Problems with 2001 Toyota Tacoma SUSPENSION

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

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

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

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

Front suspension lower ball joint. my 2001 toyota tacoma double cab vin [xxx] 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 updated 07/16/2012 *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Truck 'wanders' and won't track straight without continuous correction with the steering wheel. especially bad when hitting bumps or on 'rain grooves' or other uneven surfaces. difficult to maintain lane discipline and especially scary in construction zones with narrow lanes and concrete dividers nearby. had front end aligned (no help), new tires put on (no help), new shocks installed (no help), tires balanced (nicer ride, but still 'wandered'), front end aligned again (minor improvement) and finally some new tires (again...no help.) there is 'play' in the steering wheel and there is a recall and a tsb from toyota for this year and model truck for 'worn lower ball joints'. but when inquiring with two different dealers, i was told both times that "my" truck was not affected. it sure feels affected!

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

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

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

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

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