2002 Toyota Tundra Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 51about this part
- Share
- 11%of 482 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 89,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 51 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2002 Toyota Tundra, 11% of the 482 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 89,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“When attempting to put the truck in gear to leave a gas station the entire shifter mechanism broke off at the mount within the steering column. After 1 google search it shows this is very common with my Tundra truck (many postings and complaints-issues). I was in a pickle to move my vehicle and was not safe in doing so.”
NHTSA complaint #10610869, filed 2014-07, 155,000 miles“Vehicle was parked with parking brake on. I started the vehicle and attempted to put the truck in drive. The shift lever went limp and no longer changed the drive selector. I managed to get it into drive and got it home and parked it. I have not called the dealer yet.”
NHTSA complaint #10461229, filed 2012-06, 92,853 miles“Upper ball joints, rear springs, brakes front & back, and manual transmission, and o2 sensors too! This is what I have been repairing and was not aware of all of the recalls on my truck! So far I have just repairing it until today, after hearing about the newest recall! I will be calling my dealer monday....”
NHTSA complaint #10291338, filed 2009-11, 119,000 miles“I find it interesting that my 2002 Toyota may be recalled due to the spare tire mounting being rusted. I have been very disappointed with this truck since the gas tank the rear differential cover and fuel lines have rusted through. I bought this vehicle due to the Toyota reliability reputation. Would you please review the frequency of rust on these areas and issue what ever recalls appropriate.”
NHTSA complaint #10293470, filed 2009-11, 110,000 miles“The rear axel and differential housing/casting is corroded thru such that oil is leaking through the differential hub onto the roadway and resulting in a loss of gear oil within the differential and axels. After driving on the highway this oil was observed on the spare tire (mounted under the bed) and up the back of the bumper. The service representative at one dealership I approached to discuss the cost of repair indicated that they have seen the problem multiple times. This obviously should not be happening and I believe it to be the result of a defectively designed/manufactured component. …”
NHTSA complaint #11309429, filed 2020-02, 186,700 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10164330Jul 1, 2019TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 01, 2019 Rev2: ? Applicability has been updated to 2019 ? 2020 model year Toyota vehicles. ? The Techstream Preparation and Process Overview sections…
- 10134454Aug 24, 2015TechTip: Condition - The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power to the Engine ECM has been…
- 10109404Oct 16, 2014TSB: The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of the correct torque converter bolts during automatic transmission/transaxle…
- 10109492Sep 30, 2014TSB: The purpose of this bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly to avoid MIL "ON" shifting issues and/or…
- 10132084Oct 1, 2013The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly to avoid MIL ?ON,? shifting issues, and/or…
- 10133836Feb 20, 2013This bulletin contains general vehicle pulling diagnosis and repair procedures along with specific information to help correct pulling complaints.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 8 | 22% |
| 2025 | 37 | 26% |
| 2024 | 85 | 24% |
| 2023 | 88 | 21% |
| 2022 | 104 | 24% |
| 2021 | 1 | 4% |
| 2020 | 3 | 6% |
| 2019 | 1 | 1% |
| 2018 | 3 | 3% |
| 2017 | 6 | 8% |
| 2016 | 5 | 4% |
| 2015 | 1 | 2% |
| 2014 | 5 | 5% |
| 2012 | 21 | 13% |
| 2011 | 18 | 13% |
| 2010 | 19 | 12% |
| 2009 | 11 | 29% |
| 2008 | 46 | 14% |
| 2007 | 73 | 19% |
| 2006 | 23 | 4% |
| 2005 | 35 | 9% |
| 2004 | 46 | 10% |
| 2003 | 35 | 9% |
| 2002 | 51 | 11% |
| 2001 | 30 | 7% |
| 2000 | 51 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2002 Toyota Tundra
154 complaintsBrakes
117 complaintsSuspension
81 complaintsSteering
38 complaintsOther or unknown
30 complaintsFuel system
22 complaintsAir bags
21 complaintsVehicle speed control
14 complaintsTires
13 complaintsWheels
11 complaintsElectrical system
9 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Toyota Tundra
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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