2000 Toyota Tundra Suspension

On February 19, 2026, I contacted Hendrick Toyota Apex (1210 Laura Village Rd, Apex, NC 27523) to schedule repair for two open safety recalls on my 2000 Toyota Tundra (VIN: [XXX] ) under NHTSA Campaign #09V444, Toyota Campaigns BXD and BZD. The dealership incorrectly refused to perform either recall, stating that neither could be done in North Carolina because they only apply to cold climate states. This is incorrect — Campaign BZD was specifically created as a supplemental campaign to allow Toyota dealers outside the 20 cold climate states to inspect and repair covered vehicles. I was turned away on my first call. Only after calling back a second time to lodge a complaint did a different representative look up the recalls and confirm that Campaign BZD can in fact be performed at their location. Had I accepted the initial refusal, I would have been denied a free safety recall repair on a vehicle with 255,656 miles and visible frame corrosion. The dealership's staff appear to be untrained on recall Campaign BZD and are likely turning away other affected Tundra owners. I have call recordings documenting the incorrect refusal. I am requesting NHTSA review this dealership's handling of recall #09V444 to ensure other consumers are not wrongly denied safety recall service. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

I pulled out of my bank's parking lot driveway making a right turn and the lower left ball joint failed and broke off causing the left front wheel assembly to collapse. The truck slid to a stop and blocked both the driveway and roadway. Police arrived shortly afterwards and made a report. Truck was not able to move on it's own and had to be towed to a repair shop. Broken ball joint inspected and then replaced by my mechanic. Further damage occurred to the left front fender and drivers door from the wheel assembly slamming into the fender. Front fender damage caused the drivers door to jamb shut. The damaged fender had to be pried back to release the door so it could open. (fender and door not repaired) Fortunately I was alone and not injured if I had been driving at highway speeds I would have received serious injuries/death and possibly loosing control of vehicle causing possible injuries/death to others. No warning lights/messages were visible before or during the incident and the only symptom I observed was a slight creaking noise right before it happened.

The contact owns a 2000 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, he noticed that the front wheels would frequently turn to the opposite direction of what was intended. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the upper ball joints had failed and needed to be replaced. The independent mechanic replaced the upper ball joints with the same model; however, the failure reoccurred after the vehicle had been driven for less than 20,000 miles. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the upper ball joints with the same model part; however, the failure persisted. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they would only replace the ball joints with the original OEM ball joints. The vehicle was taken to an auto builder who assisted the contact in replacing the control arms, upper and lower ball joints, and retro shocks with a different model. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22E002000 (Suspension) because the VIN was not included. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

MY MECHANIC INFORMED ME ON LAST VISIT TO SHOP, W/ MY 2000 TUNDRA, THAT THE FRAME WAS SERIOUSLY RUSTED. BUT, I DIDN'T REALIZE HOW SERIOUS IT WAS UNTIL...DUE TO BLACK ICE....MY TRUCK ENDED UP IN THE DITCH (12/4) AND HAD TO HAVE A THE LOCAL TOWING COMPANY TOW IT HOME. JEFF HILL, THE OWNER-WHO ALSO RUNS A BODY SHOP-INFORMED ME, AFTER LOOKING AT UNDERSIDE OF MY TRUCK....NOT TO DRIVE IT AND THAT DUE TO DAMAGE OF FRAME----RUSTED OUT----HE ADVISED THAT I NOT PUT ANY MORE $$$ INTO IT. AFTER GETTING IT HOME WE LOOKED UP UNDER TRUCK AND COULD VISIBLY SEE HOW SERIOUSLY RUSTED IT WAS. AND, DUE TO THE RUST, THE IMPACT OF MY ACCIDENT ACTUALLY BROKE THE FRAME....SO NOW IT IS COMPLETELY UNDRIVABLE AND BASICALLY TOTALED. I HAD A MAN, DON YATES, WHO OWNS/OPERATES A LOCAL WELDING SHOP, STOP BY AND INSPECT IT. HE GAVE ME A QUOTE OF AT LEAST $1400 TO HAVE FRAME REPAIRED. MY INTENTION WAS TO REPLACE THE BROKEN WINDOW AND MIRROR-DAMAGE FROM HITTING THE DITCH-AND KEEP ON DRIVING IT TILL SHE WOULDN'T GO ANYMORE. THE MOTOR AND TRANEY ARE STILL GOOD...ALTHOUGH THEY DO HAVE A LOT OF MILES ON THEM. THE POLICE ACCIDENT REPORT STATES OVER $1,500 WORTH OF DAMAGE AND I HAVE TAKEN PICS OF THE RUST. I HAD JUST PURCHASED NEW TIRES FOR IT...THEY ARE STILL SITTING AT TIRE SHOP WAITING ON ME. I AM WONDERING IF I CAN STILL GET IN ON THE CLASS ACTION SUIT OR IF THERE IS ANY WAY OF GETTING ANY HELP W MY PROBLEM??? PLEASE. ANY RECOURSE?? DUE TO MY TRUCK FRAME BEING BROKEN... I WAS FORCED TO TRADE IN MY CAR TO ENABLE ME TO BUY ANOTHER TRUCK-TOYOTA OF COURSE. SO, NOW MY PAYMENTS ARE ALMOST DOUBLE WHAT I HAD ON CAR. WHICH..I COULD NOT AFFORD, BUT, I WORK OUT IN THE BOONIES AND MUST HAVE A TRUCK TO GET THERE. I HAVE PICS ON MY PHONE BUT AM UNABLE TO GET THEM UPLOADED TO MY COMP. I HOPE TO BE ABLE TO GET THIS FIGURED OUT SOON. MAY I SEND THEM LATER??? TU KINDLY, (XXXX) PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

BALL JOINT ON FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BROKE. THIS WILL BE THE THIRD TIME IT HAS BROKE. REPLACED IT EVERY TIME. ONCE TURNING IN A BUSINESS RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET, DAMAGING VEHICLE, ONCE BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, AND ONCE TURNING INTO A PARKING SPOT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA TUNDRA. WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH, THE LOWER BALL JOINT SEPARATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE LOWER BALL JOINT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 800-331-4331 AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. CASE NUMBER: 1709200106 WAS PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 247,000.

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE LESS THEN 2 YEARS AGO UNAWARE OF THE RECALL FROM A SMALL DEALER. WHEN I WENT TO REPLACE THE SHOCKS WAS TOLD ABOUT THE RECALL. THERE IS NO WAY TO REPLACE THEM AND NOW I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH THE TRUCK. IT'S IN GREAT SHAPE OTHER THEN THIS. CAN YOU HELP?

I HAD JUST TURNED AROUND IN A PARKING LOT AND WAS PULLING AWAY WHEN MY RIGHT WHEEL ASSEMBLY WITHOUT WARNING CAME APART FROM THE SUSPENSION AND WEDGED SIDEWAYS IN THE WHEEL WELL. SHORTLY BEFORE THIS I HAD BEEN DRIVING AT 65 MPH OR FASTER AND THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A DEVASTATING EVENT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA TUNDRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE LOWER BALL JOINT SEPARATED FROM THE SOCKET AND THE LOWER A FRAME DROPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE ORIGINAL BALL JOINT FAILED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED. THE CONTACT, WHO IS A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, REPLACED THE BALL JOINT BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 310,000.

APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR AGO THERE WAS A SEPARATION OF MY BALL JOINT ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF MY CAR. I WAS GOING ABOUT 25 MILE AN HOUR AND BASICALLY MY FRONT END COLLAPSED AND THE WHEEL SEPARATED FROM MY VEHICLE. I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC AND HAD IT REPAIRED. THEN ON APRIL 13TH 2014 IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON MY PASSENGER SIDE.THIS TIME I WAS ROLLING TO A STOP SIGN SO THE TIRE DID NOT COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE. AFTER HAPPENING TWICE I LOOKED UP RECALL AND DISCOVERED THIS EXACT SCENARIO WAS DESCRIBED FOR MY VEHICLE TYPE DURING THE YEARS OF 2002-2004. I WAS LUCKY BOTH TIMES I WAS NOT TRAVELING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. NHTSA ACTION NUMBER :EA04024 IS THE RECALL I AM REFERRING TO. *TT

REAR DRIVER SIDE LEAF SPRING BROKE. THE LEAF SPRING WAS EXTREMELY RUSTY. IT WAS A SINGLE SPRING OUT OF THE FOUR. I HAVE A RECALL NOTICE FOR RUST ON THE FRAME AND HAVE HAD THE GAS TANK STRAPS REPLACED. IS THIS A TOTAL FAILURE OF THE STEEL TOYOTA USES FOR THE FRAMES OF THEIR VEHICLES? I THINK IT'S TIME THAT THE NHTSA START FORCING RECALLS BEYOND SPRAYING ON RUST PROOFING. SO FAR THE PEOPLE REPORTING TO YOU HAVEN'T BEEN INJURED, BUT THEN I GUESS THE ONES WHO HAVE BEEN INJURED OR KILLED WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO REPORT THE PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR END SHOOK AND BOUNCED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS OVER 5 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRAME WAS FINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT VARIOUS PORTIONS OF THE REAR FRAME AND SUSPENSION WERE RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE SHOCK ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WAS ALSO DISCONNECTED FROM THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT THE SAME FAILURE BEING ADDRESSED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V444000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

I PURCHASED THE 2000 TOYOTA TUNDRA IN JULY OF 2010, ABOUT A YEAR LATER ON JULY 4TH 2011, THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL BROKE OFF AT THE BALL JOINTS LODGING THE WHEEL UNDER THE VEHICLE, WHEN THIS HAPPENED I WAS GOING ABOUT 65MPH DOWN THE INTERSTATE. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY MOVE THE TRUCK TO THE SHOULDER WITHOUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I HAD THE BALL JOINTS REPLACED ON THE FRONT OF BOTH SIDES TO BE SAFE ALONG WITH A FEW OTHER PARTS THAT WERE DAMAGED IN THE ACCIDENT. ABOUT TWO MONTHS AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE SAME THING HAPPENS AGAIN ON THE SAME SIDE. THE PARTS USED TO FIX IT THE FIRST TIME WERE FACTORY TOYOTA PARTS. IVE READ WHERE NUMEROUS OTHER PEOPLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM OUT OF THEY'RE 2000 TUNDRA BUT THE RECALL DOES NOT COVER THIS MODEL EVEN THOUGH THE SAME PARTS ARE USED. *KB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA TUNDRA PICKUP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THERE WAS A METALLIC GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE LEAF SUSPENSION BRACKET RUSTED AND DETACHED FROM THE FRAME, PENETRATING THE CARGO BOX. THERE WAS DAMAGES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE REAR SUSPENSION. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,929.

LOWER BALL JOINT FAILURE ! CRUISING AT 30 MPH I HEARD A LOUD POP AND MY LEFT FRONT TIRE HITS THE INNER FENDER AND WEDGES AGAINST THE GROUND AND BODY OF MY TRUCK ! LUCKILY THERE WAS NO ONE BEHIND OR BESIDE ME. I WAS ABLE TO GET 1/4 OF THE WAY OFF THE ROAD ONLY BLOCKING THE FAR RIGHT LANE ON A 3 LANE ROAD AND A SCHOOL DRIVEWAY ! AND ONE OF THE PEOPLE THAT STOPPED AS THEY WERE ENTERING THE SCHOOL TOLD ME THE SAME THING HAD HAPPENED TO THEM AND THAT I SHOULD CALL TOYOTA. CALLED TOYOTA AND WAS TOLD NO RECALL FOR MY TRUCKS VIN. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND IT HAS HAPPENED TO MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME YEAR AND VEHICLE AS MINE BUT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE CURRENT SAFETY RECALL YEARS ! I AM VERY GLAD THAT I DID NOT MAKE IT TO THE HIGHWAY 1/2 MILE AWAY THAT I WAS GOING TO BE TRAVELING ON, AS I MIGHT NOT BE TUCKING MY SON INTO BED TONIGHT ! CALLED A FRIEND AND GOT IT OUT OF THE ROAD AND REPLACED THE LOWER AND UPPER BALL JOINTS IN THE SCHOOLS DRIVEWAY TO GET THE VEHICLE HOME. AND NOW NEEDS A NEW SPINDLE, TIE ROD, AND BRAKE LINE NOT TO MENTION ANOTHER SET OF BALL JOINTS. THE SPINDLE WAS BENT AND WAS FORCED BACK INTO SHAPE TO LIMP IT HOME. I STILL HAVE THE OLD PARTS FOR INSPECTION AND RESEARCH. IT IS A REAL SHAME THAT A COMPANY WITH SO MANY YEARS OF RELIABLE AND TROUBLE FREE VEHICLES HAS HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS AND RECALLS IN THE PAST FEW YEARS. GUESS THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU USE INFERIOR PARTS THAT YOUR REPUTATION WAS NOT BUILT ON ! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LEAK SPRINGS WERE RUSTED AND FRACTURED. THE DEALER WAS IN THE PROCESS OF REPAIRING THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER OPENED AN INCIDENT REPORT, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

THE LOWER BALL JOINT ON MY 2000 TOYOTA TUNDRA WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING AT A SPEED LESS THEN 30 MPH IT ONLY HAS 69,000. MILES THIS COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY IF WE WHERE ON A MAIN ROAD, OR EVEN GOING AT A HIGHER SPEED...... *TR

I AM WRITING ON MY 2000 TOYOTA TUNDRA. I JUST NOTICED THE RECALL DUE TO RUST FOUND ON THE REAR FRAME. I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO ALERT YOU RUST FOUND ON THE FRONT SUSPENSION JOINTS. I JUST REPLACED MY FRONT SWAY BAR LINKS DUE TO RUST. THE LINKS SNAPPED OFF AND THIS CAUSED THE TRUCK TO LEAN MORE IN THE TURN OR CAUSE MORE BODY ROLL. THIS I BELIEVE IS SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IF YOU NEED TO PERFORM AND EMERGENCY MANEUVER THIS COULD CAUSE THE TRUCK TO LOOSE CONTROL. WHILE I WAS UNDER THE TRUCK REPAIRING THE LINKS I DID NOTICE A LOT OF RUST IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION THAT LOOKS LIKE IT COULD FAIL. THE UPPER CONTROL ARMS HAVE HEAVY AMOUNTS OF RUST. I DID NOT LOOK AT THE SPARE TIRE BRACKET AS MENTION IN THE RECALL BUT I HAVE NOTICE THE RUST IN REAR SECTION OF THE FRAME. THE LOCATION BOTH SHOCKS HAVE HEAVY RUST AT THEIR POINTS OF ATTACHMENT AS WELL AS THE BREAK LINE HOLDERS. I HOPE YOU FIND THIS INFORMATION HELPFUL FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME WITH ANY QUESTION. *TR

THE REAR OF TRUCK DROPPED AND ONCE CHECKED IT WAS FOUND THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION SHACKLES ROTTED OFF THE FRAME, WHEN TAKEN TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER (TARBOX TOYOTA, NORTH KINGSTOWN RI) AN INSPECTION OF THE FRAME WAS CONDUCTED AND THE DEALER STATED THE FRAME HAD ROTTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THEY STATED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO THEY THEN GAVE ME THE 800 NUMBER TO TOYOTA CORP. WHEN TOYOTA WAS CONTACTED THEY STATED THAT THEY WILL KEEP MY CASE ON FILE AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR ME AT THIS TIME. *TR

THE BRAKES BEGAN TO CAUSE VIBRATION WHEN SLOWING OR STOPPING THE TRUCK. THIS STARTED AROUND 35,000 MILES. THE ROTORS WERE RE-SURFACED AND THE BRAKE PADS REPLACED. AT ABOUT 45,000 MILES THE BRAKES WERE CAUSING THE TRUCK TO SHAKE EXCESSIVELY ONCE AGAIN. THE ROTORS WERE RE-SURFACED AND THE BRAKING WAS SMOOTH FOR ABOUT 8,000 MILES. AT ABOUT 60,000 MILES I WAS FORCED TO BUY NEW ROTORS DUE TO THE TRUCK VIBRATING EXCESSIVELY WHEN SLOWING OR STOPPING. THE BRAKES ON THIS TRUCK ARE NOT ROBUST ENOUGH FOR THE VEHICLE WEIGHT AS THE ROTORS ARE WARPING PREMATURELY AND THE BRAKE PADS ARE WEARING UNEVENLY WITH NORMAL DRIVING. *TR

2000 TUNDRA PICKUP TRUCK LOWER BALL JOINT FAILURE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROX. 50 MPH, WITH NO WARNING THE RIGHT FRONT SUSPENSION CAME APART. THE TIRE FOLDED UNDERNEATH AND THE TRUCK SKIDDED TO A STOP. FORTUNATELY WE WERE ON A 2 LANE MACADAM ROAD. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE TRUCK WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE WHERE THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS RIGHT HAND SIDE, RIGHT HAND DRIVE SHAFT, AND INNER AND OUT TIE-ROD ENDS AND A NEW TIRE. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60MPH ON THE INTERSTATE, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT FRACTURED AND PUNCTURED THE LEFT FRONT TIRE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE THE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED.

FOUR FASTENERS THAT ATTACH THE LOWER CONTROL ARM/ BALL JOINT TO THE SPINDLE/ HUB ASSEMBLY FAILED ON THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE AND CAME APART PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT AFTER A 1.5 HOUR DRIVE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. RECALLS ON THE LOWER BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY IN 2002-2005 TUNDRAS SEEM TO RESULT IN THE SAME TYPE OF SEPARATION. *NM

I PULLED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND HEARD A THUMP, STOPPED, GOT OUT OF MY TRUCK,AND CHECKED TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED. I FOUND THE TOP PORTION OF MY FRONT SWAY BAR (LINKAGE) IN THE ROAD. IT HAD RUSTED AWAY BETWEEN THE TWO RUBBER BUSHINGS, (ON THE PASSENGER SIDE). IF I HAD BEEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, I WOULD NEVER HAVE NOTICED THIS HAD HAPPENED... ISN'T THE SWAY BAR A NEEDED COMPONENT IN THE HANDLING OF ANY VEHICLE? *JB