1998 Toyota Tacoma: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Jul 1, 2015 · Steering · 235,000 miles · CA

I had exited the freeway for fuel. I had to come to a full stop and then make a left turn to go over the freeway. As I made the turn, the right front wheel broke a ball joint and the tire/wheel swung out at a right angle to the car. Given the miles on the car, I accepted the failure of the part. However, the initial failure was repaired by a toyota dealer. Yesterday, 6/30/15, the same failure occurred. I came to a stop to make a right turn. The same thing occurred. My right front wheel broke a ball joint and the tire/wheel turned at 90 degrees to the side of the truck. Something is wrong with the steering system. To break a ball joint, installed by a dealer, after about 13 months is unreasonable. My truck is regularly maintained and I've asked my mechanic to keep an eye on the ball joints after my first problem. He regularly inspected them and kept them greased.

Filed Sep 6, 2014 · Steering, Suspension · 149,000 miles · CA

Driving down a busy boulevard, my wheel fell off and my vehicle slammed on the ground. I am lucky to not have killed anyone, and am still afraid to drive my vehicle. Faulty ball joints + rusted frames make this vehicle potentially very dangerous. Toyota initiated a program to buy tacomas back directly from consumers, but I was not notified of the program. Now I am stuck with a potentially incredibly dangerous truck.

Filed Jun 16, 2008 · Suspension · 114,000 miles · VA

Front suspension lower ball joint failed while in operation. Resulting in separation from the knuckle, causing a collapse in the suspension and loss of steering control while driving. The collapse happened in traffic and caused other damage to the vehicle including drive shaft and tire damage.

Filed Aug 27, 2001 · Steering · NH

Dealer went for a test ride, and said the noise was coming from tire wear. I refused new tires there, and went home to tell my husband, who spent his lunch hour pointing out the faulty rack and pinion. They then put it on the lift a second time to agree with us that the tie rods and rack and pinion needed replacement. We opted to see another repairman locally who was amazed to see the rack and pinion so rusted, it has been described as looking worse than the bilge on a lobster boat. The boot has been retaining water and the whole assembly was said to be highly corrosive. People need to be alerted. This truck drives in snow and dirt roads not across the ocean. We will be contacting the dealer again tomorrow to see what they think of the situation.

Filed Aug 6, 2000 · Steering · LA

Dealer advised that truck had sat in water for a large amount of time for grease to escape rack end boots. Truck has never been in deep water, only dirt roads. Rack ends are rusted and need replacement. Truck has been through two sets of tires both being the type supplied by toyota with the vehicle. We get about 12000 miles on 50000 mile tires, truck wears tires as if faulty front end parts. Tie rod end on drivers side bad, probably cause of tire wear, been to dealer several times to complain about tire wear. Never inspected tie rod ends or shocks, dealer said they get many complaints on tire wear on these trucks.*ak( dot number: tire size: 265/75r/15 )