2001 Toyota Tacoma: loss of power steering

Filed Oct 31, 2016 · Steering, Suspension · 200,000 miles · SC · crash · 1 injury

My wife recently had a wreck, she was going 45 MPH, the truck went off the road, crossing over center line, after making impact with the dirt with the front end of the truck, the truck lost it's steering, from there the truck flipped 5 times on it's side, it finally came to rest on it's side, 5 feet away from a house. She had to be cut from the truck. Her l2 exploded in her back, she's now having to learn how to walk again among other things from extreme nerve damage. She just recently left the hospital/rehabilitation from an extended stay. Still upset about not knowing what caused the wreck, we decided to look up the truck to see if there had ever been a recall dealing with what exactly happened in her wreck, this is when we found out about the lower ball-joint failing causing the actions of loss of steering, accidents, and accidents with flipping. An investigation has yet to be done on the truck, we're hoping this complaint will inspire an investigation, but also educate anyone with this year and make of truck, that this is what could happen possibly to anyone.

Filed Mar 29, 2015 · Suspension · 285,000 miles · FL

While turning right out of parking lot at slow speed, passenger side wheel disengaged from lower ball joint leading to loss of steering.

Filed May 21, 2014 · Steering, Suspension · 215,000 miles · CO

After being driven on the highway approximately 60 miles, the 2001 toyota tacoma truck was being backed into the driveway when steering suddenly locked. Upon inspection, it was determined that the front passenger wheel was no longer attached to the car. The lower ball joint had failed. I determined that toyota issued a recall for my vehicle model and year (the federal safety agency campaign number: 05v225000) for this issue, with the following consequence: the lower ball joint may separate from the knuckle causing loss of steering control and a crash could occur. It seems that our vehicle experienced this issue for which vehicles were recalled by toyota. However, when I called toyota, I was told that our VIN was not included in the recall and that toyota was not willing to do anything. We had to spend the money and time to fix the failed ball joint and are considering replacing the driver side ball joint prophylactically as we no longer trust the wheels to remain on our truck. I have never seen a wheel come off a car. If the wheel had disengaged from our car 2 minutes prior, when the vehicle was moving at highway speeds, the consequences could have been severe. I am very disappointed that toyota is not including our car in the recall - even though the exact same issue for which the recall was issued (for our vehicle model and year) occurred on our car. If the accident had happened at high speeds, someone would have died and a lawyer would be contacting toyota and the federal safety agency. Perhaps the recall needs to be expanded!

Filed May 21, 2013 · Steering, Suspension · 197,000 miles · CT

Upon making a turn into my driveway the lower left(drivers side) ball joint seperated from the knuckle causing loss of steering. This in turn made the front wheel fall into the vehicle.

Filed Jan 16, 2013 · Steering · 215,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 toyota tacoma. The contact was driving approximately 55 MPH and experienced a complete loss of power steering assist. The vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the road where the engine was turned off. The contact inspected under the hood and noticed that the power steering reservoir was empty. He then dispensed power steering fluid to the proper level. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, who informed the contact that the rack and pinion would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired by an independent auto mechanic. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 215,000.