Once again, Toyota is performing a voluntary recall of its Tundra pickup and Sequoia full-size SUV for ball joints that may wear out too quickly. We reported way back in May of 2005 when Toyota recalled 775,000 Tacomas, 4Runners, Tundras and Sequoias for the same issue, and the NHTSA has been investigating the issue since then. This time around, Toyota is recalling 553,000 Tundras and Sequoias built from 2004 through 2007. Anyone who has had a bad ball joint knows not only the irritation they cause, but also the potential for something dangerous to happen. The front suspension where these ball joints are located will make terrible knocking sounds, but in some instances, owners have reported that their worn ball joints have lead to losing control of the vehicle, rollovers and even the trucks collapsing on their front wheels! Automotive News reports that Toyota blamed the first recall in 2005 on the ball joints potentially being scratched during their assembly. Toyota has given no such reason for the recent recall, but it is acting in cooperation with the NHTSA to correct these issues that could be very dangerous for owners of the potentially affected vehicles. Toyota will be notifying those owners in February of the recall, and will replace both the left and right front ball joints at no charge. We should point, as well, that this recall will not effect the full-size Tundra pickup that's all-new and being built in Toyota's new plant in San Antonio, Texas.[Source: CNN]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
DarkKnight67 @ Jan 19th 2007 11:38AM
Thanks for the promptness of your post. I may not necessarily like them, but I think it's appropriate if the posting gets on here quickly.
Hithome @ Jan 19th 2007 11:40AM
HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA...........
Phil L. @ Jan 19th 2007 11:41AM
Insert Usual Domestic vs. Import Bash Here
Phil L. @ Jan 19th 2007 11:44AM
My post would have worked better if it made it on top...
But really, can we discuss this news item without what usually happens next in the comments?
ORoad @ Jan 19th 2007 11:48AM
OH NOES
no way. No FREAKIN way.
Let me check to see what Consumer Reports has to say.
laserwizard @ Jan 19th 2007 11:49AM
What's to discuss?
Toyota has under engineered their products and has demonstrated through its HUGE recalls that it is not the quality vehicle maker that they are said to be.
Don't blame those of us who relish bad Toyota news for the recalls and quality snafus. Toyota is doing a fine job handling those issues by themselves.
Oh, what a feeling! Toyota!
Sgt. Hulka @ Jan 19th 2007 11:55AM
"Nothing to see here".
"This is none of your business".
"Move along".
JapDot @ Jan 19th 2007 12:13PM
Take that import fan boys. Oh! I drive a toyota truck, although it is 20+ years old.
John P. @ Jan 19th 2007 12:13PM
I don't care if EVERY SINGLE Toyota ever built gets recalled and they decide to refund the purchase price of my truck, bought new in 2002, complete with factory installed Rust bubbles. They are still the greatest.
NOT!
aaron @ Jan 19th 2007 12:20PM
BWAHAHAHAHA!
Oh what a feeling in the tailpipe..
Funny how you're seeing things pile up now.
investigation on hilux recalls and accidents as old as 1993.
1997-2002 millions of cars..
2001-2003 trucks, 880,000 of them first.
Now these..
Lmaonade anyone?
Tim UF @ Jan 19th 2007 12:21PM
nice star wars reference hulka..
i wonder if the recalls are all just growing pains felt by toyota with their massive recent expansions, or some other more grave problem of their lean engineering taking a bite out of the quality of the engineering?
el indiano @ Jan 19th 2007 12:28PM
at least they are doing the recall voluntary.
cant so that much for Ford.
P to the C @ Jan 19th 2007 12:34PM
Slowly but surely Toyotas reputation will catch up with reality, as will GM's. I must say that it's interesting seeing their roles slowly reverse.
Chris @ Jan 19th 2007 12:39PM
If Toyota execs truly exercised the Bushido code, they would've committed seppuku by now. Of course, the Japs have no such honor. So much for the much hyped but little delivered promise of reliability and high quality. Enjoy the crow, traitors.
Car Designer @ Jan 19th 2007 12:43PM
Let's give them a break, I mean, they are THE pinnacle of reliability and are THE world standard for quality...oh, wait...that's right, they have recalled more vehicles in recent memory than they have sold, but let's keep bashing the domestics everyone. Perhaps consumers in this country will begin to open their eyes and see that the difference between perception and reality is vast, and that domestics are doing a better job than imports, I suppose it is only a matter of time for the perception to sway though.
el indiano @ Jan 19th 2007 12:48PM
and that domestics are doing a better job than imports
yeah right, and the Jeep Compass is an example of one of those great domestics!
give me a break
D Man @ Jan 19th 2007 12:53PM
Toyota is getting too big, too many recalls the last year! GM and Ford are right behind them. Honda had a huge recall yesterday! Thats why I like Nissan, you know what you are getting in to and they make fun to drive cars!
mkbruin @ Jan 19th 2007 1:01PM
D-man, the nissan will just spontaniously combust!
que? @ Jan 19th 2007 1:04PM
Chris, if you own a single item in your house that's "Made In China," then you are a traitor.
If you've eaten Mexican food, you are a traitor and you support illegal immigration.
If you think Asian girls are hot, then me love you long time.
Ryan @ Jan 19th 2007 1:05PM
"but in some instances, owners have reported that their worn ball joints have lead to losing control of the vehicle, rollovers and even the trucks collapsing on their front wheels!"
-The Dodge Durango called, they want their ball joints back :-)
-Which raises the question. Will DATELINE NBC do reports about this AS THEY DID with the Dodge Durango/Dakota? It's only fair is it not?