Rackandpinon replacement was also the upper and lower ball joints my steering is still giving me problems and I feel like it’s asafty concern because if I’m going down the highway I could loose control I have some receipts for what my mechanic replaced I called Toyota and they told me that it was to late to fix anything and that I would have to deal with it I never received a notice in the mail or anywhere else I feel like Toyota owes me Also what has happened is my spare tire feel off from the hanger going up my driveway I got to looking and the cable rusted away along with my rear parking brake cable up under the truck thanks for your time
2002 Toyota Tacoma: ball joint or control arm failure
27 of the 333 complaints about the 2002 Toyota Tacoma describe ball joint or control arm failure.
- owner complaints
- 27
- of this car's complaints
- 8%
- typical mileage
- 145,142
- recalls
- 1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 2 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Ball joint or control arm failure by model year
What owners say
I recently lost both front wheels in two different incidents within a month. Early August drivers side ball joint failed on me. And on September 25th the passenger side failed on me on the freeway almost causing a collision with a mercedes and a semi truck.
As I was pulling out from being parked the truck just dropped to the floor on the drivers side. When I got out to see what happened? My wheel broke off at the lower ball joint yesterday evening. I had to wait 2 hours for a tow. I had no warning or symptoms prior.
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the front passenger’s side wheel separated from the vehicle, causing the driver to lose control of the steering and drove into the opposite lane. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the front suspension ball joint had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact was also informed that the front shocks, front tires, and front brakes were also damaged during the failure, and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 443,000.
The steering is all loose and the alignment is repeatedly moving out of line on its own. The lower ball joints are wearing wrong and may fail at any point.
Driving in a highway state 81 towards harrisonburg virginia when my 2002 toyota tacoma , parts or equipment underneath the truck collapse cause of out of control of the truck , the whole shock and the ball joint in the front all the way to the back, the passenger side and driver side fall to the ground, while driving did not hit any one but it will cause my life at risk . I dont know what happend if I can call some as a recall , since the beginning of 2002 when I bought the truck brand new at steven toyota harrisonburg , virginia , not even a year yet notice that underneath from pipe to the shkicj the whole underrneath start to rusty bad but no one ever told me how bad it is. I love my 2002 toyota tacoma .I kept the truck for almost 20 years now I believe im only the one in page county town of stanley virginia driving a toyota tacoma . I took care of my truck nothing but only 135,000 miles on it., mosty everyday I have been ask or many people like to buy my truck . Im not very rich person im not retired yet but I got disable for a year and my income not enough but with the help of some family I manage to pay the towing campony . Now the truck set in to my mechanic told them to fix and what ever it taskes of course will cost me more money. I will lost my truck if I dont have money to fix it and my insurance will not pay anything . This the first thing im going tp work on it after all holidays . Lots iofthey towed it , charge me then pay shop n mechanic tow it ,will start on it ,cost lots of money to fix it told them to fix it , holidays have not start yet , I might not be able to pay .! I need my tyruck or sue/ so proud on it .why happened why fell off . Left the truck at the highwa police spoted say I abandon the truck , but no charges , no , just done state inspection , no warning sign, by now ill be dead at risk , dealer ignorant, rude toyota dealer. Where I bought the truck brand new , so ignorant carrying toyotas name , should not work at toyota tha
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, she heard an abnormally loud clunking sound as the vehicle began to veer independently to the right, without warning. The contact then pulled the vehicle over and called her husband who arrived at the scene and determined that the failure was caused by a defective ball joint. Upon investigation, the contact discovered the federal safety agency campaign number: 05v225000 (suspension) which she linked to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed her that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was 109,544.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 toyota tacoma. While driving approximately 10 MPH, the ball joint fractured and came apart. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and was later towed to mike erdman toyota (1545 e merritt island causeway, merritt island, fl 32952) where it was diagnosed that the ball joint separated and damaged the axle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 05v225000 (suspension). The failure mileage was approximately 334,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
I was driving on a highway at about 55 MPH. The right lower control ball joint broke so the entire wheel broke off the vehicle. The vehicle tried to run/jump over the wheel and caused the vehicle to slammed down on the asphalt. The truck dragged on the asphalt for about 100 to 150 yds until I managed to control and stop it.
The lower ball joint fell off the truck...this is the 3rd time this has happened in 11 months...once on the right side and twice on the left...there was a recall on this vehicle for the very issue that has happened...and I bought it under warranty september 2005 from toyota, evans toyota fort wayne indiana...I have submitted a claim for repairs and damages to toyota but they refused to honor it...the truck was under recall when I bought it and they never told me...I have all my claim and repair documentation...it is a wonder no one was killed the wheel just comes off while driving...I am afraid that this is going to happen and I or someone else will be killed...the wheels are not suppose to come off this truck....
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that while traveling 25 MPH, the front passenger side wheel separated from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a private mechanic where it was confirmed that the ball joint had failed, similar tothe defect listed in the federal safety agency campaign id number: 05v225000 (suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint). The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was 220,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a local mechanic for routine maintenance when the mechanic advised that the frame was corroded. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for further inspection or repairs. The manufacturer was contacted and they advised that the VIN qualified for repairs under the federal safety agency campaign id number: 05v225000 (suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint) but the recall was expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 88,500 and the current mileage was 89,000.
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint
- What is wrong
- On certain sport utility vehicles, due to a manufacturing issue in the front suspension lower ball joint, there is a possibility that the surface of the ball of the joint may have been scratched. The ball joint may eventually experience excessive wear and looseness, resulting in increased steering effort.
- Risk
- The lower ball joint may separate from the knuckle causing loss of steering control and a crash could occur.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the front suspension lower ball joints free of charge. The recall began on july 5, 2005. Owners may contact toyota at 1‑800‑331‑4331.
Recall number 05V225000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2002 Toyota Tacoma ball joint
Is ball joint or control arm failure a common problem on the 2002 Toyota Tacoma?
27 of 333 owner complaints about the 2002 Toyota Tacoma (8%) mention ball joint or control arm failure. The model year with the most reports is 2001.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2002 Toyota Tacoma?
There is 1 recall and 2 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2002 Toyota Tacoma
VIN decoder
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