2001 Toyota Tundra steering problems

Filed Oct 5, 2025 · Steering, Suspension · CO

On September 4, 2025, I brought my 2001 Toyota Tundra to Midas at 5325 Olde Wadsworth Blvd, Arvada, CO 80002 for an oil change and inspection. Midas advertises a “Closer Look Vehicle Check,” which includes checking steering, suspension, and wheels. Their inspection report marked the steering system as “OK” and only noted mild shock wear. Less than a month later, while exiting the highway, the lower ball joint failed completely, causing the front suspension and wheel to detach. I immediately lost steering control. Fortunately, this occurred at low speed; had it happened moments earlier on the highway, it could have caused a major collision or fatalities. The failed component (lower ball joint and related suspension parts) is still available for inspection. An independent mechanic later confirmed that the joint was severely worn and the failure appeared to be due to long-term deterioration that should have been detected during Midas’s inspection. No warning lights or indicators appeared before the failure. The incident endangered my life, my passengers’ safety, and other drivers on the road. The business has refused to take responsibility or cover repair costs, which currently total over $2,400, despite their advertised inspection and guarantee. This raises serious concerns that Midas and potentially other service locations may be failing to properly inspect critical suspension components, which poses a major public safety hazard.

Filed Oct 11, 2019 · Steering · 220,000 miles · TX

Lower ball joint failure drivers side wheel broke loose from lower control arm

Filed Aug 31, 2018 · Steering · 313,000 miles · CT

Frame rot holes and parts of frame rotted thu also power sterring rack and all lines leaking thu pump ran out of fluid also the frame on drivers side at ft mount for step rail holes right thu frame and at front le4ft frome ral hole big hole

Filed Aug 12, 2018 · Body, Steering · 178,000 miles · IL

My 2001 toyota tundda was part of the frame service campaign. Upon receiving notice I immediately scheduled an inspection and my frame was coated in the protective coating supplied by toyota at the toyota dealer I purchased the truck from. In the years to come that coating would fall off and my truck frame would continue to rust. In august of 2018 I took it to my local toyota dealer for inspection who said a hole has rusted in the frame near the gas tank. They also informed me that toyota will not do anything to correct her problem since the program had expired. I received this same information from the dealer I bought it from and toyota corporate. In addition to the hole in the frame both power steering lines rusted through and so did the power steering rack. Toyota's attempt at fixing the problem failed and now I'm stuck with a truck that has a compromised frame. I do not feel safe putting myself or my family in this vehicle as it won't be as strong in the event of a crash and keeping the vehicle will only result in further deterioration of the frame. Toyota needs to make this right and either buy the truck back or fix the frame and they need to do this for al affected vehicles.

Filed Mar 17, 2018 · Steering, Suspension · 51,000 miles · OH

December 2017 - shop informed me of serious frame corrosion/perforation, I called toyota corp. Was told to take to dealer for inspection. Dealer inspected march 2018 informed me not to drive vehicle as the frame was unsafe. Dealer would not release vehicle to me without me signing their form about unsafe vehicle. I phoned toyota corp. And was told no assistance was available. How is this possible / legit? The main frame has failed on the vehicle - and company not responsible for design and production/alloy errors?

Filed Jun 13, 2017 · Body, Steering · 165,423 miles · WI

Lower drivers side ball joint popped out going down hyway. Tire ended up collapsing in on drivers fender door and broke cv shaft and twisted a arms. Very dangerous. No prior sign of clunking or popping.

Filed Jan 17, 2015 · Steering · WV

My power steering started making a noise and the steering became difficult. Upon checking my power steering fluid and adding some there was improvement, but I noticed I was leaking power steering fluid. I took the truck to a local mechanic and found out that the rust on the underneath of the truck was so significant and that a hole had actually rusted through causing the leakage of power steering fluid. I had to have the entire rack and pinion replaced. The mechanic notified me and actually showed me all of the rust concerns. There is significant rust on the frame and other hardware parts on the underneath of the truck. Toyota notified me of 2011 that there were some concerns and request I go to the dealership to have a compound placed on the frame to prevent further rusting. I did complete this as requested, however the mechanic showed me that the compound looked like it was sporadically placed and that it basically did no good. The rust issue is significant. I contacted toyota once I knew the issue was rust related and after talking with a couple of people I spoke with someone at headquarters. He basically told me that he could not do anything for me unless toyota issued another frame recall. He said the company was considering it, but no issue has came out. I then stated that it sounds like toyota knows that there is an issue, but is not sure if they want to own up to it and address it. This was not denied by the representative I was speaking with. In addition to the frame rust, there are other hardware rust issue that are of safety concern. Any line that carries fluid underneath the truck is in danger of rusting through. Also, there is a steering mechanism with significant rust and if for some reason the bolts completely rust off then I lose control of all steering. Thank you for listening to my concerns.

Filed Nov 10, 2014 · Steering · 111,000 miles · OH

I had just picked up the truck from kings toyota, after they had put a new frame on the tundra; was driving approximately 6 miles when I had to use force to steer vehicle. I pulled into my driveway and looked under my truck. My rack was so corroded. There were holes with leaks throughout, but one hole about the size of a pencil. Took truck back to dealer (very angry), where they said I needed a new rack. It was beyond repair.

Filed Oct 8, 2014 · Body, Steering · 174,678 miles · PA

My power steering blew out. It began squealing very loudly and losing fluid rapidly. I have had this truck 7-8 years and never had an issue with the steering. Today, a mechanic tells me it's rusted out and I need a new power steering rack, pressure line and bushings. This problem is very similar (identical...) to issues I've read before concerning the tundra and the recall of the rusted frame. On 1/4/2013 @ 158,495 miles, I had rohrich toyota address the recall for the frame rust corrosion. The current power steering issue may very well be related to the rust issue that lead to the 2012 recall.

Filed Feb 4, 2014 · Steering, Suspension · 221,808 miles · CA

Was driving home on a 2-lane rural highway when I heard a very loud bang and found my vehicle scraping and skidding down the road for approximately 100 ft. Fortunately, no one was coming from the other direction and no one was behind me. Wound up in the middle of the road. Managed to force the truck onto the left shoulder. After getting out, found the left front wheel flat on the road and jammed up inside the wheel well. Upon further inspection found that the left lower ball joint had snapped off at the bolt holding it onto the a-frame. Out of warranty. Toyota says they won't do anything to help. Looked on internet and found many, many similar experiences with 2001 tundras. Have scrupulously maintained this vehicle since I bought it new in 2001. This should not be allowed to happen. I could have been killed and I could have killed others. There should be a recall issued re. This problem as has occurred with later year tundras and toyota should be held responsible to pay for repairing my truck.