2002 Toyota Tacoma: harsh or hard shifting

Filed Nov 23, 2020 · Suspension · 109,544 miles · WA

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, she heard an abnormally loud clunking sound as the vehicle began to veer independently to the right, without warning. The contact then pulled the vehicle over and called her husband who arrived at the scene and determined that the failure was caused by a defective ball joint. Upon investigation, the contact discovered the federal safety agency campaign number: 05v225000 (suspension) which she linked to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed her that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was 109,544.

Filed Jun 28, 2018 · Suspension · 201,000 miles · NY

Driving on local street, 25 MPH, then heard clunking sound when hitting road bumps. Mechanic inspection revealed shock mount completely rusted out of frame and excessive rust and rotting throughout the rear frame. Toyota will not help so will have repair privately and weld new sleeves to the frame. Toyota has created a very dangerous situation for its' customers by using inferior metals in its' frames for many years.

Filed Aug 18, 2015 · Suspension · 152,000 miles · PA

I drive a 2002 toyota tacoma. Heard a clunking noise I thought was a loose pick up bed (shortly after driving on the highway at legal but high speed coming home from work). Stopped and noted my truck frame had broken in two places over the rear axel and gas tank area. The broken side of the frame was just sitting loosely on the l rear leaf springs. Luckily I stopped to check the pickup bed. I could have been involved in a serious accident or even killed or what's worse could have lost control and hurt someone else. I know toyota has had significant frame quality control issues with these model tacomas in the past. I did have a frame check in dec. 2010 on a recall notice and it was fine. Was told by the dealership no further action was needed. Now I find after talking to toyota corporate, the frame should have been undercoated at that time. (they claim to have sent 5 letters advising me of this.none of which I received, and I am the original owner at the same address for the past 16 years). Looking at the internet forms concerning tacomas, I am not the only one to have been given this cock and bull story. Why would I have not taken the truck in for protective undercoating if informed by toyota after all ready responding to a recall inspection only a few weeks earlier?. This is a potentially dangerous situation and could cause catastrophic problems. I think toyota corp is directly responsible for this situation by originally installing defective frames then not following through on recalls or service bulletins properly and actually stone walling owners calling with complaints about the defective frames with an extended 15 year warranty.

Filed Jan 9, 2006 · Transmission · 30,000 miles · NE

My toyota tacoma has what toyota refers to as rear axle wrap up, where the two piece drive shaft becomes loose at the spline and causes a clunk or looseness in the driveline which cause undue stress on the engine and the transmission, which could cause the drive shaft to break at the yoke and fall to ground causing accident.

Filed Aug 4, 2004 · Transmission · UT

Power train - just bought my truck about 3 months ago. During the test drive, I was extremely impressed by the ride of my tacoma. A few weeks after I had it, I started to experience the clunking sound coming from underneath. I have to the dealership 3 times now, and everytime I have been told was normal. I was told all automatic transmissions do this. This is the second toyota truck I have owned, and I could tell you this, they don't come up with a resolution, it will be my last. I also drive a celica (great car), but if I lose the truck, then I losing the celica, and will want nothing to do with toyota's again!!!

Filed Jul 6, 2004 · Brakes · CA

I have a tacoma 2002 and the brakes have been replaced three times. Although I have called and explained the sometimes they slip, toyota refuses to really look at them. I wanted to file this in case they do give while I am driving, there will be a record of this problem, since I have mentioned it several times to toyota but they never write it down, according to the newest customer service? Person I spoke to. I have been told that the clunking noises, the 5 month brake changes and the slipping of the brakes is natural. This cannot be right.

Filed Jun 3, 2004 · Transmission · MD

Transmission/driveshaft experiences loud clunk noise when brakes are applied then released. This is a known problem to toyota however they offer no resolution. Research has indicated adding leaf springs to stiffen rear suspension resloves this issue toyota will not do this modification.

Filed Sep 29, 2003 · Body, Brakes · 20,000 miles · GA

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.

Filed May 13, 2003 · Transmission · 3,000 miles · TN

Transmission "clunks" on stops and surges after brake is released from stop. Feels like you've been rear ended. Dealer said this is normal, "they all do it". I contacted toyota hq and they refused to comment on problem. Vehicle value is greatly diminished.

Filed May 21, 2002 · Transmission · OK

Transmission "clunks" on stops and surges after brake is released from stop. Dealer said this is normal. I contacted toyota hq and they refused to comment on problem. Said dealer is the expert. I guess the expertise of the design of the vehicle is left up to the dealers not toyota.

Filed Mar 21, 2002 · Transmission · CA

After about 1100 miles we started to get a bad shudder when setting of, toyota said this normal, the truck as now started to shudder going from 1st to 2nd, toyota said this is normal, then the engine started to vibrate through the cab at 3000 miles,toyota said this is normal, the transmission then started hard shifting,changing up,the later changing down, now when pulling grades and the transmission goes into 4th gear there is a vibration all through the drive line and cab, when in cruise the transmission hunts up and for no reason, toyota says all this is perfectly normal although 2 toyota techs agreed there is a problem 2 independant garages said there is a problem, every time we take it for repair to the dealership toyota tells us there is nothing wrong even though the dealership as said there is a problem toyota refuses to do anything.