2001 Toyota 4RUNNER: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Feb 19, 2026 · Suspension · 275,000 miles · CO

The contact owns a 2001 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 MPH, there was a thumping and clicking sound coming from the front of the vehicle before the front passenger’s side of the vehicle unintendedly lowered. The vehicle was stopped and inspected, and the ball joint was touching the ground. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the lower ball joint had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 275,000.

Filed Dec 27, 2018 · Body · 117,000 miles · OR

Frame rust issues. My frame has been rusting away for the entire time I've owned it, and it isn't getting any better. The passenger inside frame rail is rusted from the rear lower control arm mount to the cross member mount midway down the frame. The driver inside frame rail is rusted at the lower control arm mount as well, and slightly in front of it. When I purchased the vehicle I noticed a slight pit, and didn't think anything of it. Over the next year that pit got bigger until there was a large opening that you could fit two hands inside of.

Filed Aug 22, 2018 · Body · 192,000 miles · NY

The frame on my 2001 rotted very quickly from the inside out. It is the same exact frame used on the tacoma (which was recalled) and on the 2002 4runner, which is currently under investigation. If I didn't get the necessary frame repairs it easily could have cracked in half when on the road. The main areas of rot are located at the rear control arm (which I had professionally repaired), and up front near the suspension and axle. My brothers 1997 4runner axle and suspension completely fell apart when he was driving on the road. He was lucky to not be on the highway. Someone definitely needs to look into this issue. I purchased the vehicle from the south four years ago (2014) with a spotless rock hard frame. Four years later the rear control arm areas mentioned above completely rotted through. This should not happen! I love my 4runner, but I can't believe how these truck frames weren't recalled along with the tacoma frames. It is the same exact frame...

Filed Jan 13, 2017 · Suspension · OH

Frame rust on left rear frame at attachment point of lower control arm which locates axle to frame. Rust holes in frame around this same area.

Filed Jan 27, 2016 · Body · 135,000 miles · MD

The gram has rust perforation in which the left rear control arm has separated from the frame. While I was driving a heard a pop and started to lose proper control in steering vehicle.

Filed Aug 31, 2015 · 117,000 miles · MO

This is an ongoing issue with toyota frames. The frames on the 3rd generation 4runner, and the equivalent frame on the toyota tacoma are prone to rotting. Toyota stepped up to replace the tacoma frames since they were cracking in half. Although, the 4runners are suffering from the exact same issues and toyota is doing nothing about it. I've recently had to remove a 2" x 24" section of frame on the passenger side that was completely rusted through. The frame rot is occurring from the rear lower control arm mount on the passenger side of the car forward until the cross member.

Filed Oct 27, 2013 · Body · 147,000 miles · CT

Brought vehicle to toyota dealer for removal of seized hardware. Technician pointed out rust spot on frame, rot has spread to wheel well on both sides of frame and has continued down to transmission crossmember. Technician pointed out rot has eaten through frame on both sides at rear control arm bracket. Spoke with other early 2000's 4runner owners who all have rot in same places. Preventative maintenance practices have been used on this vehicle since I purchased it. Frame has no drainage holes forward of rust holes in wheel wells. Concerned for other 4runner owners who are unaware of rust spots by control arm brackets. Further rust on frame in same spot on other vehicles could result in separation of bracket, control arm and rear axle from frame.

Filed May 30, 2008 · Suspension · 98,000 miles · NC

I purchased a used 2001 toyota 4 runner 4 wheel drive last year with approx 88 k mile. Prior to giving it to my daughter I replaced the tires ( goodyear) and took the vehicle to my local toyota dealership on 6-2-2007 requesting a full check of the vehicle to verify road worthiness prior to giving it to my 16 year old daughter. They suggested and performed 90 k maintenance package including suspension inspection and front end alignment. She returned to virginia and has been driving it daily on paved roads to high school. She has not taken it off road or used the 4 wheel drive. Last weekend she was slowly turning into her friends driveway and the right front wheel broke off the axle collapsing the wheel and ripping out the front axel. A state trooper passing by indicated at highway speeds this likely would of flipped the vehicle. Thank heavens she was going less than 10 MPH. The vehicle was towed and at a local repair shop it was noted that the lower ball joint "dropped down" triggering the catastrophic front end failure. Toyota recalled 210,000 axles on the prados vehicle ( not distributed in USA) which is on a similar platform as the 4 runner. Blog entries describe similar failures with the wheels snapping off. I contacted my toyota service manager and described the failure. I requested he evaluate and asked if they missed this on their inspection in june. I also request that they cover the repair costs of approx. $600.00 to include a detailed inspection and l ball joint replacement. He indicated they would not cover the repair expenses. My concern is this failure should not have occurred if the joint was assessed as road worthy june 2007 and only approx. 9 k miles have been added since then with no pothole or off road trauma noted. How can I be assured that this won't happen again maybe at highway speeds with life threatening outcomes? Have similar complaints been filed? Does this warrant further investigation by your agency and or toyota?

Filed Apr 27, 2006 · Steering, Suspension · 48,000 miles · CA · crash

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.