The Lemon Index2002 Toyota Tundra.
The 2002 Toyota Tundra is about average by owner complaints: 106 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 102, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about brakes, it has 6 recalls, and it gets 14 to 16 mpg combined. The best Toyota Tundra year is 2015.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 482 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Toyota Tundra year. 2002 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 46K to 138K miles on the car (370 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- body structure complaints mostly came at 82K–158K miles
- brakes complaints mostly came at 12K–59K miles
- suspension complaints mostly came at 60K–149K miles
Recalls 6
- body structure 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, M…
- lights 2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- lights 2006
CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.
Show all 6 recalls
- lights 2006
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
- suspension 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.
- wheels 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 …
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Toyota told dealers about
Toyota sent dealers 126 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of…
- The purpose of this bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic
- The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedFrame corrosion2009–2010
- ClosedBall joint separation2004–2005
- ClosedFront suspension ball joint breakage2004
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $4000–4600 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.4L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
While driving state speed limit heard a knocking on front end of vehicle while applying brakes.
2002 Toyota Tundra owner · NHTSA complaint 8002835
More owner reports
I have a problem with the brakes on a 2002 Toyota Tundra,the dealer has attempted repair numerous times but the problem remains. Shaking and bouncing when the brakes are applied.
NHTSA complaint 10072709
2002 Toyota Tundra.....violent shaking occurs when brakes are applied. Dealer has no solution or corporation doesn't recognize the problem. Feel that vehicle may be unsafe to drive.
NHTSA complaint 10058711
Quick answers
Is the 2002 Toyota Tundra reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 102; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Toyota Tundra year by this measure is 2015.
What are the most common 2002 Toyota Tundra problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (64%), suspension (36%) and transmission & drivetrain (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2002 Toyota Tundra have?
6 safety recalls (latest: body structure). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Toyota Tundra get?
14 to 16 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2002 Toyota Tundra problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 46,800 and 138,200 miles. The middle report was at 91,100 miles, from 370 complaints.
Does the 2002 Toyota Tundra have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 12% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2002 Toyota Tundra cost in fuel a year?
About $4000 to $4600 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2002 Toyota Tundra have?
3.4L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl.
What Toyota Tundra year is better than the 2002?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2015, 2011 and 2013.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works