The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated that while completing an inspection and emissions test on the vehicle, the mechanic informed the contact that there was severe rust on the rear subframe of the vehicle, near the control arm, and several other areas on the subframe. The contact stated that there were several holes on the subframe caused by the extreme rust. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 203,000.
2004 Toyota Sequoia: ball joint or control arm failure
22 of the 380 complaints about the 2004 Toyota Sequoia describe ball joint or control arm failure.
- owner complaints
- 22
- of this car's complaints
- 6%
- typical mileage
- 109,012
- recalls
- 2
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls and 2 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Ball joint or control arm failure by model year
What owners say
I was simply parking my 2004 toyota sequoia in parking lot space. Left front tire fell completely off the car without any previous warning of pending problems! Ball joint catastrophically failed! Prior recent new tires and alignment showed no pending problems. Did a check and found many prior ball joint issues for this car and a prior recall years ago. Towed to toyota dealership in capitola ca. They replaced ball joint and related parts. They charged me lots of money claiming that this vehicle had "previously been recalled and repaired in 2007 so no liability on their part. I called toyota corporate and complained and was bounced around until a fellow named "garret" told me the ball joints had been "fixed" in 2007 during a recall. Great. Then why do these issues continue? My car is driven only on public streets and there was no warning of this impending failure. The ball joint and related simply failed catastrophically. I take excellent care of this vehicle as I intended on keeping it regardless of mileage. What bs is toyota pulling when their sequoia (and other similar toyota vehicles) continue to catastrophically fail without warning? I wonder how many people died on the freeway etc because of this? I have personally owned and/or family, friends etc. Many cars, trucks etc. Ball joints like brakes, tires hoses etc wear out slowly and give ample warning when they need replacement ie tire wear is increased, steering difficulty etc. Not in toyota's case. There was no warning at all before the wheel just fell off the vehicle. These catastrophic failures of wheels falling off without warning at any moment are horribly dangerous and yet common knowledge including prior recall(s) and yet they still are allowed to continue. This is ridiculous!
Left front (drivers side) wheel ball joint(s) failed catastrophically causing wheel to fall off and wedge under car while pulling into a parking space. No prior warning, no prior noise, no prior steering issues, no strange tire wear (tires just replaced 6 months ago). Just instant and catastrophic failure!
Frame is rusting underneayh to the point where I have had to repair the vehicle control arm which rusted off and broke while driving. My tow hitch mount has rusted off. There are more than 5 spots along the frame where rust has perforated and the frame has visible signs of rot. I had a licensed garage inspect the frame and was told the vehicle is dangerous and that the frame should be replaced. I am having continuous problems with the suspension components rusting out.
Last week, (3/17/16) my neighbor was taking her three children to school in her 2004 toyota sequoia. She was traveling on a new road at approximately 30 MPH when the front end of the vehicle dropped on driver's side. She thought she had a flat tire so she steered to the side of the road. It appears the driver's side, lower ball joint failed (see photos). I called hendrick toyota of apex, nc and talked with mr. John specht (919‑335‑1678). He checked the VIN and said the lower ball joints had a recall and were changed on aug. 15, 2007. He also suggested I contact toyota to request their assistance to cover the cost to repair the vehicle (case no.[xxx]). He advised the vehicle be brought in for the airbag recall too. Vehicle was towed home on a dolly to prevent any damage to the transmission. The vehicle has 215,444 miles and was not used for off-road driving. The vehicle recently passed state inspection with no problems noted about the front end. If the lower ball joints were already replaced in a recall (2007) what did they replace them with, and how did they correct the problem? This failure could have caused a deadly accident at higher speed. When a lower ball joint breaks, the driver can only steer with one wheel.[xxx] 'information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).'
Made a left hand turn and the control arm broke off from rusted frame while traveling at about ten MPH. Repair center says the vehicle is a total loss, because the frame is not safe, nothing to re-attach control arm to!
Vsc trac light and trac off lights on. Also service engine light on. Won't shut off. Brake light also comes on and then off for no reason. I see on complaint list this is issue for many years but toyota refuses to recall vehicles. Maybe not enough injuries or deaths or law suits yet. Not a good way toyota treats customers. Toyota should recall and fix vehicles that have built in - designed in defects. Very disappointing. Also a couple years ago the front ball joint broke...luckily driving slowly and not on the highway.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota sequoia. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH making a right turn, the passenger front tie rod broke due to defective material. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 108,000. Updated 12/12/12 *cn the consumer hit a parked vehicle, after he lost the ability to steer, because the passenger side outer tie rod cracked in half. Updated 12/12/12
2004 toyota sequoia. Attorney requests information for a case *tgw the attorney stated his client suffered back injuries requiring spinal surgery as a result of a defective ball joint.
Toyota sequoia front lower ball joint separated from the knuckle and loose control of the vehicle.
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 toyota sequoia. While starting the vehicle she noticed that brake, vsc and traction warning lights were illuminated on the dash board. There was also a grinding noise when applying brakes. A local repair mechanic inspected the vehicle and stated that the ecu module was failing. The ecu module was cleaned and the warning lights were no longer illuminated. A couple of weeks after the ecu module was cleaned the brake light was illuminated. The dealer stated that the ball joints and brakes were failing and repaired them. While driving in reverse two weeks ago, she noticed a loud squeaking noise coming from the brakes and the brake light was illuminated. The dealer inspected the vehicle and determined that the ecu module needed to be replaced and the cost of repairs would be $2,000. No recent repairs have been made. The contact is in the process of notifying the manufacturer. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 25,000 and the current mileage was 28,200. Updated 01/14/09. *lj the consumer stated the brake and trac lights came on. The ecu module was replaced. Updated 01/21/009
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 toyota sequoia. The contact received a recall for the suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint (the federal safety agency campaign id number 07v013000). The dealer stated that the parts were unavailable and did not know when they would arrive. The contact felt that was unacceptable. There had been no failure to date. The current mileage was 75,000.
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint
- What is wrong
- On certain trucks and mini vans, due to possible improper finishing of the front suspension lower ball joint, some ball joints may experience an incidental deterioration of the internal lubrication. This may cause the ball joint to wear and loosen prematurely, which could result in increased steering effort, reduced vehicle self-centering, and noise in the front suspension.
- Risk
- In extreme cases, if the vehicle is continuously operated in this condition, the lower ball joint may separate from the knuckle and could cause a loss of vehicle control.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the front suspension lower ball joints. The recall began on february 28, 2007. Owners may contact toyota at 1‑800‑331‑4331.
Recall number 07V013000 · Recall details
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint
- What is wrong
- On certain sport utility vehicles, due to a manufacturing issue in the front suspension lower ball joint, there is a possibility that the surface of the ball of the joint may have been scratched. The ball joint may eventually experience excessive wear and looseness, resulting in increased steering effort.
- Risk
- The lower ball joint may separate from the knuckle causing loss of steering control and a crash could occur.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the front suspension lower ball joints free of charge. The recall began on july 5, 2005. Owners may contact toyota at 1‑800‑331‑4331.
Recall number 05V225000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2004 Toyota Sequoia ball joint
Is ball joint or control arm failure a common problem on the 2004 Toyota Sequoia?
22 of 380 owner complaints about the 2004 Toyota Sequoia (6%) mention ball joint or control arm failure. The model year with the most reports is 2004.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2004 Toyota Sequoia?
There are 2 recalls and 2 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2004 Toyota Sequoia
ABS 53Check engine light 29Grinding brakes 24Loss of power 18Door locks 12Jerking 8Brake failure 7Warning lights 6
VIN decoder
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