Thursday May 20th 2001 ball joint failed on left front, doing 35mph. Wheel came off. Recall starting with Sequoias manufactured August 2001. Mine was manufactured May 2001. My vehicle was not under recall so they refused to fix it and the dealer wants $4800 for the repairs. They cited on the estimate that reason for failure is "unknown". they stated the right side ball joint is fine but they suggest replacing it for another $500. I was could have had a car full of teenagers going down the freeway at the time, my daughter wanted me to drive carpool for a field trip, luckily I couldn't drive for them.

- Cotati, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Sequoia. While exiting the highway at 35 mph, the contact attempted to make a right turn and it felt as if a tire had blown. The steering wheel became extremely hot and he was barely able to maneuver the vehicle off the highway. He noticed that the tire detached from the mounting. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and they stated that the ball joints failed. No repairs have been made. The VIN was unknown. The failure and current mileages were 127,000.

- Newberry Springs, CA, USA

We had a 100,000 mile service with a Toyota dealer. Shortly after the vsc/ABS lights started coming on whenever the vehicle was placed in drive. They insist it is the skid control and ECU computers that need to be replaced. I have identified a number of other consumers with the same complaint. When will NHTSA investigate this and force a recall?

- Little Rock, AR, USA

Vehicle: 2001 Toyota Sequoia SR5 2wd. Front suspension problem. Since obtaining the vehicle in April 2001 I noticed a problem in the stability of the front end of the vehicle. I took it to the dealership (I-10 Toyota in indio) on 3 separate occasions and they were unable to identify the problem. When I heard about the recall (O5V225000) I anticipated that this was the trouble that I had all along with the Sequoia. When I looked into the recall it turned out that it referred to 2002 to 2004 vehicles only. Common sense tells me that if the trouble existed on subsequent models after its inception to the market, it is only obvious that 2001 models are to be included. I understand that recall letters will be issued starting in July 2005. I am filing this complaint because I am aware that 2001 models will not be included and I respectfully request that 2001 year models are also recalled. The instability with the front end continues. The tires have been changed 3 times to different types and the instability continues. Please verify with your internal engineers if the ball joints utilized on 2001 models were any different than latter models. You will find that the same mechanisms have been used until now that this issue is being addressed by your office. Your attention and subsequent positive inclusion of my petition is appreciated. Hector casas

- Calexico, CA, USA