2002 Toyota Tundra Suspension
Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.
Complaint Timeline
Chronological view of owner reports
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TUNDRA. HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE SUSPENSION: FRONT: CONTROL ARM: LOWER BALL JOINT (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID 05V225000). THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPAIR THE RECALL BECAUSE OF AN AFTERMARKET FRONT END LIFT INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE. AS OF MARCH 21, 200, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,782 AND THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE.
RECALL WAS NOT COMPLETED BECAUSE THEY SAID VEHICLE WAS NOT IN A REPAIRABLE CONDITION WHICH IT DEFINITELY WAS. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TUNDRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS FAILED. THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V225000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT). THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE, WHICH WAS ISSUED IN 2005. HE NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER, BUT RECEIVED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 110,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TUNDRA. SHE STATED THAT SHE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE LOWER BALL JOINTS (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID#05V225000). SHE HAS BEEN ON THE WAITING LIST FOR A YEAR. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE PROVIDE A DATE WHEN THEY WOULD RECEIVE THE PARTS. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINT FAILURE . *NM
OFFICE OF ATTORNEY GENERAL-TOYOTA RECALL ON BALL JOINTS. *TS THE BALL JOINT AND SPINDLE ON THE FRONT DRIER'S SIDE FAILED AND AS A RESULT THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND ENDED UP IN A CULVERT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOYOTA SERVICE FACILITY WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE BALL JOINT HAD BEEN RECALLED. THE CONSUMER NEVER RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. *NM
2002 TOYOTA TUNDRA FRONT DRIVERS SIDE BALL JOINT AND SPINDLE FAILED. *TS WHEN THE BALL JOINT AND SPINDLE FAILED IT CAUSED THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASH INTO CULVERT. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE FAULTY COMPONENTS HAD BEEN RECALLED. THE CONSUMER NEVER RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE. *NM
2002 TOYOTA TUNDRA FRONT DRIVERS SIDE BALL JOINT AND SPINDLE FAILED. *TS AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE LANDED IN A CULVERT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO EXPLAINED THAT A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR LOWER BALL JOINT FAILURES (05V225000). THE CONSUMER NEVER RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE. *NM
DT: CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING HIS VEHICLE THE FRONT LEFT BALL JOINT SPINDLE CAME UNDONE. THE FRONT LEFT TIRE DISLODGED AND THE VEHICLE DROPPED SPEED. HE HAD NO CONTROL. THIS, IN TURN, CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THE TRUCK WENT OFF THE ROAD AND INTO A DITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP. THERE WAS NHTSA RECALL 05V225000, BUT HE NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD HIM THIS VEHICLE WA SNOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
CONSUMER WHEEL ON 2002 TOYOTA TUNDRA COLLAPSED. *** NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** * TS THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE AFTER THE INCIDENT HAD OCCURRED. *JB
WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH DRIVER'S FRONT SIDE COLLAPSED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT BOTH UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS SNAPPED, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
SEVERAL MONTHS AGO I FILED A REPORT REGARDING THE FAILURE OF BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS ON MY 2002 TOYOTA TUNDRA. SINCE THAT TIME YOU HAVE ENACTED A RECALL # 05V225000. I CALLED TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE TO INQUIRE ABOUT RECOUPING MY COSTS WHICH EXCEEDED A THOUSAND DOLLARS. TOYOTA INFORMED ME THAT MY VIN # DID NOT MATCH WITH VEHICLES BEING RECALLED SO THEY WOULD TAKE NO ACTION ON MY BEHALF. HOW IS IT POSSIBLE THAT I HAVE THE CORRECT YEAR AND MAKE OF VEHICLE AND EXPERIENCED THE SUBJECT PROBLEM, BUT THEY ARE NOT REQUIRED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM? *SC
DT: THE LOWER BALL JOINTS HAVE FAILED CAUSING THE WHEEL TO FALL OFF SEVERING THE UPPER BALL JOINTS. THIS ALSO DAMAGED THE BRAKE LINES AND THE ABS SENSORS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THE CONSUMER CONTACTED TOYOTA WHO REFERRED HER TO THE NHTSA WEBSITE. TOYOTA DENIED THERE WAS A RECALL. NO REPAIRS AS OF YET. *JB
WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE BALL JOINTS FAILED. IT CAME COMPLETELY FROM UNDER THE TRUCK. THERE WAS NO WARNING. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENTS. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER. THERE WERE NO RECALLS. *AK
DT: THE CONSUMER WAS MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN ABOUT 2 MPH WHEN THE TRUCK STARTED MAKING A STRANGE NOISE. THE CONSUMER GOT OUT OF THE TRUCK AND DISCOVERED THAT THE WHEEL WAS OFF THE TRUCK, AND THE REST OF THE TRUCK WAS SITTING ON WHERE THE WHEEL USED TO BE. THE WHEEL WAS FACE DOWN ON THE ROAD AND THE FENDER WAS ON TOP OF IT. ALSO, IT CAUSED BODY DAMAGE TO THE REST OF THE TRUCK ON THE RIGHT FENDER. THE LOCATION WAS THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. THE CONSUMER THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, AND THEY SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING UNTIL THEY HEAR FROM TOYOTA. THIS VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENT THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THIS TO HAPPEN. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THEY HAD A RECALL ON THE BALL JOINTS, AND THEY WOULD TAKE CARE OF ALL EXPENSES AT THAT TIME. THEY HAVE NOT TAKEN CARE OF ANYTHING. *AK
I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 EXTENDED CAB 4X4 TUNDRA 1 OR 2 MPH ON AN UNPAVED BUT GRADED ROAD VIEWING REAL ESTATE WHEN THE ENTIRE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED JARRING THE TRUCK TO A STOP. I THOUGHT THE ROAD HAD COLLAPSED. IT APPEARS AS IF THE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED. I WAS ONLY 7 MILES OFF INTERSTATE I-95, I SHUDDER TO THINK OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF A FAILURE LIKE THIS GOING 70 MPH WITH TRAFFIC. *JB
FAILURE OF RIGHT FRONT SUSPENSION RESULTING IN WHEEL ASSEMBLY COMING OFF OF VEHICLE. WHILE PULLING AWAY FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY INCLUDING DRIVESHAFT, BRAKE ROTOR AND ALL ATTACHED WIRES AND HOSES CAME OFF THE TRUCK AND ENDED UP UNDER THE VEHICLE.
AFTER THE FAILURE OF THE RIGHT FRONT SUSPENSION 1 YEAR EARLIER (SEE ODI#10121403) THE LEFT FRONT SUSPENSION COLLAPSED AS I WAS PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY. RESULTS WERE THE SAME AS THE PRIOR FAILURE WITH THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY COMING OFF AND THIS TIME JAMMING UP INTO THE WHEEL WELL. ENTIRE LEFT FRONT SUSPENSION COMPONENTS WERE REPLACED BY SAME SERVICE DEALER. AS WITH PRIOR RIGHT FRONT FAILURE THERE WAS NO WARNING OF IMPENDING FAILURE.
THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT SUSPENSION BALL JOINTS GAVE WAY AS I WAS DRIVING AT 75MPH ON INTERSTATE 40 WEST IN TEXAS AT MILE MARKER 14. THE ENTIRE WHEEL, BREAK, AND AXLE ASSEMBLY DETATCHED AT HI SPEED. THE BREAK LINE WAS SEVERED. THE ASSEMBLY FOLDED UNDER THE TRUCK AND I SKIDDED ON THE WHEEL WITH LITTLE CONTROL UNTIL I COULD MANEUVER OFF OF THE INTERSTATE AND MAINTAIN AN UPRIGHT POSITION WITH THE VEHICLE. THE TWISTED TIE ROD KEPT THE TIRE AND WHEEL ASSEMBLY FROM COMPLETELY SEPARATING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE WEATHER WAS LIGHT SNOW WITH A TEMPERATURE OF ABOUT 34 DEGREES. TIME WAS APPX 9.50 AM. THE TRUCK WAS REPAIRED WITHOUT COMMENT BY STREET TOYOTA OF AMARILLO, TEXAS AT A COST OF APPX. $ 2,200. THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS AN INORDINATE AMOUNT OF WEAR ON THE FRONT END STEERING COMPONENTS. THE TRUCK IS IN GOOD CONDITION WITH A GOOD DOCUMENTED SERVICE RECORD. THE TRUCK HAD BEEN STEERING "LOOSELY" AND I HAD A MECHANIC EXAMINE THE STEERING THE PREVIOUS WEEK. HE SAID IT LOOKED AND DROVE OK, BUT HE COULDN'T REALLY TELL. THE TRUCK HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLOVED IN AN ACCIDENT OR INSURANCE CLAIM.
WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY JERKED. THE CONSUMER COULD NOT CONTROL THE VEHICLE WHILE CROSSING INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANES AND COMING TO A STOP ON THE SHOULDER. THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINT HAD SEPARATED AND THE TIRE (WHEEL ASSEMBLY) HAD FOLDED UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. *JB *SC
IN NOVEMBER OF 2003 I WAS MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN WHEN THE BALL JOINT ON THE DRIVER SIDE GAVE WAY CAUSING THE WHEEL TO FOLD UNDER THE TRUCK. IN SEPTEMBER OF 2004 A SIMILAR INCIDENT OCCURRED WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE. THIS TRUCK IS WELL CARED FOR AND THERE WERE NO OBVIOUS SIGNS OF A PROBLEM PRIOR TO FAILURE. BOTH SIDES HAVE BEEN REPAIRED AT MY EXPENSE BECAUSE THE TRUCK WAS PAST WARRANTY. TOTAL DAMAGE WAS ABOUT $3,000.00 EA04024_CAT. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER HAD SINCE ISSUED A RECALL, HOWEVER THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED. *JB *SC
I OWN A 2002 SR5 TOYOTA TUNDRA THAT HAS A REAL BAD VIBRATION AT THE FRONT SINCE I HAD ABOUT 32,000 MILES I HAVE NOW 72000 MILES AND I DON'T KNOW IF ANYBODY HAS A COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS PROBLEM THEY CHANGE THE BRAKES AT 30,000 MILES , I'M CONCERNED ABOUT ANY ACCIDENTS. *JB
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT FRONT SUSPENSION PROBLEM. WHEN DRIVING AND HITTING A BUMP VEHICLE SHOOK BADLY, CONSUMER ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF STEERING. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER 3 TIMES, AND EACH TIME THEY TOLD CONSUMER THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH VEHICLE. *AK
WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT ABOUT 25 MPH THE PASSENGER SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT SEPARATED. THIS CAUSED THE UPPER BALL JOINT TO SEPARATE AND THE WHEEL FOLDED UP UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE C.V. SHAFT AND INNER FENDER WERE ALSO DAMAGED. MY EXTENDED WARRANTY COMPANY INFORMED ME THAT THE SEALED BALL JOINT HAD NO LUBRICANT IN IT. THE TRUCK HAS AN EMPTY LOAD MOST OF THE TIME. PE04040_CAT
WHEN DRIVING AT 20 MPH BOTH FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BALL JOINTS SNAPPED, CAUSING FRONT RIGHT WHEEL TO COME OFF. THERE WAS NO SHIMMY OR SQUEAKING PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, ONLY THE STEERING FELT A LITTLE STIFF. THE TRUCK WAS NOT ABUSED. PE04040_CAT
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Quick Summary
The 2002 Toyota Tundra has 51 Suspension complaints on file. 10 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.