2003 Toyota Tacoma Suspension

Invoice no. XXX Frame recall. I have a receipt stating…”J# 20TOZFRAM,;CS FRAM Inspection TECY(S):351 Warrenty inspected Frame, Frame failed, perforation, Replaced Frame at Dealer”. Except they did not replace the frame, I have a receipt stating they replaced the “ spare tire rack assembly. Now, my frame is so rusted it will not pass inspection next September. It has been welded already, at the tune of $2500.00. This truck has 122,000 miles. I want the truck fixed. I’ve been in touch with the BBB and the attorney general, and others. The attorney general suggested I get a lawyer. This is a a gross deception from the Orleans Dealer in [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Prior to July, 2010, I received a letter from Toyota stating my Tacoma Frame was recalled. I wouldn’t have known otherwise. I set up an appointment with the Orleans Toyota dealer and set up an appointment. They gave me a loaner and had my truck for two weeks. I thought my frame had been replaced. All this time went by and now my frame is dangerously rusted. Last year I spent $2500 getting it spot welded. This year the mechanic says he may not be able to pass it next time. This provoked me to research all my bills for the truck. What I found was unbelievable to me. I never looked at my billing receipt from Orleans Toyota, but believed the frame was done. Not the case. They replaced the 83341 Spare Tire Carrier 5092 Wpt. Part=04002-11204. My Tacoma has 122,000 on it now. I’m [XXX]. I cannot afford a new car payment . From what I understand there are 100s of people with the same problem of seriously rusted frames. I need your help. Thank youL [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? While driving over railroad tracks, the lower ball joint separated from its socket, which caused the CV axle shaft to break apart and led to the separation of the upper ball joint. As a result, the front driver's side tire folded under the fender, causing the truck to abruptly veer off the road and into the right shoulder All parts are available for inspection How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? When the failure occurred, I was driving over a series of railroad tracks when the truck suddenly veered off the road onto the shoulder. This abrupt veering and stopping put my safety—and the safety of others—at risk, as the drivers behind me had to react suddenly to avoid a collision. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? The truck was serviced in 2006 in response to the recall, having the lower ball joints replaced, however the replacement parts may have failed Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No

FRAME IS RUSTING.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS COASTING INTO A FUEL STATION, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BALL JOINT DETACHED FROM THE TIRE INDEPENDENTLY AND WITHOUT AN IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND LATER TOWED TO TOYOTA OF WHITTIER (LOCATED AT 14577 E, WHITTIER BLVD, WHITTIER, CA 90605, (562) 222-5386). THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE BALL JOINT BECAME LOOSE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V225000 (SUSPENSION) IN 2005. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 1902250627. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR FAILED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 230,000.

WE BOUGHT OUR 2003 TACOMA BRAND NEW FROM THE DEALER IN 2003, EXPECTING THIS TO BE A 30-YEAR INVESTMENT. WE HAVE KEPT UP ALL MAINTENANCE ON THIS TRUCK WITH OUR MECHANIC. HE CHECKED IT LAST YEAR AND FOUND NO ISSUES WITH THE FRAME OTHER THAN SOME NORMAL RUST. LAST WEEK WE TOOK IT TO HIM BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR WAS ON, AND HE DISCOVERED THAT OUR FRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH WITH HOLES IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE. HE DEEMED IT COMPLETELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND RECOMMENDED THAT IT BE TOWED TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE FRAME WAS NEAR THE POINT OF BREAKING IN HALF. WE NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTICES FROM TOYOTA. WE PERFORMED ALL RECALLS THEY ISSUED. AFTER AN ONLINE SEARCH, WE DISCOVERED THE EXTENT OF THIS FRAME ROT PROBLEM OVER MANY TOYOTA TRUCKS. WHEN WE CALLED TOYOTA CORPORATE, THEY DISMISSED US AND TOLD US THAT WE WERE OUT OF LUCK RECEIVING ANY HELP OR COMPENSATION FOR THIS DEFECT BECAUSE WE HAD MISSED DEADLINES ON A CLASS ACTION SUIT AND ALSO THAT THERE WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ISSUED ONLY FOR SOME TACOMAS IN CERTAIN COLD WEATHER STATES. WE WERE NEVER NOTIFIED OF ANY OF THIS INFORMATION AND HAVE LIVED AT THIS SAME ADDRESS WITH THE SAME CONTACT INFORMATION SINCE THE TIME OF PURCHASE. WE WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE WE PURCHASED IT AND THEY ALSO COMPLETELY DISMISSED US, TELLING US THAT IT WAS OUT OF THEIR HANDS AND WE COULD TRY TO CONTACT CORPORATE TO JOIN ALL THE OTHER TRUCK OWNERS WITH THIS FRAME ROT PROBLEM AND TRY TO SEE IF THEY MIGHT HELP US. THIS TRUCK HAS ONLY 37,479 MILES. AS MUCH AS I'M DEVASTATED THAT WE ARE NOW OUT MANY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS BECAUSE OF TOYOTA'S UNSCRUPULOUS POLICIES, I'M MORE ANGRY THAT THEY KNOWINGLY HAVE PUT MILLIONS OF LIVES IN JEOPARDY BY COVERING UP THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM. HOW MANY MORE VEHICLES ARE CURRENTLY ON THE ROADS EVERY DAY WITH THE RISK OF RIPPING IN HALF AND KILLING INNOCENT PEOPLE? THIS PROBLEM MUST BE FIXED PLEASE!

WHILE TRAVELING AT ABOUT 40 MPH, RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY BROKE OFF AT THE BALL JOINTS. THE TIRE FOLDED UNDER THE CHASSIS AND THE TRUCK SKIDDED TO A STOP IN THE ROAD SHOULDER.

FRAME CORROSION, TOOK TACOMA IN FOR INSPECTION WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY, FRAME FAILED INSPECTION BUT TOYOTA DENIED CLAIM DUE TO OUTSIDE INFLUENCES.

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD GOIMG ABOUT 35 MPH HEARD A LOUD NOISE. LOST ALL CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND MY TIRE HAD BROKEN OFF FROM THE BALL JOINT. THE PLACE FIXING IT SAID THE OTHER SIDE IS ABOUT TO BREAK AS WELL. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE INADVERTENTLY TURNED LEFT AND CRASHED INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION BALL JOINT FRACTURED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD NOT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V225000 (SUSPENSION). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE KRAUSE TOYOTA OF BRINIGSVILLE, PADEALER DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT IT DID NOT PASS BECAUSE THE REAR END NEAR THE SPRING SHACKLE FOR THE SUSPENSION WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT, AS OF 2012, THEY WERE NO LONGER RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER OPENED CASE NUMBER: 1706010045. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE PASSENGER SIDE WHILE THE CONTACT WAS STEERING THE VEHICLE STRAIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHOCK ABSORBER WAS NOT ATTACHED TO THE TRUCK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STRUTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LEAF SPRING FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TURNING AT 10 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL AS THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DROPPED TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINT WAS FOUND TO BE SEPARATED, CAUSING THE FRONT SUSPENSION TO FAIL. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 05V225000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 175,640.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ENTER A PARKING SPACE, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL COLLAPSED TO THE GROUND. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE BALL JOINT WAS SPLIT. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V225000 (SUSPENSION: BALL JOINT) AND WAS TOLD BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 180,000. *TR UPDATED 06/10/13 *BF

2003 TOYOTA TACOMA RECALL NOTICE FOR THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINT. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE PARTS FAILED TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *NJ

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. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE HAD TURNED IN A 90 DEGREE ANGLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 318,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 218,000. UPDATED 10/5/09 *CN UPDATED 10/07/09. *JB

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. *JB

TL*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.

DT*: 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.

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. *TS *JB ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***

INFO COPY LTR FWD TO TOYOTA REGARDING FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINT RECALL, CUSTOMER DISSATISFIED W/QUALITY OF CURRENT TOYOTA VEHICLES. *TS **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. *JB

INFO COPY LTR FWD TO TOYOTA REGARDING FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINT RECALL, CUSTOMER DISSATISFIED W/QUALITY OF CURRENT TOYOTA VEHICLES. *TS **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. *JB