2002 Toyota Tacoma Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 19about this part
- Share
- 6%of 333 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 137,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the air bags of the 2002 Toyota Tacoma, 6% of the 333 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 137,500 miles. 13 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I lost control of my truck when the driver front tire deflated. This occurred as I was taking an off ramp on to another freeway. This caused me to bounce off the hollow tubes in front of the concert divider. My 2002 Toyota Tacoma will require over $8k to repair. The driver and passenger airbags never deployed in my single cab truck. The damage taken was on the front driver fender/bumper (I have pictures) clearly the airbags should have deployed but failed. This caused me to slam into the steering wheel upon impact.”
NHTSA complaint #10254449, filed 2009-01, 122,000 miles“Airbags failed to deploy during frontal impact with embankment at speed in access of 40 MPH. Vehicle left the roadway, traveling straight, under hard breaking conditions and struck an embankment. Upon hitting the embankment, the truck became airborne and made impact with a telephone pole, before landing on its wheels.”
NHTSA complaint #10970427, filed 2017-04, 135,000 miles“There was extensive damage to the front left side of the vehicle from a collision. The radiator was pushed against the engine. Most of the driver side fender as well as the inner core support was crushed. Both airbags didn't not deploy.”
NHTSA complaint #10764039, filed 2015-09, 185,000 miles“Airbag warning light has been flashing for about 6 months . This is a 2002 Tacoma extended cab pick-up truck with 56k miles. Dealer says $200.00 to diagnose. Costs to remedy airbag problem could be as much as $500.00 to $600.00, perhaps more. Dealer states airbag will not deploy but is not sure of what is really the problem until the diagnosis is completed. My question is; why this problem with a truck with low mileage and taken to dealer since new for all required maintenance.”
NHTSA complaint #10361663, filed 2010-10, 56,000 miles“Hit a deer at approximately 45 MPH. Destroyed from center of grill to the right front fender. Two more inches and the radiator would have been included. No air bag deployed. Seat belts prevented any serious injury. Had only sore muscles.”
NHTSA complaint #10161901, filed 2006-07, 68,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10244113Aug 17, 2023TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most…
- 10190460Mar 17, 2021Toyota Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
- 10132410Jul 20, 2017TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 20, 2017 Rev1: Applicability has been updated to exclude 2007 ? 2017 model year Avanza vehicles. Some hazardous material treatment and handling…
- 10131961Jan 14, 2014Toyota vehicles are equipped with Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS), including various airbags and in some models, seat belt pre-tensioners, to help reduce the risk of injury…
- 10132055Nov 4, 2013Beginning in 1998, Toyota introduced side airbags as optional equipment. Toyota does NOT recommend replacement of original seat covers with non-Toyota leather or other seat cover…
- 10132149Oct 21, 2013Toyota will be sending Safety Recall Follow-Up Notices to remind owners whose vehicles have not yet had campaign repairs completed. Please note the following information for…
- 10133915Jan 3, 2013Toyota vehicles are equipped with SRS, including various airbags and in some models, seat belt pre-tensioners, to help reduce the risk of injury in a collision. If a customer…
- 10042555Sep 6, 2011Toyota: information provided for replacing the seat covers for vehicles equipped with side airbags.
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2024 | 2 | 1% |
| 2023 | 8 | 15% |
| 2022 | 8 | 14% |
| 2021 | 7 | 9% |
| 2020 | 4 | 4% |
| 2019 | 4 | 2% |
| 2018 | 3 | 1% |
| 2017 | 13 | 5% |
| 2016 | 5 | 2% |
| 2015 | 11 | 11% |
| 2014 | 8 | 9% |
| 2013 | 10 | 8% |
| 2012 | 9 | 3% |
| 2011 | 17 | 9% |
| 2010 | 16 | 5% |
| 2009 | 13 | 3% |
| 2008 | 29 | 6% |
| 2007 | 44 | 8% |
| 2006 | 76 | 10% |
| 2005 | 46 | 7% |
| 2004 | 15 | 4% |
| 2003 | 28 | 8% |
| 2002 | 19 | 6% |
| 2001 | 20 | 5% |
| 2000 | 25 | 12% |
| 1999 | 38 | 15% |
| 1998 | 46 | 15% |
| 1997 | 5 | 4% |
| 1996 | 16 | 6% |
| 1995 | 10 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2002 Toyota Tacoma
180 complaintsSuspension
82 complaintsOther or unknown
27 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
21 complaintsWheels
18 complaintsBrakes
17 complaintsTires
14 complaintsSteering
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaintsElectrical system
7 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Toyota Tacoma
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology