2009 Toyota Tacoma: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Nov 17, 2022 · Body · CT

Went to get an undercoat application. Tech pointed out severe rust/rot on my truck frame, located on both front wheel control arm area. Vehicle was inspected by N.E. Undercoating, Plainfield Ct. No warnings. NEVER RECEIVED A FRAME RECALL NOTICE Contacted Toyota Corporation and they said "sorry, nothing we can do"

Filed Oct 23, 2019 · Steering · 77,482 miles · MA

Had just entered my driveway and tacoma cabin suddenly filled with heavy smoke and smell of something burning. Stopped vehicle, set brake and got away from it after opening both doors. Short time later opened hood to try and determine what had gone wrong expecting s radiator hose leak. After examining fluids, only the power steering tank was empty and passenger side of engine smelled like cabin did. Had tacoma towed to dealer to determine what was wrong. Their mechanic found massive corrosion of the power steering rack and lines were split/rotten blowing power steering fluid onto manifold and lower steering shaft freeing up. They had to replace power steering rack, lines, outter tie rods and steering shaft. Then did an alignment. Btw this tacoma had a frame replacement about a year ago. I firmly believe power steering rack could have been stressed during that time. Also they should have detected the corrosion problem then. The mechanic and service advisor showed me what was left left of psr...severe corrosion had left pieces of it flaking off. I'm not having much success getting toyota to cover parts $$$ replacement and I am a 4 time buyer of toyota vehicles since 1980's. If this had happened at highway speed I wouldn't be writing this.

Filed Dec 9, 2018 · Suspension · CA

Front lower ball joints early signs of failure could lead to major accident. Clunking sounds from front end. Grease already leaking. Fear of joint failure.

Filed Aug 3, 2017 · Steering, Suspension · 143,000 miles · CA

The welds lower control arm mount on the driver side failed when I applied the brakes at high speed and almost caused an accident and almost completely removed my wheel and the lower control arm from the car.

Filed Jan 19, 2013 · Suspension · 55,000 miles · NY

At my state inspection I was told the front ball joints were very bad. I contacted the dealer and was told they were not under warranty, they would cost $800.00 to repair and they had not experienced this failure before at such low mileage. This year I took my truck in for inspection to find the rear leaf springs on both sides were broken. When I contacted the dealer I was again told it was not a warranty issue and they had not experienced it before. I asked to have the contact information for the toyota district representative, but was told they did not give that information out. I sent a complaint via email to toyota corporate and at this point have received not response. The local repair shops tell me they have repaired many of these trucks for these problems. The internet is awash with complaints regarding broken springs. I was lucky, I discovered the problem before the spring piece reached my rear tire. I believe this is a potentially very serious safety issue that the company is taking no responsibility to resolve.