Front Suspension Control Arm problems of the 2007 Toyota Yaris

Broken bolt for control arm of suspension. Passenger side bolt head broken off, causing knocking during bumps/acceleration/breaking. Recommendation to replace bolt & control arm for suspension on both sides to mitigate issue. Research on this issue has shown that this is not uncommon for the Toyota Yaris control arm bolts. This is a serious hazard should the bolt break during use.

Clunking noise heard during vehicle operation over roadway bumps or application of brakes. Inspected to find front lower control arm bolt corroded and cracked. This bolt is located at the rear of this control arm and passes through the subframe. Bolt head and portion of shank was missing due to corrosion and fatigue failure. Lower control arm was loose, posing an unsafe operation condition. Toyota has an existing TSB on this issue. I brought my vehicle to a certified mechanic and paid repair costs out of pocket. Subframe removed, portion of bolt extracted and replaced. This issue needs to be re-evaluated for a recall possibility.

I am experiencing a clunking noise coming from the front of the vehicle. The noise is most often heard under acceleration or deceleration. The bolts that secure the control arms to the sub frame are corroding and breaking off, causing separation of the control arm from the sub frame and loss of control of the car.

The problem had been developing for about a week. There seemed to be some clunking in the front end. When I would stop, the vehicle would lurch forward a little. My first thought was that something like a break part or tire was loose from the front, passenger side. On Friday is seemed worse after pulling in to a driveway. I had the problem diagnosed at the dealer. They said the head of a bolt on the lower control arm had rusted/corroded/sheered off. Their estimated cost was about $650. The vehicle was out of the manufacture's warranty. My extended 120k mile/ 96 month warranty covers upper and lower control arms, but they refused to cover this repair. Having their refusal explained to me twice, I'm still not sure why. It seems that they make a practice of denying all claims regardless of what they are. (auto exam, houston, TX. ).

Klunking noise heard during vehicle operation over roadway bumps or application of brakes. Inspected to find front lower control arm bolt missing from driverside subframe and evidence of corrosion. This bolt is located at the rear of this control arm and passes through the subframe. Bolt head and portion of shank was missing due to corrosion and fatique failure. Lower control arm was loose, posing an unsafe operation condition. Toyota has an existing TSB on this issue but dealer stated that TSB repair timeframe is past due so this repair was paid out of pocket. Subframe removed, portion of bolt extracted, and both lower control arms replaced due to resultant damages. Build up of water and salt in the bolt area looks to excellerate corrosion and lead to bolt failure on either side this car. This issue needs to be re-evaluated for a recall possibility.