2001 Toyota Tacoma: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Sep 21, 2025 · Steering, Suspension · FL · crash

Lower ball joint separated from knuckle and it says 0 recalls repaired i want it replaced because there oem they were never replaced when recalled

Filed Dec 6, 2019 · Suspension · 200,000 miles · FL

I have replaced the lower ball joints five times in the last four years. Three on the drivers side and twice on the passengers side. Twice I was in someone's driveway twice I was traveling on a highway and once I was turning a corner. I received a recall notice about five years ago however I never reaponded at the time. Now when I look on this website it says there was no recall so I am unsure how to proceed.

Filed May 30, 2017 · Steering · 168,000 miles · FL · crash

The driver side front ball joint failed while driving at 50 MPH on a smooth surfaces state road. The wheel fell off of the control arm and sent my vehicle sliding down the road. Pictures are attached. This issue has been recognized in a similar recall of 4x4 vehicles of the same make and model. The action number of that recall is the federal safety agency#: ea 04024. I am hoping to get my VIN added as an amendment to they recall to fix the vehicle and make it safe to drive. Thank you for the help.

Filed Feb 22, 2017 · Suspension · 160,442 miles · CA

Left front wheel broke off a arm.lower ball joint completely missing.vehicle has 160442 miles.no indication of steering problem.tires were rotated one month before accident I replaced the tire and asked the mechanic if he does a visual inspection.the answer was yes.

Filed Oct 18, 2016 · Suspension · 120,000 miles · AL

Ball joint separated causing driver to lose control of vehicle.

Filed May 27, 2016 · Suspension · VA

Lower ball joints have failed. While other 2001 tacoma's were in the recall, mine is not included, even though it is the same failure! The tires have are wearing unevenly and there is some stability issue. There seems to be "pulling" to one side as well.

Filed Aug 25, 2015 · Body, Suspension · 160,000 miles · WV · crash

While I was driving the passenger side wheel completely buckled under the truck. Luckily, I was only driving 15 MPH. Had this broken while I was on the interstate, I would have been injured or injured someone else. As a result, the mechanic found that both ball joints were bad so both were replaced. The frame is completely rusted out and the spare tire cannot be removed. No notice was ever given to us or the previous owner by toyota, regarding the problems stated above.

Filed Jul 8, 2015 · Suspension · 194,000 miles · NM

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the steering wheel began to vibrate excessively. The failure occurred only when driving 50 MPH or greater. The vehicle was taken to an independent, who informed that both front lower ball joints would need to be replaced. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number: 05v225000 (suspension) and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 194,000.

Filed Jun 5, 2015 · Suspension · 250,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 toyota tacoma. While driving at 30 MPH, the suspension ball joint detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 250,000.

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 Mar 9, 2015 · Suspension · 140,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 toyota tacoma. While driving at various speeds, a squeaking sound emitted from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the front driver side ball joint was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 140,000.

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!