My husband first noticed a vibration and said that the steering felt odd in our 2001 tundra. He was then suddenly surprised when the driver's side front wheel detached and the driver's side front end slammed to the ground. He was lucky because he was driving at a low rate of speed on a secondary road and no collision or injuries occurred. Just minutes before he was driving on a main congested road at a higher rate of speed and this could have caused a major collision and substantial injuries. The tundra was taken to the local toyato dealer in our town of boone, nc. It has been determined that the lower and upper ball joints separated. We are in the process of contacting toyota to see why a recall has not been placed and if they are willing to do anything for us. It seems as if there are many reports of this problem and nothing has been done. I cannot believe that toyota has not recalled these trucks when peoples lives are at risk.
2001 Toyota Tundra suspension complaints
Page 4 of 4: complaints 71 to 84 of 84, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 toyota tundra. While driving 10 MPH she felt a bump that caused the vehicle to stop without warning. The contact noticed the driver front tire disengaged. The dealer stated that the left lower ball was weakened and worn. They also stated that the axle was damaged. The dealer replaced the lower ball joint, the axle and the tie rod end. Approximately a year and half later the contact experienced the same problem; however, it was the passenger side ball joint, axle and tie rod end. There is a recall for the 2002 toyota tundra for the lower ball joint (recall #05v225000). The contact felt her vehicle should be included. The failure mileage was 95,000 and the current mileage was 140,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 toyota tundra. While driving 55 MPH, the front tire detached from the disc brake, but the tire bearing was still attached. The cause of failure was due to the ball joint. The consumer lost control of the vehicle and slammed into a concrete wall on the highway. The contacts husband sustained mild bumps and bruises. She stated that her husband would have died if it weren't for the concrete wall. A police report was filed. The vehicle was completely destroyed and cannot be driven. The contact notified the dealer who stated that the manufacturer is liable for the failure. The current and failure mileages were 104,000. Updated 07/24/07
In may 2005, toyota recalled 775,000 pickups and SUV's because of possibility of excessive wear to a front suspension lower ball joint; however they only recalled 2002-2004 and recently 533,000 2004-2006 tundra trucks. This is an accident waiting to happen. The tundra 2000-2001 are made from the same casting that the 2002-2004 and yet, toyota never made an effort of thinking of anyone safe when the lower ball joint snap out when people are driving the vehicle. Just as mind did on 27 of march 2007 which pinned the left tire under truck. It took nearly 1 hour to place the truck on tow truck, due too the damage. I would like a investigation which would expose toyota for ignoring their lialbilty to properly recall their defects on the 2000-2001 lower front left and right suspension lower ball joint. Thank you. The cost is about $5000.00 parts and labor.
Was about to merge on to freeway when drivers side front wheel broke away from vehicle due to lower ball joint failure. Towed to dealership where vehicle was purchased, and service advisor stated that some tundras were under recall for this same malfunction but not mine. Extended warranty covers parts that malfunctioned but not the body damage caused by the malfunctioned part(s). Called toyota to complain about situation, and was informed that the damages to my vehicle, including damage to driver side door, driver side front fender and front bumper were my responsibility and not toyota's, because they have no previous campaigns or records of this incident with my year model truck.
Driving my 2001 toyota tundra at speed about 10 to 15 MPH. Had rapid increasing difficulty steering, suddenly the right front wheel (driver's side) broke off and truck slid to a stop. I looked at what had happened and found the lower ball joint /arm had broken off and the truck fell on to wheel. I could not steer and lucky, was on a side road. The truck was towed to the toyota dealer. Repair cost estimate is pending at this time.
Brakes and ball joint failure of toyota tundra lim. 4door 4.7l 8 cylinder 4x4 right side wheel came off and hit two persons on the shoulder of the highway in which one was killed.
Driving north on alvernon in the left lane between 37th and palo verde the front left wheel of the 2001 toyota tundra separated from the vehicle. The wheel remained under the vehicle attached to the front drive shaft. Failure of the ball joints is suspected. Approximate speed was 40 MPH. After separation the vehicle tracked straight for approximate 100 feet, I then controlled the vehicle and move to the far side of the right lane and stopped. Damage to the front wheel drive system, wheel, front bumper, front left panel, ABS system and other expected damage occurred. No damage to other vehicles on the road or significant property damage other than damage to the roadway. At this time there are not related physical damage or injury to myself (I was alone when this occurred) or anyone else. Toyota at this time has refused to make repairs of the vehicle due to this mechanical failure. There is a recall the federal safety agency campaign id 05v225000 for this type of failure, but currently does not include the 2001 year for this make and model.
(1) I left my work at 6:00 am the morning of sept. 22 . I had only gone approx. 2 miles at about 50 MPH, when all of a sudden the vehicle started shaking and sparks were flying from under the vehicle until I could get it off the road and stopped. (2) I got out to see what had happened and found the driver side tire off and wedged under the front of the car. I was really shaken about this. In another 10 minutes I would have been driving home through a real windy canyon drive that I commute about 54 miles one-way to work, with mountain on one side and a canyon with river on the other. I definitely could have been killed. We found the lower ball joint down the road . It had been completely sheered at the thread area. I called the bakersfield toyota dealership and my 2001 tundra was not covered for this. I also called the toyota manufacturer and it was not covered for this. I have taken excellent care of my tundra. I had no clue as to a problem with my ball joints. The ball joint shouldn't have failed like this. (3) I had my tundra towed to a local brake and front end shop and had the work done there. I had both the upper and lower ball joints on both sides done. It cost me $624.00.
Purchased truck new in 2001. Excessive front brake pad wear out since new 6,000 to 10,000 miles per set. Noticed a looseness in front end early on and progressively worse as time went on including wobbling and lurching while braking. At 36,000 + miles toyota replaced complete front and rear brake system with a heaver duty system at no cost. Front end still felt loose. At 52,000 miles dealer repalced front rotors and second set of pads since system up date at my expense. Still the front end felt loose. At 76,000 miles f/l wheel assemble breaks off the truck while driving over a small speed bump at less then 10 MPH damaging fender and door. A toyota dealer fixed the truck. The front end still feels loose and the dealer will not check or work on the truck because I filed a complaint with the bureau of auto repair. My complaint was the dealer did not return to me the repalced parts which I requested several times. The dealer told me he did not have to give mt the damaged parts and that nothing would happen to him because he was friends with the local consumer rep. I was contacted by a consumer rep and he told me the same thing and there was nothing he could do but put a note in the dealers file. I have not gotten any official report since filing my complaint. My truck is unsafe and I have no choice but to continue to drive it.
Steering/stability. While driving at 55 MPH lost control of truck and resulted in accident. Truck went into flat spin then rolled
Vehicle was driving roughly and consumer was able to pull over. Consumer noticed that the right passenger's side wheel collapsed inward. Had the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that both driver's side and passenger's side ball joints needed to be replaced. *ak the consumer stated that the lower ball joint failed.
On my 2001 tundra, when appling the brakes there is sever vibration causing the whole truck to vibrate. The dealership replaced the front and rear brakes but the vibration still occurs. It has caused the tires to wear excessivly and there is only 20,000 miles on the truck.
Safety complaint on toyota tundras - lower ball joint failures resulting in front wheel to come off vehicle while driving. This failure results in severe damage to front-end of trucks and could result in debilitating or fatal accidents! Three known cases in charleston, west virginia area!
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