Recalls


CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM - LOWER BALL JOINT
05V225000TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.from 08/01/2001 to 09/26/2003V (Vehicle)76837907/05/2005ODITOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.05/17/200505/17/2005
Defect SummaryOn 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 SummaryThe lower ball joint may separate from the knuckle causing loss of steering control and a crash could occur.
Corrective SummaryDealers 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.
NotesToyota 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


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM - LOWER BALL JOINT
0501506/27/200510015504Special 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. *tt07/26/2005

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
SUSPENSION
03/12/2013174000
 Tl- the contact owns a 2003 toyota tundra. the contact stated that while driving 70 mph, the front driver's side wheel became detached from the vehicle. the contact applied the brakes and began to skid until the vehicle came to a stop. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection and was not repaired. the manufacturer was notified and stated that they would assist with the cost of the failed part but not for any additional damages as a result of the failure. the failure mileage was 174,000. the vin was unavailable. kmj
03/12/2013174000
 Tl-the contact owns a 2003 toyota tundra. the contact stated that while driving 70 mph, the front driver side wheel detached from the vehicle. the contact stated he skid down the road until the vehicle came to a complete stop. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was notified and they stated that they would pay cost for the ball joint but not any other damages. the failure mileage was 174,000. the vin was unavailable. ap
04/09/201247000
 Tl- the contact owns a 2003 toyota tundra. the contact stated that the vehicle was taken for state inspection and the contact was told there was severe rust on the frame. the contact referenced nhtsa campaign id number:09v444000(structure: frame and members: underbody shields) and spoke with the manufacturer but was told that the recall was closed. the failure and the current mileages were 47,000. kmj
04/09/201247000
 Tl- the contact owns a 2003 toyota tundra. the contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the state for inspection and was told there was major rust on the frame and there was nhtsa recall campaign id number:09v444000(structure: frame and members: underbody shields). the contact spoke with the manufacturer and was told that the recall was closed. the recall was to repair the rear cross members and other related components. the failure mileage and current mileages were 47,000.rl
08/17/201065000
 Tl- the contact owns a 2003 toyota tundra. the contact stated that there was differential fluid leaking from the rear axle housing due to rust. the vehicle was taken to the dealer but the dealer advised that there were no failures with the rear axle. pictures were taken of the vehicle and sent to the manufacturer but the manufacturer advised that there were no failures seen from the pictures. the contact stated that the pictures were taken with an epoxy on the axle to help seal the leak so the manufacturer would not be able to see the actual failure. the contact stated that the rust ate through the epoxy and the rear differential continued to leak. the failure mileage was 65,000 and the current mileage was 72,000. kmj
08/17/201065000
 Tl- the contact owns 2003 toyota tundra. the contact stated the rear axle housing on the vehicle is rusting and leaking differential fluid. the vehicle was taken to the dealer because of the rust and the dealer looked at the vehicle and stated that the rear axle was fine. the contact spoke with the manufacturer and was told that the pictures taken of the axle showed the axle was fine. the contact stated the pictures were taken with an aproxy on the axle to help seal the leak. the rust ate through the aproxy and the rear differential is still leaking. the failure mileage was 65,000 and the current mileage was 72,000.rl
09/25/2011126190
 Tl* the contact owns 2003 toyota tundra. the contact stated that one of the fuel straps, which held the fuel tank in place, was rusted and corroded. as a result, the strap fractured and the fuel tank was hanging downward. the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and the strap was repaired. the manufacturer was notified, but offered no assistance. the failure mileage was 126,190.
09/25/2011126190
 Tl-the contact owns 2003 toyota tundra. the contact stated that one of the fuel straps, which held the fuel tank in place, was rusted and corroded. as a result, the strap fractured and the fuel tank was hanging downward. the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and the strap was repaired. the manufacturer was notified, but offered no assistance. the failure mileage was 126,190. sm.
02/10/200501
 I bought a new 2003 toyota tundra limited 4x4 tuck here on guam. i've been experiencing shaking since about 2005. all the recalls supposily have been taken care of by the dealer ex: lower ball joint replaced, brakes replaced and passenger airbag disconnected by dealer. shaking became minimal, but now my truck shakes more than ever. i even had one of the dealer's mechanics test drive the truck with me. he said it was because the road is bumpy. i even drove on a newly paved road and the shaking was even more noticable. i told him to look at the side view mirror at the bed shaking. that's when he agreed with me. the dealer had my truck for four months or so trying to figure what was causing the shaking with no prevail. hince, i have been dealing with the compensating of braking and shaking of my truck. i am really fed up taking my truck in for this problem. all my records of service are at the toyota dealer. i hope you can find a solution to this problem and help me out. *tr
09/01/20051010001/01/2003
 Vehicle vibrates at highway speeds. despite repeated tire balancing, replacement and alignment. vibrates between 50 and 80 mph. dealer states it is because of standard 17 inch wheels on these vehicles. *nm
08/01/20055700206/01/2003
 2003 toyota tundra front tires had excessive outer tire wear.*mr the tire were rotated and now all four tires have excessive wear. *nm
SUSPENSION - FRONT
07/18/200848270
 Tl*the contact owns a 2003 toyota tundra. the contact received a recall notice for nhtsa campaign id number 05v225000 (suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint). he scheduled an appointment with the dealer to have the vehicle repaired when the parts arrived. the recall repair was performed on august 24, 2005. when the vehicle was taken to a different dealer for another failure, it was discovered that the vehicle had an outstanding repair for the ball joints. the contact was informed that the first dealer only inspected the ball joints instead of replace them as stated on toyota's website. the dealer advised him to go to the original dealer that performed the recall inspection. the dealer then scheduled a second appointment for the recall repair, but when he arrived for the repair, he was informed that the repair work had been performed the first time. currently, the records indicate that the repair work had been performed, which is incorrect. the failure mileage was 48,270.
SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM
03/19/2006210/21/2005
 While towing a small trailer the front end of the vehicle started floating and became impossible to control. as a result the truck went out of control and flipped over causing over 10,000.00 in damages to the pickup. it was a bout a month or two after this that we received the recall on the front ball joint. even though it was supposedly fixed??? it still continues to have problems. i have contacted the insurance company and they had never heard of the recall. i think toyota should stand up and do the right thing and give us a new truck that doesn't have potentially fatal recalls. or maybe a class action legal response may be in order? i am contacting a lawyer asap i broke both wrist and cannot use my right arm now as a direct result of irresponsibility for this not being done right. if anyone else is interested let me know. email me at the very least the dealer who sold us this vehicle should be liable for stating there is nothing at all wrong with that truck it is in perfect condition. what all that knowledge the pretend to posses about vehicles and they are not intelligent enough to check for recalls prior to reselling them to their valued customers. *tr
SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM - LOWER BALL JOINT
05/28/2006103/21/2005
 Front suspension lower ball joint recall on 2003 toyota tundra. consumer states that his son had a serious accident and was injured. *nj the consumers son heard a loud noise and the right front of his truck dropped while he was driving. he was unable to steer the vehicle and hit a retaining wall. the consumer received a recall notice regarding the lower ball joint problem 9 months after the accident.*jb
01/15/2007820001
 Tl* - the contact owns a 2002 toyota tundra pickup. the contact stated that therewas a safety recall on the lower ball joints. the contact took the vehicle to have the safety recall repaired, and two weeks later while driving at 30 mph in beautiful weather, the lower ball joint on the front left side came apart, and the contact's vehicle hit a second vehicle. the contact stated that the police did not take a report. the contactwas employed as a senior engineer technician, and he needed the vehicle to do his job, and he has not been provided another vehicle while the vehicle was being investigated. *ak
06/12/200655000103/01/2003
 The bolts on my tudnra's left ball joint sheared off and the left front wheel collapsed on june 12, 2006. the failure occurred in page, arizona while we were on vacation. the failure occurred after our dealer fixed the joints on april 17, 2006 pursuant to toyota's recall notice for this problem. we consider ourselves fortunate to be alive. i am giving similar notices today to dealer and toyota. our tundra is currently at the body shop in page, az. there was some body damage to the right front side. the work will be done by this friday, june 7. we intend to pick up the car then. i have three of the bolts that came off (two of them that i picked up on the street were sheared) and have asked the repair shop to save all parts that they removed and replace. i also have photos of the tundra at its point of rest in the street. because of traffic control problems, the page police responded to this incident. the officer in charge was c. miller, badge 523. he also provided me with a another number (i don't know if this is an incident number): 06/06/1420. *jb
01/30/200634000103/01/2003
 Dt*: the contact stated the steering wheel was hard to turn. there is an nhtsa recall #05v225000 concerning the front lower ball joint. the contact has been waiting for six months to get a letter from the manufacturer so that the dealer will repair the recalled part.
05/30/200690000109/01/2003
 Dt*: the contact stated recall work was performed a month ago on the vehicle, while driving 40 mph, the front of the vehicle dropped. the vehicle was moved off the road and towed to the dealer. a nhtsa recall, #05v225000 was performed on the vehicle concerning, the front lower ball joint however, the recall did not remedy the problem. the dealership did offer a second repair without charge under the recall. updated 11/21/2006 - *nm
12/06/20051
 Dt: the contact states there is nhtsa recall campaign 05v225000 concerning the lower ball joints. the parts needed to repair the vehicle are not available at the local dealership. he spoke to their manufacturer, who has confirmed that the parts were not available. *ak
10/09/2004207/14/2004
 Dt: the contact's vehicle was involved in an accident while traveling at 50 mph due to the lower ball joint causing a reduced steering effort. he lost control of vehicle. he contacted the dealership, they instructed him to contact the insurance company. the vehicle was totaled as a result of the accident.*ak
02/09/20051900006/21/2003
 Premature tire wear, the dealer did not know what is causing the front tires to show premature wear. this is on a 2003 tundra t-3 with dunlap tires. i am not the only person with this type of tire wear, it starts on the vehicle at about 15,000 miles
11/15/200421000106/03/2004
 Right front ball joint separated, causing loss of control while driving, resulting in over $10,000 in damage. *ak
SUSPENSION - FRONT - SHOCK ABSORBER
10/20/2003160001
 My 2003 toyota tundra (2 wheel drive/v8) has uneven tire wear. needs tire replacement at 16,000 miles. mechanics tell me it's a shock or frame problem. toyota denies their responsibility, says it's the tires and/or i drive too hard. *la
SUSPENSION - MULTIPLE AXLE
03/19/2006210/21/2005
 While towing a small trailer the front end of the vehicle started floating and became impossible to control. as a result the truck went out of control and flipped over causing over 10,000.00 in damages to the pickup. it was a bout a month or two after this that we received the recall on the front ball joint. even though it was supposedly fixed??? it still continues to have problems. i have contacted the insurance company and they had never heard of the recall. i think toyota should stand up and do the right thing and give us a new truck that doesn't have potentially fatal recalls. or maybe a class action legal response may be in order? i am contacting a lawyer asap i broke both wrist and cannot use my right arm now as a direct result of irresponsibility for this not being done right. if anyone else is interested let me know. email me at the very least the dealer who sold us this vehicle should be liable for stating there is nothing at all wrong with that truck it is in perfect condition. what all that knowledge the pretend to posses about vehicles and they are not intelligent enough to check for recalls prior to reselling them to their valued customers. *tr
SUSPENSION - REAR
03/05/2011107000
 Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota tundra. the contact took the vehicle in for unrelated repairs when the dealer informed him that the rear differential was leaking and corroded. the dealer advised having the component replaced but the vehicle was not repaired. the current and failure mileage was 107,000. the vin was unavailable.
03/05/2011107000
 Tl- the contact owns a 2003 toyota tundra. the contact took the vehicle in for repairs where the dealer informed him that the rear differential was leaking and corroded and needed to be replaced. the vehicle had not been repaired due to cost. the current and failure mileages were 107,000. the vin was unavailable. bw