Model year guide

2002 Toyota Tacoma

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2002 Toyota Tacoma is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 36 on record.

2002 Toyota Tacoma — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2002 Toyota Tacoma at a glance

Safety recalls5
Owner complaints360
Combined18 mpg
Typical price$7,221

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2002 Toyota Tacoma recalls 5

Tires:temporary/emergency Spare Tire NHTSA Campaign #12V542000 · 23/11/2012

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 Isla…

Fix: 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 NHTSA Campaign #06E065000 · 17/07/2006

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.

Fix: 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 NHTSA Campaign #06E026000 · 23/03/2006

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.

Fix: 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 NHTSA Campaign #05V225000 · 17/05/2005

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.

Fix: 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 NHTSA Campaign #03V189000 · 19/05/2003

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.

Fix: 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.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2002 Toyota Tacoma common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 360 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Forward Collision Avoidance
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.

2002 Toyota Tacoma MPG & running costs

Combined18 mpg
City16 mpg
Highway20 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,456

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2002 Toyota Tacoma worth?

Low
$2,600
Typical price
$7,221
High
$12,875

From 35 comparable 2002 Toyota Tacoma listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2002 Toyota Tacoma costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$17,280
Depreciation (5 yrs)$5,100
Total$22,380
Per mile$0.30

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($7,221) with the same model 4 model-years older ($3,143), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2002 Toyota Tacoma trims & engines on record

Trims
Base · DELUXE · PreRunner V6 · PreRunner
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl 142 hp · 3.4L 6-cyl 190 hp · 2.7L 4-cyl 150 hp

2002 Toyota Tacoma vehicles on record

Other Toyota Tacoma model years

2002 Toyota Tacoma — frequently asked questions

Does the 2002 Toyota Tacoma have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls for the 2002 Toyota Tacoma. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Toyota Tacoma?

Based on 360 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are suspension, structure, steering.

What gas mileage does the 2002 Toyota Tacoma get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2002 Toyota Tacoma at about 18 mpg combined (16 city / 20 highway).

How much is a 2002 Toyota Tacoma worth?

Comparable 2002 Toyota Tacoma listings run roughly $2,600–$12,875, typically around $7,221 (from 35 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.