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Toyota Camry ball joint problems

54 of the 17,932 owner complaints about the Toyota Camry describe ball joint or control arm failure, most of them for the 2011 model year.

owner complaints
54
worst model year
2011
typical mileage
47,000
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

  • 2022
    1
  • 2019
    1
  • 2018
    1
  • 2017
    1
  • 2015
    2
  • 2014
    5
  • 2013
    1
  • 2012
    2
  • 2011
    15
  • 2009
    1
  • 2008
    1
  • 2007
    2
  • 2006
    2
  • 2005
    4
  • 2003
    2
  • 2002
    1
  • 2001
    2
  • 2000
    1
  • 1999
    3
  • 1998
    1
  • 1997
    1
  • 1996
    2
  • 1995
    1
  • 1993
    1

What owners say

Filed Mar 27, 2026 · Suspension, Transmission · 80,000 miles · DC

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Camry. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, and the contact was informed that there was a transmission leak and ball joint failure. The vehicle was repaired. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle jerked while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, and the contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that the part was on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

Filed Feb 20, 2026 · Wheels · AZ

Premature Ball Joint Wear A loosened ball joint may separate from the knuckle and could cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash. This recall is from 2014. I barely purchased it not long ago. I have been having the oil from my ball joint driver side wheel spray all over the car randomly. This recall says everything I experience with it. It makes a clicking noise while turning my wheel to the right but a softer clicking noise if turning left.

Filed Sep 3, 2024 · Suspension · TX

the left front suspension lower arm making weird noises while driving. Looks like it is related to open recall on same model "t he left front suspension lower arm may have an improperly manufactured bolt hole where it connects to the ball joint." But my vehicle in not included in open recall - called up toyota customer service and they asked me to go thru the federal safety agency.

Filed Aug 27, 2024 · Acceleration, Engine · MA · crash

Problem: Unintended Acceleration, air conditioner operating. Incident Scenario: Approaching driveway, stopped to allow pedestrian to pass. Resumed low speed turn into driveway, Abrupt acceleration of vehicle, launching vehicle over granite curb and into nearby tree. Damage: Passenger R.Front Fender, Passenger Headlamp Assy;Lower Control Arm Assy, Front Bumper cover, Passenger wheel rim bent, tire deflated. Unintended vehicle acceleration is a serious safety defect and can occur when the Idle Air Control Valve is defective or is provided incorrect engine rpm signal from Engine Control Computer causing sudden vehicle acceleration.

Filed Mar 15, 2023 · Steering, Suspension · LA

When I first purchased the car I unlocked the lever to adjust my steering wheel and from that moment further my car never drove the same. If I do not play with the lever for the tilt steering and move steering wheel up and down while driving my car does not drive normal. The tires either feel like they were laying down flat when making a turn either way to the left or the right and the car seemed to be at a different position than my steering wheel was. I changed my lower control arms, inner tire rods(Front), outer tire rods(front),This is all since January of 2022. I contacted the dealership immediately when I began noticing the problem and they told me nothing was wrong with the car and they couldn't not help me. Now when I am driving it sounds like a belt shifted on a tire but hasn't or something is rubbing. My steering wheel shakes when braking, and my steering wheel is really tight. If I put my traction control on off and drive it somewhat drives better but the rubbing sounds from the front still appears. If I play with the tilt lever and move steering wheel in and out or up and down I can feel the transmission almost like releasing from straining but never feels as if it is straining if that makes since. The lever for tilt steering is sometimes really loose like it is about to fall off but other times it is so tight that I am afraid it will snap if I lock it back. No one seems to understand what is the issue at the mechanic shops I brought it too. And I am so scared of driving it that I have parked it since august because I am afraid for my safety and my childrens safety. I have heard and read about other camrys this year model having similar issues. One time my abs light and traction lights came on during my drive and then went off moments later. If I dont play with the lever and tilt steering during a drive, the steering wheel while shake, car wobbles and sounds like mud tires are on it, and the car glides all over the road and turns make as if tires flat.

Filed Feb 21, 2023 · Body, Steering · FL

On 2/18/23 I took my car into the repair shop to investigate a clunking sound upon braking. The control arm was broken and the level of corrosion is extensive. I am the original and only owner and the car has never been out of Florida or on the beach or immersed in water. Toyota of North America in Plano, TX said they could not receive my pictures and that there was no one at Toyota that I could send documents to. They said if there was a recall I would be notified.

Filed Jan 13, 2023 · Tires · NY · crash

On November 17, 2022 at approximately 1:30pm the 3 1/2 month brand new 2022 Toyota Camry with approximately 5000 miles was being driven northbound on Interstate 85 in the left lane in dry conditions. Then suddenly a noise was heard and the car began to veer out of control to the left towards the center median and embankment. The car finally came to a stop down the embankment. Upon exiting the vehicle and walking around the car it was noticed that the passenger rear tire sidewall had completely separated from the tread, leaving two distinct and separate pieces of the tire remaining. Those two pieces were the outside side wall and bead as one piece and the second piece was the tread and inside sidewall and bead which was still attached to the wheel. There was also damage to the front nose and rear of the car, wheels and cut on one of the other tires' sidewall. The tire that became separated had no punctures or damage to the inside sidewall as reported by two service technicians at Toyota of Bristol, Tennessee, (See attached note by technician). Two Tennessee Police officers responded, saying we were lucky to survive the accident. There was no prior indication of loss of tire pressure from the TPMS system on the car before this incident, and tire pressures were checked just a few days before on November 14, 2022. That day, the car was repaired by Toyota of Bristol, sufficient to continue our journey home to NY. Upon returning home, we brought the car to the dealership we purchased the car from (Mariano Rivera Toyota) and they provided the attached estimate with damage indicated and part numbers that include, but are not limited to, front bumper, front end covers, suspension control arms, struts, fender liners, front fender, rear quarter panel, rear bumper, wheel damage, roof damage, along with other damages, detailed in the attached estimate. All this damage was caused by a defective tire that had a sidewall separation from the tread resulting in loss of control

Filed Oct 28, 2022 · Suspension · FL

The Toyota dealership told me that the lower ball joints (LF & RF) must be replaced and that grease is leaking.

Filed Sep 27, 2022 · Suspension · 50,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at AAA for an inspection, the technician informed her that the control arm had detached from the ball joint. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

Filed Jun 28, 2021 · Suspension · 46,302 miles · MA

The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in for routine maintenance, it was determined that the steering inner tie rods were loose, and the entire steering rack needed to be replaced. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was repaired, and the failure was remedied. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 46,302.

Related recalls

Suspension: front: control arm: lower armReported November 13, 2014 · 56 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2011 Toyota Camry vehicles manufactured March 8, 2011, to July 20, 2011. In the affected vehicles, the rubber boot on the front suspension lower arm ball joint may have been damaged during manufacturing. The damage could cause the boot to leak lubricant grease which could then cause the ball joint to wear and loosen prematurely.
Risk
A loosened ball joint may separate from the knuckle and could cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the ball joint, free of charge. The recall began on December 16, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1‑800‑331‑4331.

Recall number 14V732000 · Recall details

Suspension: front: control arm: lower armReported November 7, 2014 · 5,650 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2014 Toyota Camry, Camry HV, Avalon, and Avalon HV vehicles equipped with 16-inch and 17-inch rims. In the affected vehicles, the left-side front suspension lower arm may have been incorrectly manufactured. As a result, the left side lower arm may not have enough clamping surface area for one of the bolts that secures the lower arm to the lower ball joint.
Risk
Because of the insufficient clamping force, the lower arm may separate from the ball joint, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left side lower arm, free of charge. The recall began on December 12, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1‑800‑331‑4331.

Recall number 14V715000 · Recall details

Suspension: rearReported June 5, 2000 · 541 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Due to improper heat treatment, the rear axle may not have adequate strength in some areas.
Risk
After extended use of the vehicle, the rear axle shafts could fail or break.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the rear axle hub assemblies.

Recall number 00V154000 · Recall details

Questions about the Toyota Camry ball joint

Which Toyota Camry years have ball joint or control arm failure problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2011 (15 complaints), 2014 (5 complaints) and 2005 (4 complaints).

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