2002 Toyota Tacoma Engine cooling Problems

“The 2002 Toyota Tacoma prerunner was running great with only 54,000 miles. All oil changes and tune-ups were up to date. Without making any unusual sounds, I experienced a loud thump, lots of smoke and the truck rolled to a stop. Upon checking, lots of oil was leaking out of bottom of the car and pieces were hanging out of the bottom of the engine which turned out to be parts of a thrown rod. Thank god my young nephew was not in the auto as there was lots of smoke.”

“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.”

“While traveling on the highway and without prior warning, the check engine light appeared on the dashboard, and shortly after vehicle shut down. The consumer heard that this was a common problem.”

“I bought this new and in early 2007 the vehicle started acting as if it wasn't getting gas around 40-45 MPH. I was thinking maybe a transmission problem or fuel filter was clogged. A couple of weeks later, I took it to a friend (a retired mechanic). He changed the fuel filter, transmission filter and fuel also. Started up my truck, went inside his home to wash his hands and upon returning outside, the engine oil was pouring from underneath. My truck somehow threw a rod at 82,000 miles and warranty just expired.”