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Vehicle safety record

2002 Toyota Prerunner Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 6 complaints about the 2002 Toyota Prerunner with NHTSA, most often about the transmission & drivetrain (3) and the body, doors & structure (2). Those complaints describe 1 crash and 1 injury. There are no recalls for it. For comparison, the 2001 has 7.

NHTSA data checked

CAbout as many problems as a typical Prerunner year, for its age

#257 most complained-about 2002 vehicle

Complaints
6
Recalls
0
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
1
Deaths
0

Most common 2002 Toyota Prerunner problems

Share of all 6 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

No recalls for the 2002 Toyota Prerunner

NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2002 Toyota Prerunner. Recalls can be announced at any time - this page updates daily.

What owners say

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6 complaints about the 2002 Toyota Prerunner

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.

Body, doors & structure

I had my vehicle in for service on 30 september 2013 at which time the vehicle frame was inspected and determined to have perforations due to rust. Toyota informed me that the vehicle is unsafe to drive and that they would not repair/replace the frame because I had not had rust proofing applied during a customer support program that began in late 2008 and ended september 2011. The purpose of the customer support program was to inspect the frame of the truck and replace it if rust caused perforations or to apply...

Read the full complaint

rust coating if it passed inspection. I never received notice of the customer support program. However, by chance, I did have the frame inspected by toyota on november 25, 2009 at which time the frame passed inspection, but toyota failed to apply the required rust proof coating or to inform me of the ongoing customer support program. Had I known about the customer support program, I would have demanded toyota apply the coating. Subsequently, I had my truck in for maintenance at toyota on april 7, 2010 and may 24, 2010 at which time they once again did not inform me of the customer support program. Toyota had three chances to inform me of the customer support program while I had my vehicle in for maintenance and they did not do so. Now I have a truck that is unsafe to drive and that I can't get repaired because toyota blames me for not adhering to the customer support program rules of which I never had any knowledge. Toyota had my current address and telephone number during the entire period of the customer support program and never bothered to notify me. In my opinion, they did not do their due diligence in informing customers of the program and should be responsible to replace the frame on the trucks. I did file a customer complaint with toyota but they refused to provide any assistance in repairing my truck. *Tr

Filed Incident StructureNHTSA 10546948
SuspensionSeats & seat beltsBody, doors & structure

I received notice from toyota of possible excessive frame rust years ago . (About 2007) I did the inspection myself and thought frame was good. Did not take to dealer for inspection . In september of 2013 I find out that toyota is not responsible and I missed the deadline. I think I understand that since it was not a nhtsa issued recall, they have the right to put a expiration date on the recall . The bottom line is I goofed up . But there still existed thousands of tacomas and tundras on the roads today that are a hazard to the driver and all others around them . Why didn't the nhtsa issue a mandatory recall ? *Tr

Filed Incident Suspension · Seat belts · StructureNHTSA 10543571
AirbagsSeats & seat beltsCrash1 injury

Consumer lost control of vehicle and hit a tree head on. Upon impact, neither driver's side nor passenger's side air bags deployed. Also driver's side seat belt didn't retract. As a result, consumer's head hit the windshield. Consumer received 17 stitches. *Ak

Filed Incident Air bags · Seat beltsNHTSA 10051895
Transmission & drivetrain

Vehicle surges as if auto transmission is down shifting abruptly when coasting to a stop at an intersection and while creeping in traffic (after removing foot from brake pedal allowing vehicle to roll after coming to complete stop). Problem also occurs intermittently when proceeding from a stop at intersections. Problem occurs w/in the 1 to 5 mph range. Transmission shifts smoothly up through all gears as vehicle accelerates when driving on the highway. Multiple dealerships stated that they are unable to duplicate the problem and that no trouble was found. Problem occurring more frequently now. Concerned about possible transmission failure. *Jb

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 10023680
Transmission & drivetrain

500 Mile service reported transmission jumping from first to second. First machanic said needs new transmission. Got truck back truck was jumping all over the road on bumps, mechanis said needs two shocks one fron and one back., And now it doesn't need transmission, truck still jumps from first to second.

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 10000419
Transmission & drivetrain

Consumer notice when coming to a complete stop shifting under vehicle. Dealer has been contacted and service but cant fix problem. Please provide further information.

Filed Power trainNHTSA 8020994

Toyota Prerunner: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
20026010Transmission & drivetrainC
20017010Body, doors & structureC
19997010AirbagsC
19982000Engine & coolingA
All Prerunner years

2002 Toyota Prerunner vs rivals

More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.

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Questions about the 2002 Toyota Prerunner

Does the 2002 Toyota Prerunner have any recalls?

NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2002 Toyota Prerunner right now. Recalls can be announced at any time, and this page checks NHTSA every day. You can also check your exact vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

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

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the transmission & drivetrain (3), body, doors & structure (2), seats & seat belts (2).

How many complaints has the 2002 Toyota Prerunner had?

6 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on October 17, 2002 and the latest on October 6, 2013. Of these, 1 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 1 injury and 0 deaths.

Is the 2002 Toyota Prerunner a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 50 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Toyota Prerunner year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.

Which Toyota Prerunner years have the most complaints?
What should I do if my 2002 Toyota Prerunner has a problem?

If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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