Steering Failed problems of the 2001 Toyota 4Runner

The contact owns a 2001 Toyota 4runner. While at the dealer for routine maintenance, the mechanic stated that the steering rod was failing. The dealer replaced the rod and the vehicle is currently operating normally. After the repair, the contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign id number 05v389000 (steering:linkages:rod:relay:connecting) for an older 4runner that he previously owned, but for the same component that was just replaced. The contact believes that the failure is affecting the newer model 4runner's as well and a recall should be issued. The failure mileage was 230,000 and current mileage was 240,000.

While making a lane change(from lane 3 to lane 4), I suddenly lost control of my 2001 4runner on the freeway, and ended up hydroplaning across the freeway towards the center divider. I was some how able to stop my car mostly in lane 1 and partially in lane 2 but before I could attempt to straighten out my car I was then hit by another vehicle. Due to this impact, my car was a total loss. Roads were wet due to rain and visibility was low due to evening. I feel the cause of the accident may have been due to a ball joint/steering failure because 1. I was moving right but somehow ended up hydroplaning left 2. My front right tire fell off(but this may have been due to impact of the other car hitting my front end-but saw an article about a fatal accident 03/21/2006-2000 4runner where the driver veered right, rolled over, driver died and her left front tire fell off. ). My car veered left and my right front tire fell off, her car veered right and her left front tire fell off. 3. I have 25+ years of experience driving with no major accidents and I was simply making a lane change. I did not make any sudden turns ( I think my SUV would have surely rolled over) ,did not brake suddenly(no one was in lane 4 when I made the lane change) and was not on my cell phone. I later found out(via internet) that there was a recall on 2001-2002 4runner for ball joint failure. I never received a recall notice. I contacted Toyota and was told that my car was not part of the recall. I asked them to investigate the crash and they told me they would need to have the vehicle for 60 days and that someone would call me back in 3 days to set up an appointment, but they never called back to set up the appointment. Since I work full time and have a small child, I am not able to give up my car for 60 days, so I settled with my car insurance.