Four problems related to front suspension lower ball joint have been reported for the 1999 Toyota 4Runner. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
I was traveling approximately 70 mph on a straight highway. I felt a bump and then heard a grinding noise and saw sparks from my front left wheel well. I pulled to the shoulder and saw my front tire, wheel, and brake assembly were detached and lodged under my vehicle. On further inspection, the lower ball joint gave out and my wheel assembly detached. Very hazardous and would have led to a collision if I had not been so late at night. This is a known problem with this ball joint and Toyota issued recall on 2001-2004 4runners for the issue. Needs to be expanded to older years. Joint assembly was redesigned for 2005-current models to correct the problem. See attached photos.
The front suspension lower ball joint seperated from the knuckle and broke off while I was driving and left me in on coming traffic that I had to get out of the way of. Toyota has a recall for the exact same issue for Toyota 4runners from 2001-2004 (special service campaign 50j ¿ front suspension lower ball joint 2001 through 2002 4runner). It should be expanded to include additional years. It is extremely dangerous and can potentially put lives in jeopardy. . Read more...
While daughter was driving on highway. The left front lower ball joint failed causing the wheel assembly to come off the car frame. Speed was the posted 55 mph. No other traffic, thank goodness. Was able to pull off the road for assistance. This is a stupid design. A major component if it fails should not cause this type of catastrophic failure. It dangerous and Toyota should warn the consumer of this stupid design.
The contact owns a 1999 Toyota 4runner. On may 9, 2005, the vehicle's lower ball joints failed and the tire detached from the vehicle. The failure occurred while driving 35 mph. The vehicle was towed. There were no warning indicators before the failure occurred. The contact stated that the vehicle was purchased in February of 2004. The engine size was unknown. The current mileage is 161,000 and failure mileage was 135,000.