I took my 2003 Toyota Tacoma and for a tire alignment and was told by an employee of the tire shop that my rack and pinion needed to be replaced and lower ball joints. I checked the VIN number and it said I have zero recalls, but there is a general recall on this make a model that I have what do I do? I also have the steering has a lot of play whenever I go for a bump in the road like the tires catch the road so I kind of swerve a little bit and I feel that it’s very unsafe to me and other drivers.
2003 Toyota Tacoma: ball joint or control arm failure
24 of the 360 complaints about the 2003 Toyota Tacoma describe ball joint or control arm failure.
- owner complaints
- 24
- of this car's complaints
- 7%
- typical mileage
- 175,640
- 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
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? While driving over railroad tracks, the lower ball joint separated from its socket, which caused the CV axle shaft to break apart and led to the separation of the upper ball joint. As a result, the front driver's side tire folded under the fender, causing the truck to abruptly veer off the road and into the right shoulder All parts are available for inspection How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? When the failure occurred, I was driving over a series of railroad tracks when the truck suddenly veered off the road onto the shoulder. This abrupt veering and stopping put my safety—and the safety of others—at risk, as the drivers behind me had to react suddenly to avoid a collision. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? The truck was serviced in 2006 in response to the recall, having the lower ball joints replaced, however the replacement parts may have failed Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front driver’s side wheel detached from the vehicle. The contact was able to navigate the vehicle to safety. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the front driver’s side ball joint had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the VIN was included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 05V225000 (Suspension). The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the vehicle remained and was diagnosed that the rear frame was rusted and needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was included in an unknown warranty extension; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 310,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota tacoma. While the vehicle was coasting into a fuel station, the front passenger side ball joint detached from the tire independently and without an impact. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and later towed to toyota of whittier (located at 14577 e, whittier blvd, whittier, ca 90605, (562) 222-5386). The dealer diagnosed that the ball joint became loose and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was repaired per the federal safety agency campaign number: 05v225000 (suspension) in 2005. The manufacturer provided case number: 1902250627. The contact stated that the recall repair failed. The approximate failure mileage was 230,000.
While traveling at about 40 MPH, right front passenger wheel suddenly and unexpectedly broke off at the ball joints. The tire folded under the chassis and the truck skidded to a stop in the road shoulder.
I was driving down the road goimg about 35 MPH heard a loud noise. Lost all control of the steering wheel and my tire had broken off from the ball joint. The place fixing it said the other side is about to break as well. This is very dangerous and I could have been killed.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota tacoma. While driving 45 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently turned left and crashed into an embankment. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the front suspension ball joint fractured and needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. A police report was filed. The contact sustained minor injuries that required medical attention. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact stated that she had not received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 05v225000 (suspension). The failure mileage was unknown.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that while turning at 10 MPH, the contact lost control of the steering wheel as the front driver's side dropped to the ground. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic where the front suspension lower ball joint was found to be separated, causing the front suspension to fail. The manufacturer advised the contact that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number 05v225000 (suspension). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 175,640.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that while attempting to enter a parking space, the front driver's side wheel collapsed to the ground. The contact inspected the vehicle and found that the ball joint was split. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign id number: 05v225000 (suspension: ball joint) and was told by the manufacturer that the vehicle was not included in the recall campaign. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileages were 180,000. *tr updated 06/10/13
Purchased used vehicle from private seller. On the first day of use, after obtaining new title, tags, insurance coverage, the check engine light came on. The following day scheduled service w/ the local toyota dealer. Upon inspection was told that the truck needed a catalytic converter and there was a recall for the lower front ball joints that the dealer will replace for free. The dealer had to order the parts. After receiving the parts and upon start of the repairs, I received a phone informing me that the frame was rusted and the vehicle is deemed unsafe to drive. I was given an 800 phone number to call and deal directly with toyota corporate office. I am patiently awaiting for a response.
I bought a 2003 toyota tacoma from a toyota dealer in december 2011 with 81,841 miles on it. Upon driving the vehicle from tennessee to oregon a leak in the oil pan appeared. I looked under the vehicle and to my surprise the whole undercarriage of the vehicle was extremely rusting. The leak was from the oil pan that was corrected badly. I was able to make it from there to my home in oregon having to add about one quart of oil. The distance was about 700 miles. I took it to my local toyota dealer and he informed me that I had major rust problems under the vehicle. The gas tank shield is gone due to rust. The front end suspension was so rusty they couldn,t get some of the bolts out. They had to remove some of the front end suspension to replace the oil pan. Both front backing plates for the rotors where rusted away. No alignment could be done because of the rust. I had the front end replace with good used parts and when they attempted to align the vehicle the front tie rod broke due to rust. The whole frame assembly is very rusty. I find out now that there was a voluntary recall of frame which I did not know about. This vehicle was bought from a toyota dealer in tennessee in december of 2011. They never said a word to me about the rust problem. They did a oil change and they also replaced the emergency brake cable so they had to be aware of the rust problem. The vehicle a find out came from new york originally. They say they will help out with repair costs so far but what about the frame rust. This dealership withheld vital information from me. Toyota of america says the frame recall was voluntary and has expired. I feel this is a safety problem that needs taken care of.
2003 toyota tacoma recall notice for the front suspension lower ball joint. Consumer states that the parts failed to remedy the problem.
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 2003 Toyota Tacoma ball joint
Is ball joint or control arm failure a common problem on the 2003 Toyota Tacoma?
24 of 360 owner complaints about the 2003 Toyota Tacoma (7%) 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 2003 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 2003 Toyota Tacoma
Check engine light 17No deployment 16Jerking 6Loss of power 6Stalling 6Airbag light 5
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