1997 Toyota Tacoma: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Jun 21, 2012 · Suspension · AL

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that the front driver side ball joint was repaired twice. The front passenger side coil spring was replaced once. Each time the ball joints failed, it caused the vehicle to fall to the ground and would need a special truck to towing. The contact stated that the dealer repaired the vehicle, but had never given a cause for the failure. The contact stated the failure recurred within seven months apart. The failure mileage was unknown, but the current mileage was 144,000.

Filed Jun 30, 2010 · Steering, Suspension · 186,500 miles · CO

1. Driving normally, my 1997 toyota tacoma's front passenger tire fell off at an intersection. The ball joint failed. It was towed to a service place today. Had I been driving at highway speed, myself and passengers could have been killed or seriously injured. 2. Has not happened before. The vehicle is well maintained. 3. Waiting on repair parts and estimate.

Filed Nov 21, 2008 · Body · 172,000 miles · KY

This complaint is regarding problems I have had with my 1997 toyota tacoma and with toyota headquarters living up to their recall of 1995-2000 tacoma's with frame rust/failure. On april 25, 2008 I purchased a used 1997 toyota tacoma from a used car dealer for $3200. On or about october 15th, 2008 I experienced a total failure of the passengers side ball joint causing me to lose control of the vehicle and running off onto the median. When getting the vehicle repaired, the service man told that my frame looked bad and that I should take it to a toyota dealer to get it checked for frame rust. He told me that toyota was either fixing or buying back the trucks with bad frames. On or about october 22, 2008 I took my 1997 tacoma to brad hughes toyota in prestonsburg ky for an evaluation of the frame. The dealer confirmed that my truck did indeed have a bad frame and that toyota would contact me. They said that I could expect to receive 150% of kelley blue book value and that I would be contacted within 2 weeks with an offer on my truck. On november 20, 2008 I received a call from charles zachary of toyota headquarters, phone number 1‑800‑331‑4331. Mr zachary offered me $1500 (kbb blue book trade in value), not 150% as promised in the letter that toyota promised in the recall letter. Although I am worried about the bad frame, I had to decline the offer. I can't afford to lose $2700 on a truck I purchased earlier this year. Mr zachary's reason for offering so little was that I bought the truck after march, when the letters went out. And that the dealer that I bought the truck was responsible for selling me a truck with a bad frame. Toyota is putting lives in danger by refusing to live up to their promise of buying back the vehicles that have bad frames. The service dept at the toyota dealer where I took my truck for inspection said that I was getting a raw deal from toyota. They said that they had never heard of this happening before. I am afraid to drive it.

Filed May 30, 2007 · Suspension · 201,000 miles · TN

Tl*the contact owns a 1997 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that the front axle failed on may 29, 2007. He called the local toyota dealer who looked up his VIN. The vehicle was not included in the recalls issued for older models of his vehicle. The contact's insurance agency referred him to the federal safety agency. The engine size was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 201,000. The lower ball joint had failed. Updated 07/06/07.

Filed Mar 20, 2002 · Suspension · FL · crash · 2 injuries

While driving and without warning, the upper ball joint broke and the front wheel came off, resulting in a rollover, there were 2 injuries.*ak. Consumer believes that part was defective and that manufacturer should replace vehicle.