Front Suspension Lower Ball Joint Problems of Toyota Tacoma - part 1

Tl the contact owns a 2000 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while his son was driving at 30 mph, the front passenger's side wheel detached from the vehicle without warning. Due to the failure, the passenger's side front end of the vehicle struck the pavement. The vehicle was towed to a private residence. The contact reached out to vann york Toyota (500 eastchester dr, high point, nc 27262) and was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to a lower ball joint failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

See all problems of the 2000 Toyota Tacoma 🔎.

Yes I was driving my Toyota Tacoma on the highway doing 55mph when the driver side lower ball joint broke. This caused my shut to snap in half also caused the control arm to break. Wouldn't have been so bad had the truck not been so rusty. Now facing issues with the fuel system being covered in rust. And the leaf springs are on the verge of breaking off the frame due to rust. The person I purchased the truck from said he had never received any kind of notice of the rust recall. Seems kinda funny to me only 25% of the owners of Toyotas were notified to do something about the rust issue. Thank god im still alive. He is the only thing that saved me. I will dig out all of my receipts and ulad them very soon.

Approximately 5 years ago 125k miles lower ball joint failure front driver's side separation. 11/11/18 approximately 250k miles left driver's side ball joint separation. Total loss of control. If I had been at high spped serious injury or death might have occurred.

~tl the contact owns a 2000 Toyota Tacoma. While driving approximately 60 mph, the lower ball joint detached and caused the tire to blow out. There was no warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The dealer was not called. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 270,000.

Front lower ball joints early signs of failure could lead to major accident. Clunking sounds from front end. Grease already leaking. Fear of joint failure.

See all problems of the 2009 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.

See all problems of the 2001 Toyota Tacoma 🔎.

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.

Lower ball joint broke on both driver side as well as the passenger side. Vibration/humming sound while driving at all speeds , had tires and frontend checked with no issues found. I spoke to Toyota about this issue & they refuse to acknowledge that there is an issue & have mentioned that my vehicle is not under recall. Costs close to $980. 00 to fix.

See all problems of the 2004 Toyota Tacoma 🔎.

Tl- the contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicles lower ball joint failed; causing the passenger side front tire to detach from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the lower control arm had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 170,000. Wh.

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 2004 Toyota Tacoma. While driving 45 mph, the contact heard an abnormal popping noise under the vehicle. The contact discovered that the lower ball joint failed and the wheel went under the vehicle. The contact noticed the frame skidding on the highway. The vehicle was towed away, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 228,000.

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!.

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while turning at 10 mph, the contact lost control of the steering wheel as the front driver's side dropped to the ground. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic where the front suspension lower ball joint was found to be separated, causing the front suspension to fail. The manufacturer advised the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number 05v225000 (suspension). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 175,640.

See all problems of the 2003 Toyota Tacoma 🔎.

Lower ball joint severed. My family and I were lucky that it did not happen a few minutes before on highway going 60mph. We were on an extended trip and had slowed down going through a town, stopped and were making a u-turn when the front left wheel practically fell off.

See all problems of the 1999 Toyota Tacoma 🔎.

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving 3 mph, the driver's side lower ball joint fractured. The contact inspected the vehicle and discovered that the ball joint failed due to defective material, insufficient lubrication and the press fit of the ball join assembly was not correct. The contact replaced the lower ball joint assembly himself. The manufacturer was contacted and advised that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 05v225000 (suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint). The failure and current mileage was 116,000.

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 2002 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while traveling 25 mph, the front passenger side wheel separated from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a private mechanic where it was confirmed that the ball joint had failed, similar tothe defect listed in NHTSA campaign id number: 05v225000 (suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint). The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was 220,000.

See all problems of the 2002 Toyota Tacoma 🔎.

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 2002 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a local mechanic for routine maintenance when the mechanic advised that the frame was corroded. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for further inspection or repairs. The manufacturer was contacted and they advised that the VIN qualified for repairs under NHTSA campaign id number: 05v225000 (suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint) but the recall was expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 88,500 and the current mileage was 89,000.

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving 13 mph, the front driver’s side wheel detached from the vehicle. The wheel detached due to a fracture at the ball joint. An authorized dealer had not been notified. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but failed to offer any assistance because the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 05v225000 (suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint). No repairs were performed. The failure and current mileages were 153,000.

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.

While driving away from my house at 5mph, at night in the rain, approximately 200 feet from my driveway and just after a speed bump, I heard and felt a loud noise, like driving over a concrete block. I stopped the truck and using a flashlight saw that the wheel was bent at an angle and the lower ball joint was completely sheared off. Had to call a tow truck to get it out of the road and back to our driveway.

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 2002 Toyota Tacoma. The contact was driving approximately 20 mph and attempting a right turn when the frame fractured from the vehicle, leaving the wheel connected by the brake line only. The vehicle was towed to the contacts place of residence. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and they confirmed that there was a recall for that year, make and model (NHTSA campaign id number: 05v225000-suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint) but the recall did not include his VIN. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.

2002 Toyota Tacoma. Consumer states as he attempted to make a right turn, the front end of the vehicle fell apart while driving. Axle dug into the street causing the ball joints to separate from their knuckle sleeves. Suspension fell apart damaging the vehicle. The consumer stated the only thing holding the tire to the vehicle was the brake line. The consumer was advised his vehicle identification was not a part of the recall.

The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving 15 mph, he heard a loud pop while turning right and lost control of the vehicle. The contact pulled over. He noticed that the front passenger side tire disconnected from the lower control arm and folded beneath the passenger side fender. The vehicle was towed to a local repair shop. The contact was informed that recall 05v225000 (suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint) did not include his vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. The contact was traveling 55 mph when the front passenger wheel came off. Right before the wheel came off, the vehicle started pulling to the right. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic who stated that the vehicle experienced failure in the lower ball joint. The contact spoke with the manufacturer and was told that the vehicle was not included in the recall campaign 05v225000, suspension. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 385000.

The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Tacoma. While the contact was traveling out of a curve in the road at approximately 25 mph, the wheel suddenly disengaged and rolled underneath the front driver side door. The vehicle was towed to a dealer and they informed that the failure was related to the lower ball joint. There was a recall under NHTSA campaign id number 05v225000 (suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint). The lower ball joint failure caused other damages to the vehicle. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 156,0000.

This is a long shot in the dark but its worth a try. Toyota has a recall out for the 2004 Toyota Tacoma ball joint. The recall summary : on certain sport utility vehicles, due to manufacturing issue in the front suspension lower ball joint, there is a possibility that the surface of the ball joint may have been scratched. The ball joint may eventually experience excessive wear and looseness, resulting in increased steering effort. Consequence: the lower ball joint may separate from the knuckle causing loss of steering control and a crash could occur. Remedy: dealer will replace the front suspension lower ball joints free of charge. The recall began on July 5, 2005. I own a 2004 Toyota Tacoma and I was coming home from los angeles my steering felt kind of funny felt like I had a flat tire so I pulled off the road and checked the tires but everything seemed to be fine I continued driving I came into town and turned onto vista chino off of the hwy 111 in palm springs all of a sudden the whole front of my truck collapsed and went sliding down the road not being able to stop thank god it didn't do that on the freeway or even in town someone could of lost a life I had it towed to the shell station at the corner I called Toyota and had it taken over to the dealer. I looked online to see if there were any recalls and sure enough there was. I called the recall number corporate Toyota they asked for my VIN# they said that my truck does not fall in under the recall. They had a tech fly out from the factory and said the same thing because my truck was manufactured on a different date. I have done some research and there a lot of consumers that are running into the same problem that I have been through with the VIN#. I could of lost my life or taken someone else's in this collision. Its obvious it is the same problem in the recall, tires just don't break at the ball joint while your driving tires should stay intact to your vehicle.

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.