Front Suspension Lower Ball Joint problems of the 2001 Toyota Tacoma

Left front wheel broke off a arm. Lower ball joint completely missing. Vehicle has 160442 miles. No indication of steering problem. Tires were rotated one month before accident I replaced the tire and asked the mechanic if he does a visual inspection. The answer was yes.

Lower ball joints have failed. While other 2001 Tacoma's were in the recall, mine is not included, even though it is the same failure! the tires have are wearing unevenly and there is some stability issue. There seems to be "pulling" to one side as well.

I have replaced the lower ball joints five times in the last four years. Three on the drivers side and twice on the passengers side. Twice I was in someone's driveway twice I was traveling on a highway and once I was turning a corner. I received a recall notice about five years ago however I never reaponded at the time. Now when I look on this website it says there was no recall so I am unsure how to proceed.

The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tacoma. While driving at 30 mph, the suspension ball joint detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 250,000.

While turning right out of parking lot at slow speed, passenger side wheel disengaged from lower ball joint leading to loss of steering.

The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 mph, the steering wheel began to vibrate excessively. The failure occurred only when driving 50 mph or greater. The vehicle was taken to an independent, who informed that both front lower ball joints would need to be replaced. The VIN was not included in the NHTSA campaign id number: 05v225000 (suspension) and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 194,000.

After being driven on the highway approximately 60 miles, the 2001 Toyota Tacoma truck was being backed into the driveway when steering suddenly locked. Upon inspection, it was determined that the front passenger wheel was no longer attached to the car. The lower ball joint had failed. I determined that Toyota issued a recall for my vehicle model and year (NHTSA campaign number: 05v225000) for this issue, with the following consequence: the lower ball joint may separate from the knuckle causing loss of steering control and a crash could occur. It seems that our vehicle experienced this issue for which vehicles were recalled by Toyota. However, when I called Toyota, I was told that our VIN was not included in the recall and that Toyota was not willing to do anything. We had to spend the money and time to fix the failed ball joint and are considering replacing the driver side ball joint prophylactically as we no longer trust the wheels to remain on our truck. I have never seen a wheel come off a car. If the wheel had disengaged from our car 2 minutes prior, when the vehicle was moving at highway speeds, the consequences could have been severe. I am very disappointed that Toyota is not including our car in the recall - even though the exact same issue for which the recall was issued (for our vehicle model and year) occurred on our car. If the accident had happened at high speeds, someone would have died and a lawyer would be contacting Toyota and NHTSA. Perhaps the recall needs to be expanded!.

While driving down a road at about 5 mph, my lower left ball joint (driver side) separated without any warning causing my truck to lose control as the entire truck collapsed onto my driver side tire, because the suspension was no longer holding it up. In the event that I had been going much faster (possibly even ten miles per hour) I feel that the wheel would have completely ripped off, causing extensive damage and complete loss of control. I then found out Toyota had made a recall on this part and when I contacted them, I was apparently 2 weeks past the recall window. I feel that the recall should be extended due to the sheer number of these trucks that are still on the road. When the lower ball joint fails, it is a catastrophic event that can very easily result in a crash.

The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving 40 mph the front driver side tire became detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the contacts residence. The tow truck driver informed the contact of NHTSA campaign id number: 05v225000 (suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 166,836.

The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken in for a brake repair when the technician advised that the ball joints failed. The contact was told there was a recall under NHTSA campaign id number: 05v225000 (suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint), but the manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The failure and the current mileage was 144,000.

The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tacoma sr 5 extended cab. The contact was driving 3-4 mph when the vehicle drove over a road bump and the lower ball joint proceeded to detached from the passenger side front tire. The vehicle then unexpectedly drifted forward three feet. The vehicle was towed to a local repair shop where it was confirmed that the lower ball joint detached and needed to be replaced, along with the brake line. The manufacturer was contacted and they confirmed the VIN failed to qualify for repairs under NHTSA campaign id number:05v225000 (suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint). The failure and current mileages were 129,660.

The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tacoma. The contact was driving approximately 2 mph and the front end of the vehicles passenger side collapsed to the ground. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who stated the lower ball joint separated from the knuckle would need to be replaced. There was a recall related to the failure under NHTSA campaign id number 05v225000 (suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint); however the VIN was not included. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 212,000.

The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated the upper and lower ball joint failed on the front drivers side wheel and fell off. The contact towed the vehicle to the dealer who confirmed that the ball joint failed. The dealer stated there was a recall, but that the vehicle was no included in NHTSA recall campaign id number: 05v225000 (suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint). The failure and current mileages was 175,000.

The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tacoma. The contact was driving approximately 30 mph when a loud noise was coming from the front end of the vehicle. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and inspected the vehicle. The ball joints on the front passenger side broke and the entire wheel detached causing damages to the axle. The vehicle was towed to his residence. The dealer was notified of the failure. There was a recall under NHTSA campaign id number 05v225000 (suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint). The VIN was excluded from the recall. The manufacturer stated that the repairs would be at the owner expense. The failure mileage was 186,000.

The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tacoma. While attempting to make a left turn at 15 mph, the contact heard a popping noise coming from the front passenger side wheel. The tire detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a dealer and they stated that the ball joints failed, which caused the wheel to detach and the axle to fail. The insurance company inspected the vehicle and confirmed the ball joint failure. While the vehicle was being repaired, the insurance company notified the contact of NHTSA campaign id number 05v225000 (suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint). The manufacturer stated that the VIN was excluded from the recall. He believes that the recall should have included his vehicle. The current and failure mileages were 134,000.

Driving around curve at 5mph and front left wheel broke at ball joint and my truck fell on top of wheel bending my fender. I had to have truck towed and had both ball joints replace, $453 worth of repairs, not having had my fender fixed yet. My truck was man. In 05/01, missing the recall on the same problem by a few months. I'm blessed to have it happen at low speed, no telling what would have happened if it happened on the highway.

After noticing that the truck developed unusual tire wear and shaking and noise coming from the front end ,making the truck difficult and hazardous to drive. A private technician indicated that the front ball joints needed to be replaced. I was made aware of a Toyota recall, and was informed that although this vehicle was exhibiting the exact condition described in the recall that was on identical make, model and year this truck was not part of the recall and would not be covered due to the VIN.

No failure as of yet, but have two lower ball joints on my vehicle that both are out of tolerance at the same time. Seems that my make and model year had a recall on the lower ball joints but they are telling me that my vehicle wasn't included. It seems very odd that the ball joints are both out at the same time, almost like there is a problem with more of the joints than they initially expected.

Front suspension lower ball joint. My 2001 Toyota Tacoma double cab VIN# 5tehn72n51z840377 has diagnosed with a worn lower right front ball joint. I have been complaining about a noise in the front suspension for the past 50,000+ miles. Initially the noise occurred while taking left turns, now the noise occurs during all phases of operation (left& right turns, and stopping). Toyota claims my that the recall is VIN specific and mine is not covered by the recall/TSB. Yet my vehicle exhibits all the symptoms described in TSB 05015 (NHTSA #100015504) and has for several years.

: the contact stated while turning the steering wheel there was a popping noise. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop where it was determined that the lower ball joint was causing the noise. There is a NHTSA recall, # 05v225000, regarding the front lower ball joint. The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however it is not included in the recall due to the VIN. No repairs have been made. Updated 3/20/2006 -.

The consumer stated that his 2001 Toyota Tacoma was traveling at 35 mph when the tire started making noise. Vehicle pulled to the right when the consumer pulled over to check the problem. Discovered that the lower ball joint broke. The consumer called Toyota and was told that this vehicle was not covered under the recall due to VIN, although it had the same problem as mentioned in the recall. The location of the ball joint was the passenger side front ball joint. The consumer was having that fixed today. Toyota offered no free remedy to the consumer. Updated 11/2/2005.

Without warning the vehicle started to shift to the right and the front tires were wearing too fast, and driver's side tire was swollen. Caller stated all the tires were affected. Dealer couldn't tell if this vehicle was in recall. Caller said could not get in touch with manufacturer. Recall was on ball joints, but the manufacturer has not yet contacted vehicle's owners.

The contact stated there was a Toyota recall on 2004-2004 Toyota Tacomas regarding the frontal ball joints. The consumer has a 2001 Toyota Tacoma which did not fall under the recall campaign, but the consumer had to replace both front ball joints on June 8, 2004. There was a vibration and a rubbing noise coming from the front end of vehicle. This was the same problem that was stated in the recall. The consumer contacted the manufacturer; they opened a case and did provide the consumer with case number 200508100951. The rotors and pads were replaced.

My 2001 Toyota Tacoma was involved in a accident. At the trial the accident reconstruction person said he could not understand why the crash happened that it looked like some one had yanked the wheel very hard. The trial was for manslaughter and it took place before the recall. The truck was never inspected by a mechanic. I feel this was the cause for the accident.