Recalls
| Campaign | Manufacturer | Manufacturing date | Type | # of units affected | Date Owner notified Mfg | Recall Initiated by | Manufacturers of recalled vehicles/products | Report Recieved Date | Record Creation Date | Regulation Part Number | FMVSS Number | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM - LOWER BALL JOINT | ||||||||||||||||
| 05V225000 | TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC. | from 07/31/2001 to 12/23/2003 | V (Vehicle) | 768379 | 07/05/2005 | ODI | TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC. | 05/17/2005 | 05/17/2005 | |||||||
| Defect Summary | 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. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | The lower ball joint may separate from the knuckle causing loss of steering control and a crash could occur. | |||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | 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. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | Toyota recall no. 50j.customers may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov. | |||||||||||||||
Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM - LOWER BALL JOINT | |||||
| 05015 | 06/27/2005 | 10015504 | Special service campaign 50j - phase i - front suspension lower ball joint may experience excessive wear and looseness causing increased steering, effort, reduced vehicle self-centering, and noise in the front suspension. *tt | 07/26/2005 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUSPENSION | |||
| 03/09/2013 | 71000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2001 toyota tacoma. the contact stated that while the vehicle was having routine maintenance performed, the technician noticed that the frame was rusted and corroded. the manufacturer was notified who recommended that the vehicle not be driven. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 71,000. mah | |||
| 03/09/2013 | 71000 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2001 toyota tacoma. the contact stated the frame was rusted and corroded. the vehicle was taken in for a routine maintenance at a mechanic shop who noticed the frame was rusted and corroded. they informed the contact the vehicle would not be repaired. the dealer was notified who referred him to the manufacturer. the manufacturer was notified who recommended the vehicle should not be driven. the vehicle was not repaired. they offered no other assistance. the failure mileage was 71,000 | |||
| 02/09/2013 | 223079 | 1 | |
| I had made a left turn onto freeway entrance ramp, started accelerating to get up to speed. at approximately 30mph there was a loud bang/pop noise and the vehicle front left dropped down. i hung on to try and keep vehicle under control as it took an sharp left hand turn towards a pole. even though the brake pedal went to the floor i was able to some how get the vehicle stopped before the passenger side hit the pole where my 1 year old daughter was riding. i had the truck checked for recalls in late 2008 when i purchased it. the report said ball joint recall was vin # specific and that this truck was not in the vin range. after the incident happened, i called toyota hotline for assistance and even though this is the same condition, and part that is failing on the vehicles in range they said, that sense the recall is vin specific, there's nothing we can do, and we can't just add a vehicle to the recall. so, now i'm stuck with a wrecked vehicle, but very thankful that i didn't hit the pole where my daughter was sitting. this needs to be addressed and all tacoma's that contain this style ball joint be fixed before some one does get killed. *tr | |||
| 02/09/2013 | 223079 | ||
| I had made a left turn onto freeway entrance ramp, started excellerating to get up to speed. at approximately 30mph there was a loud bang/pop noise and the vehicle front left dropped down. i hung on to try and keep vehicle under control as it took an sharp left hand turn towards a pole. even though the brake pedal went to the floor i was able to some how get the vehicle stopped before the passenger side hit the pole where my 1 year old daughter was riding. i had the truck checked for recalls in late 2008 when i purchased it. the report said ball joint recall was vin # spacific and that this truck was not in the vin range. after the incident happened, i called toyota hotline for assistance and even though this is the same condition, and part that is failing on the vehicles in range they said, that sense the recall is vin spacific, there's nothing we can do, and we can't just add a vehicle to the recall. so, now i'm stuck with a wrecked vehicle, but very thankful that i didn't hit the pole where my daughter was sitting. this needs to be addressed and all tacoma's that contain this style ball joint be fixed before some one does get killed. | |||
| 12/13/2012 | 186105 | 1 | |
| While driving down a road at about 5 mph, my lower left ball joint (driver side) separated without any warning causing my truck to lose control as the entire truck collapsed onto my driver side tire, because the suspension was no longer holding it up. in the event that i had been going much faster (possibly even ten miles per hour) i feel that the wheel would have completely ripped off, causing extensive damage and complete loss of control. i then found out toyota had made a recall on this part and when i contacted them, i was apparently 2 weeks past the recall window. i feel that the recall should be extended due to the sheer number of these trucks that are still on the road. when the lower ball joint fails, it is a catastrophic event that can very easily result in a crash. *tr | |||
| 12/13/2012 | 186105 | ||
| While driving down a road at about 5 mph, my lower left ball joint (driver side) separated without any warning causing my truck to lose control as the entire truck collapsed onto my driver side tire, because the suspension was no longer holding it up. in the event that i had been going much faster (possibly even ten miles per hour) i feel that the wheel would have completely ripped off, causing extensive damage and complete loss of control. i then found out toyota had made a recall on this part and when i contacted them, i was apparently 2 weeks past the recall window. i feel that the recall should be extended due to the sheer number of these trucks that are still on the road. when the lower ball joint fails, it is a catastrophic event that can very easily result in a crash. | |||
| 10/26/2012 | 110000 | ||
| Tl - the contact owns a 2001 toyota tacoma. the contact stated that while driving the vehicle at approximately 12mph the contact heard a loud noise from the rear end of the vehicle every time the accelerator pedal was depress. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated the issue was the lower ball joint on the suspension that was worn off and needed to be replace. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included in nhtsa campaign id number: 05v225000 (suspension: front: control arm:lower ball joint). the vehicle was repaired. the approximate failure mileage was 110,000 and the current mileage was 110,500. pmb | |||
| 10/26/2012 | 110000 | ||
| Tl - the contact owns a 2001 toyota tacoma. the contact stated that while driving the vehicle at approximately 12mph the contact heard a loud noise from the rear end of the vehicle every time the vehicle was accelerated. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated the issue was the lower ball joint on the suspension that was worn off and needed to be replace. the manufacturer was contact and stated the vehicle was not under the nhtsa campaign id number: 05v225000 (suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint). the vehicle was repaired. the approximate failure mileage was 110,000 and the current mileage was 110,500 . dr | |||
| 10/01/2012 | 134000 | 1 | |
| I brake in my driveway at approx. 2 mph, heard a loud thump in the rear end of my 2001 tacoma. when i checked, i found that the driver side front bracket to leaf spring holding the rear axle was actually sitting 2 or 3 inches into the frame rail. the frame had rusted through in that spot, the rust was so bad, that 6 inches of steel on bottom of frame rail was gone in any direction of the leaf spring bracket attachment point. there isn't enough steel left to even attempt a weld to repair it. on close inspection of the frame overall, there are multiple points where the frame rails have disintegrated. my rear axle is sitting off-center, and the car cannot be driven. if normal force or torque is applied, the axle will break free, and this will cause an accident. i heard that there is a recall on tacoma frame rails, so i called the dealer. dealer stated my vin did not have a recall; i called toyota, they told me that i would be contacted in 1 business day. they never called. 2 days later, i called and got transferred to their truck team, got shuffled around for 6 more phone calls over 3 days, when they informed me that they mailed me a notice that i had to have gotten a frame spraying to qualify for the frame recall. i never received such notice, and toyota did not even have my address; which they stated that they got all information from dmv. my dmv info is current, always has been. toyota has given my every type of run-around imaginable, ultimately denying my recall. on websites, there are thousands of people in my same situation...exactly the same. further, there are many people who had the frame spray, which then peeled off within months of application. this seems like toyota deliberately tried to exclude as many people as possible with this frame spray, which wouldn't be necessary in the first place if the frames weren't defective. my truck is dead. *tr | |||
| 09/07/2012 | 162200 | 1 | |
| Toyota tacoma 2001 in great shape other than the frame is rusting out. took it to my mechanic for routine maintenance oil change; he saw some heavy corrosion on the frame. in several places, it has eaten through and has perforations. he says it is getting to be unsafe. i just bought this truck about a year ago at a dealership in ohio and was not made aware that this was a huge problem in the 1996-2003 models, but this issue is apparently very common as toyota did not provide acceptable undercoatings for these models. next step is to take it to the toyota dealership and see what they say. at this point, i would take a buyout but would prefer to have the frame/chassis replaced at their expense. i love this truck and use it everyday. very scared to drive it right now and hope they come through to fix their mistake. this should be a public recall since it is a huge safety concern and people should be made aware that this is a time-bomb accident waiting to happen. these trucks are everywhere on the road. thanks *tr | |||
| 09/07/2012 | 162200 | ||
| Toyota tacoma 2001 in great shape other than the frame is rusting out. took it to my mechanic for routine maintenance oil change; he saw some heavy corrosion on the frame. in several places, it has eaten through and has perforations. he says it is getting to be unsafe. i just bought this truck about a year ago at a dealership in ohio and was not made aware that this was a huge problem in the 1996-2003 models, but this issue is apparently very common as toyota did not provide acceptable undercoatings for these models. next step is to take it to the toyota dealership and see what they say. at this point, i would take a buyout but would prefer to have the frame/chassis replaced at their expense. i love this truck and use it everyday. very scared to drive it right now and hope they come through to fix their mistake. this should be a pulic recall since it is a huge safety concern and people should be made aware that this is a time-bomb accident waiting to happen. these trucks are everywhere on the road. thanks | |||
| 08/20/2012 | 166836 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2001 toyota tacoma. the contact stated that while driving 40 mph the front driver side tire became detached from the vehicle. the vehicle was towed to the contacts residence. the tow truck driver informed the contact of nhtsa campaign id number: 05v225000 (suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint). the manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure and current mileage was 166,836. pmb | |||
| 08/20/2012 | 166836 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2001 toyota tacoma. the contact stated while driving 40 mph the front driver side tire became detached from the vehicle. the vehicle was towed to the contacts home. the tow truck driver informed the contact of the recall 05v225000. the manufacturer was notified but offered no assistance. the vehicle had not been repaired. the failure and current mileages were 166,836. dt | |||
| 07/02/2012 | 144000 | ||
| Tl* the contact owns a 2001 toyota tacoma. the contact stated that the vehicle was taken in for a brake repair when the technician advised that the ball joints failed. the contact was told there was a recall under nhtsa campaign id number: 05v225000 (suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint), but the manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not included in the recall. the failure and the current mileage was 144,000. | |||
| 07/02/2012 | 144000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2001 toyota tacoma. the contact stated that the vehicle was taken in for a brake repair and it was discovered that the ball joints had failed. the contact was told there was a nhtsa recall campaign id number 05v225000 (suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint), but the manufacturer stated the vehicle was not included. the failure mileage and current mileages were 144,000.rl | |||
| 06/14/2012 | 250000 | ||
| I just purchased this truck for my sons first vehicle. 1 day after i purchased i was informed of a recall issue toyota had with these frames rusting excessively creating a safety issue while driving. i took to my toyota dealer they confirmed and inspected my truck. they told me it was unsafe to drive. i called toyota customer care they told me my vehicle was not covered nothing they would do. i can't believe they won't cover this failure. if they are only building vehicles to last 11 years they should be shut down. now my son has a truck he can't drive! great first car huh? i think it's toyota doesn't care center. any help would be appreciated | |||
| 05/13/2012 | 129660 | ||
| Tl* the contact owns a 2001 toyota tacoma sr 5 extended cab. the contact was driving 3-4 mph when the vehicle drove over a road bump and the lower ball joint proceeded to detached from the passenger side front tire. the vehicle then unexpectedly drifted forward three feet. the vehicle was towed to a local repair shop where it was confirmed that the lower ball joint detached and needed to be replaced, along with the brake line. the manufacturer was contacted and they confirmed the vin failed to qualify for repairs under nhtsa campaign id number:05v225000 (suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint). the failure and current mileages were 129,660. | |||
| 05/13/2012 | 129660 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2001 toyota tacoma sr 5 extended cab. the contact was driving 3-4 mph when the vehicle drove over a road bump and the lower ball joint proceeded to detached from the passenger side front tire. the vehicle then unexpectedly drifted forward three feet. the vehicle was towed to a local repair shop where it was confirmed that the lower ball joint detached and needed to be replaced, along with the brake line. the manufacturer was contacted and they confirmed the vin failed to qualify for repairs under nhtsa campaign id number:05v225000 (suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint). the failure and current mileages were 129,660. kmj | |||
| 03/24/2012 | 173000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2001 toyota tacoma. the contact was driving 5 mph when a loud, abnormal sound emitted from under the vehicle. the vehicle was taken to the dealer. the dealer confirmed corrosion on the drivers side i-beam and the cross beam, which was detached on the passenger side of the vehicle. the manufacturer was contacted but the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 173,000 and the current mileage was 173,200. kmj | |||
| 03/24/2012 | 173000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2001 toyota tacoma. the contact was driving 5 mph when a bump sound emitted underneath the vehicle. the vehicle was taken to the dealer. the dealer confirmed corrosion on the drivers side i beam and the cross beam was detached on the passenger side of the vehicle. the manufacturer was contacted. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 173,000 and the current mileage was 173,200. rds | |||
| 12/14/2011 | 212000 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2001 toyota tacoma. the contact was driving approximately 2 mph and the front end of the vehicle?s passenger side collapsed to the ground. the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who stated the lower ball joint separated from the knuckle would need to be replaced. there was a recall related to the failure under nhtsa campaign id number 05v225000 (suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint); however the vin was not included. the vehicle was in the process of being repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the defect. the approximate failure mileage was 212,000. kmj | |||
| 12/14/2011 | 212000 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2001 toyota tacoma. the contact was driving approximately 2 mph and the front end of the vehicle | |||
| 10/16/2011 | 175000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2001 toyota tacoma. the contact stated the upper and lower ball joint failed on the front drivers side wheel and fell off. the contact towed the vehicle to the dealer who confirmed that the ball joint failed. the dealer stated there was a recall, but that the vehicle was no included in nhtsa recall campaign id number: 05v225000 (suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint). the failure and current mileages was 175,000. rvk | |||
| 10/16/2011 | 175000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2001 toyota tacoma. the contact stated the upper and lower ball joint failed on the front driver side wheel fell off. the contact towed the vehicle to the dealer and it was confirmed that the ball joint failed. the dealer stated there was a recall, but that the vehicle was no included in nhtsa recall campaign id number: 05v225000 (suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint). the failure mileage and current mileages were 175,000.rl | |||
| 04/11/2010 | 186000 | ||
| Tl*the contact owns a 2001 toyota tacoma. the contact was driving approximately 30 mph when a loud noise was coming from the front end of the vehicle. the contact pulled over to the side of the road and inspected the vehicle. the ball joints on the front passenger side broke and the entire wheel detached causing damages to the axle. the vehicle was towed to his residence. the dealer was notified of the failure. there was a recall under nhtsa campaign id number 05v225000 (suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint). the vin was excluded from the recall. the manufacturer stated that the repairs would be at the owner expense. the failure mileage was 186,000. | |||
| 04/06/2009 | 1 | ||
| 2001-2004 toyota tacoma frame rust perforation that is now an ongoing issue with these trucks. toyota wants to repair frames instead of buying back trucks like they did with the 1995-2000 models. its an unsafe repair and unsafe to drive truck with a perforated frame. seems like a quiet recall. *tr | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT | |||
| 04/07/2009 | 134000 | ||
| Tl*the contact owns a 2001 toyota tacoma. while attempting to make a left turn at 15 mph, the contact heard a popping noise coming from the front passenger side wheel. the tire detached from the vehicle. the vehicle was towed to a dealer and they stated that the ball joints failed, which caused the wheel to detach and the axle to fail. the insurance company inspected the vehicle and confirmed the ball joint failure. while the vehicle was being repaired, the insurance company notified the contact of nhtsa campaign id number 05v225000 (suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint). the manufacturer stated that the vin was excluded from the recall. he believes that the recall should have included his vehicle. the current and failure mileages were 134,000. | |||
| 12/01/2000 | |||
| While driving in wet conditions on an interstate the truck hydroplaned and spun out of control causing it to leave the roadway and flip over twice landing on the cab. neither airbag deployed. only occupant, driver, sustained only very minor injuries.*ak | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM | |||
| 06/12/2000 | 30700 | 0 | 09/24/2001 |
| 2001 toyota tacoma prerunner 2 wheel drive, 6 cylinder, automatic extra cab 30,000 miles right side upper and lower ball joints failed at freeway speed causing wheel and brake assembly to fold under vehicle. this resulted in loss of control and loss of braking and severe damage to vehicle. *nlm | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM - LOWER BALL JOINT | |||
| 08/10/2007 | 223000 | 1 | 07/29/2006 |
| Driving around curve at 5mph and front left wheel broke at ball joint and my truck fell on top of wheel bending my fender. i had to have truck towed and had both ball joints replace, $453 worth of repairs, not having had my fender fixed yet. my truck was man. in 05/01, missing the recall on the same problem by a few months. i'm blessed to have it happen at low speed, no telling what would have happened if it happened on the highway. *tr | |||
| 05/07/2007 | 1 | ||
| After noticing that the truck developed unusual tire wear and shaking and noise coming from the front end ,making the truck difficult and hazardous to drive. a private technician indicated that the front ball joints needed to be replaced. i was made aware of a toyota recall, and was informed that although this vehicle was exhibiting the exact condition described in the recall that was on identical make, model and year this truck was not part of the recall and would not be covered due to the vin. *ak | |||
| 06/06/2006 | 1 | 07/21/2001 | |
| No failure as of yet, but have two lower ball joints on my vehicle that both are out of tolerance at the same time. seems that my make and model year had a recall on the lower ball joints but they are telling me that my vehicle wasn't included. it seems very odd that the ball joints are both out at the same time, almost like there is a problem with more of the joints than they initially expected. *nm | |||
| 03/31/2006 | 1 | 07/14/2001 | |
| Front suspension lower ball joint. my 2001 toyota tacoma double cab vin# 5tehn72n51z840377 has diagnosed with a worn lower right front ball joint. i have been complaining about a noise in the front suspension for the past 50,000+ miles. initially the noise occurred while taking left turns, now the noise occurs during all phases of operation (left& right turns, and stopping). toyota claims my that the recall is vin specific and mine is not covered by the recall/tsb. yet my vehicle exhibits all the symptoms described in tsb 05015 (nhtsa #100015504) and has for several years. *nm | |||
| 02/27/2006 | 51500 | 1 | 05/15/2001 |
| Dt*: the contact stated while turning the steering wheel there was a popping noise. the vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop where it was determined that the lower ball joint was causing the noise. there is a nhtsa recall, # 05v225000, regarding the front lower ball joint. the vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however it is not included in the recall due to the vin. no repairs have been made. updated 3/20/2006 - *nm | |||
| 09/28/2005 | 39533 | 1 | 06/20/2001 |
| Dt: the consumer stated that his 2001 toyota tacoma was traveling at 35 mph when the tire started making noise. vehicle pulled to the right when the consumer pulled over to check the problem. discovered that the lower ball joint broke. the consumer called toyota and was told that this vehicle was not covered under the recall due to vin, although it had the same problem as mentioned in the recall. the location of the ball joint was the passenger side front ball joint. the consumer was having that fixed today. toyota offered no free remedy to the consumer.*ak updated 11/2/2005. *nm | |||
| 08/05/2001 | 2000 | 1 | 06/04/2001 |
| My 2001 toyota tacoma was involved in a accident. at the trial the accident reconstruction person said he could not understand why the crash happened that it looked like some one had yanked the wheel very hard. the trial was for manslaughter and it took place before the recall. the truck was never inspected by a mechanic. i feel this was the cause for the accident. *jb | |||
| 06/08/2004 | 51880 | 1 | |
| Dt: the contact stated there was a toyota recall on 2004-2004 toyota tacomas regarding the frontal ball joints. the consumer has a 2001 toyota tacoma which did not fall under the recall campaign, but the consumer had to replace both front ball joints on june 8, 2004. there was a vibration and a rubbing noise coming from the front end of vehicle. this was the same problem that was stated in the recall. the consumer contacted the manufacturer; they opened a case and did provide the consumer with case number 200508100951. *ak the rotors and pads were replaced. | |||
| 06/08/2005 | 30800 | 1 | 06/04/2005 |
| Dt: without warning the vehicle started to shift to the right and the front tires were wearing too fast, and driver's side tire was swollen. caller stated all the tires were affected. dealer couldn't tell if this vehicle was in recall. caller said could not get in touch with manufacturer. recall was on ball joints, but the manufacturer has not yet contacted vehicle's owners.*ak | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM - UPPER BALL JOINT | |||
| 05/07/2007 | 1 | ||
| After noticing that the truck developed unusual tire wear and shaking and noise coming from the front end ,making the truck difficult and hazardous to drive. a private technician indicated that the front ball joints needed to be replaced. i was made aware of a toyota recall, and was informed that although this vehicle was exhibiting the exact condition described in the recall that was on identical make, model and year this truck was not part of the recall and would not be covered due to the vin. *ak | |||
| 06/12/2005 | 1 | 12/29/2004 | |
| Dt: contact states driver's side front ball joint fell off, causing the wheel to come off. this specific vehicle does not fall under the toyota recall campaign.*ak | |||
| SUSPENSION - REAR | |||
| 12/01/2010 | 200000 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2001 toyota tacoma. the contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for routine maintenance, and during the repair they discovered that the rear differential housing was leaking and exhibited substantial rusting. the technician informed that the failure was a common defect. the vehicle was repaired. the failure mileage was approximately 200,000. js | |||
| 06/20/2008 | 120000 | 1 | |
| My 2001 toyota tacoma double cab frame is rusted through. toyota is buying back older ones but the frame is the same or worse on my 2001 with no holes to let water and salt out. this is a potentially dangerous situation and since they bought the older ones back in this area it must be serious. *tr | |||
| 10/12/2001 | 0 | ||
| Consumer was traveling 55mph on highway and there was a noise located in rear end. dealership replaced rear end. consumer's son was traveling on highway, a deer ran in front of him, he applied brakes and lost control of vehicle/ ran into a tree. vehicle was totaled. dealership was aware of problem. driver's side airbag deployed after he was climbing out of vehicle.*ak | |||
| 12/01/2000 | 3 | 11/01/2000 | |
| Payload rated at 1674/lbs according to the sales brochure and saleman. we advised the truck will be used for deliveries of 600-1200/lbs. loaded 800/lbs and the truck suspension is at its full travel. the truck seems very unsafe to drive with more than a 500/lb payload. *ak | |||
| SUSPENSION - REAR - SHOCK ABSORBER | |||
| 03/02/2002 | 7 | ||
| The vehicle had been to the dealership several times to correct a defect in the transmission when consumer would make an attempt to stop, the dealer informed consumer the condition was due to a slip joint in the drive shaft which needed to be lubricated and was a normal maintenance issue, but also stated the condition was due to the drive shaft seizing up, the shocks and rear brakes was replaced.*jb | |||
| SUSPENSION - REAR - SPRINGS - LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY - U-BOLT, LEAF SPRING TO AXLE | |||
| 10/24/2004 | 1 | 06/23/2001 | |
| While driving on an interstate at 60 - 65 mph, a loud sound was heard from the rear of the vehicle and the handling became very difficult. the vehicle was pulled to the shoulder. the vehicle was towed to the toyota dealership in las cruces, nm. investigation from the dealer was the u-bolt that connected the leaf springs to the axle came off and damaged the rear differential, the rear wheel & tire and possibly the front tire. the dealer contacted the toyota care representative and they responded that this was a case of the failure of a fastener and was not considered to be a mechanical defect of the vehicle. as of this report the vehicle was not repaired. *jb | |||