2003 Toyota Tacoma recall notice for the front suspension lower ball joint. Consumer states that the parts failed to remedy the problem.

- Saint Thomas, VI, USA

In January 2006, I received a recall notice from Toyota re: Ball joints on our 2003 Tacoma. I scheduled with the dealer and they were all replaced. Christmas day of 2007, I experienced a catastrophic failure of the ball joints on the right side. Both upper and lower separated while driving at about 30 mph. And, the wheel pretty much separated from the vehicle. (vehicle stopped without injury). Vehicle was towed and all four ball joints needed to be replaced. Vehicle is a 2003 Toyota Tacoma with 74,0000 miles. Mileage on Toyota-replaced ball joints could not have been more than about 20,000 miles when they failed.

- Princeton, ME, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tacoma. In February of 2007, the contact received recall notice # (suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint). The dealer stated that the part for the repair was on national back order and was unavailable. As of May 4, 2007, the part was still unavailable. The contact stated that the wait time for the recall repair is unacceptable. The current mileage is 38,300 and the failure mileage was unknown.

- Antelope, CA, USA

I received a recall letter for my 2003 Toyota Tacoma to replace the front suspension lower ball joint ssc 50J a few months ago. I have contacted the dealer many times and each time I call they tell me the parts are in back order in the mean time I am driving on this vehicle with my baby and my 6 year old son in the truck I feel something needs to happen asap I need to get my parts replaced the treason I am taking immediate action right now because for the past days there has been noise coming from the front and also it has been very jumpy and I was told that is the lower ball joint. This is the only vehicle we have and I am very upset with Toyota how they are giving me the run around. I am afraid to drive my kids in it but I have no choice since it is our only vehicle please help me. I have mentioned to them to lend me a loaner and I also get the run around I will to take care of this before I put my family in danger.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

- the contact owns a 2003 Toyota Tacoma. The contact received a follow up notice for the suspension, lower ball joints. However, he never received a previous notice. The contact's vehicle was involved in a crash while driving 40 mph and was unable to gain control of the steering wheel. The air bags did not deploy, the contact's head shattered the windshield, and also sustainede bruising to the face. The contact stated that he made several attempts to call Toyota, and was told by the representative that he was the only person that hr ever reach and was not allowed to speak with a supervisor. Toyota sent an investigator to inspect the vehicle after the crash, and he advised the contact that the reason that the air bag didn't deploy was due to the location of the impact. While unable to gain control of the steering wheel the contact's vehicle crashed into a guard rail. The contact was very concerned that the related recall was identical to the failure that occurred while his family member drove the vehicle. The contact was dissatisfied that the Toyota representative failed to mention the recall that was effective a year prior which caused a collision while inspecting the vehicle. The current mileage was 76,000 and the failure mileage was 39,500.

- Austin , TX, USA

: the contact stated there were no previous problems with the front suspension prior to receiving recall notification. There was a NHTSA recall campaign id # 05V225000 concerning the lower ball joints, the dealer performed the recall remedy. Afterwards, the vehicle drifted from side to side while driving various speeds. Although the vehicle was inspected by the dealer, the service department was unable to duplicate the problem with the front suspension.

- Saint Louis, MO, USA

2003 Toyota Tacoma double cab lower ball joint recall work was performed. Vehicle later began to make a grinding & clunking noise from the front end and the vehicle started to lurch forward. ** answer required***

- Hillsborough, CA, USA

Info copy ltr fwd to Toyota regarding front suspension lower ball joint recall, customer dissatisfied w/quality of current Toyota vehicles. **reference 10140998*** the consumer stated the vehicle continued to have front end problem after being fixed. The vehicle was difficult to steer which made it hard to keep it on the road. The vehicle sometimes had delayed action, it took a little time to respond to turning the steering wheel.

- Sunray, TX, USA

Info copy ltr fwd to Toyota regarding front suspension lower ball joint recall, customer dissatisfied w/quality of current Toyota vehicles. **reference 10140998*** the consumer was involved in an accident. When the consumer attempted to turn the steering wheel it kept going, the consumer over steered to try and the vehicle to turn, however the vehicle went too far in the opposite direction, crossed the center line, hit a culvert went airborne and hit a dirt ditch. The insurance company totaled the vehicle.

- Sunray, TX, USA