5.1

fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
19,064 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2002 Toyota Tundra brakes problems

brakes problem

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2002 Toyota Tundra Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #27

Apr 242008

Tundra 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 87,457 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My 2002 Toyota Tundra had the front brakes replaced 7,000 miles ago. When braking the truck shudders and shakes. I was told that the rotor is warped. The Toyota dealer says this is a problem due to me driving hard on the brakes. This is false. I am very easy on the truck. Now simultaneously the check engine light went on. The Toyota dealer says the catalytic converter needs to be replaced. The cost of the part alone is $1,000 all this after I dealt with a problem with this truck in 2005. Back then, at 58,000 miles, the engine threw a rod and the entire engine had to be replaced. Is this truck a lemon or what" I am not hard on my vehicles. I own a 1994 Honda Accord that has 250,000 miles. I expected the same from Toyota. I am very disappointed in the Toyota Tundra. Why I am having to pay for new brakes 7,000 miles after replacing the front brakes? why is the catalytic converter failing" someone needs to hold Toyota accountable for these problems. Instead Toyota wants to blame the consumer and say the consumer is at fault due the way the consumer is driving.

- Paso Robles, CA, USA

problem #26

Mar 092008

Tundra 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Last year I purchased a 2002 Toyota Tundra. Nothing but trouble with the front brakes and rotors. Burt Toyota, the dealership where it was purchased, acts like nothing is wrong and will do nothing about it. Now, I have learned that this is a problem with most, if not all, Tundra. They make larger rotors and brakes for the front at the cost of $2000 with labor. Why should Toyota not be responsible for such an critical part of the vehicle" do we need a few deaths before people look further into this Tundra nightmare? to date, 16 months, I have spent money on shocks, drums, rotors, brake pads, alignments, tires, balancing of tires, and my time sitting on my butt waiting for the work to get done, only to find nothing has changed. Now I see the Tundra forms of complaints of the same problems that go on forever. Why is Toyota not held liable for this" please help us!

- Englewood, CO, USA

problem #25

Sep 182007

Tundra 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 6,000 miles
Vehicle purchased 5/2002. Brakes pulsating & vibration while braking have resurfaced numerous times, had front rotors replaced and then resurfaced again after the replacement, yet the pulsating and vibrations continue to recur approx 3-6 miles after any repair work. Problem seems to be rear drum and front discs not working cohesively. Front discs have all the breaking burden. No failures yet or injuries because we are so worried that we brake far ahead of time to ensure we stop on time with all the vibration and shimmying going on.

- Bonita, CA, USA

problem #24

Nov 302001

Tundra

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I bought my 2002 Tundra new and experienced brake vibration almost immediately. The dealer said that the vibration happens when it is cold (bought in Nov 2001) and it is normal. I did not believe this logic, then the dealer said there was nothing wrong with my vehicle and refused to do any work on it under warranty (but was willing to work on it if I paid; go figure). Five years later the problem is getting worse and had to replace my pads several times. Stopping distance on the highway is getting longer and more dangerous. I see here that I'm not the only one experiencing these issues. What is the NHTSA waiting for to initiate an investigation" for a bad accident to occur and someone dies"

- Mckinney, TX, USA

problem #23

Dec 222006

Tundra 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 32,000 miles
Breaks on Toyota Tundra are defective and Toyota knows about it as stated in tsb #BR004-02. My front brakes have worn out prematurely. The only reason that I have not experienced the problem sooner is that I mainly use the truck for occasional long distance highway trips. I am experiencing vibration when applying the brakes and they wore out prematurely. Numerous other customers have complained about this issue as well. Based on some of these additional complaints, Toyota is doing everything possible to avoid fixing the problem. Please refer to these additional complaints posted on this blog: www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/toyota_tundra.html.

- Mahwah, NJ, USA

problem #22

Oct 152006

Tundra

  • miles
I was driving about 30 mile per hour when my brake started to vibrate violently. After carefully inspected, I found that three studs were broken, two from the front left and one from the front right. A friend of mine, an auto mechanic, said that the studs might have been broken due to uneven wear of the rotors and loosen of the nuts. Well, I have been complaining about my rotors warping too fast to the dealer, but I was told that brake system is not covered by the warranty. I brought this problem up several time, but the same thing answer was given to me. Recently, I went back to the dealer and told the service manager about the incident. There I found out that all the complaints I made to the service department were not documented. I was told that they only documented if work orders were written. That means I have to pay them to document. The manager said he may considered replacing my brake system if the problem was documented before. Toyota has heard and read hundreds of complaints about this brake problem. This problem is a safety issue and it should not be ignored.

- Merced, CA, USA

problem #21

Sep 302005

Tundra 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 47,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

About two months after purchase. The vehicle would shake when the brakes were applied. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; a service technician said the rear drums were probably out-of-round. Drums were resurfaced and brakes were good - for about two more months. Problem recurred - taken back to dealer. Shoes replaced. Brakes good for 2 more months. Problem recurred - dealer wouldn't do anything since out of warranty. Taken to an independent shop where drums and rotors were machined. Brakes were good for about two more months. Truck again shakes when brakes are applied. The problem is ongoing.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

problem #20

Feb 082006

Tundra 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,000 miles
My brakes have had squealing and since the vehicle was purchased. I was told it was dirty rotors and it couldn't be fixed. At about 12,000 miles it began to vibrate when braking. I was told the brakes were showing some wear, but it was normal. At the 15K mile check I again reported the vibration. Again I was told it was normal wear. Now at 23,000 miles I learned of a tsb issued for the vibration problem on my vehicle. When I took the vehicle to the dealer I was told I need a brake job, but the tsb only covers vehicles under 36,000M and 3 ears. My vehicle is over 3 years so I am told the tsb does not apply.

- Bakersfield, CA, USA

problem #19

Mar 062006

Tundra 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 51,000 miles
: the contact stated the front disc rotors are defective. The rotors overheat and warp. The vehicle has been repaired twice. The first time the rotors were replaced. The second time the rotors were turned. When the brakes are applied the whole front end vibrates. The dealer informed the contact there was a service bulletin out to correct the problem which consists of replacing the current rotors with bigger ones, but the repair only applied to vehicles under warranty, therefore no repairs were made.

- Longmont, CO, USA

problem #18

Jan 022005

Tundra 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Front brakes are making my vehicle shake when I apply the brakes.

- Haleiwa, HI, USA

problem #17

Sep 192005

Tundra 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have a 2002 Toyota Tundra, access cab. Starting at approx. 30,000 miles, the brakes began to vibrate when applied. Condition has progressively worsened, and now the truck front end shimmies considerably when applying the brakes. This creates a dangerous condition, particularly when driving down hill or in traffic.

- Oak View, CA, USA

problem #16

Aug 182005

Tundra 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 27,200 miles
From day one when I purchased my Toyota Tundra on 9/30/02 I have had a problem with the brakes. I brought the truck back 2 days later to tell the salesman that I felt that the brakes "shuttered" when the vehicle was driven in city traffic conditions and braking distance was increased the more that I drove the vehicle. They checked the truck that day and I was told that it was fine. Now, almost 3 years later with only 27,000 miles the brakes are worn and the rotors have to be replaced. The dealer says that the brakes are not covered but they might replace the rotors. I see that there is a history with the rotors warping and causing the pads to fail prematurely. I don't understand how Toyota can sit back with a blind eye when clearly there is a problem with the braking system.

- Warwick, RI, USA

problem #15

Aug 172005

Tundra 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,000 miles
Purchased 2002 Toyota Tundra Nov 2001. Jan 2004 vehicle would shake badly when brakes applied at 40+ mph. Was told needed brakes replaced/rotors turned. Needed rotors turned again Dec 2004 and again June 2005. Now Aug 2005 same problem. With fast stops on freeway this shaking causes control problems which is a safety issue.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #14

May 052005

Tundra 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 20,000 miles
I own a 2002 Tundra that has the brake vibration (warped rotors) problem now at 50,000 miles. The truck had 20,000 miles when the problem first surfaced and then took it to the dealer and got fixed, but the problem off course started again around 40,000 miles and when I contacted the dealer they told me that Toyota will only cover the problem till 36,000 miles. This is a universal problem for this model.

- Chandler, AZ, USA

problem #13

Jun 252005

Tundra 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
I own a 2002 toyata Tundra. I, like many, as I am now finding out, am plaged by the same braking problems that so many are experiencing. Before the 36,000 mi warranty went out I took the rruck to my dealer and they said that there was a service bulletin on the brakes. They replaced rotors, and calipers. After a while the same vibrating came back again. I took it back again and they turned the rotors and said that fixed the problem. Since the warranty has run out, I have replaced the rotors twice and new pads every time. I love my truck but there is no dobt that they have a problem. I just need a solution, along with so many other Tundra owners!!

- Hopkinsville, KY, USA

problem #12

Oct 212004

Tundra 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 20,341 miles
Vehicle has excessive vibration/shaking when braking, especially downhill, and most notably at speeds between 40-50 mph. Repair attempts have been made at 20,341 miles and 24,312 miles replacing calipers, rotors and drums, as well as attempts at resurfacing badly warped rotors/drums. Condition still exists at current mileage of 28,128 miles. Fear that this is a dangerous condition that will result in loss of handling, control, traction or may lead to an accident if brakes fail to stop the vehicle. As this also does not appear to be an isolated case, this condition is likely to affect vehicle reputation and (re-sale) value as well.

- Clinton, WA, USA

problem #11

Jan 072003

Tundra 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 33,000 miles
Toyota Tundra 2002 the rotors keep warping, have had everything replaced 3 times, Toyota has admitted there is a defect but will not fix it unless we pay them $3000, will Toyota wait until this defect kills someone before they do a recall?

- Medford, OR, USA

problem #10

May 162002

Tundra 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,500 miles
Front rotors warping numerous times since the purchase of the vehicle. Approximately every five thousand miles.

- El Paso, TX, USA

problem #9

Jan 152004

Tundra 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 19,165 miles
Toyota Tundra truck has recurrent brake problems with warping of the rotors.

- Simi Valley, CA, USA

problem #8

Nov 012002

Tundra 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
I have a problem with the brakes on a 2002 Toyota Tundra, the dealer has attempted repair numerous times but the problem remains. Shaking and bouncing when the brakes are applied.

- Florence, AL, USA

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