2002 Toyota Tundra SR5 from North America - Comments

Nothing. Ever.

This is my first non-domestic truck. This Tundra is so much better than Fords and Chevys I had previous, it makes it a no-comparison. Quality of this truck is unbelievable. Nothing breaks, nothing goes wrong.

It's very comfortable, and the interior quality and fit and finish is a nice change from what Chevrolet and Ford offer.

The power of the 4.7 4 cam V8 is awesome.

I read some reviews that have had brake issues. I have had none.

My truck gets oil changed at 3000 miles, and I had the trans serviced at 45,000 since I tow with it.

This truck is not a "garage queen", but rather a truck that gets used for what its intended... and it never has missed a beat.

Did I mention the engine is awesome?

Interesting. You rave about your truck, but don't know what kind of transmission it has? I smell an anti-domestic review here.

The hard plastic panels in 2008 are not anywhere as superior now as the new GM. Neither is the warranty... handling, ride, room, towing and load capacity. But you may not have been shopping new... just for a used model truck.

This review No More GM is mine. I am shocked at the debates and comments it has prompted. All I can say is having owned domestic trucks for 20 years, after this Toyota I will never own a domestic again. After 64,000 miles it finally needed front brake pads to get through inspection. That is all this truck has ever needed. I don't know how you can debate that.

Again, this is my review of my truck. I don't know what you guys are talking about. My 2002 Tundra is great, as I said in the review. For me, this was not intended to start some fight of Japanese vs American. I love my Tundra. And I love my wife's Windstar too. Who cares where they are made. A good vehicle is a good vehicle, no matter who makes it.

My title "no more GM" was from my frustration of owning a Chevy truck, I am not a salesperson or representative otherwise of any import company.

Like I said a few posts earlier, we have a Windstar, and we love it. I don't care where a vehicle is made. Good is good, bad is bad. The Chevy was a joke, the Tundra has served loyal for 6 plus years, as has the ford van.

It just so happens every vehicle in my past that made me want to pull my hair out in frustration was a GM. That's where the "no more Gm" came from. Ford- I would give another chance. GM - never will give them another chance.

You guys going on and on about how bad NEW tundras are... go post on the 2008. IF you own one and can speak from experience... which I doubt you can.

This is my original review. I cannot believe this ridiculous debate going back and forth in these comments. Most of it having nothing to do what so ever with Tundra's.

The truck I wrote this review about is still as awesome as it was the day it was new. Nothing has gone wrong, 6 plus years now. It looks like it did the day I brought her home. Granted, with gas prices what they are, its only driven now on the weekends when I pull a camper with it.

This quality debate between the domestic haters and japanese haters is ridiculous. It's a free country, you can buy whatever you want. You like Fords, good for you, buy one. You like Toyota, good for you, buy one. Most people find a brand they like, and remain loyal, no matter what the quality is.

I love my 'Yota and have had some great times in it with my kids, treking to campgrounds out in the woods. I had an old F150 I felt the same way about. NOTE: my review says "no more GM". Ford makes some awesome trucks.

This is my review, my truck. Now that this absolutely off subject, ridiculous debating is over, let me reiterate what my review was about. A now 6 year old Tundra. And it remains the best truck I have ever owned, has never needed anything except a front brake job. It has hauled anything I have asked it to. It has taken me and my family too many a fabulous camping trip with trailer in tow. Is it the truck for everyone? No. But it has been flawless.

This is America. If you like Fords, buy one. If you like GM, hey, buy one. This reviews purpose is to aid anyone thinking about buying a 2002 Tundra.

The truck is no longer a primary vehicle, with gas being what it is. So it sits in the garage now, and is used only for camping, more or less. We love the Tundra, and I will never part with it. I am sure there are folks out there that feel the same way about their Fords and Chevy's, and that is the beauty of America!!

I owned a 2000 Tundra SR5 extended cab 4x4TRD 4.7L (same model as the 2002). I owned it from 35,000 to 108,000 on the odo.

The good things:

Very reliable, the only thing that ever required fixing was a water pump that got replaced at the 90,000 mile "super service".

Very smooth and refined power-train. Able to tow my 31' Airstream with plenty of power and torque.

Good looking in black IMO. No rust problem.

Very good off-road.

The bad things:

Weak door detents (they would swing back with almost no slope or wind).

Stock suspension is too squishy and caused wander while trailering. It also allowed too much axle hop if it started to spin in snow or mud. I had the alignment done but it would still wear tires crooked for some reason.

Had weak seat-belt return springs.

Paint chipped easily.

Mileage was similar to larger trucks of the time, averaging 15-17 mpg, depending on speed and temperature (but this truck isn't as big and heavy -- so not too good).

To sum up, I would say that if you need a tough work truck for heavy hauling or towing, get something else. But if you need a reliable truck for lighter duty work or off-roading, this is a good choice (if my experience was representative).

So if you are looking to buy one, watch the tires and look for any sign of water leaks or water pump failure -- my understanding is that the coolant just eats 'em up after a while, so it could be that they all fail somewhere around 100,000 miles. Or check if the pump has already been replaced.

Lastly the import vs. domestic argument is pointless. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and should buy according to their needs. The problem seems to be that guys on this forum had some bad experiences with a brand or type of vehicle. Instead of admitting that their experiences weren't broad enough to be a representative sample, rather say that their experience was universal and moreover represents a conclusive argument against an entire region's vehicular products.

For example the "I had 3 Chevys blow engines --- I'll never buy American again and you shouldn't either" type. Come on guys... I had a good Toyota but that doesn't make all imports good (or bad).

My neighbors own Fords, Chevys, and Dodges. They seem to like them, but that doesn't mean that all domestics are good (or bad). Even if you've owned a broad array of types and brands, or know others whose experience is being added to your own, your sample size is still FAR too narrow and open to misinterpretation.

We're kinda stuck with the data from "Consumer Reports", JD Powers, and the like because their data sample size is in the 10s of thousands of owners, and thus provides a prospective owner an idea of where problems are and what their chances are of having the same (I'm only referring to the compiled data from consumers -- not the opinion sections of these publications).

FYI; My current vehicles are an 08 Nissan Altima and an 07 Jeep Wrangler. Both are performing VERY well... so far.

This is my original review. I will give you all an update on this truck, since it's been a year.

First, I am not sure what all the debating is about, this is simply a review of a truck. After another year, the truck is still proving to meet all my needs, and remains as reliable as a Toyota should be. This has been my favorite light duty truck I have ever owned. It has its limitations for sure if compared to a F250 or Chevy 2500, but this little truck has done everything I have asked it to. The small block V8 pulls our small camper with ease.

As for payload.. I only use this truck to pull with, and an occasional trip to the local HD or Lowes for some 2x4's. This Tundra is a great truck for this kind of stuff. I don't need a 2500, this little truck does all this typical homeowner needs.

Nothing has broken in the last year since the original review. I treated her to a new tonneau, after 7 years the first one was pretty shot. That's all I have to say about my great little 'Yota. I love it.

Original reviewer says:

I don't know what these guys on here are debating. I don't really care. My original review must have angered a few die hard GM/Ford/Dodge fans. Fact is, this now 7 year old light duty Japanese truck serves me well. It would not survive long on a construction site, I concede that. That is work reserved for 2500's and F250's. But for this homeowner, this little truck has done all I have asked of it, and without a quality issue or breakage. That cannot be debated. Debate all you want about how great the bankrupt GM is. But vehicles like this Tundra are the reason people never go back to U.S. auto companies once they have tried a Japanese product.

I have saved enough from selling our late model import to upgrading our domestics with the repair savings.