Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Toyota Tundra owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
My original owner 2002 Toyota Tundra Truck was being backed up in reverse with a utility trailer attached up a very, very moderate incline on a driveway pushing the trailer onto a gravel pad ALONGSIDE (parallel) the driveway. As it started to spin gravel the truck was put into a 4 wheel Drive LOW RANGE. This is in keeping with the TOYOTA owners manual publication 0M34417U Part Number 01999-34417 Print date 02-0109-01. We followed the manual instruction on 4 WD operation. Within a few feet the truck stopped as if the wheels had hit a curb and there was no further movement no matter the accelerator pedal position and the engine speed was unchanged as if it was in a stall. All of a sudden there was a loud bang underneath the truck and the truck raced rearward 8-10 feet jackknifing the trailer into a tree and upending the truck and trailer. …
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. I have not yet had the vehicle repaired due to the high cost, but it is not driveable as the differential will not hold gear oil.
Purchased the vehicle in February 2017 and was informed by the mechanic that the rear end differential was beginning to leak due to excessive rust. Further inspection of undercarriage do to a noise under vehicle found that the frame and body mount had deteriorated due to rust causing a hole in the body mount causing the cab to flex and bounce on the frame. Vehicle treated by Toyota for earlier recall due to rust of the frame and given a 5yr extended warranty. Body of vehicle is free of rust, frame and differential have excessive rust making the vehicle unsafe to operate.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Toyota Tundra. While attempting to start the vehicle, the contact noticed that the gear shifter was very loose. The contact removed the tip of the lever to find that it was fractured from the mounting bracket. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The dealer (Toyota of visalia, 922 s ben maddox way, visalia, california 93292) was contacted by telephone. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 153,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Toyota Tundra. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the rear differential was leaking. The contact also mentioned that the chain that held the spare tire in place fractured from the frame. The vehicle was taken to brown's Toyota of glen burnie (7167 ritchie hwy, glen burnie, md 2106[phone]) where the contact was informed that the rear axle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000.
When pulling the vehicle into park on a roadside, the gear shift lever snapped and stopped working, making it unable to shift gears including putting the vehicle into park. Upon removing the cover over the steering wheel, it was obvious that the gear shift lever had indeed broken completely loose from the steering column.
I have had multiple problems with my 2002 Tundra trd 4wd. I have had it in more than 4 times for the brakes vibrating/pulsating and looks like I will be taking it in again as they are starting to vibrate again!! Reno Toyota has always done all the maintenance on it and keep trying to say it is my fault the brakes are bad and the rotors are warping. They replaced the rear axles a couple of months ago but I had to pay the $50 deductible. They also had to install a gasket on the crossover for the engine coolant as the factory never installed it. The ac doesn't get cool enough to cool the interior. Whistling noise but don't know where it is coming from...sounds like coming from side mirrors??? I replace the wheels recently because of vibration because the wheels were warped. Always have excessive brake dust on front wheels. Transmission feels and sounds like it is slipping all the time. …
While driving on the freeway my truck made a bad sound from the transmission a gear grind clunk noise. I pulled off the freeway asap and put it in park. There was no fluid draining or any thing. When I went to put it in drive it was hard to go into gear. But it drove OK so I went to my appointment less than a mile away. From there my wife picked me up and we did some christmas stuff and got back to the car later than expected and I had to drive it home (aprox 5-7 miles). At first it was OK then clunk grind jump neutral in a bad spot on the freeway. I was able to get it about another mile to safety it jumped again and no gears. I had to push it out of harms way and jacked up my back. I was trying to stay off the operating table for my back now if im on my feet more than couple of hours I am bed ridden from days to weeks. …
My 2002 Toyota Tundra truck is not drivable at this time. The truck was brought to Toyota dealership after a local mechanic found fluid leaking from rear differential due to rust/rot. During the dealers inspection, they also noted a gas smell and suspect that the gas tank or gas lines are leaking also. The dealer did a frame inspection and while the whole frame is excessively rusted, the frame passed the recall test because it had not been perforated yet. The dealer did not want to even remove the differential plug because the whole unit was so rusty. I have been under the truck and personally seen the excessive rust on the frame, fuel system, and suspension components. Amazingly, the body panels have little or no rust and in very good condition. During previous dealer visits we were verbally told that the rust was normal. …
I encountered the same transmission failure that's similar to other NHTSA odi reports. The problem - which I understand is fairly common with this 2002 Toyota Tundra - started with rough shifting and clunking noises in the power train at around 60,000 miles. The odd sounds started intermittently at highway speeds and then became more frequent and then finally resulted in failure at around 111,000. The transmission quit at a highway intersection stop 140 miles from home in January, 2010. It would not go into proper gear after stopping on the highway. The vehicle was towed to the nearest Toyota dealer in victoria, texas on Saturday evening for repair work that was eventually done four days later at a total out-of-pocket cost of nearly $4,000 (parts, labor, rental car, towing; does not include missed work)...this vehicle has been maintained properly by my Toyota dealer. …
Transmission complaints in other Tundra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2002 Toyota Tundra?
NHTSA has 51 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2002 Toyota Tundra, 11% of the model year's 482 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (11 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Toyota Tundra transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2002 Toyota Tundra, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2002 Toyota Tundra transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 89,000 miles, and 19% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.