The vehicle was purchased brand new from an authorized franchised dealership, sold and contracted as being equipped with a dealer-installed 2.5-inch suspension lift. At approximately 20,000 miles, a severe front-end squeaking symptom developed. The vehicle was brought to a separate authorized Toyota dealership service center for inspection. An authorized Toyota Master Technician formally inspected the vehicle and documented that the selling dealership did not install an engineered suspension lift. Instead, they installed unauthorized, budget aftermarket spacer pucks and non-certified upper control arms. The Master Technician documented in writing that the vehicle "isn't even lifted properly" and a factory front strut has failed prematurely. SAFETY RISK: The unauthorized spacer modification has severely altered and compromised the factory steering and suspension geometry. Because the front suspension, upper control arms, ball joints, struts, and steering rack are forced to operate continuously at unsafe, extreme, out-of-spec angles, the components are subjected to premature, destructive stress. The Master Technician confirmed that this improper configuration creates an imminent highway life-safety hazard, presenting an extreme risk of the front CV axles binding or snapping at highway speeds, which would result in an immediate, catastrophic loss of steering control. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The safety defect has been explicitly reproduced and confirmed in writing by an authorized Toyota Master Technician. The selling dealership management has been formally notified of this safety diagnosis but has actively refused to remediate the unsafe components, leaving a structurally compromised and highly dangerous vehicle operating on public highways.
Toyota Tundra ball joint problems
316 of the 6,967 owner complaints about the Toyota Tundra describe ball joint or control arm failure, most of them for the 2004 model year.
- owner complaints
- 316
- worst model year
- 2004
- typical repair cost reported
- $2,000
- typical mileage
- 111,000
By model year
Often reported together
Power steering loss 9Pulling 7ABS 7Tire blowout 6Brake failure 4Harsh shifting 3Knocking 3Grinding brakes 3
What owners say
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.
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, there was an abnormal screeching sound coming from the vehicle. The contact then saw sparks coming from the rear driver’s side of the vehicle, and the driver’s side rear wheel was turned sideways. The vehicle was pulled over to the shoulder and was later towed back to the residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the contact was informed that the ball joint, control arms, front suspension, and several other unknown parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The independent mechanic made the contact aware of an unknown the federal safety agency Campaign Number; however, the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
I own a 2006 Toyota Tundra with severe frame corrosion and rot. The rust has eaten through major portions of the frame, especially around the rear crossmember and leaf spring mounts. It has compromised the vehicle’s safety and structural integrity. Toyota previously offered frame replacements and extended corrosion coverage for similar models (Tacoma, Sequoia, and certain Tundras), but my VIN was denied even though the issue is identical. The corrosion is so severe that it poses a risk of the frame snapping or suspension components detaching while driving. This is a serious safety defect, not just cosmetic rust. The frame can fail without warning, which could lead to loss of control or an accident. Toyota should be required to inspect and address this defect for all affected vehicles. Location of problem: Frame rails, rear crossmember, spare tire area, and control arm mounts. Date problem occurred: 07/09/2025 I’m requesting that the federal safety agency investigate and require Toyota to include my vehicle in their frame corrosion program or issue a new recall covering affected first-generation Tundras.
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.
The lower ball joint broke causing the upper ball joint to break and damage the strut rocked pion and the brake line. I contacted Toyota and they said it was fixed from a former recall
Lower ball joint broke Lower control arm collapse causing the to come off
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.
The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the driver’s side front ball joint detached causing the front driver’s side wheel to bend inward. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed back to the residence which caused damage to the fender. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was previously repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 07V013000 (Suspension) however, the failure occurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 290,000.
The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the steering wheel suddenly pulled to the right and front driver's side wheel detached from underneath the vehicle, causing the vehicle to skid across the highway before coming to a stop. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the front driver's side ball joint had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that there was damage to the subframe of the vehicle caused by the detached wheel. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 233,500.
Related recalls
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint
- What is wrong
- On certain trucks and mini vans, due to possible improper finishing of the front suspension lower ball joint, some ball joints may experience an incidental deterioration of the internal lubrication. This may cause the ball joint to wear and loosen prematurely, which could result in increased steering effort, reduced vehicle self-centering, and noise in the front suspension.
- Risk
- In extreme cases, if the vehicle is continuously operated in this condition, the lower ball joint may separate from the knuckle and could cause a loss of vehicle control.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the front suspension lower ball joints. The recall began on february 28, 2007. Owners may contact toyota at 1‑800‑331‑4331.
Recall number 07V013000 · Recall details
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 Toyota Tundra ball joint
Which Toyota Tundra years have ball joint or control arm failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2004 (76 complaints), 2002 (52 complaints) and 2001 (45 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix ball joint or control arm failure on the Toyota Tundra?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $2,000 (median of 22 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used Toyota Tundra?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history