2002 Toyota TUNDRA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
482 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
91,100 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 370 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Structure:Body is the most frequently named component, appearing in 76 of 482 complaints (15.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 142 | 29.5% |
| Steering behavior | 49 | 10.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 30 | 6.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 27 | 5.6% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 0.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 0.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Structure:Body | 76 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 54 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 45 |
| Suspension | 43 |
| Steering | 34 |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint | 32 |
| Unknown Or Other | 30 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 27 |
Structure:Body: 76; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 54; Structure:Frame And Members: 45; Suspension: 43; Steering: 34; Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint: 32; Unknown Or Other: 30; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 27
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 53 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 44 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 53 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 54 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 87 |
| 150,000 and above | 79 |
Under 25,000: 53; 25,000 to 49,999: 44; 50,000 to 74,999: 53; 75,000 to 99,999: 54; 100,000 to 149,999: 87; 150,000 and above: 79
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (87). 112 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 15 |
| 2003 | 19 |
| 2004 | 32 |
| 2005 | 40 |
| 2006 | 14 |
| 2007 | 21 |
| 2008 | 18 |
| 2009 | 40 |
| 2010 | 51 |
| 2011 | 17 |
| 2012 | 18 |
| 2013 | 15 |
| 2014 | 20 |
| 2015 | 22 |
| 2016 | 24 |
| 2017 | 24 |
| 2018 | 18 |
| 2019 | 26 |
| 2020 | 9 |
| 2021 | 13 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 8 |
| 2025 | 7 |
| 2026 | 3 |
2002: 15; 2003: 19; 2004: 32; 2005: 40; 2006: 14; 2007: 21; 2008: 18; 2009: 40; 2010: 51; 2011: 17; 2012: 18; 2013: 15; 2014: 20; 2015: 22; 2016: 24; 2017: 24; 2018: 18; 2019: 26; 2020: 9; 2021: 13; 2022: 5; 2023: 3; 2024: 8; 2025: 7; 2026: 3
Pattern summary
Structure:Body leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 142 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 49 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 30 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10000416 · 2002-12-29 (December 29, 2002)
I WAS ROTATING THE TIRES AND TIGHTENING THE LUG NUTS WHEN SIX BROKE. MY TORQUE WRENCH WAS SET AT 80 POUNDS, BELOW THE 82 RECOMMENDATION. TWO LUG NUTS ON THE RIGHT REAR ON ONE ON THE RIGHT FRONT WOULD NOT TIGHTEN AND JUST KEPT TURNING. EVENTUALLY EACH OF THE LUG NUTS FELL OFF, BREAKING THE STUD. THE STUDS DID NOT "SNAP" LIKE A CLEAN BREAK. THE LUGS THAT BROKE WERE POSSIBLY NOT HARDENED OR WERE MADE FROM SOME VERY SOFT METAL. THE LEFT SIDE PRODUCED SIMILAR RESULTS ON THE LEFT REAR. THE LEFT FRONT SECURED ALL SIX LUG NUTS PROPERLY…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,014 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000416 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10000907 · 2003-01-10 (January 10, 2003)
CAB SEPARATED FROM CHASSIS. CAB IS ATTACHED TO CHASSIS AT 4 FLANGES WELDED TO FRAME. 2 EACH 10 MM BOLTS CONNECT CAB TO EACH FLANGE. A 71 MM HOLE EXISTS IN FLANGE BETWEEN THE 2 EACH 13 MM HOLES FOR THE 10 MM BOLTS. ONLY 6 MM OF FLANGE STEEL EXISTS BETWEEN 13 MM HOLES AND 71 MM HOLE. CAB SEPARATED BY TEARING 10 MM BOLT NUTS THROUGH THE 13 MM HOLES AT THE 6 MM DIMENSION. IT HAS BEEN MY EXPERIENCE IN AIRCRAFT STRUCTUREAL REPAIR THAT THE MINIMUM DIMENSION FOR HOLE SPACING IS 3 HOLE DIAMETERS (I.E., HOLE SPACING SHOULD HAVE BEEN APPROXIMATELY 3…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000907 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003118 · 2003-01-21 (January 21, 2003)
BRAKE PEDAL FADES TO FLOOR WHEN SITTING IN STOP POSITION
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003118 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007164 · 2003-07-28 (July 28, 2003)
THE BRAKES ON MY 2002 TUNDRA STARTED VIBRATING WHEN PRESSURE APPLIED AFTER ABOUT 400 MILES. DEALER REPAIRED THE PROBLEM. NOW THE BRAKES ARE VIBRATING AGAIN. WILL HAVE TO RETURN TO THE DEALER. *JB *SCC ****DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS*****764848
Owner-reported narrative. 4,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10007164 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009320 · 2003-02-25 (February 25, 2003)
A ROCK HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND BROKE THE GLASS, CONSUMER SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10009320 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10012148 · 2003-03-20 (March 20, 2003)
THE VEHICLE WAS BUILT TO HANDLE UP TO A 6200 LB FIFTH WHEEL UNIT. CONSUMER HAD A 5400 LB UNIT ON VEHICLE WHICH CAUSED IT TO HAVE A ROCKING MOTION FROM FRONT TO REAR WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALERSHIP CANNOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10012148 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10016389 · 2003-04-23 (April 23, 2003)
40 MPH. DRIVING DOWN LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN. RIDING THE BRAKES. SHAKING SO BAD, I THOUGHT I MIGHT WRECK. SCARED ME AND MY FAMILY VERY MUCH. DEALER WILL NOT FIX UNDER WARRANTY. DEALER "FIXED BRAKES" 12,000 MILES AGO. TRUCK HAS 24,000 MILES ON ODOMETER. HEARD FROM OTHER TUNDRA OWNERS THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 23,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10016389 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10020693 · 2003-05-29 (May 29, 2003)
EXPERIENCING A NOTICABLE SHAKE IN THE FRONT END WHEN BRAKING FROM 50-40 MPH. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE I PURCHASED THE TRUCK IN OCT 2002. I HAVE BROUGHT THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES. THEY HAVE REPLACED THE FRONT AND REAR ROTORS AND DRUMS WITHOUT ANY LUCK.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10020693 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
02V129000 · Wheels
Reported: 2002-05-01 (May 1, 2002)
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.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗05V225000 · Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint
Reported: 2005-05-17 (May 17, 2005)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗09V444000 · Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields
Reported: 2009-11-18 (November 18, 2009)
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.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗