miles | $800–$3,000 | occasional |
| fuel system | 100,000–140,000 miles | $200–$1,000 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter change
- Brake fluid replacement
- Tire rotation and alignment
- Spark plug replacement
- Transmission fluid change
- Coolant flush
- Air filter replacement
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Uneven tire wear
- Clunking noises from suspension
- Steering wheel vibration
- Difficulty starting
- Fuel smell near rear
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2002 Toyota Tacoma at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.