2000 Toyota Tacoma: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed May 19, 2026 · Suspension · ID

My son was driving the 2000 Toyota Tacoma across very smooth transition railroad tracks at about 25 mph and the right front ball joint failed, collapsing the suspension. He lost all control and the vehicle skidded to a stop. Had he been going any faster, the vehicle could have rolled over. I have reviewed the recalls for Toyota ball joints and found the there is a 50J recall for 2001-2005 Tacomas. Interestingly enough, the trucks/Tacomas from 1995-2000 have the same ball joint but were not included in the recall. I have tried to work with Toyota directly on this matter and they don't seem to want to help me. This is a safety issue and should be elevated to recall levels for all vehicles with this ball joint.

Filed Nov 16, 2020 · Suspension · 140,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that while his son was driving at 30 MPH, the front passenger's side wheel detached from the vehicle without warning. Due to the failure, the passenger's side front end of the vehicle struck the pavement. The vehicle was towed to a private residence. The contact reached out to vann york toyota (500 eastchester dr, high point, nc 27262) and was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to a lower ball joint failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

Filed Nov 2, 2018 · Suspension · 270,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 toyota tacoma. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the front passenger side lower ball joint detached and caused the tire to blow out. There was no warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The dealer was not called. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 270,000.

Filed Oct 3, 2016 · Suspension · 177,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 toyota tacoma. While driving 15 MPH, an abnormal dragging noise was heard coming from the rear of the vehicle. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the lower ball joint failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact mentioned the federal safety agency campaign number: 05v225000 (suspension). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 177,000.

Filed May 20, 2013 · Steering, Suspension · 198,164 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, the vehicle dropped with a loud noise. The contact discovered that the axle was fractured. The vehicle was towed to a dealer for diagnosis and the contact was informed that the axle, lower ball joint, upper ball joint and tie rod would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 198,164.

Filed Aug 13, 2008 · Suspension · 197,000 miles · WA

In the past 23 months the ball joints have failed, causing wheels to fall off, on both sides of my 2000 toyota tacoma. The first was the passenger side which in september 2006. At that time the vehicle was moving at very low speed causing minimal damage but requiring over $900 in repairs. Second was the driver side in august 2008. This time the vehicle was moving downhill at under 40 MPH on gravel road when the wheel fell off [taking axel, break line and cv joint with it]. The tacoma slid out of control for more than 100' before coming to rest. Towing and repairs to get the truck back on the road came to $1,053. There is some additional damage in the wheel well and the door is not fitting properly but that has not been examined by a repairman as of yet.