2002 toyota tundra. Excessive underbody and frame rust. Driven mainly in wisconsin. First noticed march 2008.
2002 Toyota Tundra body complaints
Page 6 of 6: complaints 131 to 154 of 154, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I have a 2002 toyota tundra sr5 4x4 pick-up truck. On 11-23-09, my spare tire and the support/frame broke and fell off the vehicle while I was driving . I would like to contact a dealer to remedy this problem, and also have my truck inspected for any other potential safety defects. Thank you for your help!
I find it interesting that my 2002 toyota may be recalled due to the spare tire mounting being rusted. I have been very disappointed with this truck since the gas tank the rear differential cover and fuel lines have rusted through. I bought this vehicle due to the toyota reliability reputation. Would you please review the frequency of rust on these areas and issue what ever recalls appropriate.
I have a 2002 toyota tundra pu that was built it 2001. The frame of the vehicle is experiencing severe rust. Pieces of rusted metal have fallen from the vehicle's frame. The spare tire is also in a rusted/pitted condition. The vehicle has gone only 40,247 miles and I live in massachusetts. The truck is in mint condition throughout with the exception of rust and metal deterioration located only on the frame. I brought the vehicle to the local dealer and they acknowledged that the rust/deterioration was severe, especially for the low mileage. However, they did conduct an inspection and determined that the frame was not perforated. My concern is that the deterioration will get worse overtime, and due to the low miles the vehicle would be on the road for many years. As a result, a safety failure in the frame would be probable. The dealer said that I could call the toyota rep. To voice my concerns. He also said that they would inspect the vehicle's frame each time I bring the truck in for service, if I requested it. This type of frame deterioration is not acceptable for only 40, 247 miles. I also keep the truck in a garage. Thank you for your time and attention.
I was under my 2002 toyota tundra inspecting the frame. I noticed severe frame rust on parts of the frame and cross member. Not just surface rust severe rust. My concern is that the rust is so severe that it has compromised the integrity of the frame and therefore the safety of the truck. There has been nothing done yet to correct this problem.
Frame rust and rot coming up through the bed of the truck from the frame rails. Also rust and rot on majority of undercarriage including spare tire area and suspension members.
Frame rust concern and rear brakes / parking brakes needing to be repaired due to rust... My concern is the ongoing investigation into severe rust problems. I bought the truck used (2 yrs. Old). The truck was not previously undercoated. The truck in service date is oct 01. I bought it used in 02. I then had it undercoated and have done so every fall since then. My concern is what may be going on underneath the undercoating that I can't see. Also, I had to have the rear brakes tore apart and rebuilt due to rusting components.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I got under my 2002 toyota tundra trd sr5 extra cab to assess the rust this past weekend. I was dumbfounded! Control arms, front wishbone, suspension brackets, and rear differential look like a shipwreck that's been under the sea for 100 years. The rear differential housing has rusted completely through and is leaking through the side of the housing! The spare tire holder is so rusted the wheel is about to fall off. All shields and safety guards have fallen off or will soon. I bought the truck new in nov of '01. It now has 84,000 miles. I've had all recommended services performed at the dealer.they never mentioned the rust although they do a "safety inspection" at every service. I've always washed off the salt in the winter. The body panels show no rust at all and the outside of the truck looks like new. I have taken excellent care of this vehicle. I had a chevy truck kept under the same conditions that after 15 years and 250,000 miles looked nothing like this. I cannot drive this truck in this condition.
Toyota tundra 2002 - frame rust my 02 tundra only has 60k miles on it and the rust underneath is causing parts connected to the frame to flake off as well as parts of the frame. The smaller pieces for example the spare tire holder is almost turned to dust. Are you investigating this problem with 2002 model's ? I was told that 2000-1 have been.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 toyota tundra. While driving approximately 40 MPH the spare tire disengaged from the rear spare tire carrier without warning. He pulled over to the side of the road. The tire was retrieved from the roadway. The carrier bracket had fractured because of severe corrosion. The manufacturer was notified of the malfunction. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure mileage was 140,000. The current mileage was 141,841.
Dealer discovered rust all over my toyota tundra truck. He said he has never seen that.
The spare tire just fell off the truck when the tire carrier rusted through. *tr consumer is adding picture. 10/26/09.
Rust on undercarriage.
Front drivers side sway bar link is corroded through. No accident or injury but only because I knew what was going on after I saw the broken link and drove accordingly. After further investigation we find that the brake calipers are corroded beyond salvage and the frame has heavy rust in a number of areas. It is clear that this truck will be worthless in a few years due to the heavy corrosion and we will all be lucky if someone is not killed due to corrosion damage causing something to fall off and cause a wreck.
Yesterday, had $1300.00 work done on my 2002 toyota tundra. Mechanic advised me that my springs need replacement as they are completely rusted. This evening, susan wornick of channel 5 investigative team, did a report on toyota tundras rusting out. Specifically springs and frame. Ms. Wornick informed any owners of tundras (2000-2001 and possibly 2002) to file complaint with the federal safety agency. Hence this email.
I have had the tundra and 5th wheel trailer combination since they were both new in 2002 and towing has been excellent. This trip however, I hit a 'bump' on rt. 93 southbound (heavy traffic) in medford, ma and the spare tire broke off of the holder. It proceeded to bounce up into the front compartment of the trailer and then dropped down and lodged between the trailer's axles. At least no one was injured, but the vehicles were damaged. I had about $5,000 in repair bills relating to the 'accident'. My concern is that the spare tire/wheel had never been off of the tundra and they were 'new' except for their age. It appears that the amount of rust on the tire hanger bracket was a major cause of the wheel dropping. I have pictures and the replaced parts for your inspection if desired; you can see rust-out holes right through the bracket! I am concerned that this could be happening to many other tundra's of a similar age. I would like to at least offer some form of warning to other owners. After toyota's email response, basically saying this was never heard of before and calling the holder bracket a 'cover', I sent a second email: my concern now is that you have referred to the rusted-out bracket that holds the tire under the truck's bed (part # 51900-0c010 on my repair invoice.) as a 'cover, I'm hoping that we are speaking of the same piece of equipment. My suggestion involves safety more than warranty or money. If other tundra's have the same rotting out of that bracket, other tires will fall off of those trucks. By the way, my tundra looks like new and is in excellent condition; so I'm presuming that others may be even worse and that my vehicle is likely in average or better condition. If this truly is a potential issue for others, at least warning them to evaluate it would be appropriate; I surely would have appreciated it! *tr updated 03/25/10 *bf pictures received. Updated 10/05/10
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 toyota tundra. The contact was performing maintenance on the vehicle to replace the shock absorbers when he detected that the main frame exhibited severe rust corrosion. The corrosion progressed over a period of time and resulted in thinning and warping of the frame. The vehicle is in the process of being taken to an authorized dealer for inspection. The manufacturer has been notified. The contact had concerns of the safety risk involved. The failure mileage was 92,000. The current mileage was unavailable.
Report of severe rust to the frame structure of toyota tundra pickup. Upon discovery of corrosion owner called toyota and was advised to take vehicle to dealer for frame inspection. Frame was inspected and one large hole was made by dealer in frame on front drivers side. Upon questioning of dealer owner was told that the hole was minor compared to holes found on other tundra pickups. Dealer said truck was ok to drive, but upon doing research it seems that truck would not have passed inspection if hole had been visible 1 week before. There is a clear issue with frame construction and upon contacting toyota after inspection toyota claims that there is no program to address issue and will not comment on vehicle safety with this intense frame corrosion. At this time there is no document provided by either dealer or toyota that states in writing that truck is road worthy and safe to drive.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 toyota tundra. When the contact took the vehicle to be state inspected, he was informed that the front passenger suspension sub-frame was rusted and had holes. As a result, the vehicle failed inspection. The contact took the vehicle to a repair shop to be welded, but the mechanic stated that this was not possible. He then took the vehicle to the dealer and they advised him not to drive the vehicle because it could not be repaired. Report number 0906143367 was filed with the manufacturer, but they would not assist. The current and failure mileages were 114,000.
I have a 2002 toyota tundra that has been rusting away since the day I bought it new off the lot. It started with the wheels rusting. I brought this up to the dealership many times and they said nothing could be done about it. Next was the tailgate and now the underside of my truck looks like a 20 year old vehicle that was sitting for years. I have heard and read that other tundra owners are having the same problem and I agree that toyota needs to do something about this. Toyota's are not cheap, I bought this vehicle because I thought the quality was suppose to be excellent. I also have a claim in with toyota.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 toyota tundra. The vehicle failed inspection due to a fracture on the frame caused by excessive rust. The manufacturer advised the contact to speak with a dealer. The dealer stated that since the vehicle exceeded its warranty they would not assume any responsibility. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 40,000. Updated 05/15/09 *bf updated 05/18/09.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 toyota tundra. The contact stated that the lights on the instrument panel to indicated what gear the vehicle is in suddenly shut off and have not illuminated since. He also noticed that when the driver's seat belt is fastened the warning light on the panel illuminates regardless. There is also a rust issue on the on the rear doors causing a structure damage. When he took the vehicle into the dealerships they informed him that they were unable to provide assistance despite the fact that he has warranty on his vehicle. The failure mileage was 50,000. The current mileage was 100,000. The vehicle has not been repaired as of current date.
3 interior door handles broke off completely starting in 2004 front passenger door, then in 2005 right rear passenger, 2006 the driver handle broke. Toyota did not want to repair said it was not a manufactures defect. Everything is plastic and cheaply made, I had to pay for repair, feared that in an event of an accident I would be be able to exit my vehicle unless I rolled window down and opened door from outside handle.
Cab separated from chassis. Cab is attached to chassis at 4 flanges welded to frame. 2 each 10 mm bolts connect cab to each flange. A 71 mm hole exists in flange between the 2 each 13 mm holes for the 10 mm bolts. Only 6 mm of flange steel exists between 13 mm holes and 71 mm hole. Cab separated by tearing 10 mm bolt nuts through the 13 mm holes at the 6 mm dimension. It has been my experience in aircraft structureal repair that the minimum dimension for hole spacing is 3 hole diameters (I.e., hole spacing should have been approximately 30 mm instead of 6 mm).
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2002 Toyota Tundra?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history