10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 4 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 3 / 1
- Average Mileage:
- 89,678 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tundra. While driving approximately 5 mph, the front passenger side wheel detached from the axle and caused the vehicle to come to an abrupt stop without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the lower ball joint on the front passenger side failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The dealer stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 05V225000 (suspension). The approximate failure mileage was 127,000.
- Idaho Falls, ID, USA
Vehicle was being driven approx. 35 mph when ball joint failure occurred. Lower passenger side ball joint was at fault. Ball under socket separated allowing tire to swing 90 degrees and jam under frame. Cv axle was torn from front differential housing upon failure. Differential oil loss occurred. Tie rod, upper ball joint and brake line remained intact. Body damage resulted on front passenger fender.
- Westbrook, CT, USA
I own a 2001 Toyota Tundra SR5 4WD truck. My vehicle was parked outside my house and I was planning on repositioning it so that I could put some things in the bed. I pulled forward about 10 feet and all of the sudden I heard a breaking noise and then a loud scrapping noise coming from the front passenger side of the truck. I immediately stopped the vehicle and got out to inspect what had happened. I noticed that the lower suspension was broken and had separated itself from the tire wheel assembly. When it broke off some parts had grinded/scraped the inside of the wheel. After some research I learned that it was the front lower ball joint that had broken and separated from the knuckle. Luckily, I had an empty unloaded vehicle and wasn't driving fast so no accident occurred, but evaluating the damage it wouldn't be hard to believe how large and devastating this could have been if I had a fully loaded truck and was driving on the freeway. I'm not sure how much it will be to repair and/or replace the parts yet. However, Toyota has been reluctant to resolve this problem.
- Sun City, CA, USA
My son was driving my 2001 Tundra 4X4, on highway 1, West of watsonville California, at approximately 65 mph on straight and level freeway the left front lower ball joint failed detaching, except for brake lines, the left front wheel. The vehicle skidded on what was left of the ball joint assembly and he was able to control the vehicle to the center median. The truck sustained minor body damage and luckily no injuries to my son or the passenger. Toyota has agreed to repair the damaged ball joint but not the body damage or the non damaged ball joint. I am not comfortable driving the vehicle any longer.
- Aptos, CA, USA
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.
- Sugar Grove, NC, USA
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.
- Pierson, FL, USA
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 parts and labor.
- Inglwegood, CA, USA
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 Tundra 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.
- Plano , TX, USA
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.
- Tuba City, AZ, USA
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.
- Las Piedras , PR, USA
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 NHTSA campaign id 05V225000 for this type of failure, but currently does not include the 2001 year for this make and model.
- Tucson, AZ, USA
(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.
- Weldon, CA, USA
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. The consumer stated that the lower ball joint failed.
- Downieville, CA, USA
Safety complaint on Toyota Tundra - 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!
- Charleston, WV, USA
- El Segundo, CA, USA