Lower ball joint failure

An NHTSA Engineering Analysis into Toyota vehicles. Closed 28 February 2007.

Investigation
EA06014
Type
Engineering Analysis
Opened
2 August 2006
Closed
28 February 2007

What NHTSA investigated

In a letter dated january 18, 2007, toyota notified NHTSA of a safety defect in model year (my) 2004 through 2006 toyota tundra and my 2004 through 2007 toyota sequoia vehicles produced between september 15, 2003 and november 17, 2006 (NHTSA recall no. 07V-013). According to toyota, ?in the front suspension lower ball joint on the subject vehicles, due to possible improper finishing of the ball joint, such as the aspect of the ball stud surface, some ball joints may experience an incidental deterioration of the internal lubrication. This may cause the ball joint to wear and loosen prematurely, which could result in increased steering effort, reduced vehicle self-centering, and noise in the front suspension. In extreme cases, if the vehicle is continuously operated in this condition, the lower ball joint may separate from the knuckle and could cause loss of vehicle control.?toyota will instruct owners to return their vehicles to any toyota dealer for replacement of the front suspension lower ball joints. This engineering analysis has been closed, as toyota is recalling the affected vehicles.odi will monitor the effectiveness of the remedy and take further action if warranted.

The recall that followed

  1. Toyota — Suspension: Lower Ball Joint07V01300019 January 2007533,124 vehicles

Vehicles covered

MakeModelModel years
ToyotaSEQUOIA2004–2007
ToyotaTUNDRA2004–2006

Source

From NHTSA’s investigation file, rebuilt daily. To report a problem with your own vehicle, go to nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem. All open investigations.