2000 Toyota Tundra: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Mar 23, 2026 · Suspension · 51,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2000 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that there was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the front end of the vehicle while depressing the brake pedal. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with upper and lower ball joints failure. The contact was informed that the upper and lower ball joints and the axle needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 51,000.

Filed Jun 5, 2024 · Body, Suspension · CA

Frame of the vehicle is starting to rust, clear coat paint is wearing off and is starting to chip with small spots of rust on the roof and hood, lower ball joint failure due to corrosion and degraded components. Unknown why the lower ball joint failed. Vehicle is not in the rust belt but definitely experiences corrosion and suspension issues.

Filed Sep 27, 2023 · Steering, Suspension · CA

Lower ball joints must be replaced under a recall. Toyota has told me to contact you to look into it for me and to ask them to recall the part in question for my vehicle. My vehicle is a 2000 Tundra. Models from 2001-06 had a recall for lower ball joints. My truck has the exact same faulty part numbers as the later models. Part numbers are: 43340, 43330 for left and right. This part failing leads to catastrophic failures that causes the entire front end to fall to the ground and the wheels to smash into the fender wells. My truck has very low mileage and is starting to show signs of this failure. My biggest concern is safety especially with an older vehicle. A quick search on the internet will show you this happening to countless other 2000 tundras. This vehicle has been well cared for but this doesn’t fall under routine maintenance when the part has these known issues. My case number with Toyota is under my name [XXX] and the file number is [XXXXXXXX]. Thank you and feel free to reach out to me with more questions if you need to via email: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Sep 19, 2022 · Brakes, Suspension · 270,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2000 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH, he depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle failed to engage. As a result, the contact crashed into a small tree that caused a dent in the front bumper. No injuries were sustained. No medical attention was required. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact’s residence. The contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle he noticed that the two lines in the master cylinder was missing the divider. The contact stated that he replaced the brake line, but the failure recurred. Additionally, the contact stated that on two separate occasions while making a left turn, the contact lost control of the steering wheel. The contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle, he noticed that the ball joints had snapped and failed. No warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 270,000.

Filed Mar 23, 2022 · Suspension · AZ

I pulled out of my bank's parking lot driveway making a right turn and the lower left ball joint failed and broke off causing the left front wheel assembly to collapse. The truck slid to a stop and blocked both the driveway and roadway. Police arrived shortly afterwards and made a report. Truck was not able to move on it's own and had to be towed to a repair shop. Broken ball joint inspected and then replaced by my mechanic. Further damage occurred to the left front fender and drivers door from the wheel assembly slamming into the fender. Front fender damage caused the drivers door to jamb shut. The damaged fender had to be pried back to release the door so it could open. (fender and door not repaired) Fortunately I was alone and not injured if I had been driving at highway speeds I would have received serious injuries/death and possibly loosing control of vehicle causing possible injuries/death to others. No warning lights/messages were visible before or during the incident and the only symptom I observed was a slight creaking noise right before it happened.

Filed Jan 28, 2022 · Suspension · 200,000 miles · CO

The contact owns a 2000 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, he noticed that the front wheels would frequently turn to the opposite direction of what was intended. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the upper ball joints had failed and needed to be replaced. The independent mechanic replaced the upper ball joints with the same model; however, the failure reoccurred after the vehicle had been driven for less than 20,000 miles. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the upper ball joints with the same model part; however, the failure persisted. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they would only replace the ball joints with the original OEM ball joints. The vehicle was taken to an auto builder who assisted the contact in replacing the control arms, upper and lower ball joints, and retro shocks with a different model. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22E002000 (Suspension) because the VIN was not included. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

Filed Jun 24, 2019 · Brakes, Steering · 220,000 miles · NM

Front lower ball joint recall or lack thereof. There is a current recall for toyota tundras year 2002-2004 but does not include 2000-2001 that have lower ball joints of the same design. Mine failed and so have several others around the country. Many customers have reported that their respective dealerships will not cover the repairs due to a manufacturer failed lower ball joint. I have attached a photo of the result of what a failed ball joint looks like and when you combine that image with the hypothetical of traveling 65-70 MPH the damage can then escalate to catastrophic or even death. Not only for passengers but for others traveling the same road. When the ball joint failed I was luckily traveling 25-30 MPH to get on to the freeway, but it failed before I was at full highway speed. I spoke to the toyota dealership here and they claim that the manufacturer did not include 2000-2001 year tundra's, which is conclusive of the research I did previously. I also checked on the design of the ball joints and the design is identical between 2000-2002. Yet the dealer refuses to cover the cost of repair to the damage that has been caused by the faulty lower ball joint.

Filed Feb 7, 2018 · Suspension · 213,366 miles · MS

Ball joint on front passenger side broke. This will be the third time it has broke. Replaced it every time. Once turning in a business right in the middle of the street, damaging vehicle, once backing out of my driveway, and once turning into a parking spot.

Filed Sep 20, 2017 · Suspension · 247,000 miles · AR

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 toyota tundra. While driving 2 MPH, the lower ball joint separated without warning. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and the vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The contact replaced the lower ball joint. The vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was contacted at 800‑331‑4331 and stated that the VIN was not included in a recall. Case number: 1709200106 was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 247,000.

Filed Feb 1, 2016 · Brakes, Electrical · NC

Due to rust, o2 sensors are bad, exuast system bad, left rear tire ball joint defective, emergency brakes defective, body frame has holes at left side, majority of frame is rusting. Per mechanics all this is stemming from the rust. Truck has low mileage, frame is crumbling in some places and is a danger to drive safely. Just went through inspection.exact date is unknown as to when this occurred.

Filed Aug 10, 2015 · Brakes, Suspension · 225,765 miles · CA · crash

Vehicle driven: 2000 toyota tundra: on july 11, 2015 I was traveling at about 70 MPH in the far left lane when the front driver side tire and wheel broke off the vehicle. The front side of the truck impacted the pavement, and the truck began swerving. I tried to stop the truck, but the brakes were not functioning. Consequently, I then had to use my strength to steer the truck to the shoulder and wait for the truck to lose momentum since the brakes were not functioning. I managed to steer the truck to the shoulder after about a mile of trying to control the vehicle and waiting for it to slow down. I suspect that the lower ball joint on this vehicle are defective and LED to the accident. Newer models of this vehicle have been investigated by the federal safety agency for issues regarding the lower ball joints.

Filed Mar 22, 2015 · Steering · 118 miles · AZ

Truck is very hard to steer at low speeds and doesn't correct when coming out of a turn. Steering wants to freeze up when making a u turn. I've heard that the ball joints can snap and send the truck careening out of control. I bought this truck specifically to have something safe for traveling long distances and cannot have a malfunction like this happen.