general problems of the 2002 Toyota Tundra

29 problems related to equipment have been reported for the 2002 Toyota Tundra. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2002 Toyota Tundra based on all problems reported for the 2002 Tundra.

1 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 10/25/2025

Toyota won’t cover the safety recalls on my truck.

2 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 04/11/2024

My frame have a big hole.

3 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 11/01/2022

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).

4 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 06/06/2022

During inspection of my Tundra, I was told by the Toyota service technician that the frame integrity is compromised and could lead to a catastrophic incident. This is a common issue, Toyota settled a class action lawsuit in 2019, but it was restricted to just the 2007-8 model years of the Tundra. There was an earlier recall, but the resolution was not a fix, it was just a patch, leaving thousands of first generation Tundras on the road still with the potential to cause serious safety exposure. Toyota had a frame replacement program for a few years, so they are aware that it’s an issue, but have not resolved for many owners. They sued the frame manufacturer, dana corp I believe, further proof that they knew it’s a problem.

5 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 04/08/2022

Frame and crossmember is rusting. Has one hole on each side of the frame where the cross member is attached inside the frame.

6 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 07/01/2021

Extensive frame rust determined by local mechanic. Said the truck is unsafe to drive.

7 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 06/29/2021

First the gas tank let loose and fell half way off. Result was a new gas tank installed. Then part of the frame rusted from the cab. This resulted in having to have it welded. Have had several service repair lights come on that resulted in more fixes. Today just about does it. The spare tire fell to the road because rust ate through what was holding it up. I have all the papers that show the repairs and what it has cost me. I have not done anything yet about spare tire. I have had the truck since 2013 and it has less then 94k miles on it. It had 35 when I bought it and I knew nothing about the rust problem recall. I certainly believe I should have a new frame or some kind of compensation. Over the years I have talked to several dealers that got me no where. I guess this is my last shot.

8 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 06/03/2021

2002 Tundra was recalled for the rusty frame. I had mine inspected at the time of the recall. The dealership sprayed the frame of my truck. Now my frame is severely rusted and unsafe to drive. The balance of my vehicle is in good condition with approximately 200,000 miles. Will I be eligible for repair or replacement? who should I contact? thank you bridgette gartmann.

9 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 05/22/2021

My vehicle is unsafe to drive due to how badly the frame is rusted.

10 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 12/20/2020

It has a rust frame.

11 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 12/09/2020

The frame has rusted so badly that the spare tire fell off into the highway and nearly caused the vehicle behind to almost wreck. Upon arrival at home I looked at the frame and noticed that the u-bolts holding the rear differential are almost rusted off and will need to be replaced. The entire frame is rusted badly. I think something should be done!!! this vehicle has been taken care of and has seldom been off-road. I am a 72 year old man who does not abuse my vehicle. Thank you jerry wakeland.

12 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 09/09/2020

Rust problem in frame and rear crossmember.

13 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 10/18/2019

Replaced ball joints 4 times in 10 years.

14 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 05/28/2019

Frame of truck was totally rusted out and vehicle was considered "non-drivable", by Toyota dealership. Toyota dealership "checked" the frame in 2011 and said it was "fine" and we have only driven the truck 40,000 miles since. They said to salvage the truck but it only has 127,000 miles on it!!!! case #1905282857.

15 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 03/18/2019

Vehicle had a recall for frame rusting out. The vehicle was bought to koon Toyota dealership in 2014 for the recall. They did a spray on the frame that was supposed to cure the rusting out on the frame. However the frame is still rusting out. I bought the vehicle to connacelli Toyota in springfield PA, and they do an inspection to find the frame not safe to drive on. Connacelli tells me there's nothing they can do because the time has expired on the recall. This I could understand if the vehicle never was serviced in the allotted time, but however it was serviced by koon Toyota and the remedy evidently did not solve the issue.

16 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 02/06/2019

The frame is 80% rotted through with rust. I'm sure it will be deemed unsafe to drive and unfortunately waiting any day for it to completely fall through. The bed is literally nosediving into the front body of the truck.

17 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 01/25/2019

When pulling the vehicle into park on a roadside, the gear shift lever snapped and stopped working, making it unable to shift gears including putting the vehicle into park. Upon removing the cover over the steering wheel, it was obvious that the gear shift lever had indeed broken completely loose from the steering column.

18 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 01/01/2019

My frame is to the point that it can not be repaired. It was coated by Toyota years ago as a safety recall but it is to the point now that my mechanic says it is to bad to repair. I have called Toyota and they say there have been frame issues that have been recalled but not with this year and model. Only 135,000 miles on the truck.

19 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 12/27/2017

Structure. 220,000 miles I tool it in for an oil change the tech calls me over to show me the rotted frame member's. I took it to tarbox Toyota in ri, they took pics and sent it to Toyota. They also told me I should not drive the vehicle. Toyota said no outstanding recall on it so I am out of luck. I was never notified of any recall except for the one listed to replace a rear chassis member which I had done. The killer is I have put $5000 into it over the last few years thinking I would have the truck for another 10 years. . . Its only used occasionally. Now what do I do?.

20 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 04/09/2017

Toyota has a recall on the truck frame that they won't do anything about. This truck has only 70000 miles on it. We took it to the dealership and they told us to call Toyota. We contacted Toyota and opened a claim and they told us there not doing anything at this time for that recall. The whole frame is rotten and is not safe to drive. We've done all the recalls they had for the frame and it still rotted out. Not sure how I can get this resolved with Toyota. The frame snapped on the front driver side. The frame snapped while driving around town.

21 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 10/22/2016

Part of the frame on my truck has one large rust hole and a smaller rust hole. I spoke with Toyota about it for the first time on Saturday October 22, 2016 and I was told that the frame is still covered until December 2016. I received a follow up call like I was told on Monday October 24, 2016 only for my case manager to inform me it was not covered. She said the first lady I spoke with was wrong about what she told me. Now I'm stuck with a truck that has major rust issues.

22 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 03/23/2016

Frequently from a park position and then shifting and turning seems to lack responsiveness.

23 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 09/15/2015

Frame is rusted. Worried about it's safety.

24 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 09/14/2015

When installing side rails I discovered the frame of the vehicle had rusted thru at the location I was going to drill a hole. The truck will not pass inspection and there are safety concerns. Toyota will not address the issue. There have been recalls for frame issues in the past and it appears Toyota has not solved the problem. There may be many more vehicles out there and do not know they have a weakened frame. Toyota needs to do more to resolve the issue.

25 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 07/10/2015

Took the truck in for recall inspection of rear as per recall notice #bxd ssc. Was told by sunnyside Toyota that the rear part was fine but the other part of frame is badly corroded. They/and the Toyota manufacturer said that this portion of frame is not covered under recall. Estimate of repair cost $15,000. Remarks on vehicle inspection report: 99 front section of frame has a large hole that we feel is getting to the point of being dangerous/not part of bxd campaign.

26 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 05/01/2014

After proper maintenance and also being told that this 2002 Tundra was not recalled due to frame rust and disintegration, this vehicle is now deemed unfit by three independent mechanics/welders due to holes in the frame. There is pervasive and extensive damage. When assistance from Toyota was sought, a case manager was assigned (case number 1405021511) and the final ruling was that our Tundra did not qualify for the recall and therefore Toyota was not responsible. It is negligent on the part of Toyota to not offer any assistance in finding a solution to this problem. The frame issue is a direct result of negligent manufacture.

27 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 08/19/2013

Severely rusted frame. May impact structural integrity. Just learned that a neighbor had their frame replaced recently, and discovered my frame is severely rusted too. Today Toyota dealer said there was a recall (but it ended last year). I never got a notification (letter) of the recall. Dealer could not make the repairs for me.

28 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 05/01/2010

Frame has corrosion & perforation. Dealer said it will not pass state inspection. This is even after the phase one & two resolutions performed on this truck in 2010. In 2011 the rear gas tank strap broke. In 2012 the spare tire fell off while entering the interstate. This corrosion is an ongoing issue ever since I bought it new in 2002. Toyota's campaign it resolve this issue is nothing more than a bandaid to bide their time further down the road. I contacted Toyota, 4/2017 and they said the campaign to "fix" this is over. So, I guess I am stuck with it.

29 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 11/02/2009

Toyota rust thru frame recall. . . . . . I had the rear spare tire carriage assy and cross member. Replaced. They forgot my free undercoating until I called them. And complained . But my complaint is they did not inspect the exanded front frame until the recall waranty had expired. . . Then they took pictures and told me to "beg my case" to corporate. To which they denied; as the time limit had expired. My clam is :if the dealership had notified me ,in time, they would have found the 4 inch long by 1/4 inch wide rust thru n my frame , definaely in the recall area. It took the dealer 1 year to warranty undercoat the frame of the recalled areas as the dealership had[ a] moved to a new location . . . And [b] they were not trained in the application . My settlement desired iis for Toyota to replace my frame.


Other Equipment related problems of the 2002 Toyota Tundra

Equipment problems
29
Carrier/rack problems
6

Tundra Service Bulletins
Tundra Safety Recalls
Tundra Defect Investigations