2002 Toyota Sequoia Suspension Problems

While driving at 50-55 mph on the parkway, your driver's side ball joint suddenly broke without any warning signs, which could have caused your truck to flip or hit another vehicle. The broken ball joint damaged your driver's side fender, and you've noticed rust on the frame, raising concerns about frame integrity and safety. You're worried the frame could break at any time, and Toyota has refused to inspect or replace these components. This repair will likely involve replacing the ball joint and addressing any frame rust or damage through inspection and potential welding or replacement.

Your Sequoia's chassis has developed rust damage with holes in it, which was discovered during an initial inspection after you purchased the vehicle. Rust damage to the frame can compromise structural integrity and safety over time. Addressing this will likely require rust removal, repair or patching of affected areas, and rust treatment to prevent further deterioration.

THE VEHICLE WAS RAISED TO PERFORM AN OIL CHANGE, AND THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THE FRAME HAD HOLES IN IT FROM RUST. HE EXPLAINED THAT THE ENTIRE BODY AND SUSPENSION WAS CONNECTED TO THIS, AND IF A COMPONENT CAME LOOSE THE VEHICLE COULD CRASH. TOYOTA WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THE ISSUE, BUT DID NOT TAKE ACTION.

THE FRAME IS RUSTED SO BAD CHUCKS OF THE FRAME ARE FALLING OUT CAUSING PROBLEMS TO SWAY BAR, THE MOTOR WAS BASICALLY LAYING SIDE WAYS TOWARDS THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT PANEL. I HAVE SEVEN CHILDREN WE DEPENDED ON THIS VEHICLE TO GET US EVERYWHERE WE NEEDED TO BE. NOW ITS SITTING ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BC WHEN THE CHUCK OF FRAME FELL OUT IT CAUSED SWAY BAR TO DROP DOWN CAUSING ME TO ALMOST WRECK WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE SUV . I WAS DRIVING DOWN KY 344 VANCEBURH KY, 41179 AT APPROXIMATELY 10:00 A.M TRAVELING TOWARDS ROUTE 57 TOLLESBORO KY 41189

AFTER DRIVING ROUGHLY 40 MINUTES ON A STRAIGHT DRY HIGHWAY AT A CONSTANT 70 MPH, MY VSC OFF AND TRAC OFF LIGHTS SUDDENLY CAME ON FOR NO REASON, ACCOMPANIED BY A LOUD HIGH-PITCHED ALARM. THE STEERING FELT LIKE IT WAS DRAGGING, WAS GRINDING, AND PULLED TO THE RIGHT. FELT LIKE SOMETHING WAS BREAKING APART. VERY SCARY SINCE I WAS IN THE LEFT LANE WITH NO SHOULDER. I DECREASED MY SPEED TO ABOUT 60 AND MOVED TO THE RIGHT HAND LANE. AFTER SEVERAL SECONDS, THE ALARM AND GRINDING/DRAGGING STOPPED JUST AS MYSTERIOUSLY AS IT STARTED BEFORE I'D EVEN GOTTEN TO AN EXIT. THE LIGHTS STAYED LIT. BEFORE I USED THE VEHICLE AGAIN, I INFLATED THE TIRES FROM 32.5 TO 35 PSIA, JUST IN CASE THAT MIGHT HAVE CONTRIBUTED. THE NEXT DAY, I DROVE ON THE HIGHWAY FOR 40 MINUTES WITH NO PROBLEM, BUT ON THE WAY BACK HOME, THE SAME THING RECURRED AFTER ABOUT 20 MINUTES, AGAIN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON A STRAIGHT SECTION OF DRY ROAD. THIS TIME THE DRAGGING AND GRINDING WAS WORSE AND THE ALARM LASTED MUCH LONGER. AGAIN, IT MYSTERIOUSLY STOPPED AS I WAS PREPARING TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY. SEARCHING SIMILAR ANECDOTES SEEMS TO IMPLY A KNOWN FAILURE OF THE YAW SENSOR. THAT SENSOR HAS TRIGGERED THE LIGHTS TO COME ON FROM TIME TO TIME EVER SINCE 2002, BUT IT NEVER CAUSED THE LOUD ALARM OR STRUGGLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE BEFORE. THIS SHOULD DEFINITELY BE A RECALL ITEM. I THINK I'M GOING TO HAVE TO DISABLE THE VARIABLE SPEED CONTROL AND TRACTION CONTROL FEATURES OF THE VEHICLE BY REMOVING THE FUSE JUST SO I CAN KEEP DRIVING IT.

SEVERE PREMATURE FRAME RUST INCLUDING THE DISLODGE OF SPARE TIRE AND CARRIER, REPAIRED PERIODICALLY AT HIGH COST TO THE VEHICLE OWNER. FRAMES IN QUESTION WERE MANUFACTURED WITH DEFECT IN CORROSION RESISTANT PROPERTIES THAT IS WELL KNOWN AND DOCUMENTED. NTSB HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS CONDITION ON VARIOUS TOYOTA TRUCKS FOR AT LEAST 10 YEARS. CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT HAS BEEN APPROVED FOR LIMITED MODEL YEARS VEHICLES BUT LEAVES MANY EFFECTED OUT OF THE CLASS. CONDITION EFFECTS MODEL YEAR 2000 AND UP ALL TUNDRA, TACOMA, SEQUIOA AND 4RUNNER VEHICLES. TOYOTA HAS BEEN ALLOWED TO DENY RESPONSIBILITY BY IMPLEMENTING A LIMITED SERVICE CAMPAIGN THAT HAS LONG SINCE EXPIRED ON THESE FAULTY VEHICLES. THIS CONDITION SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL OF ALL VEHICLES MANUFACTURED WITH THESE FRAMES AS SO MANY CONTINUE TO BECOME UNSAFE OVER TIME WITH NO RESOLUTION DUE TO EXPIRATION OF THE "LIMITED SERVICE CAMPAIGN." CONDITION ALSO CAUSES FAILURE OF ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL LEADING TO TEMPORARY LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL WHICH IS VERY COMMON ON THESE VEHICLES AND HAS HAPPENED TO ME MANY TIMES.

WHILE DRIVING 75MPH ON THE INTERSTATE THE FRONT RIGHT BALL JOINT FAILED (4 DAYS AFTER A SAFETY INSPECTION DONE AT THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP). THE TIRE FOLDED UNDER THE CAR AND WE NEARLY HIT THE MEDIAN AND THEN THE CAR TO OUR RIGHT. WE MANAGED TO GET THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. TOOK CAR TO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WHERE WE WERE TOLD THAT THE BALL JOINT HAD FAILED. $6,700 WORTH OF DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE VEHICLE. I RAN MY VIN # THROUGH YOUR DATABASE AND 0 RECALLS WERE FOUND EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR OF CAR.

IN 2002, I COMPLAINED OF RUST RAPIDLY ACCUMULATING ON THE VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT RUSTPROOFING CAME ON THE VEHICLE AND THEY WOULD REACH OUT TO TOYOTA DIRECTLY TO GET AN EXCLAMATION. THEY INFORM ME THAT TOYOTA CONFIRMED THAT STATEMENT THE RUSTPROOFING WAS PROVIDED. IN 2013, I RECEIVED WHAT WAS CALLED THE 'LIMITED SERVICE CAMPAIGN' STATING THAT THE INCORRECT RUSTPROOFING WAS APPLIED TO THE VEHICLE FOR COLD WEATHER STATES THAT USE SALT IN THE WINTER. AT THAT TIME WAS SEVERE CORROSION IN THE BODY THAT WAS SEPARATING FROM THE FRAME. I WROTE A LETTER TO TOYOTA CEO AND THE US OFFICE INTERCEPTED THE LETTER TO COMMUNICATE WITH ME. I REQUESTED THE REPLACEMENT OF MY VEHICLE FROM TOYOTA. IN 2017, I WROTE A LETTER TO THE CEO'S OFFICE IN JAPAN AND THE MATTER WAS SENT BACK DOWN TO THE SAME OFFICE IN THE US. THERE IS SEVERE CORROSION ALL OVER THE BODY RUST BREAKING THROUGH CORRODING ALL COMPONENTS. TOYOTA THEN REQUESTED ALL RECORDS RELATED TO REPAIRS ASSOCIATED WITH VEHICLE. I WAS SENT A DENIAL TO MY REQUEST FOR ANOTHER VEHICLE WITH A SUGGESTION TO COMMUNICATE TO NATIONAL CENTER FOR DISPUTE SETTLEMENT BUT WAS NOT RETURN THE DOCUMENT COPY HIGHLIGHTING THE DETERMINATION OF DAMAGE AS A RESULT. I'M VERY DISSATISFIED AND CONCERNED WITH THE WAY THIS WAS HANDLED BECAUSE I INFORMED TOYOTA DURING THE FIRST-YEAR OWNERSHIP OF THE PROBLEM, TOLD 11 YEARS LATER THAT I WAS CORRECT, AND THEN TREATED AS IF I'M TRYING TO GET SOMETHING OUT OF THE COMPANY AFTER I HAVE BEEN A CUSTOMER OF TOYOTA FOR OVER 25 YEARS. EVERY COMPONENT EXPOSED TO THE AIR OUTSIDE OF THE REPLACED FRAME ROTTING AWAY AND HAS CAUSED SIGNIFICANT REPAIR BILLS IN DAMAGE. THE FILE(S) THAT I'M GOING TO UPLOAD DOES NOT INCLUDE ALL REPAIR BILLS BECAUSE OF THE FILE SIZE LIMITATION BY YOUR SITE. I'M AVAILABLE FOR DISCUSSION AND WILL SUBMIT ADDITIONAL RECORDS IF REQUESTED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S SUSPENSION DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE DUE TO SEVERE RUST ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE TOYOTA OF GRAND RAPIDS DEALER WHO STATED THAT THEY PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED THE VEHICLE BY REPLACING THE FRAME. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY INCLUDED IN AN UNKNOWN RECALL REGARDING THE SAME FAILURE AND HAD ALREADY BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER OPENED CASE NUMBER: 1707172761. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

2002 SEQUOIA PURCHASED USED, VSC TRAC DESENGAGES WITHOUT WARNING AT ANY TIME, SLOWING DOWN THE VEHICLE AND MAKING GRINDING NOICE IN THE SUSPENSION OR BREAKS, IT WILL RESET AGAIN AFTER PARK AND SHUTTING THE ENGINE OFF, THIS PROBLEM HAD HAPPEN AT LEAST 10 TIMES IN ABOUT ONE YEAR THAT I AM DRIVING IT, DUE TO THE UNEXPECTED DESENGAGE OF THE VSC TRAC AT ANY TIME SLOWING DOWN THE VEHICLE WITH OUT WARNING AND NO BREAK LIGHT IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN, I HAVE LOOK IN THE INTERNET AND THIS PROBLEM IS VERY COMMON WITH THIS VEHICLES EQUIPED WITH THE VSC TRAC, I HAVE CALLED TOYOTA AND THERE IS NO RECALLS FOR THE ISSUE, I BELIEVE IT IT IS A MALFUNCTION OF THE SYSTEM IT SHOULD BE TAKE CARE UNLESS THEY ARE WAITING FOR SOMETHING DRASTIC TO HAPPEN, HOPE I CAN GET SOME WHERE WITH THIS COMPLAINT, THIS IS A SECOND TOYOTA AT HOME AND I LIKE TO KEEP BOTH CARS FOR AS LONG AS I CAN. THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM DOES HAPPEN AT ANY TIME IN THE STREET AT 20 MILES HIGWAY AT 50 SOME TIMES AT 60 MILES, DURING STRAIGHT RIDE OR TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT, PLEASE ADVISE I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO INCURRE EXPENCES ON A FACTORY DEFECTIVE ISSUE.

AS MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET, THE RIGHT LOWER BALL JOINT SEPARATED. THIS IS A SEALED UNIT WITH NO FITTING FOR ADDING LUBRICANT. THE JOINT LOOKED DRY.

I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN I DROVE OVER A SMALL POT HOLE AND I HEARD A LOUD LOOSE METAL NOISEAND NOW I BEEN HEARING IT SINCE. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND HE SAID, THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINT COVER IS DAMAGED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.

TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR SAFETY INSPECTION AND WAS INFORMED THERE WAS A RUST HOLE IN THE FRAME. CALLED TOYOTA 800-331-4331 SPOKE TO [XXX] C AND WAS INFORMED THAT TOYOTA WILL DO NOTHING TO HELP ME AT ALL. CASE # [XXX]. HELP INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE BALL JOINTS FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,500.

I DRIVE A 2002 SEQUOIA AND HAVE HAD ABOUT 8 INSTANCES WHERE THE TRAC OFF, TRC VSC, AND SLIP INDICATOR LIGHTS ALL COME ON WHILE THE TRUCK FEELS LIKE IT LOCKS UP AND A BEEPING ALARM SOUNDS AND A PULLING TO THE RIGHT WITH A GRINDING NOISE . THIS MORNING THE SLIP INDICATOR LIGHTS STAYED ON WITH THE GRINDING NOISE SEEMS LIKE A FEW SECONDS LONGER THAN YESTERDAY . I WAS ABOUT TO PULL OFF OF THE ROAD WHEN THE OTHER TWO LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE CAR DROVE NORMAL WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE ON . WHEN YOU TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTART THE LIGHTS GO OFF. HOWEVER THE ERROR OCCURS ON A DAILY BASIS NOW . THE ROADS I TRAVEL ARE MAINLY HIGHWAY AND HAVE BEEN DRY . I HAVE NOTICED THAT THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME ISSUE AND THAT TOYOTA DID ISSUE A RECALL FOR THE 2003 MODEL YEAR .. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE AND NEEDS CORRECTION . ONE WOULD THINK THAT THE RECALL SHOULD EXTEND TO ALL YEARS . *TR

THE VSC LIGHTS COME ON WHEN DRIVING, THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL SEAL WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH AND SHOULD BE ON A RECALL, THE FRAME WAS ON RECALL AND REPLACED IN 2014, BUT THE REAR SEALS WERE RUSTED THRU AND TOYOTA AFTER COSTING ME THOUSANDS DOES NOT WANT TO COVER REAR SEALS WHY ? RIGHT AFTER THE FRAME WAS REPLACED AND THE TOYOTA DEALER IN DEERFIELD BEACH, FL SAID THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL IS ALSO WAY RUSTED OUT AND MAY BLOW THE SEALS, WELL THEY DID DURING A OIL CHANGE AND CHECK. IF TOYOTA KNEW OF THE EXTREME RUST ON THE FRAME THAT IT WAS ALSO ON THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL AS CONFIRMED BY 3 DIFFERENT MECHANICS ONE BEING TOYOTA. TOYOTA WANTS ME TO PAY $2,000.00 TO FIX WHICH IS OUTRAGEOUS. *TR

I HAVE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF FRAME RUST ON MY 2002 SEQUOIA. I HAVE BEEN ISSUED A SERVICE CAMPAIGN FROM TOYOTA AND HAVE BEEN PROACTIVELY CALLED UPON BY A LOCAL DEALER TO PROVIDE THE SERVICE. AFTER READING ON THE NHTSA WEB SITE AND OTHER FORUMS ABOUT STRUCTURAL ISSUES AND THE WAY TOYOTA IS HANDLING THIS ISSUE I WANT TO BE PROACTIVE IN MY COMPLAINT. SPRAYING OR FRAME REPLACEMENT IS THE ONLY OPTION I HAVE BEEN PROVIDED TO DATE. THIS ISSUE APPEARS TO BE WIDESPREAD AND CAUSED BY TOYOTA'S MANUFACTURING PROCESSES. THAT BEING THE CASE, IT APPEARS THAT TOYOTA IS NOT STEPPING UP TO BUY BACK THOSE VEHICLES THAT REQUIRE THIS DRASTIC MEASURE. THEY SHOULD BUY BACK THE EFFECTED SEQUOIAS MUCH LIKE THEY DID REGARDING THE EXACT ISSUE WITH THEIR TUNDRA TRUCKS A FEW YEARS AGO. THE SEQUOIA AND THE TUNDRA SHARE THE SAME FRAME, SO WHY WOULDN'T THE BUY BACK EFFECT BOTH VEHICLES GIVEN SAFETY IMPLICATIONS. *TR

THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE TOYOTA DEALER IN JANUARY 2013 PER A RECALL FOR POSSIBLE RUST IN THE FRAME. PER THE INSPECTION, RUST WAS NOT NOTED AND THE FRAME WAS TREATED WITH AN UNDERCOAT RUST INHIBITOR. HAD RUST BEEN NOTED, THE FRAME WOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED ACCORDING TO THE DEALER/RECALL. IN SEPTEMBER, 2013 A NOISE WAS NOTED IN THE FRONT END AREA WHEN TURNING AND GOING OVER BUMPS. UPON INSPECTION BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC IT WAS FOUND THAT THE SWAY BAR HAD BECOME SEPARATED FROM ATTACHMENT TO THE FRAME DUE TO RUST. IT WAS FURTHER NOTED THAT THE SWAY BAR COULD NOT BE REATTACHED DUE TO A HOLE IN THE FRAME CAUSED BY RUST. THIS WAS LATER CONFIRMED BY THE TOYOTA MECHANIC ON 11/15/13. THEREFORE, THE VEHICLE IS NEITHER REPAIRABLE NOR SAFE TO DRIVE. EITHER TOYOTA'S TREATMENT FOR RUST PREVENTION WAS NOT EFFECTIVE OR RUST HAD ALREADY COMPROMISED THE FRAME BUT WAS NOT NOTED DURING THE INSPECTION. TOYOTA IS NOT HONORING THE ORIGINAL RECALL AND IS OFFERING NO SOLUTION IN ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM. TOYOTA CLAIMS IT'S RESPONSIBILITY FOR ADDRESSING THE RUST IN THE FRAME ENDED ON 1/18/13. YET, THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS AND WE ARE LEFT WITH A VEHICLE THAT IS NEITHER SAFE, DRIVABLE, OR REPAIRABLE DUE TO A CONDITION FOR WHICH IT HAD BEEN RECALLED JUST A FEW MONTHS EARLIER. *TR

OUR 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA HAS A COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT FRAME, REAR DIFFERENTIAL AND OTHER PARTS SUCH AS BRAKE LINES ETC. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL EXPLODED AND THE CAR WOULD NOT DRIVE ANY FURTHER. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK, TURNED OFF THE CAR AND THE CAR KEPT ROLLING DESPITE BEING IN PARK. I APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR. THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH AND LEAKING FLUID. WE THEN DISCOVERED THAT IN ADDITION THE FRAME OF THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. THE CAR IS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE OF THE RUSTED FRAME AND UNDER CARRIAGE. OUR DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN WONDERFUL AND RENTED ME A CAR AND WILL REPLACE THE FRAME BUT TOYOTA IS SAYING THAT I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DIFFERENTIAL REPLACEMENT. *TR

DEALER REPORTS THAT FRAME (CROSSMEMBER) IS ROTTED TO THE POINT OF BEING UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

THE VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED AT OUR LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER ON 1/5/2012 BECAUSE OF MAKING A GRINDING NOISE AND SHAKING WITH ACCELERATION AT SPEEDS ABOVE 20 MPH. IT WAS FOUND TO HAVE EXTENSIVE RUST DAMAGE TO THE FRAME WITH A LARGE RUST HOLE IN THE RIGHT FRONT AREA AT THE SWAY BAR BUSHING BRACKET. THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING WAS RUSTED AND LEAKING FLUID, THE RIGHT AND LEFT SWAY BARS WERE BROKEN, BOTH FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS WERE STUCK AND THE ROTORS BADLY RUSTED. REPAIRS FOR THE FRAME ALONE WERE ESTIMATED AT OVER $10,000 WITH MORE THAN THAT AMOUNT TO TAKE CARE OF THE OTHER ISSUES. THIS SEQUOIA HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED ON A REGULAR SCHEDULE, WASHED REGULARLY AND KEPT AT NIGHT IN A GARAGE. THE BODY AND INTERIOR ARE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. THE CAR HAS ONLY 76,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. IT WAS QUITE A SHOCK TO GO FROM A CAR WE RELIED UPON TO CARRY US SAFELY IN WINTER WEATHER TO ONE WHICH HAS HAD TO BE ABANDONED FOR SCRAP. I UNDERSTAND THAT FRAME RUST ISSUES HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS PROBLEM FOR MANY TOYOTA MODELS INCLUDING THE TACOMA AND TUNDRA RESULTING IN RECALLS. THE SEQUOIA NEEDS TO BE ADDED TO THIS LIST. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE FRAME, UNDERCARRIAGE AND HITCH ARE ALL RUSTED. THE UNDERCOATING PEELS RIGHT OFF AT THE CARWASH. I ASKED MY TOYOTA DEALER ABOUT IT WHEN IT WAS IN FOR A OIL CHANGE AND HE SAID NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT. EVERY YEAR IT IS GETTING WORSE AND MY HUSBAND SAID IT IS SOMETHING TO WORRY ABOUT. IS TOYOTA GOING TO STAND BEHIND THERE PRODUCTS? I AM WORRY THIS YEAR ABOUT IT PASSING INSPECTION. *TR

2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA WAS FOUND BY MECHANIC TO HAVE FRAME RUST THROUGH. CONTACTED TOYOTA CORP. WITH NO RECALL STATED BY THEM, AND NO RESOLUTION OFFERED. FILED OHIO ATTNY. GENERAL COMPLAINT FILING.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA SEQUIOA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THEN TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS THEN CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED THE CONTACT A REPAIR DEAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 253,000.

DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, MY CAR "COLLAPSED". I WAS ABLE TO GLIDE TO THE CENTER MEDIAN AND STOP. AFTER TOWING MY CAR TO THE DEALER, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BALL JOINT FAILED (THE BALL JOINT HAD BEEN RECALLED). I DID NOT RECEIVE THE RECALL NOTICES. WHILE TOYOTA IS WILLING TO REPAIR THE RECALLED ITEM, THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO COVER THE COST OF THE RELATED DAMAGE WHICH WOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED IF THE BALL JOINT DID NOT FAIL. AS AN OWNER OF 5 TOYOTAS, WE FEEL THAT TOYOTA SHOULD COVER THE SUBSEQUENT DAMAGE AND THE COST OF THE RENTAL CAR SINCE IT TOOK THEM OVER ONE MONTH TO CONTACT US WITH THEIR ANSWER. *TR

I RECEIVED A RECALL FOR THE 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA IN REFERENCE TO A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE LOWER BALL JOINTS. TOYOTA REFERENCED SSC 50J. THIS WAS ONE YEAR AGO, TOYOTA STILL HAS NOT MADE BEEN ABLE TO MAKE THE REPAIRS DUE TO A LONG WAITING LIST AND BACK ORDERED PARTS.*AK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH A SQUEAK WAS HEARD IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER ABOUT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS, THE CONTACT WAS ON A WAITING LIST WITH AN APPROXIMATE REPAIR TIME OF 6 MONTHS. AN ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED AT THE FAILURE MILEAGE OF 82,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,500. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A WOBBLE COME FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHEN SLOWING DOWN OR STOPPING, AND THE VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE RIGHT. UPDATED 05/22/07. *JB

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED SAFETY RECALL 05V225000 CONCERNING THE LOWER BALL JOINTS. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH 04/2004 WHILE TRYING TO AVOID HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DID NOT BELIEVE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY REPAIRED AFTER THE CRASH, AND SHE FELT THAT THIS PLAYED A PART IN THE SECOND CRASH ,WHERE THE VSTEERING DID NOT RESPOND. DURING EACH OF THE CRASHES, THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 - 45 MPH ,AND THE WEATHER WAS NOT A FACTOR. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 56,000. *AK

1:40 PM, JAN 20, 2007, I WAS DRIVING MY SEQUOIA N/B ON SIERRA HWY IN THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA. I WAS TRAVELING APPROX 40-45 MPH. I NOTICED A SLIGHT STIFFNESS IN THE STEERING. A SHORT TIME LATER THE LEFT FRONT OF MY VEHICLE VIOLENTLY FELL TO THE GROUND. THERE WERE VEHICLES BEHIND ME AND WITH DIFFICULTY I STEERED TO THE CURB. WHEN THE VEHICLE FELL TO THE GROUND, I HEARD A LOUD 'BANG', AND I FELT THAT I LOST SOME OF MY BRAKES. ONE OF THE DRIVERS BEHIND ME TOLD ME SHE SAW SPARKS COMING FROM UNDER MY VEHICLE. I LOOKED AT THE FRONT OF MY VEHICLE. I SAW THE LEFT FRONT TIRE, WHEEL & HUB (ALL STILL ATTACHED) FOLDED UNDER THE LEFT RUNNING BOARD PREVENTING THE FRONT FENDER AND BUMPER FROM FALLING DIRECTLY TO THE ROADWAY. I SAW THAT THE BRAKE LINES APPEARED TO BE BROKEN. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO TOYOTA ON MON, JAN 22, 2007. I WAS TOLD THAT IT APPEARED THE LEFT UPPER BALL JOINT HAD BROKEN CAUSING THE WHEEL TO BREAK AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP CONTACTED THEIR SERVICE DIRECTOR TO DETERMINE WHAT REPAIRS SHOULD BE MADE. I WAS SUBSEQUENTLY TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THAT TOYOTA HAD 'NO LIABILITY' TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE AT THEIR EXPENSE. REPAIR ESTIMATE IS APPROX $5,000. + THE RENTAL VEHICLE THEY ARRANGED. I WAS TOLD A REGIONAL SERVICE INSPECTOR WOULD LOOK AT MY VEHICLE. I TOLD THEM THAT I WANTED THE OLD PARTS IF REPAIRS WERE TO BE MADE. I AM NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE. I WENT TO THE TOYOTA WEB SITE AND NOTICED NUMEROUS RECALL NOTICES FROM TOYOTA FOR FRONT BALL JOINT FAILURES ON MY TYPE OF VEHICLE. I RECEIVED NO RECALL NOTICES FROM TOYOTA. TOYOTA STATED MY VIN WAS NOT ON THE LIST FOR ANY RECALL NOTICES. THE TOYOTA SERVICE DEPT STATED THAT THIS WOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED 'NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR' THAT WOULD REQUIRE ME TO HAVE THIS ITEM CHECKED DURING ALL OF MY REGULAR MAINTENANCE SERVICES. THIS FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE, CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY TO MYSELF AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD. AS OF THIS DATE I HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED THAT THE REGIONAL INSPECTOR HAS INSPECTED MY VEHICLE. *JB

MY VEHICLE IS A 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. I WAS EXPERIENCING NOISE IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS DRIVING AND LOST CONTROL AND THE WHEEL FELL OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT A LOCAL MECHANIC'S REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE LOWER BALL JOINT, THE LEFT AXLE SEAL AND THE LEFT OUTER TIRE ROD. UNFORTUNATELY THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. *JB

IN 8/06 I NOTICED A ROARING/GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM MY END. L. BEARING REPLACED X2. PROBLEM REMAINED. THEN REPLACED THE RIGHT FRONT BEARING. STILL TO NO AVAIL. I THEN TOOK MY CAR TO TOYOTA IN TAMPA WHO STATED THE REPLACED BEARING HAD BEEN PRESSED IN TOO TIGHT. I TOOK MY CAR BACK TO THE MECHANIC WHO THEN TOOK THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY OVER TOYOTA IN CLEARWATER TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY. STILL NO RESOLUTION. TIRE PROBLEM? SO, I TOOK IT BACK TO THE TIRE KINGDOM WHO PUT ON NEW MICHELIN CROSS TERRAIN SUV TIRES. PROBLEM REMAINED. SO I TOOK IT BACK TO THEM AND THEY THEN PUT ON A NEW SET OF MICHELIN LTX TIRES. PROBLEM REMAINED. SO, I THEN TOOK IT TO COLLISIONTEC IN CLEARWATER, THINKING THAT PERHAPS TIRE KINGDOM MIGHT HAVE BENT SOMETHING WHEN THEY ORIGINALLY ROTATED THE TIRES. (THE CERTIFIED TOYOTA MECHANIC HAD PREVIOUSLY INSPECTED EVERYTHING UNDER MY CAR WHEN HE FIRST HAD IT BUT HAD BEEN UNABLE TO DETECT ANY DAMAGE). COLLISIONTEC DROVE THE CAR AND DID AN INITIAL INSPECTION, BUT COULD NOT DETECT ANYTHING. THEY HAVE ASKED TO HAVE ME BRING THE CAR BACK SO THAT THEY CAN KEEP IT FOR A WEEK AND DO A COMPLETE INSPECTION. IN THE MEANTIME, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VSC/VTC LIGHT CAME ON, SO I TOOK IT BACK TO THE TOYOTA MECHANIC. THE O2 SENSOR NEEDS TO BE FIXED/REPLACED. TO FIX THE VSC/VTC TOYOTA DOESN'T SELL THE ONE PART NEEDED, ONLY THE COMPLETE SET FOR $900! THIS IS ALL ON TOP OF THE ORIGINAL ROAR/GRINDING/VIBRATION PROBLEM WHICH STILL EXISTS!! REAPAIRS NOW UP TO 2K & NO RESOLUTION. ALSO, MY CAR WAS RECALLED FOR THE BALL JOINT PROBLEM. THERE IS NO STICKER INDICATING BALL JOINTS REPLACED. IF THE BALL JOINTS WERE NOT REPLACED AS THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN, COULD THIS BE THE SOURCE OF THE ROAR/GRINDING/VIBRATION? THIS ROAR/GRINDING/VIBRATION IS COMING FROM THE FRONT AND OCCURS ONLY WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION. *NM

2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA LOWER BALL JOINT DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND SUBSEQUENTLY CRASHED INTO A TREE. *KB ***TRANSFERRED TO TIS*** (LAWYER WROTE IN ON BEHALF OF CONSUMER). *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED RECALLED WORK WAS NOT PERFORMED IN WHAT THE CONTACT CONSIDERS A TIMELY MATTER. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE RECALL; HOWEVER COULD NOT WORK THE VEHICLE INTO THE SCHEDULE FOR 2 WEEKS. THE RECALL NOTICE RECEIVED WAS NHTSA # 05V225000, CONCERNING THE LOWER BALL JOINTS. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT WAS JACKING UP THE VEHICLE AND THE HOUSING AROUND THE JACK FRACTURED AND BROKE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND SUGGESTED REPLACING THE JACK.

DT*: THE CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP TO HAVE RECALL REPAIR WORK PERFORMED. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP IT STARTED MAKING NOISES. AS THE VEHICLE INCREASED IN SPEED THE NOISE BECAME LOUDER COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP , WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

DT: 2002 TOYOTA RUNNER. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FOR LOWER BALL JOINT. THE CONSUMER STATED THE WHEELS WERE CUTTING THE TIRES ON FRONT WHERE LOWER BALL JOINT WAS LOCATED. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED TOYOTA, WHO SAID IT IS NOT RELATED TO LOWER BALL JOINT, AND THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING ELSE FOR THE CONSUMER. THIS HAS BEING HAPPENING SINCE THE CONSUMER BOUGHT VEHICLE. IT HAS 30,000 MILES , AND NEEDED NEW TIRES.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER GAVE THE VEHICLE AN ALIGNMENT, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM STILL CONTINUED. THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH A VERY STRONG VIBRATION, SUDDENLY THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL CAME OFF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CRASHED, SERIOUS INJURIES TO THE DRIVER. THE AIR BAGS SYSTEMS NEVER ACTIVATED. THE COMPUTER HAVE AN IMPACT CODE, BUT THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. *JB

THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL WELL. OVER TIME THE SMELL BECAME WORSE AND WAS ACCOMPANIED BY SMOKE. *NM THE CONSUMER HAD THIS PROBLEM A TOTAL OF 4 TIMES WHERE THE SMELL OF BURNING AND SMOKE WAS EXCESSIVE AND OVERWHELMING UNDER THE WHEEL HUB. THE SEAL, BEARINGS, AND AXLE WAS REPLACED BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. *TC *SC

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SWAYED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. *NLM.

CAR PULLS TO THE RIGHT, TOOK IN CAR TODAY AND TOLD THEM TO ADJUST ALIGNMENT AND HAVE OIL CHANGED, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CALLED BACK AND SAID THEIR WAS A MANUFACTURE RECALL AND THE CAR HAD TO STAY OVERNIGHT. IF IT HAD A RECALL NO NOTICE WAS SENT OUT THIS IS WHAT I'M UPSET ABOUT. CONSUMERS ARE SOPOSED TO BE NOTIFIED IF THERE IS A RECALL NOT FIND OUT AFTER THEY DAMAGE OTHER COMPONENTS AND FIND OUT WHEN THEY TAKE THEIR CAR IN FOR OIL CHANGES.*AK

VEHICLE DRIFTS SUDDENLY TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT. STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT PULL TO EITHER SIDE BUT REQUIRES CORRECTIVE MOVEMENT TO STRAIGHTEN VEHICLE'S PATH. THIS CONDITION IS MORE SEVERE ON A WINDY DAY OR WHEN PASSING A TRUCK OR BUS OR LARGER VEHICLE. POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS CONDITION. TWO NEW SEQUOIA SUV'S WERE PURCHASED AT THE SAME TIME. THE SEQUOIA WITH THE STEERING AND HANDLING PROBLEM CAME WITH MICHELIN TIRES. THE OTHER SEQUOIA CAME WITH BRIDGESTONE TIRES AND DOES NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM.*AK