Problems with 2002 Toyota Tacoma STRUCTURE

Excessive amount of rust on frame of 2002 toyota tacoma pick-up. frame shows extensive corrosion from inside working it's way out. i am very concerned that the life of this vehicle will be drastically reduced due to this issue. i understand that toyota is investigating this problem for years 95 through 2000. what about years newer than 2000 that are experiencing the same problem???? *tr

In april of 2008 i noticed that the frame of my 2002 toyota tacoma pickup truck had an unusually high amount of surface rust showing on the frame. upon closer inspection i discovered that in at least one location there is holes in the frame were it has rotted through. i have also inspected the interior of the frame members and have discovered large amounts of rusted metal that has fallen of the inside of the frame. it is obvious that the frame of this 6 year old vehicle with 71,000 miles on it is rotting from the inside and the outside. i am concerned that this is indeed a serious safety issue. *tr

I have driven this vehicle very little. has 46500 miles, done in stamford ct a city that does not use salt in the winter but only sand. i noticed excessive rust under and it needed to weld steel plates to support the chassis twice ( the first when the car was 5 years old). in spite of that the deterioration continued and now the chassis is broken near the front passenger wheel making the cat lock ,unable to turn,undrivable, parked at home. cars of this model were recalled by toyota at first some years ago and even after that more people complained and additional prior years were added. i have contacted toyota dealer in stamford and tells me it is prior to the latest recall.

2002 toyota tacoma has premature frame deterioration on frame side rails and rear. rear frame is so bad that the rust is causing the bumberto lift up in the middle by about 1-2inches. owner keeps truck washed and waxed even through winter months. have not yet looked to get rear problem repaired. *tr

This is in response to the new toyota recall on the sienna mini-vans spare tire. i own a 2002 toyota tacoma, in which the frame was recently replaced due to rust perforation in certain states. i am the original owner and back in 8/2007 i had a flat tire and had to change it. the spare tire resides under the vehicle and is secured by a cable. when i went to access the spare, i noticed the whole cable and the surrounding pieces were severely rusted and was very difficult to separate the tire from the cable. after hearing about the recall on the sienna for the spare tire getting rusty, and possibly falling loose while driving, i realized that my tacoma, and possibly other vehicles that use this method, and are exposed to extreme climate conditions, could trigger a similar event. *tr

I was getting into my truck and noticed that one of the screws that hold the door striker plate had backed out at least half the length of the bolt and the other one was loose. the door never rattled with it being loose. i was able to tighten the bolt. i checked all of the other doors and found they were loose, but not as bad as the driver's door. *jb

Rusted frame on 2002 toyota tacoma. took it to halterman's toyota dealership in june 2006. dealership said it does not warrant rust on frame. was told to undercoat the vehicle. vehicle was undercoated august 2006. undercoating started to peel away january 2007. now the frame looks as if it's starting to rust through. this is a concern to me because i had a 1999 toyota tacoma that had total rust perforation in frame january 2006. i sold it for a third of it's kelly blue book retail value in march 2006 before toyota implemented their buyback program in march 2008 for 1995-2000 tacomas displaying rust perforation. i now see the same situation happening all over again and toyota will not take any responsibility. i am beginning to become afraid to drive my vehicle in fear of the frame breaking from underneath me. *tr

Dt*: the contact stated while stepping onto the tailgate, the support cables fractured simultaneously without warning. no injuries were sustained. the vehicle was not seen by a dealer for inspection. updated 5/10/2006 - *nm

Motor mount bracket broke on 2002 toyota tacoma 4x4 extra cab. purchased vehicle used from royal toyota in bloomington, indiana on jan. 25, 2006, along with an extended warranty (36,000/36 month). have driven it less than 3,000 miles - mostly highway. discovered oil leak under the front. fortunately, took it to a performance toyota in fairfield, ohio before the motor fell out. the bracket is not covered by the warranty. this vehicle was purchased as a certified inspected used toyota vehicle. the bracket broke for no apparent reason. *nm

Rear bumper decay/structure breakdown on 2002 toyota tacoma. unsafe in case of from the rear collision. noticed start of rust/loss of structure in 2/2006. *tr

Purchased this vehicle as certified pre-owned vehicle. massive leaks rendered back of drivers side crew cab flooded. reversed drain plug previously installed up side down, then siliconed oem roof rack and leak slowed. toyota is replacing rear door seal. was not notified oem roof rack negated warranty. cpv shouldn't leak. *nm

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 toyota tacoma. the contact stated that the frame was severely corroded, had holes in it, and was separating from the vehicle. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure and was going to further investigate the failure. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 62,000 and the current mileage was 110,000.

Truck dash has rattled since shortly after we bought the truck. never has been fixed correctly. also, the cruise control doesn't keep you at consistent speed at all on mountains/hills. if you want to go 55, it will put you up over 60 very quickly and then gradually drop you down to around 55. *ak

My 2002 tacoma vibrates at high speeds and when stopping. i've had the brakes fixed 5 times now and it's still not right. my transmission clunks when i stop and start, shutters when coming to a stop, and shifts hard. sometimes the transmission clunks after i've already started moving. the problems started about a year ago. i've recently been to two dealerships before the warranty expired and nothing was done. one toyota technician said it was my brakes, yeah right, the other wouldn't even take it for a test drive. i think the problem is caused by my transmission sliding back and forth, which i don't think it's supposed to do. whenever i stomp on the gas to pass someone it shifts into the wrong gear and the engine red lines. my dash squeaks, so i have to wedge my wallet in between the windshield and dash to stop it. my driver's side door doesn't shut flush with the body. last but not least, i had to replace my oxygen sensor. i would like to sell my truck, but can't with all the problems. this was my first toyota and will probably be my last.

While driving 35 mph hood flew open and cracked the windshield. due to no visibility through the windshield. vehicle hit the rear of another vehicle. windshield was replaced on 7/10/2003. *ak

Water is entering the vehicle around the support handle on the driver side of the vehicle. vehicle was purchased one year ago. problem became evident this past fall and when brought to the dealership this february they refused to repair under the corrosion warranty. vehicle is over the standard warranty mileage.

For the last year i have brought truck back to sf toyota dealership for transmission problems , suspension problems rattling dash board, squeaking sounds from seat and front bushings. all these problems still have not been fixed. after 15 visits to dealership, sf toyota left scratches on body and lost mud flap. body now tilted after service. *nlm