2002 Toyota Tacoma

On certain vehicles, excessive corrosion of the spare tire carrier lift plate may cause the separation of the spare tire stowed under the vehicle.  The spare tire falling on the road surface creates a safety hazard that may result in a crash causing personal injury and/or property damage.  Correction: To be announced.

On certain vehicles, a manufacturing issue with the front lower ball joint could result in premature wear.  If the vehicle is operated for an extended period of time in this condition, the ball joint may eventually experience excessive wear and looseness, resulting in increased steering effort, reduced vehicle self-centering and noise in the front suspension.  In extreme cases, when the driver continues to operate the vehicle in this condition, the lower ball joint may separate from the knuckle causing a loss of vehicle steering control.  Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the front lower ball joints.

On certain Double Cab vehicles submitted to government crash testing, a flange at the rear end of the Double Cab body could deform, and may interfere with the fuel filler inlet hose which connects the fuel filler pipe and fuel tank.  This interference could result in damage to the fuel inlet hose, and in the worst case, if the vehicle rolls over after the crash, fuel could leak from the damaged fuel inlet hose, which may result in a fire if in the presence of an ignition source.  Correction:  Dealer will install a fuel hose protector on the body flange.