Skip to content
Electrical systemPart report

2002 Toyota Tacoma Electrical system Problems

Complaints
7about this part
Share
2%of 333 total for the year
Median mileage
100,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the electrical system of the 2002 Toyota Tacoma, 2% of the 333 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I own an 02 Toyota Tacoma that was built and sent to me in that same year. The problem that I have experienced is that the A/C went out. I rarely use the A/C in the summer time, but I do get a lot of use out of the heater in the winter. The problem was not noticeable until I had the vehicle for approximately four years. I began to smell a burning smell. Once smoke actually came out of the vents. Eventually the fuse burnt. I replaced it and the A/C worked for a short while then the fuse burned again. I began using the A/C to attempt to determine the problem with the A/C. …”

NHTSA complaint #10241798, filed 2008-09, 50,000 miles

“Was driving on the highway when the truck engine began to thump. Towed truck to Toyota dealership where the first day they said internal engine failure, the next day they said engine oil pump failure. The oil light indicator never came on before and after the incident. I had an oil change from another Toyota dealership on november 30th.”

NHTSA complaint #10371745, filed 2010-12, 100,000 miles

“Driving in a highway state 81 towards harrisonburg virginia when my 2002 Toyota Tacoma , parts or equipment underneath the truck collapse cause of out of control of the truck , the whole shock and the ball joint in the front all the way to the back, the passenger side and driver side fall to the ground, while driving did not hit any one but it will cause my life at risk . …”

NHTSA complaint #11445032, filed 2021-12

“The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated while driving at an unknown speed the accelerated pedal became stuck, the brake pedal was applied but travelled to the floor, as the vehicle crashed into a metal mail box. Additionally, while applying the brake pedal the instrument panel went dim when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact stated that he replaced all the bulbs. The air bags deployed. The contact stated that when the air bags deployed he saw a glowing light as a fire was ignited. …”

NHTSA complaint #11365882, filed 2020-10, 140,000 miles

“Consumer had just bought vehicle and drove home,parked vehicle and cut engine off . Vehicle busted into flames. Contacted dealer, and dealer stated that when consumer gets fire department report to call back. Please add VIN.”

NHTSA complaint #898660, filed 2001-11

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026215%
202565%
20241610%
20231222%
202247%
2021911%
2020910%
20192110%
2018147%
2017229%
20163711%
201588%
201478%
20131310%
2012196%
20112212%
201083%
2009408%
2008276%
2007183%
2006253%
2005203%
2004174%
2003113%
200272%
200141%
200094%
1999114%
199852%
199711%
199694%
199521%

Other parts of the 2002 Toyota Tacoma

Body and structure
180 complaintsSuspension
82 complaintsOther or unknown
27 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
21 complaintsAir bags
19 complaintsWheels
18 complaintsBrakes
17 complaintsTires
14 complaintsSteering
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 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 Oct 30, 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