2002 Toyota Tacoma

Watch out for

Reputation: what owners and the press report. Tap one to see what to check.

• Worn lower ball joints All years

  What to check: Check the front lower ball joints for play, look for uneven tire wear, and ask whether they were replaced. On a 2001–2004 truck, ask a dealer whether recall 05V225000 was done.

  FLEX says lower ball joint failures are especially common on 1st gen trucks. Two TacomaWorld members call them a weak point of every 1st gen year, and one says theirs failed about 20,000 miles after he bought the truck. Two Edmunds owners of a 1997 and a 1999 say they replaced ball joints.

  Sources ^1,2,3,4

• 3.4L V6 timing belt All years

  What to check: Ask for proof of when the timing belt and water pump were last changed.

  A TacomaWorld member says in two threads that the 3.4's timing belt has to be changed every 90,000 miles. Three others in a thread on 2003–2004 trucks say to confirm the belt was done once past 100,000 miles, or at about 150,000.

  Sources ^5,6,2

Recalls

• 03V189000 2001–2003

  In a side crash, the body can cut the fuel filler hose. A guard is fitted.^7,8,9

• 05V225000 2001–2004

  Front lower ball joints may wear loose and separate.^7,8,9,10

• 12V542000 2001–2004

  The spare tire carrier's lift plate can rust and break, so the spare can drop.^7,8,9,10

Sources

1. FLEX (Tacoma years)
2. TacomaWorld (buying a 2003–2004)
3. Edmunds 1997 review
4. Edmunds 1999 review
5. TacomaWorld (a 2004 with 300k miles)
6. TacomaWorld (2.7 against 3.4)
7. NHTSA recalls (2001 Tacoma)
8. NHTSA recalls (2002 Tacoma)
9. NHTSA recalls (2003 Tacoma)
10. NHTSA recalls (2004 Tacoma)